In June, Medina Electric Cooperative awarded $10,000 in grants to area organizations through the Community Empowerment Program to encourage community and economic development throughout the 17 counties served by the cooperative.

The program focuses on projects that encourage economic diversity, contribute to community health and development, and improve the quality or quantity of services essential for the development of viable communities.

These organizations will receive grants to further their community impact:

• Area Health Education Center (Laredo)—$1,500
  The grant is being used to purchase anatomy models to be used by students throughout the academy.
   
• Casa de Misericordia (Laredo)—$700
  The grant is being used to purchase new pots and pans for Casa de Misericordia’s domestic violence shelter kitchen to help resident families fleeing domestic violence feel safe, secure and comfortable.
   
• Castroville United Futbol Club—$1,000
  The grant is being used to purchase new training equipment for players. This will also help keep overall costs low and allow more players to join.
   
• Frio County (Pearsall)—$1,300
  The grant will assist the county in repairing the existing pavilion and addressing current safety and maintenance issues.
   
• Hondo Art League—$1,500
  The grant is being used to preserve the interior of the organization’s building and enhance the functionality, safety and longevity of the art space.
   
• Mary Help of Christians School (Laredo)—$1,000
  The grant is being used to replace old windows improving energy efficiency, lowering operating costs and allowing more resources for education.
   
• Reagan Wells Cemetery Association (Uvalde)—$1,000
  The grant is being used to fund a water catchment tank as part of a kitchen/restroom project.
   
• Restoring Hope Family Resource Center (Pearsall)—$1,000
  The grant is being used to purchase folding tables and chairs to enhance the organization’s ability to seat families, serve refreshments and display materials during events held at their facility.
   
• Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center (Laredo)—$1,000
  The grant is being used to the purchase therapy equipment for a new satellite clinic to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy services at this location.

“Powering our community means more than just keeping the lights on,” says Trey Grebe, Medina EC’s CEO. “As a member-owned cooperative, we are dedicated to helping our local area thrive, and our Community Empowerment Program allows us to do just that by providing vital grant funding to the organizations and projects building a brighter future for us all.”

Medina EC is proud to include these organizations in the nearly $100,000 in grants awarded to various nonprofits and local governments since the CEP grant program started in 2015. Medina EC’s CEP grants are funded by escheated funds returned to the cooperative.

Photos of grant recipients are available upon request to MyCoop@MedinaEC.org.