INCLUSION, DIVERSITY & EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM

To further promote and support inclusion, diversity and equity in our communities, Illinois American Water launched an Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Grant Program. The program provides financial assistance to organizations seeking to develop and implement programs, training or community-related projects that aim to promote and foster inclusion, diversity and equity in the community.

2022 INCLUSION, DIVERSITY & EQUITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

Twelve organizations across Illinois American Water’s footprint received funding for their inclusion, diversity and equity efforts. Illinois American Water’s 2022 Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Grant recipients and projects are described in detail below.

Alton Athletic Club will receive a $2,500 grant to support the Beautification Diversity Program which will use local banners to celebrate local athletes.

Alton YWCA will receive a $2,500 grant for their self-care program focused on supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Black History Month Awareness Club located in Bolingbrook will receive a $2,500 grant to secure scholarships for high school seniors.

Eastern Illinois Food Bank in Champaign County will receive a $1,000 grant for their “just-in-time” produce delivery program to distribute produce to rural and under-served areas.

Joseph Center in East St. Louis will receive a $2,500 grant to support transitional housing for homeless veterans and training for staff members.

Lincoln Park District will receive a $1,500 grant to support access for visitors with disabilities to local parks.

Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank in Peoria will receive a $1,000 grant to provide diapers to families in need.

NAACP Champaign County will receive a $2,000 grant to support educational scholarships for diverse students.

Peoria Public School Foundation will receive a $1,500 grant to support the snack pack supplemental food program.

Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign will receive a $2,000 grant for the Y on the Fly program which will support summer and afterschool programming.

The Bridges Program at Belleville West will receive a $2,500 grant to create a pop-up farmstand to deliver nutrition and share information about agriculture while engaging students and increasing skills.

Titanium Force Cheer in the Peoria area will receive a $1,000 grant to support the Cheerabilities program.

2021 INCLUSION, DIVERSITY & EQUITY GRANT RECIPIENTS

Fourteen organizations across Illinois American Water’s footprint received funding for their inclusion, diversity and equity efforts. Illinois American Water’s 2021 Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Grant recipients and projects are described in detail below.

Big Picture Initiative located in Peoria received a $1,000 grant to connect Peoria Public School District students to public arts. Art kits were distributed to young students to elevate the role art plays in the community and in learning, while promoting creativity to diverse students.

Black History Month Awareness Club located in Bolingbrook received a $1,000 grant to secure scholarships for high school seniors. The deserving high school seniors will demonstrate diversity work in the community and educational excellence to succeed in college. The grant will allow the organization to provide scholarships for students in need of financial assistance.

HeartHaven Outreach located in Bolingbrook received a $1,000 grant to support a diverse, educational field trip for teens. The goal is to raise awareness and provide services that are more inclusive to students and families of the Hispanic/LatinX demographic. The educational field trip will create an inclusive experience for the Spanish-speaking community.

House of Miles East St. Louis (HOME) located in East St. Louis received a $1,000 grant to support their HOME Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM) program. The grant will support materials needed to allow students to learn and experience STEAM through hands-on experiences.

It Takes a Village located in Peoria received a $1,500 grant to expand their efforts of providing resources to students at Manual High School in Peoria. The expansion of their program will provide socks, hats and gloves to students. The group currently provides toiletries, school supplies and food. This effort is in collaboration with various organizations to increase awareness of community resources and support for children and families.

Living to Serve located in Peoria received a $1,500 grant to enhance their health programming. Their efforts will focus on equal access to healthcare. They plan to expand their efforts through digital marketing and community outreach events to address disparities in public health that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

New Life Lutheran Church located in Bolingbrook received a $1,000 grant to enhance their Diaper Depot program. The program provides bundles of diapers to families in need. The expansion of the program will provide much-needed formula. The program will support women caring for their children and provide food for their families while supporting their efforts to maintain their work in the community.

No Father Left Behind, Inc. in Belleville received a full grant request of $2,000 to support incarcerated men and their children. The organization will provide parental training skills to fathers, provide transportation for children to visit their fathers on the weekend, and provide transportation vouchers to fathers who may have a job interview. They also helped incarcerated fathers provide Christmas gifts to their children.

Prospect Heights Fire Protection District received a $1,000 grant to expand their Community Connection Program. This program allows residents to share critical information about their households to aid first responders and emergency personnel to respond more efficiently. The expansion of the program will support conversations with diverse populations in the community. The conversations will present dialogue to aid in diverse strategies, practices and programs.

Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project located in Bolingbrook received a $1,000 grant to support the organization’s health justice program. The program promotes inclusion and diversity in the community and is on the forefront of language access with local health departments. The work supports equitable access to diverse populations. They plan to expand their efforts by providing additional training to community health workers to assist in connecting and leveraging resources.

The Well Experience located in Urbana received a $1,000 grant to fund the Sisters Engaging Together (SET) project. The SET project provides a safe place and activities to promote healthy conversations about racial disparities for women of color in a trauma-informed environment. Activities and discussions will relate to racial disparities, systemic oppression, generational trauma, community violence and more.

Trauma and Resilience Initiative, Inc. located in Urbana received a full grant request of $2,500 to support their Healing Communities-Wisdom Leaders-Senior Community-Building program. The program supports senior residents in high-need neighborhoods who have concerns about safety, social isolation and inability to navigate the service system. The project supports a relationship-based healing model to increase access to services and support.

Woodridge Rotary Club located in Woodridge received a full grant request of $550 to purchase and donate inclusive and diverse books to students in the Edgewood School District. The books will focus on acceptance of all children and encourage them to feel confident in who they are. The books will include biographies, poetry and fiction stories with diverse backgrounds.

YWCA of Southern Illinois located in Alton received a $2,500 grant to support their Reading On program. The program will offer diverse storybooks for teacher professional development and continuing education. They will use diverse storybooks and concepts to give pre-k and other elementary teachers an opportunity to learn and discuss diversity, inclusion and belonging.