The Weld Trust has awarded $4 million toward two capital improvement projects through its Flagship Grant program. The two grants were awarded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County and the High Plains Housing Development Corp.
Flagship Grants are defined by The Weld Trust as significant community projects that are usually awarded for capital needs. The project must align with The Weld Trust’s mission to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County. The grants require additional funding sources for the project and must demonstrate a community partnership.
The $1.5 million Flagship Grant awarded to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County is supporting the new Greeley Teen Center currently under construction. The Flagship Grant awarded a total of $1,500,000 comprised of an $800,000 grant with a loan of $700,000 forgivable over four years subject to the attainment of pre-determined outcomes.
The Club is remodeling the old Warnoco Roller Skating Rink located at 1403 2nd Street in Greeley. This new space will allow the Boys & Girls Clubs to expand from serving 30 teens per day to over 125 teens, quadrupling their current attendance.
The Teen Center will serve the most vulnerable group of young adults with a positive, fun, safe space to receive academic support, learn life skills, as well as build character and leadership skills. Its programming includes assisting teens with matching their skills and education to a career path, along with work-based learning experiences. At the Teen Center, individuals will gain leadership experience for success in advanced education settings and the workforce.
Currently, one in six kids in Colorado is alone or unsupervised daily after school. The Teen Center will offer weekday activities after school into the early evening during the school year and will be open every weekday in the summertime. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County boasts a one hundred percent graduation rate among its teen participants.
Separately, a $2.5 million grant to the High Plains Housing Development Corp. will support the organization with building a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Project. The Weld Trust Flagship Grant will be structured as a $2 million grant with a $500,000 challenge grant subject to additional funding of $1 million.
Their North Weld Campus will have four phases located on 6.5 acres at 123 9th Avenue in Greeley. The grant from The Weld Trust will support Phase I by constructing a 58-unit PSH facility to provide housing and stability for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Residents of this housing project will have at least one, usually two, disabilities along with multiple other barriers to stable housing. People who are chronically homeless often have complex health problems, including mental health issues, substance abuse and other medical conditions.
This project will provide on-site intensive supportive services for the residents to maximize their ability to remain stable and permanently housed. The residents will have a lease and pay a percentage of the rent based on their income. The remaining rent will be subsidized with housing vouchers.
These two projects are the first two Flagship Grants awarded by The Weld Trust with a recognition that at-risk youth and homelessness are serious challenges in Weld County. In addition to Flagship Grants, The Weld Trust awards grants to Weld County nonprofits, schools and government entities within health and education as outlined in their strategic plan. To learn more, visit WeldTrust.org.
These two projects are the first two Flagship Grants awarded by The Weld Trust with a recognition that at-risk youth and homelessness are serious challenges in Weld County.