Kiwanis Club of Skidaway raises awareness about at-risk children's needs and working to meet them is an integral part of all of our activities. We provide financial and service resources through our community events, our corporate sponsor program, and our members' commitment of time, talent and devotion to the Kiwanis Mission..
Since Kiwanis Club of Skidaway was established (in 1988, initially as Golden K of Skidaway), we have supported more than 40 area organizations in Chatham County and donated countless thousands of volunteer hours; and we have provided more than $1,500,000 of grants. The primary focus of our fundraising is to support local agencies that serve at-risk children and their families.
On September 29, 2022 Kiwanis Club of Skidaway donated over $120,000 to 14 different agencies, all who have targeted programs that support at risk children in Savannah.
In addition during the year, the club provided multiple financial of grants to Kiwanis International, and the Kiwanis Georgia District.
We recognize and thank our Corporate Sponsors for their generous support of our fundraising efforts.
We also thank the residents and neighbors of Skidaway Island for supporting our Flag Program, our Chili Cookoff, Pancake Breakfast and other fund raisers
Our Service Leadership Projects include Junior Achievement and L.O.V.E. Mentoring, three annual Red Cross Blood Drives and other hands-on projects that come up throughout the year.
2022 Grant Recipients
Listed below are our 2022 Grant Recipients: Scroll down to learn more about these agencies and how they plan to use our grant.
America's Second Harvest, helpendhunger.org
Through the Kids Cafe program, America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia provides direct intervention feeding, after-school programs, and mentoring for at-risk youth at 85 locations to more than 4,200 children each day. The program ensures that children have a safe, nurturing place to go during the critical hours after school when parents are often working. Our grant will be used to purchase food and to ensure children have proper nutrition.
Coastal Children's Advocacy Center, ccac-savannah.org
The Helping Empower and Recreate Trust-Hispanic/Latino (HEART-HL) Program –The Kiwanis funding will help us as we continue to help youth who have been sexually abused, heal and improve their physical and emotional health through therapeutic counseling services. This year’s grant will help expand our work to the Hispanic/Latino community by providing therapeutic support groups for the children and teens.
Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club, bgcsavannah.org
Upward Mobility for At-Risk Youth This grant will support the additional expenses we will incur for new elements of our Academic Success program in 2022/23. These elements, 25 tutors and a Trauma Informed Awareness & Care program, are being implemented to address the severe pandemic-related learning loss Savannah’s at-risk students have experienced in 2020-22 and their resulting loss of confidence, self-esteem and hope for the future.
Horizons Savannah, horizonssavannah.org
Summer Learning Program - Access to high quality summer programming, like that provided by Horizons, has been found to reduce the achievement gap. Horizons continues to provide innovative ways to engage students in educational activities, help build social and emotional resilience, and get resources to our community to help close the gaps that are ever widening due to the lasting effects of COVID school closures and inequity in educational quality and access for under resourced students.
Inspiritus, weinspirit.org/savannah
Refugee School Impact Afterschool and Summer Program - The primary objective of Inspiritus’ Refugee School Impact program is to improve academic performance and social integration of refugee school-aged children through a number of services that work to increase parental engagement, support local schools that work with refugees, assist families with navigating the school system and accessing educational resources, and provide ongoing after-school assistance to students.
Local Outreach Volunteer Educators (L.O.V.E.), lovementors.org
L.O.V.E. Mentoring and Camp - During a normal school year, elementary students who are academically behind grade level are paired with LOVE Mentors who focus on improving the children’s reading & math abilities and developing life skills. Relationships and one on one mentoring are critical to the long-term development of these children especially since it has been missing in virtually all areas of their lives for the past two years.
Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, mediationsavannah.com
Teen Conflict Management Program – This successful program was initiated in 2020 to decrease the number of at-risk youth 12-17 years of age running away from home as a result of strict COVID-19 precautions and the emotional challenges facing youth without the routine of an in-person school environment. Continued funding will help us maintain the existing model and help us to expand to provide additional services to those families needing more services.
People of Action Caring for Kids (P.A.C.K), packsavannah.com
New Food Transport Carts - Pack is a 100% volunteer run non-profit. We currently pack and deliver 4,000 bags of food each week to children at risk for hunger on the weekends. The bags are packed by schools, churches, and community volunteers. Funding will be used to purchase 20 new food transport carts. The carts are used to transport food bags from our building to schools. Pack currently delivers food to 36 schools/community centers each week. Adding new carts will allow us to add 2 new schools or community centers to our program.
Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter, parkplaceyes.org
Family Always Matters (F.A.M.) Summer Enrichment Program- A preservation of the Teens Program that works with teens and families by providing case management, support, and placement prevention services to help teens remain safely in their homes. Chatham County does not offer summer programing for youth in the age group we are targeting. 100% of youth who are in our program are at risk of being removed from their home and have severe emotional issues that stem from being exposed to some form of Trauma.
Performance Initiatives Savannah, pifitness.org
Mindset of a Champion: Building Strong Minds - Our program provides counseling services and weekly “Mindset” lessons to help at risk youth learn, heal and grow from trauma, anxiety and low self-esteem. Athletic, fitness and educational programs are taught year-round with specific goals in each area for individual members. Through collaborative programs and community partners, members are offered specialty programs throughout the year.
Savannah Music Festival, savannahmusicfestival.org
Jazz Academy - A year-round intensive and progressive after-school jazz music education program designed for students in grades 5-12, providing free instruments, ensemble instruction and one-on-one training. This grant will fund instruments and private instruction for enrolled fifth-grade students at Low Elementary and allow the program to expand to a second fifth-grade ensemble.
Savannah Philharmonic, savannahphilharmonic.org
The Ben Tucker Instrument Library - Supplying instruments for band or orchestra programs in dozens of schools is a big challenge for the SCCPSS. If a student’s school cannot provide suitable instruments, the costs often create a financial burden which results in the student quitting music or losing interest in the arts. The Ben Tucker Instrument Library is designed to provide instruments for those low income, at-risk youth who cannot otherwise afford one to keep that interest alive.
Union Mission, unionmission.org
Magdalene House Outdoor Makeover - This grant will help us renovate the outdoor environment at Magdalene House, our Emergency Housing Program for women and children experiencing homelessness.
Xcel Strategies, Inc, xceltoday.com
The Xcel Logistics Mobile Training Unit with a Forklift Simulator will teach young people in our program how to operate a forklift. Equipping our students with this valuable skill will prepare them for support level trade positions supplying workers for an ever-growing industry in the Chatham County community