Google announced that six Ellis County organizations collectively will receive more than $180,000 from the company to support the physical and mental well-being of the county’s residents.
The company has a data center in Midlothian and recently announced a new data center in Red Oak.
“Providing resources and other support to six essential organizations in Ellis County is a necessary step towards enhancing the wellbeing and lives of residents throughout the community,” Kate Franko, regional head of Data Center Public Affairs for Google, said in a statement. “Google is honored to play a part in helping each of these organizations meet their transformative goals.”
The money will provide funding to Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, Meals on Wheels North Central Texas, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Bridges Training Foundation, Ellis County Coalition for Health Options, and The Heights Ellis County Family Resources.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Google to back these valuable community organizations, which positively affect the lives of many of our neighbors and play an instrumental role to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy here in Ellis County,” Ellis County Judge Todd Little said in a statement. “Google’s grants will have tangible, long-lasting benefits in our community in this time of unprecedented growth, and we appreciate the company’s support of those who help Ellis County thrive.”
How the nonprofits will use the funds
Ellis County said the funding received by the Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services will support its Waxahachie Transitional Living Program, a long-term residential program for former foster children as they transition to adulthood. The program focuses on empowering youth to successfully complete their educations, find gainful employment, move into their own homes, and reach self-sufficiency.
Meals on Wheels North Central Texas provides nutritious and home-delivered meals to homebound seniors, people with disabilities, and others in need. The organization also works with home health agencies, hospital discharge planners, and other community service groups to coordinate services, the county said. Google’s financial support will better enable Meals on Wheels to serve those in need with nutritious meals, helping to accomplish its mission to end hunger and isolation.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas said it will utilize Google’s funding towards its Summer Learning Academy, a free intervention program that offers math, literacy and enrichment curriculums to prevent summer learning loss and ensure future academic success for low-income children struggling to perform at grade level. Google will fund this year’s Summer Learning Academy for at least 100 Midlothian Independent School District students.
The allocation for Bridges Training Foundation, which aims to elevate the lives of individuals with disabilities towards more independent living, will go to its Training Foundation Resource Center Project. That program helps to achieve digital inclusion by training persons with disabilities to not only use a computer and the necessary software tools, but also put those skills towards the actions required to obtain employment. Bridges Training Foundation will use the funds to buy inclusive and adaptive technology, as well as furniture, to provide physical and virtual training programs for adults with disabilities and their caretakers.
The funding for Ellis County Coalition for Health Options will bolster its new Hope Health Clinic’s technology infrastructure, including hardware and software. Hope Health will implement upgraded technology including a robust health management information system for electronic files, safety and security systems for medical records, and information-sharing and data tracking, to ensure patients are informed and county health outcomes are tracked and achieved.
The Heights Ellis County Family Resources is a nonprofit organization in which qualified specialists provide assistance and resources for victims of domestic abuse, the county said. The holistic program focuses on healing from trauma and includes safe housing and well-being services like mental health therapy, healthcare, childcare, pet care, food, and funding for short-term emergency case needs. Google’s contribution will support the mental health services the organization offers.
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