BELLOWS FALLS — Parks Place Community Resource Center has been awarded a challenge grant in the amount of $9,000 from the Thomas Thompson Trust.
All monies raised by Parks Place over and above last year's total fundraising from individuals, businesses, civic groups and churches will be matched dollar for dollar by the foundation (up to $9,000). Last year, the agency raised roughly $40,000 from these revenue sources. It now must elevate giving by a little more than 20 percent to receive the additional $9,000.
Parks Place Director Barbara Ternes said that she is confident this can happen, recalling the overwhelming generosity and enthusiasm of persons who helped make the agency's 2009 capital campaign to renovate the adjacent Carriage House a success.
“That effort was a product of the community's firm commitment to what we do and I believe members will again extend their generosity,” she said.
Challenge grants are good news for long-term contributors and potential new donors who believe in a particular agency like Parks Place. Gifts made during a challenge period (Sept. 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 for this award) are a means of doubling one's investment in the agency and the people it seeks to assist.
Parks Place Community Resource Center was founded in 1992 to address the health, education and human service needs of families of the region. Its mission is to open doors to opportunities by connecting people with the resources, information and education necessary to move their lives forward.
Thirty-five providers from across state agencies and non-profit organizations use Parks Place as an outpost to ensure accessibility to a long list of services including mental health and substance abuse, unemployment, lead poisoning prevention, parenting classes and adult learning. For information, contact Development Director Margaret Grisczenkow at 802-463-9927, ext. 109 or mgrisczenkow@parksplacevt.org, or visit www.parksplacevt.org.