The Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) announced the recipients of FEPS Community Grants for Fall 2021 totaling $14,000. The following three organizations serving Eden Prairie students each received a portion of the funds and will implement their programs throughout the 2021/22 school year:
Eden Prairie Noon Rotary – My Book Day – $4,000
FEPS has been a long-time partner, along with the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary, of the My Book Day program. This program provides a new book to every Eden Prairie first grader to help enhance and improve reading skills, reading motivation and commitment to support their long-term educational achievement. Each child receives a book of their choice to take home so that their inspiration for reading extends outside of the classroom.
Move Fwd – Youth Counseling – $5,000
MoveFwd supports youth mental health, social-emotional development, and school performance by providing no-cost, barrier-free youth mental health services to students age 12-21 who are enrolled in the Eden Prairie School District. Move-Fwd’s youth mental health services are delivered through licensed therapists and embedded at the Eden Prairie High School, within the Tassel transition program for special education students, and occasionally with the middle schoolers at Central Middle School. The therapy provided helps to stabilize young people in crisis and helps them build emotional resilience, mature social-emotional skills, and stronger relationships. Due to an increasing waiting list for services, beyond the 80 Eden Prairie students currently receiving services, this community grant will help to add an additional therapist this school year.
Treehouse, Inc. – $5,000
TreeHouse serves teens at risk in grades 7-12 from Eden Prairie’s Central Middle School, Eden Prairie High School, and PiM Arts High School by providing programs to aid teens in overcoming life’s challenges to become stable successful adults. TreeHouse programs focus on establishing healthy coping skills, forming strong relationships with their peers and caring adults, and encourages hope for their future. In addition to providing 1:1 mentoring, support groups, growth groups, post-secondary educational guidance and planning, and community-based service activities, TreeHouse also implements regular tutoring sessions and study groups to address gaps in academic support many Eden Prairie students experience.
FEPS proudly partners each year with community organizations by providing grants to support current or additional programming that is beneficial to Eden Prairie School District students. FEPS Grants and Recognition Committee evaluates grant applications based on the following criteria: makes a positive impact on student academic achievement and engagement; impacts a significant number of students or impacts smaller numbers of students but in a significant way; program/project is inspiring and visible; program/project can be duplicated in other classrooms; is tied to a specific curriculum goal or educational program; and, is consistent with FEPS mission and school district strategic plans.
