Topeka Credit Union Foundation Awards Eight Organizations with Grant Funds
The Topeka Credit Union Foundation (TCUF) awarded eight local organizations with $50,575 in grant funds this morning at their annual Benefactors Breakfast. This year’s special event celebrates the foundation’s 20th anniversary and coincides with International Credit Union Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the positive impact and achievements of credit unions worldwide.
This year’s grant recipients bring TCUFs combined giving to a total of 135 grants totaling over $480,000 since its inception in 2004.
“We’re very proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish over the past 20 years,” said Christina Schmitt, Chief Operations Officer for Envista Federal Credit Union and Vice President of the TCUF. “Today’s celebration was a great reminder of the incredible journey and meaningful impact these organizations have had on our community. We’re thrilled to be able to continue our mission of uplifting local organizations who are doing amazing work through their combined efforts.”
The following organizations were awarded grants for 2024:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka with a gift of $3,275 to purchase “The Walking Classroom” curriculum, which provides kids and staff with an innovative way to get exercise without sacrificing instructional time. In this program, up to 25 Club Members at a time can take a 20-minute walk while listening to the same, custom-written, kid-friendly podcast that comes preloaded on their Walk Kit audio player. Walk Kits contain 167 unique podcasts, each features a health literacy message, as well as a character value, with topics such as: learning from conflict, individuality, setting long-term goals, overcoming struggles, standing by your beliefs, reflecting on your choice, and so many more.
Kansas Children’s Service League with a gift of $4,000 to fund their Center for Restorative Education program. This program provides educational services, as well as behavioral and mental health resources, for local high school students in the Topeka area whom have been suspended long-term, expelled, or are unable to conduct themselves in a traditional classroom setting. Students attending this program struggle with issues related to a dysfunctional home, poverty, child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, anger and impulse control, and mental illness. Certified teachers and social workers work in tandem with students and understand their challenges of everyday living and the effects of their childhood trauma. This program ensures a positive, and safe harbor that allows students not only to have their educational needs met, but their emotional needs, and provides a positive system geared to their success.
Prevention and Resiliency Services with a gift of $4,800 to support their Evaluation Program. This program provides drug and alcohol evaluations for youth at risk of developing a drug or alcohol addiction. Evaluations are administered by licensed counselors using an array of industry-based tools to determine if intervention or treatment is needed.
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, Inc. (TCT) with a gift of $3,500 to support their Read the Book, See the Shows program. This grant will allow TCT to purchase the books they give away to children who attend their special Theatre for Young Audience (TYA) matinee productions. For the 2024-2025 season, they will have two productions: Charlie Jingle P.E. and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. TYA productions provide positive messages for children in the community, and often give children their first experience of live theatre.
Topeka Habitat for Humanity with a gift of $5,000 to support Aging in Place, a movement that not only enables individuals to age safely in their homes but creates an environment where older adults can continue to learn and contribute, develop intergenerational relationships, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and live independently with autonomy, dignity, and respect.
Topeka Junior Achievement with a gift of $5,000 for their Personal Finance Symposium, teaching high school students about money-management strategies including earning, employment and income, budgeting, savings, credit and debt, and consumer protection. At the conclusion of this program, students are able to identify how their personal finances affect their quality of life and understand how their financial choices become the basis of attaining their wants and needs.
YWCA of Northeast Kansas with a gift of $5,000 to aid in renovations to the Early Learning Center playground. The renovation will address needs for their young learners to have a safe outdoor play area. This playground is a space vital to children’s early education and development.
To celebrate the 20-year anniversary, The Topeka Credit Union Foundation provided Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc. with a special gift of $20,000 to use toward their Tenant and Landlord Counseling initiatives. This program offers quality education regarding the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords in Kansas. It provides valuable information and referral to housing and housing-related services. Counseling services are provided free of charge.
The Topeka Credit Union Foundation was formed in 2004 by a group of local credit unions working together to raise funds and donate to community organizations. Since then, TCUF has contributed more than $480,000 to local non-profit organizations. Through the contributions of the individual credit unions, the generosity and fund-raising efforts of the credit union employees, that fund continues to increase each year. The Foundation is supported by Azura Credit Union, Envista Federal Credit Union, Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Credit Union, and Mid American Credit Union.
