NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2012

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOCUS OF NEW KNIGHT FOUNDATION GRANTS

WICHITA- Increasing community engagement is the central focus of three new grants announced today by the Wichita Community Foundation. The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC), working with the Young Professionals of Wichita and Visioneering Wichita, will receive $125,000 for leading a community-wide discussion to set regional priorities for developing talent, place and opportunity in Wichita. Senior Services Inc. will receive $17,645 to enlarge their training programs for using iPad technology to Latino seniors. Real Men, Real Heroes will receive $2,783 for its teen mentoring program. The grants are part of the informed, engaged communities initiative of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The WDDC grant, together with $82,000 in private and in-kind donations, will fuel a community wide discussion and resulting definition of the next level of development for Wichita. The goal is to answer the question: What priorities do we set to make Wichita an attractive place to live, work and play for the next generation of citizens.  This grant award follows Knight's recent investment in the WDDC Design and Innovation Center which opened in August of 2011.  The new Design and Innovation Center is a venue that fosters community dialogue on various quality of life initiatives. 

Senior Services, Inc. will provide free technology classes for Latino seniors at its LaFamilia and Orchard Park sites . The one year project hopes to reduce the isolation of low income senior Latinos by training them on iPads in their native language. Real Men Real Heroes will use their grant dollars to build a diverse, multicultural team of teen mentors who will function as both role models and spokespeople for its ongoing work in the community.

About the Wichita Community Foundation
Since 1986, the Wichita Community Foundation has been serving the philanthropic needs of the Wichita community. The Foundation's goal is to build a stronger city by investing in people, organizations and institutions so they can contribute to their neighborhoods and communities. The Foundation supports programs, projects, and organizations that creatively and successfully bind the community together to enrich the quality of life for all citizens.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.  We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.

Contacts:
Knight Foundation: Bahia Ramos-Synnott, 305-908-2625
Wichita Community Foundation: Rob Allison, 316-264-4880

 BY AMY RENEE LEIKER
The Wichita Eagle

When Rob Allison of the Wichita Community Foundation received a check accompanying a note that read, "Here you go. Help somebody," he knew that Wichita-area citizens understood the meaning of "true, grassroots community fundraising."

Thanks to an outpouring of financial support by donors like the one who wrote the letter, Share the Season celebrated its 10th year in 2010 helping a record 281 families.

The campaign also saw a record number of donors.

"The community has stepped up again," said Allison, the foundation's president and CEO. "I was so pleased with watching the new donors coming in this season. I think that's a good sign. It tells you what a giving community Wichita is."

So far, Share the Season has received more than $218,000 from 1,067 donors, Allison said.

In 2009, 747 donors gave $162,182, which helped 228 families.

The previous record of families helped was set in 2007, when the campaign aided 280 families, said Cheryl Warne, director of emergency social services for the Salvation Army.

This year, Warne said many applicants were underemployed or still looking for work following layoffs. Assistance paying medical bills was a top request.

"I'm excited for the families we've helped," Warne said. "It's always a gift to work with those families and see how much the money from Share the Season is making a difference in their lives.

"Many talked about how they used to be donors in the community and how hard it was for them to be recipients now."

Share the Season is an annual, monthlong campaign offering one-time aid to those experiencing unexpected hardships It is coordinated by the Salvation Army, the Wichita Community Foundation and The Eagle.

Since its start in 2000, the campaign has helped 2,243 families with $1.77 million in donations.

In a thank you letter received by the Salvation Army, one recipient wrote: "Our prayer is, next year at this time, we will be in a position to help out someone else. You have no idea how your gift helped our family."

The Wichita Community Foundation has named directors and officers for 2010/2011. Lynn Stephan has joined the Board of Directors. WCF officers are: Sharol Rasberry, Chair; Sheryl Wohlford, Vice-Chair; Gayle Malone, Secretary; Steve Houlik, Treasurer; and Phil Neff, Immediate Past-Chair. Continuing their service on the WCF board are: Jerry Aaron, Don Barry, Brian A. Black, Bill Hanna, Ed Healy, Al Higdon, Arneatha Martin, Ron Paulseen and Sam Solomon. Read More >