Announcing our 2016 Grant Recipients

The GPD Group Employees’ Foundation recently approved grants to nearly 100 organizations in Northeast and Central Ohio, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Louisville, Phoenix and Seattle. The recipients were selected from the numerous worthy applications received during the grant cycle ending January 29, 2016. Over $410,000 of awards will be disbursed by the Foundation, whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of children.

Grants were awarded to:

A Kid Again (Twinsburg, OH) for Adventures Program for five ill children and their families, $7,500.
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, (Wooster, OH), for Dream Camp including sled hockey equipment and camper sponsorship, $8,375.
Akron Children’s Hospital (Akron, OH) for Bibliotherapist Palliative Care Program including staffing and materials, $5,000.
Akron Children’s Museum (Wadsworth, OH) for Play for All to modify existing exhibits to make them accessible to children with disabilities, $7,210.
Akron Public Schools (Akron, OH) for Career Exploration Options to improve academic success of at-risk students at Jennings CLC and East CLC, $5,000.
Ann T. Case PTA (Akron, OH) for Playground of Possibilities, a fully accessible playground, $5,000.
Art Sparks (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) for Expansion of Fabulous Fitness, a health and wellness dance curriculum in Akron Public Schools, $3,000.
Aultman Hospital (Canton, OH) for Aultman Ambassador Program, an intervention initiative to combat child / adolescent obesity in Stark County schools and community, $2,000.
Autism Society of Greater Akron (Akron, OH) for Adapted Aquatics Program, an aquatics program for children with disabilities to certify instructors, $10,000.
Big Walnut Local Schools (Sunbury, OH) for Standing up for Success to support students with disabilities through alternate seating options within the classroom, $2,999.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve (Akron, OH) for Academic Success and Healthy Lifestyles to support at-risk children enabling them to graduate from high school on time, $7,500.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School (Broadview Heights, OH) for High School Moderate to Intensive Unit to support a classroom of students with multiple disabilities, $5,000.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School (Broadview Heights, OH) for STEM Bots, materials to enhance the STEM program, $10,000.
Brecksville-Broadview Heights Highland Drive Elementary (Brecksville, OH) for Maker’s Club for second and third graders to engage in problem solving, designing and creating processes, $6,500.
Brook Park Memorial Elementary School (Brook Park, OH) for Brook Park Memorial Playground Improvement Fund to create a safe environment and accessible equipment for students, $7,500.
Camp Korey (Carnation, WA) for Residential Summer Camp for Children with Serious Medical Conditions to sponsor one child for a week, $2,272.
Camp Quality Ohio (Akron, OH) for 2016 Summer Overnight Camp to allow 75 to 85 children with cancer and their siblings to be kids at summer overnight camp, $10,000.
Camp Twin Lakes (Atlanta, GA) for Camper Scholarship Program to send children with a serious illness, disability or life challenge to a week-long therapeutic summer camp, $3,200.
Canton Local Schools (Canton, OH) for Veterans Day at Faircrest Memorial Middle School to provide opportunities for students to learn about the significance of Veterans, $1,000.
CASA, Inc. (Louisville, KY) for Advocacy Academy to train and pair volunteers with abused and neglected children to help them excel in school and overcome trauma in safe, permanent homes, $2,000.
Child Crisis Arizona (Mesa, AZ) for Expansion of Child Crisis Arizona’s Early Head Start Program to provide educational support for at-risk youth, $2,000.
Child Guidance & Family Solutions (Akron, OH) for Kids Club Summer to help children avoid “summer slump” and support success at school, at home and with their peers, $6,000.
Childkind, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) for Home Based Services – Support Care Coordination to provide critical in-home medical training and support for families with children with significant medical care needs, $2,000.
Children and Books a Division of Lennibug Foundation (New Franklin, OH) for Reading is the Thing in 2016 to provide age and culturally appropriate new books to elementary students living in poverty, $5,000.
