Southwestern Board approves acceptance of grants

The Southwestern Oregon Community College Board of Education approved the renewal or acceptance of five grants at its regular meeting Monday night.

Southwestern learned the U.S. Department of Education will renew its $250,000 Upward Bound grant for another four years. The grant will serve 50 students from Marshfield and North Bend high schools with the goal of giving each student the skills and motivation necessary to complete high school and succeed in college. A variety of educational, cultural and recreational experiences are planned for the participants.

The College also is accepting a $30,250 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration awarded by Lane Community College for the Southwestern Business Development Center. The funds partially support the BDC’s business advising, training and informational services to potential start-up and existing local businesses.

Southwestern recently was one of 10 recipients out of nearly 550 applicants of a $59,800 grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy to fund the Early Literacy Specialist Teacher Enhancement project. This project will enhance the ability for the 40 enrolled children to show measurable increases in their early literacy skills as shown in pre- and post-testing.

In addition, the state of Oregon Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Disabilities Office is funding the renewal of the CARE Connections’ $24,850 Oregon Lifespan Respite Care Program Grant. Working in partnership with the Coos County Retired Senior Volunteers Program, Oregon Coast Community Action and other local organizations and agencies, CARE Connections will use the funds to continue serving as a central point of contact for access to and information about lifespan respite care services and trainings for these services in Coos and Curry counties.

Southwestern is one of 42 institutions of higher education in the United States and Puerto Rico out of more than 300 applicants to receive a Hewlett Packard equipment grant. The grant initiative, designed to support innovative and effective uses of technology in higher education learning environments, totals $68,000. Southwestern was the only community college to receive funding.

Press Release Date: June 26, 2007