F.R. Bigelow Foundation has partnered once again with the Minnesota Chill Foundation with awarding them with a $ 30,000 grant. To aid our programs with a single goal, empowering our scholars.
F.R. Bigelow Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for all in the greater Saint Paul area, fostering a vibrant East Metro region.
The Foundation will partner, collaborate, and invest in opportunities that seek to achieve racially and economically equitable outcomes in the areas of arts & culture, community & economic development, education & youth development, health, housing, and human services.
The Minnesota Chill Foundation has been working in the East Metro area since 2016. In the areas of Education & Youth Development and Health. Which is a primary area of interest for the F R. Bigelow Foundation.
The grant that we received will be used to expand our “Chill Fitness For Kids” programs. In these areas mental health education and services, educational programs focusing on literacy and math skills and Restorative Justice Practice sessions.
We were also awarded a $ 30, 000 grant from The Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation. The grant is for future “Success” expansion programs for 2023. Which will be our College Readiness program and the Chill Tech program.
CHILL College Readiness Program seminars will cover the following topics:
- Financial Preparation & Management: Exploring financial options; scholarships, loans, FAFSA; investments, credit, and saving; tax benefits and retirement plan borrowing; maintaining a bank account and budgeting
- College Test Prep: pretesting and tutoring for PSAT, SAT, ACT
- College Application Assistance: Essays, resumes, supplements, ins and outs of applications, Common App or Coalition App
- College Admissions Guidance: researching colleges and finding the best fit, including a focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, making decision once admitted, adjusting to and thriving in college, building time management skills
- Sports in College: competing in more national tournaments to maximize athletic scholarship opportunities, connect with college coaches, understand NCAA guideline changes and application process
CHILL Tech is a 6-week program, giving our 8th – 12th grade scholars hands on training with a certified technician to learn:
- Best practices in troubleshooting to identify and diagnose issues
- Product knowledge, including Mac and PC hardware and software
- Customer service skills and addressing the needs of clients in a professional manner
- Computer programming languages
- Upon completion, scholars will be able to keep their laptops
