Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Awards Grants

VERNON, CT — The Vernon Greater Together Community Fund Wednesday announced its first round of grants totaling $18,500.

The Community Fund is supported by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and allows local residents to "identify community needs and fund solutions that respond to those needs."

Organizations and projects receiving grants include:

• Vernon Historical Society — $2,500 to create a community map of Vernon's walking trails and historical markers.
• Vernon Arts Center East — $3,000 to create an exhibit, classes, and talks on the legacy of Vernon Resident Charles Ethan Porter.
• UR Community Cares — $2,000 to connect Vernon's older and physically disabled residents to local volunteers with help for home-based assistance.
• Rockville High School Project Graduation — $500 to help cover the cost of Project Graduation, which provides a safe event for high school graduates the night of graduation.
• Junior Achievement of Southwest New England— $2,500 to provide financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programming for up to 75 students attending Vernon Public Schools.
• Interval House — $5,000 to be used to offer assistance to residents of Vernon experiencing domestic violence.
• Bridge Family Center — $3,000 to purchase furniture and therapeutic toys for the counseling center to help provide a warm and welcoming environment for clients.