Village Basketball Camp, Pontiac -- Awarded: $500
The minigrant will fund 10 camp scholarships. The Village Basketball Camp is held at Pontiac High School from July 19 through 23. The camp is open to boys and girls in grades 3-9. Founded in 1994, the camp mission is to have a long-term, positive impact on the physical and social needs of Pontiac children.
Children’s Village Foundation, Pontiac -- Awarded: $1,500
The minigrant will fund the installation of a 9-hole disc golf course on the grounds of Children’s Village. Children’s Village provides a unique approach to treatment of youth that fall under the authority of Oakland County Family Court or with the Michigan Department of Human Services. Its mission is to provide the best possible services within existing resources to children and youth who come under the jurisdiction of the court and are deemed to be temporarily in need of out-of-home care, custody and treatment.
Headwater Trails Inc., Holly -- Awarded: $700
The minigrant will fund 20 canoe/kayak rentals for the Adventure Paddle event on June 6. Headwater Trails, Inc. seeks to expand the paddling experience on a local river to teenagers, and demonstrate this activity as a means of maintaining physical fitness.
Headwaters Trails Inc. is a non-profit group dedicated to the construction of a trail network in northwest Oakland County's Headwaters region. It is currently in the planning stages of trail development. The trails span several municipalities, including the townships of Groveland, Holly, Rose and Springfield, and the Holly. Headwaters Trails Inc. operates with the support of a variety of public, private and business sources interested in promoting local trails and recreational activities.
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation, Southfield -- Awarded: $1,000
The minigrant will fund “Living Green and Healthy in Holly,” a new vegetable gardening program at the Village of Holly Woodlands. The project includes a community garden, planters for individual apartments and cooking demonstrations.
The goal of “Living Green and Healthy in Holly” is to encourage physical exercise and promote lifelong healthy eating habits. Since 1945, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) has been a leader in quality senior living and services. PVM serves more than 3,000 seniors of all faiths and economic means in 24 villages throughout Michigan. Its mission is to provide new possibilities in quality senior living. All of the communities offer social activities and wellness programs geared towards the physical, spiritual and educational needs of seniors.
City of Wixom -- Awarded: $500
The minigrant will fund the “Bike & Hike,” a day-long event on July 24 at the Wixom Habitat. Residents ride their bikes or take a walk on the city’s park trails. Participants can extend their outdoor experience by attending the Lyon Oaks County Park “Great Wixom Campout.” Known as the “Best Hometown in the Midwest,” Wixom is characterized by its balanced approach to land use development, and mixing the best of county living with a strong industrial base. For outdoor enthusiasts Wixom boasts two sprawling golf courses and seven community parks, which offer a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Wixom Habitat features 300-acres of pristine parkland that is being developed as a passive park with boardwalks, a nature center and walking paths.
Holly Area Schools - Patterson Elementary’s LECI Classroom, Holly -- Awarded: $1,175
The minigrant will fund “Hugs for Horses,” a five-week therapeutic horseback riding program for 12 students in kindergarten through third grade. The riding program integrates multiple disciplines – fine and gross motor, balance, laterally, posture, sensory, speech and language, cognitive, social and emotional skills. Patterson Elementary, in partnership with the Holly community, provides educational excellence for all learners. The Lower Elementary Cognitively Impaired Classroom (LECI) is a space where all children, regardless of their disability, can come and find success based on their individual needs and goals. Children in this setting work in various group and individual settings on academic, social, communicative, life skills and fine/gross motor skills at their level.
City of Farmington Hills Senior Adult Division -- Awarded: $600
The minigrant will fund the purchase of swimming pool equipment to be used for the “Getting Strong Now” program, which introduces older adults to methods to increase vitality, independence and good health. The focus is on improving muscle strength and flexibility to maintain the ability to perform everyday functions while increasing awareness on proper nutrition and fitness. Farmington Hills offers dozens of programs for area adults, age 50 and older, at the Center for Active Adults.
Oakland County Youth Assistance Coordinating Council, Inc. -- Awarded: $1,000
The minigrant will fund the program “Project Fit,” a four-part series. It is for mentors and mentees, ages 10 and older, from the Oakland County Youth Assistance Mentors Plus Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Jewish Family Services Mentor Programs, all of Oakland County. It is designed to address issues of physical health, exercise and healthy eating. Oakland County Youth Assistance began in Hazel Park in 1953 and now encompasses 26 local affiliates. Its mission is to strengthen youth and families and reduce the incidence of delinquency, neglect and abuse through community involvement.
Charter Township of Royal Oak Parks & Recreation Department:
Awarded: $750
The Brooksie Way Minigrant will fund an enhancement for the Royal Oak Township Summer Camp for Kids - Operation I Can Do! Approximately 150 children, ages 5-12, will benefit. Oakland County Parks and Recreation is partnering with Royal Oak Township to incorporate physical activity and nutrition into the four-week camp program. The Charter Township of Royal Oak Parks & Recreation Department has been in existence for over 40 years. Its mission is to provide quality recreation programming to the youth, young adults and seniors who reside in Royal Oak Township and southern Oakland County.