Racine Community Foundation

Racine Unified School District's Back-to-School Event & Backpack Giveaway is set for Aug. 8 from 3-6 pm! In addition to the backpack giveaway, this event includes free food and games, a photo booth, face painting, a community resource fair and more! Registration is required for the backpack giveaway and is first-come, first-served, so register today here: https://bit.ly/3Wj791Z

Dream of relaxing in a field, beer in one hand, adorable alpaca in the other? Eco-Justice Center's Pacas & Pints is tonight! Bring a blanket or chair, find a cozy spot near the alpaca pasture and make those dreams come true. 🍺✨

Thanks to our generous donors, we can support these amazing organizations. We are deeply grateful to all who contribute on behalf of our Racine County Community. 💪💗💪 More info: https://lnkd.in/gG4_Wegb

📚 Congrats to the Racine Public Library on the appointment of their new Executive Director, and thank you to RPL for all they do for our Racine County community.

We are proud to support Fight To End Exploitation in their mission to combat sex and labor trafficking through education and advocacy. Recently, FEE prepared a 20-minute podcast-style training on human trafficking for firefighters and EMS personnel, specifically requested by a fire department to prepare for the influx of people for the RNC - exploitation cases skyrocket during big events. In this photo, you can see Rachel Cortez, FEE Board Member, Rachel Harrison, FEE Advocacy Coordinator, and Neal Lofy, Board President, recording the podcast training. This vital training equips first responders with the knowledge they need to identify and address trafficking situations effectively.

With our grant, the Root River Environmental Education Community Center (REC) is offering free field trips for youth groups in Racine through the Root River Explorers program! Students enjoy kayak paddles on the Root River while learning about the Root River Watershed. We’re also thrilled to support free canoeing outings for our friends from Lakeside Curative Services, who dedicate their time to picking up trash along the river year-round. In these photos, you can see the excitement of students from Jefferson Lighthouse Elementary before their kayak paddle and our friends from Lakeside Curative Services enjoying a beautiful early summer day canoeing down the Root River. We’re proud to support programs that connect our community with nature and promote environmental stewardship.

We are proud to support YWCA Southeast Wisconsin and their 5.09 HSED program, helping students obtain their high school credential through an innovative, schoolwork-based curriculum. This Department of Public Instruction-approved program focuses on real-life applications and workforce readiness. Participants attend virtual classes Monday-Thursday from 9:00am-12:00pm for 12 hours per week over 20 weeks. To complete the program, students must pass each class with an 80% or higher. Eligibility for the PI 5.09 HSED Program: ✅ Wisconsin resident or has lived in Wisconsin for at least 10 days ✅ 18½ years old or older ✅ Has not graduated from high school and is not enrolled in a public or private high school ✅ Scores 137 or higher on the practice GED assessment and/or a level 3 on the M11 TABE test We’re honored to support initiatives that open doors to education and brighter futures.

As the weather warms up, we're thrilled to see our grant contributions helping Racine Art Museum inspire kids to use their summer breaks for artistic exploration. This supports RAM’s mission to educate individuals of all ages in contemporary visual arts. On June 14, RAM hosted Kids Day 2024: The Art of Play, welcoming hundreds of area families to a completely free event filled with hands-on art projects, creative games, and scavenger hunts in the beautiful gardens of RAM’s Wustum Museum. This summer, RAM continues to offer free art activities for kids and families. Mark your calendars for Free Drop-In for Art at RAM’s Wustum Museum on July 25 and August 15, and join in the fun with Free Family Hands-On Art Activities every First Friday at RAM. For those eager to dive deeper into their creativity, RAM’s Wustum Museum offers fun one-day workshops and week-long studio art classes. With one of the largest museum-based studio art programs in Wisconsin, there’s something for everyone! We’re proud to support initiatives that enrich our community and spark creativity in young minds.

The Arc of Racine County has provided over 150 special education students from middle and high schools, and more than 30 adults in Racine County, with opportunities to participate in mentoring activities that build skills toward independence. In the photos below, you can see students engaging in The Arc's Health Matters wellness and self-advocacy activities. Additionally, members of the Arc 100%ers adult mentoring program joined Arc board members to volunteer at the Knights of Columbus annual tootsie roll fundraising drives. We're proud to support this great work, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Local companies recently hired 14 youth apprentices from the Racine Unified School District Academies of Racine trades and construction pathways! The students will have the chance to work on upcoming 2020 Referendum projects at RUSD schools.