Cox Charities Virginia Awards $160,000 to 25 Non-Profits Across the State

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Feb. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Cox Communications awarded $160,000 in grants to 25 non-profit organizations in Virginia through Cox Charities grants programs. The grants presented today are part of the nearly $8 million Cox contributes annually through cash and in-kind support to the communities where they do business.

"Connecting with the communities we serve is an important part of our operations and is at the core of our company values," said Gary McCollum, senior vice president and general manager for Cox Virginia.  "We're proud to give back to these 25 outstanding organizations today that are doing their part to enhance the lives of others and improve the places our employees and customers live and work."

Fifteen nonprofits received grants through the Cox Charities External Grants program and ten received grants through the Cox Charities Employee Grants program. The External Grants program focuses on non-profit organizations with programs specifically tied to youth, education and technology.  Non-profits apply for these annual grants and from those applications, 15 are chosen statewide by an advisory committee made up of community, business and government leaders throughout the state.  The Cox Charities Employee Grants program gives Cox employees the chance to nominate their favorite nonprofits for financial support.  Winners are chosen by Cox employees, based on popular vote.  This year's winners are:

Hampton Roads

• Horizons Hampton Roads was awarded a $10,000 grant to grow the Portsmouth program by adding one grade level each year, leading to improved educational outcomes and employment opportunities in the city of Portsmouth. This program will now able to serve 375 students in 2014.
• Chesapeake Health Investment Program was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the Parents as Teachers program, which provides information, support and encouragement to parents to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
• YWCA South Hampton Roads received a $10,000 grant for the purchase of 20 iPad Minis to be used as a means to enhance the teaching and learning outcomes among students enrolled in the afterschool program.
• Norfolk State University Foundation, Inc. was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the NSU After School Youth Education Program, which will provide academic support in the form of tutoring and mentoring coupled with recreational activities. This program will foster basic skills in math, writing, science and reading.
• Office of Human Affairs Hampton Roads was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the OHA Project Discovery which is a college preparation program serving at-risk middle and high school students in Hampton and Newport News.
• Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund the Kids Café. This structured after-school program will provide nutritious meals and promote health, education and safety.
• C. Waldo Scott Center for H.O.P.E received a $10,000 grant to fund a program that will assist 50 youth in strengthening their math, science, and reading skills. By implementing educational skill based sessions they will encourage students to be successful learners.
• Employee Grants in the amount of $2,000 each were awarded to:
  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation - The goal of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is to Save the Bay - and keep it saved – through education, advocacy, litigation and restoration.
  • Kempsville Church of Christ – Go Project - The Kempsville Church of Christ Go Project focuses on local and global ministry projects, made possible through family and friends serving together for a common good.
  • Downtown Hampton Child Development Center - The Downtown Hampton Child Development Center is a private, nonprofit childcare center serving children from all backgrounds, incomes and abilities.  Each day, the Center nurtures and educates nearly 200 children, from 6weeks old to 5 years old.
  • Peninsula School for Autism - Peninsula School for Autism offers individualized educational and behavior support programming in year-round day school and after-school programs.  

Northern Virginia

• Fairfax County Park Foundation was awarded $5,000 to support HACAN (Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect. This 20-year program focuses on education for students in the Culmore community of Bailey's Crossroads, Falls Church, VA. This program fosters educational enhancements, building positive connections within the community and connecting with role models.
• Literacy Council of Northern Virginia was awarded a $10,000 grant in support of the Family Learning Program. This program is specifically designed for the unique needs of immigrant families, focused on breaking the inter-generational cycle of illiteracy and improving livelihood through reading and comprehension.
• Children's Science Center Museum was awarded $10,000 to support the Children's Science Center's Museum Without Walls (MWOW) education outreach program. This grant will support Mobile Labs Family Science Nights, summer mini-labs, community and signature events, as well as preschool and teen programming.
• Northern Virginia Family Services received a $10,000 grant in support of the 1-2-1 mentoring program designed to enhance the self-esteem and resilience of middle school aged youth. Through the 1-2-1 program, NVFS is able to reach at-risk students to improve their social and academic skills.
• Stafford Junction was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund Brain Builders – an after school program that fosters academic achievement and positive character development and healthy lifestyles. At Brain Builders, students receive help with homework, math and reading skills, and assistance with school projects.

• Employee Grants in the amount of $2,000 each were awarded to:
  • CrisisLink - Crisis Link provides comprehensive crisis prevention, intervention and response programs and now partners with national and state programs to improve its services, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
  • Friends of Homeless Animals – Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) is a non-profit, no-kill shelter that focuses on the rescue and placement of homeless dogs and cats in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area.
  • Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation - Since 2001, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue has saved the lives of thousands of homeless and abandoned pets from euthanasia in overcrowded shelters by placing them for adoption in loving homes.

Roanoke

• Smart Beginnings Greater Roanoke was awarded a $10,000 grant to fund programs focused on improving the quality of care and early childhood education to ensure every child in the Roanoke Valley enters Kindergarten with the skills necessary to succeed.
• The Community Youth Program at St. Johns, Inc. was awarded a $5,000 grant to fund the CYP Computer Literacy Program that will help increase access to technology and internet resources for students and their families. CYP will also to help educate our students on how to use computers, social media, and other technological programs that will help advance them in school and life.
• Child Health Investment Partnership of Roanoke Valley was awarded a $10,000 Cox Charities grant to fund CHIP FIT, a program addressing the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in the Greater Roanoke Valley's low-income population. This program includes a unique, home visiting intervention focusing on education and case management and seeks to address causative factors and increase protective factors among families.
• Employee Grants in the amount of $2,000 each were awarded to:
  • Blue Ridge Independent Living Center - The Blue Ridge Independent Living Center assists people with disabilities to live independently.
  • National PKU Alliance - The mission of the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center is to provide education and services for children and families affected by autism and unique learning challenges, such as Learning Disabilities.
  • Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center - The National PKU Alliance works to improve the lives of families and individuals associated with PKU through research, support, education and advocacy, while ultimately seeking a cure for this rare metabolic disease.

"We know that our employees are active in their communities and there are organizations they feel passionate about," said McCollum.  "The Employee Grants program gives our employees an opportunity to actively participate in Cox's community programs and introduce their peers to organizations that mean the most to them."

Since 2009, Cox Charities has awarded $620,000 in grant funds to Cox communities throughout Virginia.

For more information on the 2014 grant awards program and how to apply for a grant, visit www.coxcharities.org.

Media Contact:
Emma Inman, APR, 757-222-8432 or [email protected]

About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable, telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity eight times, including the last seven years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

SOURCE Cox Communications