ROTARY CLUB OF DUBOIS COUNTY GRANTS $16,000

The Rotary Club of Dubois County awarded a total of $16,000 to three local area nonprofits as part of their 2024 Community Grants program. Recipients of this year’s grants were the Dove House, ALASI, and Crisis Connection.

“We remain humbled by the profound and lasting impact the nonprofits of Dubois County have on our community,” said Rotary Club of Dubois County Community Grants Committee Chair, Christian Blome. “This year’s grant recipients are delivering essential opportunities, resources, and support that strengthen the fabric of our community and uplift all those served. I am incredibly proud of our Club’s commitment to supporting these outstanding organizations and the positive change they bring to Dubois County.”

Applications for the community grants were required to match one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus: 1. Promoting peace 2. Fighting disease 3. Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene 4. Saving mothers and children 5. Supporting education 6. Growing local economies 7. Protecting the environment.

This year’s top grant at $8,000 was allocated to the transportation needs of women at the Dove House. “In rural areas such as Dubois County, transportation is one of the biggest barriers to women accessing the resources they need to be successful in their recovery. At Dove House we work to remove barriers as part of our mission to helping women become substance free, self-sufficient, and healthy  Sometimes that means providing transportation for them to get to and from their medical appointments, court, visits with their children, work, etc. until they have secured their own reliable transportation,” said Megan Durlauf, Director of Operations. “This grant will support a portion of the purchase of a vehicle to assist with transportation needs.”

A $4,000 grant was awarded to ALASI for Certified Translator Scholarships. "ALASI has identified a significant need for Spanish translators and interpreters in Dubois County," said Evelyn Rivas, Board President. "By providing these scholarships, we’re removing the cost barrier and enhancing the ability of local businesses and organizations to communicate with the Latino community. Our scholarship recipients will offer immediate, local assistance to individuals needing help with a wide range of translation services."

Crisis Connection received a $4,000 grant for their Protection through Education project. "Crisis Connection Inc. (CCI) works to mitigate the effects of Partner and Sexual Violence and prevent future occurrences. Recently, we’ve seen an uptick in cases where technology and social media are used to control or exploit individuals," said Paula Rasche, Executive Director. "A request from the Dubois County Prosecutor’s office highlighted the need for increased awareness about sextortion in our community. These funds will be used to train CCI staff on social media platforms and to bring in a key speaker to educate local students and parents about online predators."

In addition to providing funding for each of these important causes, Rotary Club of Dubois County members will participate in portions of the programs as well – from helping to identify scholarship candidates to participating in the development of the advisory committee for social media awareness.

Rotary Club of Dubois County Community Grant funds are made possible by activities hosted by the club, including the ATHENA Banquet, the Cornhole Tournament of Champions, Leadership Luncheons, and the Economic Forecast Luncheon. Recent past recipients of grant funding include the Southeast Dubois School Corporation, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center’s Women and Infant Services, and the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation.

Applications for the 2025 Community Grant cycle will open on January 15, 2025. Visit the Rotary Club of Dubois County’s Facebook page or visit www.duboiscountyrotary.com<http://www.duboiscountyrotary.com> for more information.