A school project launched to better ensure student safety is receiving a $25,000 Community Impact Grant.
The Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) provided the grant opportunity for non-profit organizations within the county to work together to leverage funds and make a bigger impact on the community.
The Safe School Readiness project from the Ripley County Safe Schools Commission has been awarded the grant. It provides each public school district in the county, including the Southeastern Career Center, with two emergency response packs.
Each pack includes thumb drives, portable bullhorns, VHF Motorola handheld radios, weather alert radios, safety vests, and other safety materials.
“The packs make the schools safer when responding school or community disasters,” RCCF Program Director Jane Diewert said. “The most important piece is that an emergency response master plan will be created to coordinate response from each school.”
The Board of Directors looked for projects that would have a greater impact on the county than would normally be possible in its regular granting cycle and that demonstrate collaboration with other organizations. Jeff Thielking, the South Ripley Schools/Career Center School Resource Officer, serves as President of the School Safety Commission. Joining him on this committee that worked together on applying for this grant were safety representatives of each district.
RCCF Executive Director Sally Morris stated, “There were many Ripley County non-profit organizations applying for the Community Impact Grant with worthy projects. The collaboration of the schools really stood out to the committee and the fact that everyone in Ripley County could be touched by this project if a disaster or emergency arises.”
Applying non-profit organizations not receiving this grant will be considered in the Foundation’s regular large grant cycle. Applications for the large grant are due to the Foundation’s office by 4 p.m. on August 1. Details and guidelines for this grant cycle are on RCCF’s website: www.rccfonline.org .
