Author Archives for Michael

Dominic Hospital before taking off his clothes in the middle of the street has started a conversation about the need for mental health treatment in the state.
Budget cuts to the department of mental health could impact how those patients receive treatment, and whether or not they get the help they need.
Budget cuts for state agencies have hit the Mississippi department of mental health hard.
We don’t know this man’s particular case, but we wanted to know if there could be a spillover of patients in smaller facilities like this.
“Depression is real. Dominic Hospital.
“It makes you think about our state hospitals and the beds that they are closing and how that may impact society,” Jackson Resident, Jacobi Grant said.
The Department of Mental Health is dealing with an $8.3 million budget cut.
The majority of cuts for the Mississippi State Hospital were to the chemical dependency units, and in the medical, psychiatric unit. Hogan said.

The state oversees 12 programs across Mississippi that offer services to people dealing with mental illness, substance abuse, and other disabilities.

Weather Conditons

Initiative Foundation‘s Gaalswyk announces retirement
Kathy Gaalswyk celebrates the yearlong participation and graduation of the Initiative Foundation‘s first cohort of Emerging Leaders. Submitted by: Initiative Foundation4 / 4

The only person to ever sit at the helm of the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls announced she will soon leave the organization.

Over the course of 30 years, founding President Kathy Gaalswyk oversaw the growth of a fund born during the farming crisis of the mid-1980s into a multifaceted foundation with assets totaling $62 million. Initiatives Gaalswyk identified as those she’s most proud of include those impacting early childhood education, childhood dental care, methamphetamine education and prevention, the establishment of Bridges of Hope and the Bridges Career Academies and post-tornado disaster relief efforts in Wadena.

Gaalswyk said these initiatives have both direct and indirect impacts on economic development in rural communities by improving the kindergarten readiness of future leaders, for example, or rebuilding lives and communities stronger than before a disaster, whether it be meth or a catastrophic weather event.

“It’s because of our ability to move quickly on an issue, engage people, bring resources to the table,” Gaalswyk said of the meth initiative. “We were able to raise a significant amount of grant funding in a very short amount of time because we had the credibility.”

Other efforts the foundation engages in include the development of young leaders, the protection of water quality in lakes and rivers, fighting the spread of aquatic invasive species, nonprofit financing and, as the host of turn key funds for families, businesses and other groups.

A leading lady

When the organization began, Gaalswyk was a woman in a leadership role at a time when that was less common. I have been treated with the utmost respect by my board and my staff, and it really hasn’t been a barrier to anything.”

Many kind words

The words “integrity,” “credibility” and “trust” were used liberally by those on the board and in the community describing Gaalswyk’s leadership.

Larry Korf, Initiative Foundation board chairman, said Gaalswyk’s leadership helped to define the credibility that allows the foundation to tackle such a variety of issues.

“Wherever there is a problem or a gap in the community, we can address it very quickly,” he said.

“She’s been the face of the Initiative Foundation and she’s done a terrific job,” said Reggie Clow, a trustee with the foundation and the CEO/owner/president of Clow Stamping Company. Then, you find the energy and the strength to do the hard things to make it happen.”

Initiative Foundation timeline

1986: Incorporated as Central Minnesota Initiative Fund; First McKnight Foundation grant received.

1987: Started business financing program.

1995: Launched Community Partners grants and training.

1996: 10-year anniversary total assets $13.9 million, 10 employees.

1997: Certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Certified Development Financing Institution.

1999: Changed name to Initiative Foundation; launched Healthy Lakes and Rivers Partnership program training.

2000: Moved to current location in Little Falls.

2001: Healthy Organizations Partnership program kick-off event.

2002: Began statewide Early Childhood Initiative and became Volunteers In Service To America program sponsor.

2003: Began Initiative Quarterly magazine.

2006: 20-year anniversary total assets $40.7 million; 25 employees.

2009: Launched Inside-Out Connections initiative for children of incarcerated parents.

2011: 25-year anniversary total assets $43.1 million; 21 employees.

2012: Launched Thriving Communities Initiative program.

2012: Launched Financial Resiliency through Social Enterprise.

2013: Launched Early Childhood Dental Network.

2014: Launched Aquatic Invasive Species program.

2015: Launched Emerging Leaders program.

2016: 30-year anniversary total assets $61 million; 25 employees.

CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com.

