Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic: $2,850
This grant will fund roof and siding repairs and exterior improvements to the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic Cottage. The Cottage is home to the Plateau’s only privately run, no-cost-to-clients dental suite, and also houses a classroom and meeting space for the community and the BSMC board. Over the past year the structure has suffered storm damage and mold and discoloration and these improvements will make the overall appearance of the building as inviting as possible for patients and volunteers.
Coalmont Elementary School/Grundy County School System: $5,000
This grant will be used to initiate a literacy project designed to develop and foster a love of literacy and a mindset of lifelong learning. The goal of the project is to provide in-person and virtual opportunities for parents to be informed and involved with literacy initiatives, improve the school library by increasing the selection of available books, and build community partnerships.
Folks at Home: $4,250
This grant will enable Folks at Home, in collaboration with the local organization Compassionate Friends, to continue to fund a “safer” alternative for essential medical transportation for elders as they continue to navigate appointments during COVID.
Friends of South Cumberland: $10,000
This grant will fund the construction of a Nature Play Area to be located at the South Cumberland State Park Visitors Center - a first for the Plateau. The popularity of Nature Play and Creative Free Play is growing among young families, given that this type of play builds confidence, creativity, and a stronger connection to the natural environment while engaging in healthy physical activity.
Grundy County Housing Authority: $6,000
As Grundy County Housing Authority (GCHA) welcomes the passing of the Mountain Goat Trail through GHCA property, this grant will be used to replace an existing gazebo as well as add benches to provide residents and other walkers a place to rest.
Grundy County Sheriff's Office: $6,000
Grundy County Sheriff's Office will use this grant to equip incarcerated individuals with 700 "transition care packages" for its reentry program. These packages will include a hygiene kit and a resource guide with information for financial assistance, housing, substance abuse disorder, childcare, food insecurity, public libraries, as well as national and local employers that are felon and ex-offender friendly.
Isaiah House 117: $6,500
When children are removed from their homes out of concern for their welfare, they are usually brought to the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) offices to await placement with a foster family, involving a wait of several hours to nearly a full day. The nearly completed Isaiah House location in Grundy County will allow a safe place for children to receive the comfort and care they need while DCS staff identify a good foster placement. The SCCF grant will be used to install a whole-house security system in the new location for the safety and protection of guests.
MARC — Marion Animal Resource Connection: $4,635
In 2020, MARC took into its program 1,444 dogs and cats - all of which were spayed and neutered. That same year another 953 dogs and cats were rescued and later matched with families. MARC also runs a program to assist low income families with discounted resources for their pets, and deploys staff throughout the region to teach adults and children about the humane care of animals. This grant will be used to implement a TNR = Trap, Neuter, Return cats program.
Monteagle Elementary School: $4,725
Monteagle Elementary hosts numerous school and community programs in its auditorium each year. The school’s "Community Project'' aims to provide and increase opportunities for students, teachers, parents, and community members to experience more cultural and community awareness programs. This grant will be used to purchase and install a much-needed front valance for the auditorium stage which will enhance these presentations.
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance: $5,000
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance is committed to building a multiuse, multimodal walking and cycling trail that connects Plateau communities along the path of the historic Mountain Goat Railroad from Cowan to Palmer. This grant is for the construction of a short connector which will allow the Trail to connect with the current TDOT road narrowing project in Sewanee.
Mountain T.O.P.: $10,000
Mountain T.O.P. is a 40-year-old interdenominational ministry dedicated to addressing issues of poverty in the rural Cumberland region. Last summer, the organization was forced to close its doors to limit the spread of the pandemic among community, staff, and volunteers. This grant will assist with operational costs for the organization, and in particular, will help Mountain T.O.P. cover a percentage of their full-time staff’s health insurance costs.
Sewanee Elementary School: $4,735
This grant will be used to build an outdoor STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning center in a dormant 28' x 22' space that is adjacent to the school building. The purpose for the STEM center is to allow students the ability to have hands-on experience with scientific principles and investigation-based inquiry. The center will allow teachers to better address the Tennessee NextGen Science Standards through more hands-on experimentation.
Town of Tracy City: $10,000
The pandemic and consequent increase in visitation to the Grundy Forest section of the South Cumberland State Park in Tracy City further compounded an existing issue of visitor parking on homeowners’ properties as well as around the rescue helipad that serves this area, causing a hazard and challenge for emergency services. This grant is directed toward creating additional parking along the road that provides access to Grundy Forest, utilizing naturally occurring material. The Town will also provide opportunities along the new parking area’s fence row for advertising for local businesses and attractions across the Plateau.
Tracy City Elementary School: $9,223
This grant will be used by Tracy City Elementary (TCE) to create an area for students and the broader community that extends beyond a typical academic setting. The site for this outdoor learning space will be located near the Mountain Goat Trail extension that runs by the school and the school’s greenhouse. TCE is aiming to become a STEM-designated school in the next academic year and is making an effort to use more project-based, hands-on learning experiences, which the outdoor learning site will provide. The area will also promote inclusive play for the community by providing play areas that are accessible to everyone.
Some of the attendees at the 2021 Spring Grants Celebration Zoom on June 7, 2021.