Children’s Concert Society (Akron, OH) for In-School Concert Series to enable students to experience live music in a less structured environment, $2,000.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation (Atlanta, GA) for Music Therapy for the Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to support music therapy services in the intensive care units, $2,000.
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cleveland, OH) for Early Childhood Education Program Serving Children with Brain Injuries to update and expand equipment and resources for students with traumatic brain injuries, $4,500.
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (Cleveland, OH) for Regional Infant Hearing Program which provides screening and support services to children and families, $7,500.
Cleveland Sight Center (Cleveland, OH) for Early Intervention Services for children under 3 who are blind or have low vision, including vision and development skills assessment, $7,500.
Columbus City Schools (Columbus, OH) for Special Education Tutoring to provide graphing calculators for special need students, $1,000.
Columbus City Schools (Columbus, OH) for Wiggling to Learn to provide different seating options for students with disabilities, $1,500.
Coventry Local Schools (Akron, OH) for Special Services to provide iPads for three grade levels to allow students to progress at their own pace, $6,000.
Crown Theater Productions (Columbiana, OH) for Special Need Shows and Summer Drama Camp to support shows including participation of those with special needs, $5,000.
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation (Cleveland, OH) for Youth Technology Academy to provide high school students with interactive, hands-on classroom and laboratory robotics to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills, $7,500.
Cystic Fibrosis-Reaching Out Foundation (Stone Mountain, GA) for “Reaching Out” to Children with Cystic Fibrosis to provide emergency, nutritional, insurance, medication and medical supply assistance, $2,000.
Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio (Parma, OH) for Dancing Classrooms Residency Program to improve the educational experience of children through a 10-week, 20 session residency program, $500.
Dorman Preschool (Shelbyville, KY) for Healthy Snacks to support a healthy lifestyle, $2,000.
Down Syndrome of Louisville, Inc. (Louisville, KY) for Early Childhood Education Programs to provide a path for children to reach attainable goals and provide a future education in public schools, $2,000.
Downs on the Farm (Oberlin, OH) for operations expenses to support a program allowing special needs children and adults to interact with a wide variety of farm animals, $2,000.
Edgerton High School (Edgerton, OH) for Stem Challenge to provide additional supplies and equipment for AP Biology and AP chemistry, $7,500.
Elves & More of Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) for 2016 Annual Bicycle Giveaway to provide bicycles or other age appropriate gifts to children in struggling neighborhoods, $2,500.
Embracing Futures, Inc. (Akron, OH) for Orthodontic Care Program providing braces to economically disadvantaged families of at-risk children, $5,297.
Fairhaven School (Niles, OH) for Playground Climbing Equipment to allow students to explore their motor and coordination skills to strengthen their upper body, $2,000.
Firestone High School (Akron, OH) for Engineering for Life to ensure that competitive robotics will grow and mature as students with programming skills from middle schools graduate to high school, $9,500.
Friends of The Summit 91.3 (Akron, OH) for KIDJAM Radio in Akron Public Schools to expand reach to serve more kids in the common areas of 10 more Akron Public Schools, $2,000.
Girls on the Run of Greater Summit County (Akron, OH) for Expanding Girls on the Run Program Sites In Lorain and Portage Counties to double the number of sites offering the program, $5,000.
Glendale Union High School District (Glendale, AZ) for Sensory Integration Program to educate high school students with Autism to increase literacy and daily living skills, and prepare them for life after high school, $2,000.
High Point Elementary (Sandy Springs, GA) for Creativity for Kinders to encourage creativity, imagination, critical thinking and collaboration through inquiry based learning, $2,000.
Hilliard City Schools – Horizon Elementary (Columbus, OH) for Awakenings Playground Project to address the sensory and movement needs of the diverse population of students, $2,000.
Inspiring Minds (Warren, OH) for 2016-2017 Inspiring Minds Educational Enrichment Component to improve classroom performance and increase readiness for college and vocations, $2,000.
