Grants from the West Hartford-based organization will support children and youth through challenging circumstances and future path to success.

Submitted

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford’s giving circles, JewGood Hartford for young professionals, and the Lillian Fund for women, awarded their annual grants to two local nonprofits that help empower children, youth and families.

COMPASS Youth Collaborative of Hartford received a $10,000 grant from JewGood Hartford to support COMPASS Junior Peacebuilders, which serves youth ages 16-21 who are at high risk of perpetrating or becoming victims of violence due to a combination of social, economic, and environmental factors. The program seeks to engage youth in positive activities, led by caring adult mentors, to equip them with the skills necessary to make good life choices.

Klingberg Family Centers of New Britain received a $10,000 grant from the Lillian Fund to support Klingberg Children’s Advocacy Center, which helps children and youth who have experienced abuse. The program allows children to tell their traumatic experience once to one trained expert and receive the counseling and medical services they need to heal, instead of reliving their worst experiences by telling various authorities the details. Thanks to the greater accuracy achieved with a thorough one-time interview, there is a greater likelihood that perpetrators will be charged and prevented from harming additional children.

The Power of Giving Circles

“When individuals come together to support causes they care about, they form a powerful giving community,” said Elana MacGilpin, development officer at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “Our giving circles bring people together to learn more about issues impacting our community and to create positive change.”

A giving circle is a group of like-minded individuals who donate their time and money to a pooled fund and decide together which organizations will receive their grants. Every voting circle member has an equal voice in these decisions. Members also attend events that allow them to explore the community, deepen their knowledge of endowment and create new connections.

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford operates two giving circles, JewGood Hartford and the Lillian Fund, and encourages a gift of $100 to become a voting member. For more information about giving circles, please email Elana MacGilpin at [email protected], or visit them online www.jcfhartford.org  or on Facebook and Instagram.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.