Three finalists chosen for Women’s Giving Fund grant – The Park RecordThree finalists chosen for Women’s Giving Fund grant
Board members of the nonprofit organization PC Tots stand with the check last year showing the Women s Giving Fund s first annual $30,000 grant last year. “We are very impressed and very pleased.”

Last year, the Park City Women’s Giving Fund, a program that operates under the auspices of the Park City Community Foundation, awarded PC Tots a $30,000 grant that essentially helped launch the program, Wilder said.

According to information the organization provided on the Women’s Giving Fund website, Holy Cross Ministries intends to use the funds from the grant to continue providing services to women and children through a new low-cost, bilingual program for families with 3-year-olds living below the poverty level.

Another finalist, the Peace House wants to establish a Peer Mentoring Program to support women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Club Blue awards $187K to 3 Rockford charities that serve disadvantaged children – News – Rockford Register Star – Rockford, IL ROCKFORD Club Blue donated $187,000 this week to three Rockford children’s charities following its April 22 fundraiser.Crusader Community Health received $75,000 to help it build out four pediatric examination rooms at its new Kids Care Now Clinic on Alpine Road. We tried to make our criteria so basic that we’re not eliminating organizations in the community that need the funds.”Nonprofit agencies may go online to cfnil.org/grants/club/ to apply for the next round of Club Blue grants for initiatives that benefit disadvantaged children. mainImageContainerInnerHTML += ”+mainImageData_credit+”; mainImageContainerInnerHTML += ”+htmlencode(mainImageData_caption)+”; mainImageContainerInnerHTML += ”+mainImageData_caption+”; mainImageContainerInnerHTML_sm += ”+mainImageData_credit+”; mainImageContainerInnerHTML_sm += ”+mainImageData_caption+”; $(‘#art-main-image-credit-container_sm’).css(‘width’,smimgwidth).css(‘padding’,’3px ‘+(mainImageData_leftPadding – 3)+’px 0 0’); $(‘#art-main-image-caption-container_sm’).css(‘width’,sm_img.width).css(‘padding’,’5px 0 0 ‘+(mainImageData_leftPadding + 3)+’px’); $(‘#zoom-handle’).css(‘padding-left’,(mainImageData_leftPadding + 3)+’px’); $(‘#art-main-image-caption-container’).css(‘width’,img.width).css(‘padding’,’5px 0 0 ‘+mainImageData_leftPadding+’px’); $(‘#art-main-image-credit-container’).css(‘width’,img.width).css(‘padding’,’5px ‘+(mainImageData_leftPadding)+’px 0 0’);

Home | News | New forum for charity and social enterprise leaders in Bristol and the South West New forum for charity and social enterprise leaders in Bristol and the South West

Chief executives and senior managers at charities and social enterprise are to benefit from a new forum group in Bristol and the South West of England. The South West Development Director’s Forum, led by Nancy Chambers, is launching an ella forums group in Bristol in September 2016. Ella is a social enterprise.

Nancy Chambers of the South West Development Director’s Forum explained:

“Our members in the South West told us that there was a lack of affordable, accessible, sector-specific leadership development and so we’ve tailor made a leadership development programme with ella-forums to address this need.”

Perez added:

“I’ve seen the success of ella forums with CEO’s in Bristol and the surrounding area and thought this is something we need to deliver locally to senior managers also.”

245 total views, 245 views today

The remaining profits must be used to serve the company’s stated social objectives.

This week the Community Interest Companies Act, which was passed in December 2012, came into force with regulations to allow for the registration of Community Interest Companies, or CICs. They will have more freedom than not-for-profits and more capital restrictions than normal companies.

Traditional societies incorporated under the Societies Act can’t raise capital from equity investors and usually can’t operate for-profit enterprises.

Registered charities under the federal Income Tax Act are limited to pursuing a narrow range of goals related to poverty relief, education, religion, and other notions of charity.

From now on, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, and designated a CIC, may use its assets to pursue a “community purpose” that goes beyond the financial interests of its shareholders. These purposes might include health or social services, or something to do with the environment, culture, or education, but not politics.

Existing corporations can convert to a CIC, but the designation can’t be reversed.

The new designation raises the question of why an ordinary company would want to submit themselves to the “asset lock” built into the new regulations.

Alongside the dividend cap, there is a requirement that upon dissolution, assets will be distributed to a co-operative, society, charity, or institution whose goals match up with the CIC.

