In its twelfth year, Pearls Grant Awards total $384,012!
Pearls of Empowerment invite nonprofit organizations to apply for grants that directly benefit women and/or children of Davie County. Our goal is to empower Davie County nonprofits to provide assistance and/or services for these two critical groups in ways they have been unable to in the past. The Pearls grant application is available April 1st and the deadline is August 1st. Pearls grants are awarded each November.
After thorough research and careful consideration, Pearls of Empowerment decided that agencies applying for grants in 2021, 2022, and 2023 must propose programs/projects focused on Abuse of Women and Children, Housing for Women and Children, or Childcare and Transportation for Women and Children. While food insecurity remains a significant concern in the county, there are multiple sources in place addressing numerous facets of this need.
Davidson-Davie Community College – $1,000 grant to provide fifty $20.00 gas cards as an incentive/reward to women who work hard to be successful in the College and Career Readiness program.
Many students enrolled in the College and Career Readiness program at Davidson-Davie Community College are unable to attend face to face classes because they lack the funds for transportation. The staff found that students who attend class in person reach their educational goals much quicker than those that work from home. DDCC will expand on successful programs run by Hillsdale Church and Next Gen that provide gas cards to eligible students.
Dragonfly House – $6,000 grant to ensure they can offer therapy to every child affected by trauma regardless of ability to pay.
Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. Dragonfly House offers therapy sessions from fully licensed, trauma trained mental health clinicians to children in Davie County who have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, have witnessed violence or have been exposed to a variety of other crimes. These mental health services build on the strengths of children, families, and community systems to increase hope, healing, and resilience.
Family Promise – $10,000 grant to help fund their Transitional Housing program which allows families facing homelessness to remain together, continue to save money, and receive support from a Family Promise Case Manager to create a sustainable future.
Family Promise of Davie County operates the only homeless shelter and Transitional Housing program in Davie County. Family Promise partnered with Hope Homes to provide two 2-bedroom houses for use in the Transitional Housing program. This housing bridges the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, education, and training.
Smith Grove UMC/THE BRIDGE @ 197 Main – $13,000 grant for “Last Mile” Transportation and Wholeness for Families, which will connect Cooleemee with Mocksville Circulator Route (YVEDDI) and provide personal transportation to human service programs outside of town improving the overall health and wholeness of those assisted.
Smith Grove United Methodist Church/The BRIDGE @ 197 Main created the Cooleemee Community Initiative to minister to Cooleemee residents. In their outreach programs they quickly realized lack of transportation is a major issue in the community. Based upon the model established by the 100 Man Project in Liberty, NC the “Last Mile” Transportation and Wholeness for Families program was born. This program provides a solution for families that need help to travel outside of Cooleemee for dentist, doctor, or other appointments. Smith Grove UMC/THE BRIDGE @ 197 Main is hopeful that this model might be replicated in other areas of our community.