QUALITY LIFE GRANT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN GARY

CAUSES FOR CHANGE INTERNATIONAL RECEIVES $25,000.00 QUALITY OF LIFE GRANT FROM CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION FOR EXPANDING OPTIONS SO KIDS TO SENIORS WITH PARALYSIS CAN ENJOY NATURE & OUTDOOR RECREATION IN GARY, INDIANA

GARY, INDIANA  —March 01, 2020 —Causes for Change International (CCI), is proud to announce that it has been awarded $25,000.00 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) 2019.  Seventeen High Impact Priority grants totaling $520,000 were awarded.  The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis.  Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,150 grants totaling over $28 million have been awarded.  Funding for these new cycles of grants was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0002-02-01)

The Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center has a number of grant programs under the Quality of Life program awarding grants in different category areas, varying in different amounts.  The High Impact Priority Quality of Life grants program funds one-year grants with three increasing levels of grant funding:  Transportation, Respite and Caregiving and Disaster Preparedness (Up to $30,000), Nursing Home Transition (Up to $40,000), and Employment (Up to $50,000).  Each tier is targeted to focus on a High Priority issued to increase access to services and increase the independence or inclusion of people living with paralysis, their family members, and caregivers.

“Now in its third year, our High Impact Priority grants program, is showing great results in terms of impact on people living with paralysis —especially in the areas of employment and transportation programs and transitioning people into homes in which they can embrace independent living,” said Mark Bogosian, Director, Quality of Life Grants Program at the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.  “Our respite/caregiving program has been equally impactful on those family members and caregivers who provide ongoing, sometimes 24/7, care, and services to those they love and assist.  The Reeve Foundation is incredibly proud of this program and thrilled to have these 17 organizations join our ever-growing cohort of grantees.”

“Depression and isolation are major barriers to persons with disabilities, particularly to individuals living with paralysis.  Getting outdoors, enjoying nature, and socializing with family members and friends are quality-of-life issues to so many. Receiving this grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation serves as a recognition of the need often unrecognized in the City of Gary and the Region of Northwest Indiana.” — Zully JF Alvarado, President of Causes for Change International.

Working with partners of Access Miller, Causes for Charge International will use this grant for expanding options so kids to seniors with paralysis can enjoy nature and outdoor recreation in Gary, Indiana. Funds will be used to employ a part-time staff person to aide in program development, recruitment of persons with paralysis and their family members and implementation of outdoor recreation program;  purchase of two mobility devices;  the ZOOM and the GRIT that will permit individuals with paralysis access to the beach and nature trails.

ABOUT REEVE FOUNDATION:

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.  We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal.  The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (cooperative agreement number 90PRRC0002).  For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309.

ABOUT CAUSES FOR CHANGE INTERNATIONAL:

Causes for Change International, through outreach and partnership seeks to impact communities in the areas of health, education, and training, leading towards economic self-sufficiency for women, children, and persons with disabilities in the Americas. For more information, please visit our website at www.CausesforChange.org or call 773-447-8500.

Contact

Zully JF Alvarado

Causes for Change International

773-447-8500

info@CausesforChange.org

Rita Gentles

(973) 379—2690 ext. 7123

media@ChristopherReeve.org