The CFOV presented $50,470 in grants Wednesday from the Women’s Giving Circle.

Since 2011, the Women’s Giving Circle has supported 147 projects for a total of about $607,000, reported Debbie Stanton, project director for the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley,

Among this year’s recipients were the following:

– The Children’s Home of Wheeling – $10,000 for empowering girls in crisis, and trauma-informed mental health care at Orchard Park Hospital.

Debbie Stanton, project director for the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, prepares to distribute the checks being awarded to local organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Jacquelyn Knight, executive director/CEO of The Children’s Home of Wheeling and executive director of Orchard Park Hospital, explained the funds would be put to use to strengthen the organization’s trauma-informed responses when treating girls at the hospital.

“It will help us provide critical care for the girls who are there for treatment, and help them to regain their confidence,” she explained.

– Ohio Valley Youth Network – $7,000 for their “Girls Who Thrive” program for enrichment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the arts and leadership.

Bobbyjon Bauman, president and founder of the Ohio Valley Youth Network in Steubenville, said the organization works with more than 500 children each week in afterschool programs.

He told the story of one girl who ripped her pants while in the program. She used the sewing skills she learned there to stitch them up. Another group of other girls made the kilts they wore for a singing competition.

Representatives of organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants through the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley gather on the steps at the CFOV. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Bauman added he recently went to get his hair cut, and one of the cosmetologists at the shop had been a young woman who was an alumnus of the organization.

“She first learned to cut hair in our cosmetology program,” he said.

– Girl Scouts of America Black Diamond Council – $6,350 for “Girl Scout Leadership Experiences.”

Brooke Anderson, a member of the council’s board of directors, explained the organization represents Girl Scout groups in more than 60 counties throughout West Virginia, Ohio. and Maryland.

“There are so many girls impacted, and so many girls right here in Wheeling,” she said. “We are honored and thankful for the (CFOV) and the Women’s Giving Circle for being a part of the support you guys give.”

Elizabeth Strong of the Smart Center in Wheeling speaks Wednesday before receiving one of the grants awarded to local organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants through the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley. (Photo by Joselyn King)

There are 42 girls and 10 volunteers who will receive financial aid to the “Girl Scout Leadership Experience” programs through the money, Anderson continued. The program provides young women with experiences in STEM, as well as life skills and entrepreneurship. The programs are programs at Laughlin Memorial Chapel.

– Youth Services System – $6,000 for its transitional living program and homeless prevention for women and children.

Youth Services System Director of Development Tammy Cruz explained that when young women residing at YSS’s Helinski Center turn 18, they must leave the facility. They have a birthday party for them, help them bag up their things and escort them across the street to the McCrary Center and transitional living programs.

“When the young woman turns 18 and goes across the street, she has a place to live,” Cruz said. “She has support and people who will take care of her.”

– Oglebay Institute – $5,000 for arts enrichment opportunities for girls.

Bobbyjon Bauman , president and founder of the Ohio Valley Youth Network in Steubenville, speaks Wednesday before receiving one of the grants awarded to local organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants through the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Danielle McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, thanked the Women’s Giving Circle for the grant to provide art experiences for the young females – especially those who don’t have financial access to them.

Half of the money will go to fund OI’s summer camp opportunities, while the remainder will be used to send the organization’s dancers to perform at the Crittenton House, Youth Services System and other places throughout the area, she said.

– West Virginia Northern Community College Foundation – $5,000 for emergency assistance to female students.

Rana Spurlock, executive director, explained students of any gender may apply for the money to provide for any issue that comes up in their life that might affect their schooling. The money can be used for such items as overdue housing and utility bills, gas cards and childcare.

– Smart Center – $4,120 for its “Girls Enjoying Math and Science (GEMS)” program.

Danielle Cross-McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, speaks Wednesday before receiving one of the grants awarded to local organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants through the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Elizabeth Strong, who co-founded the Smart Center with her husband Robert, said the camps first started in 2005.

“I am always revelling at how the girls respond to each other, and the creativity they have,” she said. “They talk, they laugh and have fun together, but they are also learning a lot about science and mathematics.”

She noted this year’s theme will be “We Dig Science,” focusing on geology, paleontology and archeology.

– The Crittenton Foundation – $4,000 for therapeutic dance for young women and mothers.

– The Marshall County Family Resource Network – $3,000 for its “Healthy Classrooms Essentials” and period prep bags projects.

Executive Director Kimberli Green showed those present an example of the red pouches provided to young girls that are filled with feminine hygiene products.

“One thing that we have found that will always exist is the need for hygiene items for young girls,” she said.

Green said the Marshall County FRN works directly with Marshall County Schools to provide the bags to girls who need them. The money also will be put toward purchasing lice kits for girls who have lice.

Debbie Stanton, project director for the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, prepares to distribute the checks being awarded to local organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants. (Photo by Joselyn King)

Representatives of organizations receiving Women’s Giving Circle grants through the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley gather on the steps at the CFOV. (Photo by Joselyn King)