Press Release: 12/14/11

Contact: Brooke Findley

Chrysalis Foundation, Director of Policy and Programs

515-255-1853

bfindley@chrysalisfdn.org

For Immediate Release

December 13, 2011

CHRYSALIS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $60,000

IN COMMUNITY GRANT AWARDS

Des Moines: The Chrysalis Foundation has awarded $60,000 to 10 local organizations serving women and girls through its 2011 Community Partners Grant Program.  Funding supports the operations of organizations aligned with the mission of Chrysalis, which is to increase resources and opportunities for women and girls in Greater Des Moines.

"We view the Community Grant Program as a partnership because we’re working together in a number of ways,” noted Chrysalis Executive Director, Terry Hernandez.  “Chrysalis fully invests in partner organizations with funds, training, education, and volunteer recruitment to build their effectiveness.  In turn, we learn from them what the changing issues and challenges are.”

Grantee organizations are provided one-on-one technical assistance and monthly learning opportunities through the Chrysalis Women’s Alliance.  Christine Halbrook, Chrysalis Grant Programs Committee Chair adds “We’re in a unique position among foundations, and we value the relationship that is created from this investment. We can assure our donors that Chrysalis is supporting the success of the most effective and sustainable organizations that serve women and girls in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties.”

Awards for work during 2012 were presented to:

Bernie Lorenz Recovery Center

Children and Family Urban Ministries

Des Moines Chapter: Dress for Success

FreeStore

Hawthorne Hill/New Directions Shelter

Iowa Homeless Youth Center

L.U.N.A. (Latinas Unidas po un Nuevo Amanecer)

Youth Emergency Services and Shelter

Young Women’s Resource Center

We Learn Independence for Tomorrow (WeLIFT)

Chrysalis grants are funded by contributions from individual donors.  Because of founder Louise Noun’s provision of an endowment, every dollar given to Chrysalis returns to the community through its grant making and educational programs. For more information, please visit www.chrysalisfdn.org.

Established in 1989, Chrysalis is a Des Moines-based community foundation serving Polk, Warren, and Dallas Counties.  For more information, call 255-1853 or e-mail to: info@chrysalisfdn.org.

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Chrysalis Community Grant Recipients

Chrysalis is pleased to announce the recipients of our 2011 Community Partner Grants. All funding will be used for operations during the 2012 calendar year.

Bernie Lorenz Recovery

Halfway house providing support for women with substance abuse or mental health concerns

Children and Family Urban Ministries

Agency supporting working families and their children by providing quality out-of-school time programs, family-focused events, and daily meals

Dress for Success

Providing professional attire and career support to disadvantaged women seeking employment

FreeStore

Providing donated furniture and household goods to clients of domestic violence services

Hawthorn Hill, New Directions Shelter

Emergency shelter and transition to independent living for homeless mothers and children

Iowa Homeless Youth Center

Transitional shelter for pregnant and parenting young women and their children

L.U.N.A. (Latinas Unidas por un Neuveo Amanecer)

Agency serving Latina victims of domestic violence or sexual assault through counseling and advocacy

Young Women’s Resource Center

Organization providing an array of gender-specific programs for girls and young women from age 9 to 21

Youth Emergency Services and Shelter of Iowa (YESS)

Emergency shelter for newborn through age 17, providing counseling, stabilization, assessment, and a crisis nursery

We Learn Independence for Tomorrow (WeLIFT)

Providing support, resources, and employment assistance to unemployed and low-income residents of Warren County