International Soap Box Derby (Akron, OH) for Special Needs Day to provide individuals age 7 to 18 who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged in Summit County the opportunity to race down the Derby Downs Track in a dual controlled Soap Box Derby Car, $7,500.
Invent Now, Inc. (North Canton, OH) for Camp Invention 2016 scholarships, $5,000.
Joseph Maley Foundation (Indianapolis, IN) for Joseph Maley Foundation Disability Awareness Program to cultivate attitudes of acceptance, respect and compassion for the diverse community, $2,500.
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio (Akron, OH) for Empowering Our Future to implement 16 programs to enhance classroom learning and make a connection between the real world and what students learn in school, $4,000.
King CLC (Akron, OH) for Classroom Collaborations to pair third grade and kindergarten students to create teaching and learning presentations that relate to skills being taught in Benchmark Literacy, $2,000.
KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools (Atlanta, GA) for Operating Support to change educational opportunities and life outcomes for children in Atlanta’s low income communities, $2,000.
Lake Forest Elementary (Sandy Springs, GA) for Kindergarten Teacher Supplies to purchase supplies for the kindergarten classrooms such as age appropriate books, games and headphones, $1,350.
Lakeview High School (Cortland, OH) for CCP Student Study Lounge to better serve the needs of College Credit Plus students, $2,400.
Lakeview Local Schools (Warren, OH) for Multisensory Chairs to provide varied and dynamic seating for students with ADHD and other medical diagnoses, $3,118.
Ledgeview Elementary School (Macedonia, OH) for Second Graders in History to take second graders to Hale Farm and to conduct a “Pioneer Day” with pioneer food, crafts and games at school, $1,800.
Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) (Cleveland, OH) for Employment Services for Youth with Disabilities to prepare youth with disabilities to transition successfully from high school to employment, $5,000.
Meigs Intermediate School (Middleport, OH) for MIS Summer Reading Program “Read to Succeed” to provide a backpack of library books to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to read over the summer, $8,000.
J. Scott Elementary School (Atlanta, GA) for Mentor Program to provide academic support, positive adult interactions and community exposure for 4th and 5th grade students, $2,000.
Firestone Park Elementary School (Akron, OH) for Classroom Laptops to provide special needs students access to laptops with ‘text to read’ and ‘voice to text’ capabilities, $2,000.
Munroe Elementary School Special Education (Akron, OH) for Project ASAP: Applying STEM Activities and Practices to train teachers in the STEM philosophy and provide equipment necessary for STEM in the classroom $10,700.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus, OH) for Outpatient Music Therapy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to pilot music therapy services in outpatient clinic areas, $7,500.
Near West Theater (Cleveland, OH) for Capacity Building for Disability Services to purchase assistive equipment and training so young, impaired audience members can enjoy live musical theater, $3,000.
Nolley Elementary School (Akron, OH) for Common Core Exemplar Text Reading to provide students with disabilities grade-level text that is suggested by the Common Core State Standards, $300.
Nordonia High School (Macedonia, OH) for Nordonia High School Art Program to provide equipment and supplies for the benefit of all students, including special education students, $3,000.
Oasis Outreach Opportunity, Inc. (Akron, OH) for OASIS: Indoor Urban Playground to provide a safe place for exercise, healthy meals and support for inner-city youth, $2,500.
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (Marion, OH) for Parents 4 Special Kids to train parent mentors to implement an evidence-based one-on-one reading mentoring program, $1,993.
Olentangy Local Schools (Lewis Center, OH) for Olentangy Academy STEM Program to provide a new liquid resin 3D printer, $2,000.
Parkmoor Elementary School (Columbus, OH) for Inclusive Practices Pre-K Playground to provide outdoor play opportunities for Pre-K students who are special needs and those who serve as typical peers, $7,000.
Pegasus Farm (Hartville, OH) for Rider Scholarship for Take Flight Program to provide scholarships to students with disabilities wishing to access the benefits of equine assisted activity, $3,000.
