Eastside Pathways is pleased to announce Africans on the Eastside as the Bill Henningsgaard Fund for Children 2023 grantee.
Bill Henningsgaard, founding board chair and executive director of Eastside Pathways, was a strategic thinker with a passion for ensuring better outcomes for children and a determination to make a change in his community.
This year, the grant’s goal was to financially support an Eastside Pathways Partner working to identify, address and take steps to dismantle racial inequities within their own systems or communities that marginalize children, youth, young adults, and families. We are honored to present Africans on the Eastside (AOE) the $10,000 grant in Bill’s memory to partly fund their program, Culture Clash Series.
“The grant selection committee was impressed with the Culture Clash Series program designed, developed, and led by youth leaders to address mental health challenges. The grant will support their plan to use social media to educate and increase awareness about mental health and access to resources,” says Chris Enslein, Committee Chair.
Adam Dibba, Founder & Director, and Karen Smith Fraser, Director of Operations, share their delight. “Africans on the Eastside is so thankful and honored to receive this award to continue the important work Bill Henningsgaard was so passionate about – that of elevating the needs and voices of those impacted directly by racism and discrimination in our communities and institutions. Let us continue to build a stronger, more inclusive community where all members are valued and appreciated.”
AOE’s mission is to serve the diverse needs of students and their families through outreach and engagement, education, advocacy training, leadership opportunities, and development. The organization, comprised of parents, youth scholars, community members, and grassroots organizations, actively addresses the impacts of institutional racism and racial inequity, particularly on the Eastside.
Eastside Pathways is excited about the expansion of AOE’s program and its impact.