WISH awards 2024 grants to Shepherd University programs and local nonprofits

ISSUED: 19 September 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH) announced their 2024 grant recipients on September 15; the organization awarded six grants this year, totaling $160,500 collectively.

Three Shepherd University programs received funding through these grants, including Accessibility Services, the chemistry program, and the Little House. Three area community nonprofits - the Boys & Girls Club of Eastern Panhandle, CASA of Eastern Panhandle, and Literacy Volunteers of the Eastern Panhandle - also benefited.

Although he passed away last August, John Wolff '88 and his wife, Lisa Wolff '87, sponsored the grant announcement event that saw 100 WISH members and honored guests celebrate the grant awardees at Erma Ora Byrd Hall.

The Wolff's had sponsored the award reception numerous times over the last decade, a point WISH member and Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix made when she paid tribute to them during the ceremony.

"John believed in WISH before there was a WISH," said Dr. Hendrix. "Before he passed, John wholeheartedly agreed to once again sponsor [the] event. Words cannot express how grateful we are for the incredible colleague, alumni, and friend that John was to us all." 

Shepherd University Accessibility Services received $26,750 in WISH funding to continue a vital service to students that manages disability accommodations more efficiently and confidentially. This service, Accommodate, will continue to support Accessibility Services for another three years with grant funds.

"Accessibility Services is honored to be chosen for the WISH initiative," said Jessica Anders, director of accessibility services. "This support will allow us to continue having a modern, streamlined system and let us proceed with our efforts to promote disability inclusion and understanding." 

Shepherd's chemistry program received WISH funding to equip a new Forensics Science laboratory that will be used for students enrolled in a two-semester lab course. The $26,750 WISH grant will purchase four forensic comparison microscopes specifically for the lab, two additional hand-held microscopes, and items necessary to assemble individual forensic investigation kits.

Co-chair of Shepherd's Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, Dr. Jacquelyn Cole, spearheaded the effort to get the kits.

"Shepherd's chemistry program is so appreciative to have been selected for a 2024 WISH grant award to aid in this exciting new direction we are taking to help serve the humanities and social sciences, particularly criminal justice majors," Cole said. "The equipment will create a very modern lab experience for the students and pave the way for future courses bridging criminal justice and the sciences."

The final 2024 Shepherd University WISH grant award went to the Division of Student Affairs. They will use the $26,750 grant for the remediation and renovation of the Little House, the beloved Shepherdstown historic landmark owned by the University.

The WISH grant will provide funding for the safe removal of deteriorating lead paint and will allow it to be re-opened for its intended use.  

"We are thrilled to be a recipient of this year's WISH awards," said Vice President of Student Affairs Holly Morgan Frye. "It has been heartbreaking to tell families that they cannot visit the Little House due to necessary repairs, but with this funding, we will be able to make it safe and magical again."

The Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle will use $26,750 of WISH grant funding to enhance safety at their three clubs in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.

Boys and Girls Club Chief Executive Officer Stacie Rohn said they are committed to providing the safest environment possible in all three of its clubs.

"Women Investing in Shepherd [WISH] has been a generous partner to our organization," Rohn said. "We prioritize the safety of our children every day, and we are grateful that WISH is supporting our efforts to ensure our facilities remain safe havens for those who need us most. As a 2017 and now 2024 recipient, we are thankful for this investment." 

CASA of the Eastern Panhandle also received a $26,750 grant they will use to establish a "Family Bridge Program" to provide support for children transitioning from foster care to a permanent caregiver.

The grant will cover contracting and training fees for a parenting coach, materials and fees for software to maintain and collect data for program evaluation, and a Family Support emergency fund. 

"We are incredibly grateful for the WISH grant to establish the Family Bridge Program, "said CASA Executive Director Michelle Sudduth. "These services are key in preventing system re-entry and ensuring that families have the tools they need to create stable, loving homes for children." 

Literacy Volunteers of the Eastern Panhandle lost all of their materials following a fire in July 2023. The $26,750 WISH grant will go towards replacing the materials used for programs such as Citizenship, English Language Learners, and High School Equivalency, among others.

Director of the Literacy Volunteers board Marianne Howard said they will also create a resource library with workbooks, tutor guides, several laptops, a printer/scanner, and designated tutoring/learning spaces. 

"We want to thank the WISH membership for recognizing the value of our program and supporting our rebuilding after the fire," said Howard. "The grant will allow us to continue to provide state-of-the-art literacy, educational, language, citizenship, and workforce support to adults seeking to improve their lives." 

WISH is a women's giving circle sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation created to inspire, educate, and develop the potential of women's philanthropy through high-impact grant-making.

Members combine their $500 annual contribution to share among two grant pools - one for Shepherd learning programs and one for community nonprofits.  A one-woman, one-vote process determines the grant recipients in each category.

To learn more about becoming a member of WISH or about the organization, visit https://shepherduniversityfoundation.org/women-investing-in-shepherd/ or contact Meg Patterson at 304-876-5021 or [email protected].  The deadline to apply for membership is December 31, 2024.

- 30 -

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.