Celebrating a Decade of Grantmaking

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Ten years have passed since over $25 million in grants funded by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi have been awarded by The Pokagon Fund to improve the lives of the residents in Harbor Country®, Dowagiac, Michigan, Hartford, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana. Much has been written about how residents and visitors in these communities have benefitted from the support given by the Fund for parks, libraries, hiking and biking trails, education and countless other community projects. However, the real heroes of the past decade have been the many grantees who have devoted themselves and their organizations to bettering the lives of individuals and communities in need. It is on the inspiring efforts of these grantees that we focus the story of a decade of grantmaking by The Pokagon Fund. Look and listen below to the heartwarming tales of how eight grantees have made a difference.

A.C.T.I.O.N. MINISTRIES

A.C.T.I.O.N. Ministries’ Transitional Housing in Dowagiac, MI, gives men recently released from jail a safe space to change their lives.
Jeremy Daniels was able to reunite his family in an A.C.T.I.O.N. home.

CAMP MILLHOUSE

Camp Millhouse in South Bend, Indiana, is one of the few residential summer camps serving people with disabilities.
Vicky Rowe had never been away from her special needs daughter, Jeanine, until she dropped Jeanine off at the camp. For Jeanine, a whole new world opened up.

CARING CIRCLE

Caring Circle’s Transitions Program helps people recently diagnosed with a serious illness to advocate for their well-being.
When Kathleen Steinborn had a recent health scare, Transitions’ Brandi Edge was there to help.

CONSERVATION FUND

The Conservation Fund believes that access to clean water is a basic human right. However, water quality has sometimes become a problem in our local communities due to malfunctioning or inadequate septic systems.
The Conservation Fund’s Peg Kohring discovered an innovative way to identify problem septic discharges and improve water quality.

MEALS ON WHEELS

Every day, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan serves more than 500 hot meals at area Senior Centers.
Director Linda Strohl and volunteer drivers also deliver meals to homebound elders like 93-year old Agnes Cereske.

MEALS ON WHEELS

Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan also serves meals to those with temporary disabilities and needs.
When Lawrence Von Ebeler suffered a medical crisis, he was gratified that Meals on Wheels was there to bring food to his home.

RIVER VALLEY SCHOOLS

In 2013, The Pokagon Fund gave the River Valley School District a million dollar grant to improve access to technology in classrooms from first grade to high school.
Teacher Dan Schaser’s third graders used their newly-acquired computer skills to expand their knowledge of geography and foreign countries to create a mock newscast on Great Britain.

SCHOOL OF AMERICAN MUSIC

The School of American Music in Three Oaks, MI, is a place where people of all ages can take affordable music lessons, and play and collaborate musically with others.
It’s also a sanctuary for students like Hannah Korbel who found a new community of friends.

SCHOOL OF AMERICAN MUSIC

The School of American Music provides a place where musical students of all skill levels can learn how to play a musical instrument.
For Ken Ramsay of New Buffalo, the decision to move from playing guitar to harmonica enhanced his love of music.

TPF SCHOLARSHIP FUND

For Jourdan Thompson, the decision to apply for a grant from The Pokagon Fund’s adult scholarship program was a source of pride and helped her understand her abilities.
Getting the scholarship meant Jourdan could cover tuition during her senior year at Western Michigan University and brought her self-esteem.

Click the audio link to the right to hear an interview of Pokagon Fund Executive Director Janet Cocciarelli and Pokagon Band Tribal Council Member Andy Jackson on the radio program "With Respect" conducted by host John Smietanka that was aired on radio stations WRHC and WSJM in August, 2018, celebrating The Pokagon Fund’s 10th Anniversary.

HARBOR COUNTRY NEWS AUGUST 3, 2018