Generation Impact hosted its “Big Give” event and awarded its fourth-annual $10,000 grant to Domestic Violence Crisis Center. The grant will fund a series of support groups, facilitated by a professional counselor, for youth (ages 6-17) who have been exposed to domestic violence, to help them with self-esteem, coping strategies and social skills.
Each Generation Impact member donated $100 to the grant award of $10,000. Additional donations from members and friends enabled the group to fund additional $2,500 grants for each of the other finalist organizations.
The Big Give began with a brief welcome from co-president Mia Juneja, a Greenwich Academy senior, followed by compelling presentations from Domestic Violence Crisis Center and three other non-profit finalists: Filling in the Blanks, Shepherds, Inc., Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
The four finalists’ grant applications addressed very different and important causes: domestic violence, childhood hunger, education, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Their proposals were selected by members after a review of grant applications from 32 Fairfield County-based organizations.
Each of the non-profit finalists made a clear case for making an impact on youth in our community. Mia Juneja, Generation Impact Co-President & a senior at Greenwich Academy thanked them for their participation in the grant process and for the meaningful work they’re doing to help youth in our community. As she invited members to vote, she reminded them that “by getting to this final stage in Generation Impact’s grant process, all four organizations are worthy of winning our $10,000. There are no wrong decisions.”
Member votes were tallied in real-time.
Suzanne Adam, DVCC’s Executive Director said, “We are so grateful to receive this grant from Generation Impact for our youth and family group counseling! This funding will provide much-needed support for children who have experienced the trauma of domestic violence. The youth support groups play a critical role in the healing process. This grant will help change lives today and build healthier communities for future generations.”
Generation Impact is a program for high school girls (grades 9-12), whose overall mission is to educate the next generation about the need in Fairfield County, introduce them to the many organizations working to address those needs, foster the spirit of philanthropy & community service, and empower girls to work together to make an impact.
Previous grant winners include the Bridgeport Hospital (2021), Open Door Shelter in Norwalk (2020) and Building One Community in Stamford (2019).
Girls interested in joining the program, local businesses wishing to donate to the grant and/or provide foundational support, and non-profits interested in applying for Generation Impact’s 2023 grant can visit www.generationimpact.org.
