Community Foundation awards $20,000 grant to Carey
The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation's Ann Morris Memorial Fund recently awarded $10,000 to the William Carey University Quality of Life Project, which pairs students with adults with intellectual disabilities. The money will support recreational and educational projects.
The Pinebelt Community Foundation also awarded $10,000 to a program called "Harnessing Adults' Full Potential Through Music Therapy." This program will provide music therapy services to adults with intellectual disabilities at day rehabilitation centers to increase acquisition of skill building and activities for daily living.
";This Quality of Life project provides both William Carey University students and clients opportunities to learn from each other while enjoying educational and recreational outings," stated Dr. Paul Cotten, Quality of Life director. "Not only do our students become better prepared to work with individuals with disabilities, but they also become aware of the special nature of their clients. An interdependent relationship between students and clients is developed, thanks to the opportunities provided by the funding.
"The music therapy program is truly blessed as the funds will be used to engage William Carey University music therapy graduates and train future music therapists while bringing new programmatic services to PineBelt Mental Health Resources," said Jim Pierce, assistant professor of music therapy.
The Ann Morris Memorial Fund was set up to assist area nonprofit organizations that coordinate programs that enrich the quality of life of intellectually challenged adults. "Our grant selection committee is made up of individual reviewers who ensure that all funding is given to organizations that meet the criteria of the donor," said Theresa Erickson, executive director of the Pinebelt Community Foundation.
The Pinebelt Community Foundation exists to strengthen communities by connecting charitably minded people to causes that matter most to them. For more information, contact the Community Foundation at (601) 583-6180 or www.PineBeltFoundation.org.