Local education and arts programs win grants

An outdoor classroom is coming to Narragansett ElementarySchool (NES). The initiative is one of five local projects to win nearly $20,000 in funding from the Rhode Island Foundation’s Community Grants Program.

“We’re excited about these ideas for making community happen in more and better ways at the local level. Supporting community-building will improve shared places and quality of life, promote collaboration and increase community engagement,” said Jessica David, the Foundation’s executive vice president of strategy and community investments. “We’re grateful to have donors who invest in our work and partners like these that understand the needs of their community.”

Priority was given to proposals that included community support such as matching grants, the participation of volunteers and donated space or other forms of in-kind contributions. Most of the work is expected to be underway before the end of the year.

NES received $3,000 to install a garden that will serve as an outdoor classroom and living laboratory. Students from Narragansett High School and the University of Rhode Island will volunteer regularly to guide and mentor NES students, complete specific projects, perform experiments, collect data and perform maintenance.

“Care has been taken to integrate all lessons and activities that will take place in the garden and show teachers how they can easily use the new learning space to enhance the school’s existing curriculum, across all subject areas,” said Robin Plaziak, parent volunteer.

A portion of the grant will be used to establish a garden library, which will include fiction, non-fiction and reference books at all reading levels. Several times per year the garden will host special events that will be open to the public, such as a harvest festival and Earth Day celebration. Local farmers and gardeners will be invited to host gardening workshops and classes in the garden.

The South County Art Association in Kingston received $2,875 grant for “Art from the Heart of the Community” project. The indoor mural will be comprised of approximately 96, 4”x4” canvas panels created by the public. The organization is inviting residents to paint panels.

“This is a new public art installation that connects people and place. Each panel will reflect their interpretation of the question: What does South County mean to you. This fall the final mural will be dedicated and exhibited at the Peace Dale branch of the South Kingstown library,” said Kathleen Carland, executive director.

The South County History Center received $3,900 to sponsor a traveling exhibition of the newly-acquired Kenneth T. Mars, Jr. Photograph Collection. The collection contains more than 25,000 photographs documenting daily life in South Kingstown and highlighting the diversity of South Kingstown’s people, places and traditions.

“The Center is excited to share this important and unique collection through this first exhibit featuring Ken Mars’ photographs. Thanks to the Rhode Island Foundation’s generous support, the exhibit will be hosted by partnering institutions in South County and beyond,” said Erica Luke, executive director.

Southern Rhode Island Volunteers (SRIV) in South Kingstown received $5,606 to provide transportation for elderly residents of Charlestown. Volunteers for the organizations will drive local seniors to healthcare providers, grocery stores, food pantries, pharmacies and other crucial services.

“Charlestown has no public transportation at all. Senior citizens who no longer drive are completely isolated without the help of others in this rural town. We chose Charlestown because it’s central in the county. If we prove this can work, we can make this a replicable model for other South County communities. This can be a part of the transportation solution everywhere in rural Rhode Island,” said Debra Tanner, SRIV’s executive director.

The World War II Foundation in South Kingstown received $10,000 to create a Center for Intergenerational Learning in the former Kenyon’s Department Store in Wakefield. The facility will display artifacts, screen films and host lectures and panel discussions.

“The Center will convene students and veterans for the purpose of learning from one another, with emphasis on the personal stories of the veterans of World War II. This new initiative will create a welcoming, high-tech environment in the heart of this community, to support intergenerational learning goals for students, veterans and visitors,” said Tim Gray, president of the organization.

The funding from the Foundation’s Community GrantsProgram is supplemented by a gift from long-time Foundation donor Anne Sage.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.