The Fall 2023 class selected WICS Home for Girls as a recipient of a $5,000 grant. WICS is a group home serving the needs of young women who are at high risk for poverty, disconnectedness and incarceration. Read on for a Q&A with WICS Executive Director Tauni Waddington.
Q: What kind of impact does this grant have on your organization?
A: Well, first off it helps us psychologically because we realize how valued we are within the community. It was a big boost for our board and our staff, but also we were pretty tight this year so it helped with Christmas. [Because of the grant] we are getting a lot of educational material that we wouldn't have been able to get otherwise.
Q: What was your favorite part about the Strive to Thrive Lincoln process?
A: There were two parts that I thought were cool. First, that your students did this. You guys were the ones who made the decisions and went through all the steps of it. The other amazing part was when we got to sit and talk to you guys and have you learn more about us. We loved the service project and site visit process. The whole process is great. I have told so many friends about this. I may be biased because we were one of the recipients, but it is great to see so many young people opening themselves up to nonprofits within the community.
Learn more about WICS Home for Girls at their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WICSHome/