Initiative Foundation Helps Central Minnesota Reduce Drug Abuse

The Initiative Foundation in Little Falls provided support to communities in central Minnesota to fight methamphetamine drug use and manufacturing as part of its recent community grants. The foundation also awarded community grants to address a variety of other needs in the region.

The foundation awarded grants of $10,000 each to Crow Wing County, Brainerd, and Morrison County Public Health, Little Falls, for community-based methamphetamine programs. The programs engage local citizens in prevention, enforcement and victim treatment options related to methamphetamine drug use and manufacturing.

In other funding, Cloverleaf Youth Partnership, Wadena, received a $10,000 grant from the foundation to support the operations of a youth-managed coffeehouse and teen center in downtown Wadena. And Bridging, Inc. in Bloomington received a $10,000 grant to support the start-up of a used furniture distribution center to meet the needs of low-income families in central Minnesota.

Other recipients of recent grants from the Initiative Foundation include:

• Faith In Action for Cass County, Hackensack, $5,000 to build a volunteer coalition and support fundraising efforts for ongoing operations.
     
• City of Little Falls, $2,500 to conduct a market study to determine whether there is enough affordable space and customer base to attract and retain resident artists.
     
• Minnesota Lakes Association, Brainerd, $500 to improve environmental services by updating a strategic plan completed through the Initiative Foundation's Healthy Organizations Partnership program.
     
• Works In Progress, Inc., Sauk Rapids, $3,000 to map assets and develop a plan for coordinated services and support for women and girls through listening sessions.

In total, the Initiative Foundation awarded eight community grants totaling $51,000 through its recent grant awards.

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