FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2010
Community Foundation grant for Grand Rapids Dreams and Eastown Community Association summer program partnership
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation has provided a grant to support the programs of the summer program partnership between Grand Rapids Dreams and the Eastown Community Association called ‘Beyond the Corners’. Youth today have very few options for a safe, and enriching way to spend their summer vacations. Many youth will spend the time just hanging out at home or sitting on the corners. ‘Beyond the Corners’ provides a safe fun day of activities for children in grades 1-6.
The grant from the Community Foundation will support many program opportunities for the group such as: travel to Meijer Gardens; the Grand Rapids Museum; a visit to the farmer’s market; art supplies; tools for a community garden and much more. “I am excited about the kind of program that we can provide for the youth of Eastown and surrounding communities with the support we have received from the Community Foundation”, says Andre Daley Chairperson of the Board of Grand Rapids Dreams and its Acting Executive Director.
Grand Rapids Dreams is a non- profit organization formed by Mosaic Life which seeks to help people discover, nurture and act on their dreams. Daley says “Through ‘Beyond the Corners’ we can help local youth dream big and look beyond the corner of their block to the city of Grand Rapids to live their dreams.” ‘Beyond the Corners’ was started as a partnership between the Eastown Community Association and Mosaic Life/ Grand Rapids Dreams in the summer of 2008. The program is available to any member of the Eastown community with a particular focus on youth within the boundaries of Wealthy, Ethel, Franklin and Fuller Avenues.
‘Beyond the Corners 2010’ starts on June 21 and runs through August 13. The program operates from 9-1 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday.
For more information about ‘Beyond the Corners’ and Grand Rapids Dreams visit the website at www.grandrapidsdreams.org
