Thursday, December 1, 2022 – DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.
The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club (DGJWC) announced on Giving Tuesday three local charities selected to receive grant funding totaling $35,000 – the largest single donation in DGJWC’s history.
“Our DGJWC members are deeply moved by the mission of each of the three finalist organizations and the impact they each make in unique ways for our community,” said Kristen Avery, Philanthropy Chair for DGJWC.
DGJWC has awarded a $20,000 grant to The Kids Equipment Network (TKEN). The non-profit organization is dedicated to connecting special needs children with durable, adaptive equipment to help them embrace their lives and become active, independent members of their community.
The grant will support TKEN’s goal to provide equipment to every family at little to no cost to the recipient. Established in 2005, the organization has served over 3,000 families with more than 5,300 pieces of adaptive equipment – like wheelchairs, strollers, mobility devices and more. This year, TKEN has helped 165 kids
“We’re very proud of what we do. This organization is a labor of love for so many people,” said Tim Caruso, founder of TKEN and physical therapist for over 30 years. “They say it takes a village – and so we welcome Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club into our village, and we thank you for the opportunity to be a part of yours.”
In addition, DGJWC has also awarded grants of $7,500 each to Family Shelter Service Metropolitan Family Services DuPage and to NAMI DuPage.
Family Shelter Service Metropolitan Family Services DuPage addresses domestic violence in DuPage county. The organization was created in 2019 via a merger of two long-standing support organizations – Family Shelter Service and Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. The Wheaton-based organization provides emergency shelter, support services, legal assistance, early childhood education, health services, workforce development programs, and other services to help survivors of domestic violence plan for safety, heal from trauma, build skills and confidence, and break the cycle of abuse.
NAMI DuPage is a grassroots organization that serves nearly 20,000 individuals and family members each year who are facing mental health challenges. With millions of hospital admissions annually for mental health conditions, NAMI DuPage provides mentorship, guidance, support and tools to give hope for recovery and continued support after discharge. Their services include The Living Room, a safe place staffed by NAMI DuPage trained volunteers that is open every weekday for individuals experiencing mental health symptoms who likely would not benefit from visiting an ER.
“We are honored and humbled to help further the missions of these organizations,” added Avery. “Making a difference is an incredibly rewarding benefit to being a part of Juniors.”
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About Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club: The Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is a non-partisan, non-denominational, volunteer women’s organization. Its members are dedicated to supporting and raising the awareness of charitable organizations, individuals in need, and the community. Women interested in joining the DGJWC, should plan to attend the new member meeting on December 13th at 7:00pm at the Moose Lodge. For more information about DGJWC, visit: www.dgjwc.org.
