Exchange club awards community grants

The Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse of Lake County has awarded a total of $10,000 to the winners of its 2011 annual grants.

A dinner was held recently, attended by about 35 members of the foundation and the winners at State Bank of the Lakes in Grayslake. Helen Cook, president of Lincolnland Exchange Clubs was in attendance from The Exchange Club of Belleville. Robert Frank acted as the master of ceremonies

The winners were:

Ÿ Catholic Charities

Ÿ Nicasa

Ÿ CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

Ÿ CYN (Community Youth Network)

Ÿ One Hope United

The foundation, made up of The Exchange Clubs of Gurnee, Grayslake, North Chicago, Round Lake, LMV (Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills), ALL (Antioch, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst) and Waukegan Exchange Clubs, has contributed over $140,000 to local agencies and organizations that work to prevent child abuse.

“Our belief is that the Exchange Club Foundation can have its greatest impact in the community if we support programs that have a good track record and focus on specific areas of prevention that truly make a difference in people’s lives,” said Adam Krieger, the past-president and grant chairman. Krieger noted that the current grant criteria are supported by research on the best practices in abuse prevention.

The new grant criteria focus largely on parent education programs, particularly programs that reach out to stressed and isolated parents, and public education on child abuse prevention.

“In my personal experience as an ER physician, I have noticed that parenting skills is the primary need in education in Lake County,” said Foundation President Dr. Mike Oster. Confirmed by much of the literature from such organizations as Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, a lack of parenting skills and knowledge of child development leaves many parents feeling stressed and desperate.

For more information, visit www.lincolnlandexchange.com.

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