The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) recently approved grants totaling $541,300 reaching 17 WNC counties to address needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards, made outside of the Foundation’s regular grant cycles, provide funding for basic human needs in Latino communities and youth mental health services across the region. “Following the rollout of the federal stimulus, CFWNC researched funding gaps and reached out to our nonprofit partners to understand where money was still lacking,” said CFWNC President Elizabeth Brazas. “Two main areas of concern rose to the top: mental health services for youth and basic needs support for Latino communities. We are thankful to have the flexibility and, with the partnership of our donors, funds to award additional grants to meet these immediate needs.”
The grants in our area are: $60,000 to Bakersville Community Medical Clinic to provide school-based mental health services to students in Yancey County Schools. $20,000 to Blue Ridge Organizing Project to purchase food, provide rental assistance, cover basic utility and medical bills, and meet other emergency needs of unemployed or underemployed Latino people in Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, Madison and Henderson counties. $30,000 to Centro Unido Latino-Americano to meet emergency needs such as food, rent, utilities and medical assistance for low-income Latino people in McDowell, Rutherford, Burke, Buncombe, Mitchell, Yancey and Avery counties.