Pickerington Local School District (Pickerington, OH) for Special Education Department – Junior High Resource Room to provide high interest, low ability reading materials that are appropriate for students with intellectual disabilities, $2,000.
Providence House (Cleveland, OH) for Sponsor One Child in the Providence House Wellness Nursery to provide for the safe discharge of newborn children who have minor medical needs and whose families are in crisis, $15,000.
Rainey Institute (Cleveland, OH) for Summer Arts Day Camp to support a safe and enriching 6-week camp for at-risk, economically disadvantage school-aged children, $5,000.
RePlay for Kids (Medina, OH) for Using Toy Adapting Workshops to Promote STEM Education to have STEM students modify toys so they can be donated to and enjoyed by children with disabilities, $5,000.
Schumacher CLC (Akron, OH) for Teaching with Technology to provide urban students with access to a 21st century education, $13,000.
Smiles with Style (Sagamore Hills, OH) for Fund a Smile at Akron Children’s Hospital to provide one-on-one makeover / dress-up visits at Akron Children’s Hospital by volunteers and free of charge to children at the hospital, $2,000.
Sojourner Center (Phoenix, AZ) for Sojourner Center Child Development Center to provide quality child care and Pre-K academic preparation to children in domestic violence shelter, $2,000.
Special Olympics Kentucky (Louisville, KY) for Project UNIFY & Young Athletes to bring together youth with and without intellectual disabilities through sports, education and awareness activities, $2,000.
Stow Munroe Falls City School District (Stow, OH), for American Studies, an interdisciplinary course covering American Literature and United States History including books and field trips, $1,572.
Summit County ESC (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) for Hear, Talk, Learn to maximize auditory access for children who have hearing loss through strategic assessment, technology and interventions, $16,435.
Tallmadge Middle School (Tallmadge, OH) for Literature Circles and Self-Selected Reading to purchase books of high interest to middle school students at a lower reading level, $500.
Tallmadge Middle School (Tallmadge, OH) for 30 Book Reading Challenge to purchase books selected by the students that are new, relevant and interesting to them, $500.
The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties (Stow, OH) for Service Coordination to provide advocacy and support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, $2,500.
The First Tee of Akron (Akron, OH) for Changing Futures Through the Game of Golf: 2016 to expand the educational, golf-based youth development programming to youth with disabilities, $6,000.
The Kelly Reeves Memorial Foundation (Munroe Falls, OH) for Kelly’s Grief Center to support the group counseling program for school age kids dealing with the loss of a loved one, $3,500.
Thompson Crossing Elementary School (Indianapolis, IN) for Adaptive Playground Swing to provide a wheelchair swing for the playground to accommodate disabled students, $700.
Tuscarawas Valley Middle School (Zoarville, OH) for Vocational Readiness Program to acquire a variety of tasks to prepare students for employment after graduation in support of Ohio Means Jobs, $1,500.
University Hospitals Health System, Inc. (Cleveland, OH), for UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Sibshop Program to provide an intervention program for siblings of children with special needs, $7,000.
Victory Gallop (Akron, OH) for Victory Gallop Rider Scholarships for Special Needs Children to provide full or partial rider scholarships to low-income children with special needs, $3,000.
Western Reserve Revitalization and Management Company, Inc. / CMHA (Cleveland, OH) for Summer Reading Retention Program to provide additional reading instruction to K through 4 students over the summer to diminish reading loss, $11,260.
WestSide Baby (Seattle, WA) for Community Collection & Distribution Program to provide low-income, homeless and immigrant families access to critical materials for children, $2,000.

GPD Group (GPD) is an employee-owned, full service A&E firm with over 500 design professionals. Headquartered in Akron, GPD has offices in Chardon, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Marion, Youngstown, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Louisville, Phoenix and Seattle.

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Announcing our 2016 Grant Recipients