The institutions that may inherit these assets include universities and community colleges, school boards, hospitals, the three tiers of government, and the provincial health authority, gallery, and museum network.

Companies applying for the designation must declare their community purpose and present a community interest plan, followed by annual reports on their community impact.

The majority of that capital would flow to the wellbeing of the community of interest.

Advocates for the concept also say it will help companies engaged in social enterprise to offer a guarantee to customers and investors that they are committed to social goals for the long haul.

State grant will fund Paw Paw River water trail – The Herald Palladium : Local News kAm%96 7F?5D 2C6 6IA64E65 E@ 36 2G2:=23=6 ~4E] ` 2?5 D9@F=5 36 6?@F89 >@?6J E@ 92G6 E96 H2E6C EC2:= A=2??65 2?5 4C62E65[ 4@>A=6E6 H:E9 D:8?286[ D2:5 zC:D |2CE:?[ 2?

TWO Forres organisations are celebrating receiving a large chunk of

Scottish Government funding, enabling them to press ahead with new volunteer-led opportunitites.

Rays Opportunities celebrating Scottish Government funding for volunteer-led projects

Ray’s Opportunities SCIO and The Newbold Trust have been awarded 10,000 each from the Volunteering Support Fund, administered by the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF).

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is delighted that funding has been announced for a total of five organisations in Moray.

“Volunteers undertake an enormous amount of worthy work in our communities,” he said.

“I am pleased that the money from the grants is to be used to recruit, support and train volunteers from vulnerable backgrounds.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that all five Moray organisations have more or less qualified for the full amount of money available and I congratulate them for their successful bids for funding.

“I am sure the grants will be put to good use and will result in positive experiences for local volunteers.”

Forres-based charity Ray’s Opportunities supports people with physical, hidden and learning disabilities at the Community cafe at Forres House Community Centre.

Ray’s Opportunities will use the funding to provide volunteering opportunities for 15 people from disadvantaged backgrounds, mainly individuals with a physical, hidden or learning disability, who face challenges to obtaining sustainable employment.

The Community Cafe enterprise will offer the chance to increase vocational and social skills while building confidence through on-the-job training and work experience.

The 11-month programme will ensure full volunteer expenses are covered; fund publicity for the programme and volunteer recruitment; and fund a part time volunteer coordinator.

“The Community Cafe is a popular venue within the town,” said Mr Lochhead.

“I am pleased that the social enterprise has been given a financial boost to recruit and train volunteers in catering and hospitality skills.”

Director Ray McDonald is delighted to accept the funding.

“Ray’s Opportunities was awarded the Volunteer Friendly Award last year in recognition of our commitment to volunteers,” he said.

“We understand the crucial contribution that volunteers of all ages and abilities have to make this grant enables us to have a volunteer coordinator to oversee this vital side of our operation.

“The scheme will equip people who would otherwise be furthest away from the job market, with the work and life skills to gain sustainable employment or further vocational training.

“We hope the volunteering experience will also help people to live independently in the future.”

The Newbold Trust is based at wellbeing and sustainable living centre, Newbold House, on St Leonard’s Road. Newbold House offers workshops, retreats, eco-holidays, venue hire and accommodation.

The Trust will use their grant to host more residential and local volunteers, and develop new initiatives stemming from volunteers.

New volunteers will join in community outreach events such as the organisation’s first ever Permaculture Summer Festival, and harvesting and processing days. They will also receive support and mentoring from a member of staff.

Richard Lochhead MSP welcomed the news.

“I’m aware that the Trust greatly value their volunteers who undertake a range of tasks to support its sustainable aims,” he said. Last year their grant allowed us to recruit a volunteer coordinator to significantly improve and expand our volunteering programme.

“We now have more local people volunteering and have started a whole new volunteering day during the summer months.

“This year the funding will continue to support the volunteer coordinator post and further improve the learning journeys for volunteers.

“We are offering more trainings and interactive seminars to develop employment skills, confidence and awareness around sustainability and wellbeing.

“We are also reaching out to a more diverse range of potential volunteers. We particularly welcome youth, elders, anyone feeling socially isolated or suffering from stress/depression and those who are finding it hard to get back into work after a period of time off or unemployment.

“Our hope is to help local people build skills, confidence and social networks and therefore provide ongoing benefits in their lives.

“We value our volunteers very much and could not continue the educational and retreat work we do without their help.”