The Central Texas Medical Center Women’s Council awarded $15,000 in grant funding to seven area nonprofit organizations in May.
The council awarded grants to GENaustin, Hands of Hope, Hays-Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center, School Fuel and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The CTMC Women’s Center also received $7,000 in grant funds.
Each year the women’s council provides a large portion of grant funding to the hospital’s women’s center. The rest of the grant funds are dispersed to Hays County nonprofits and organizations that serve women and children.
The women’s council has raised $66,000 since 2010, CTMC spokesperson Rachel Nelson said.
“With our fifth year of grant awards now complete, we are truly impacting hundreds of local women and children in a very positive way,” CTMC Foundation Manager Jerilyn Miller said in a news release.
The CTMC Women’s Center’s $7,000 in grant funds will go toward a new bladder scanner, which will lessen the chance of catheter-related infections following cesarean sections and gynecologic surgeries, according to the release.
The CTMC Women’s Center provides care for women during the birthing process.
The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center used $1,000 in grant money to purchase three new folding cribs. The organization operates a San Marcos women’s shelter.
Melissa Rodriguez, director of development for the organization, said the center required an upgrade of its cribs to meet federal standards for safety.
“[Adding the cribs] makes a big difference,” Rodriguez said. “We want to provide a safe environment, and we never want [family violence victims] to choose whether or not they stay because of [the shelter] not having the right resources.”
Grant awards
GENaustin: $1,000
To help at-risk middle school and high school girls
Hands of Hope: $1,500
To update computer systems and software for a program that teaches women life skills and job training
Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse: $1,000
For technology upgrades in the organization’s video library and to purchase DVDs, which will be used in Hays County schools
Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center: $1,000
To purchase three folding cribs that meet federal standards for safety
School Fuel: $2,000
For a weekend nutrition program that provides underprivileged San Marcos elementary school children with a sack of food on Friday afternoons
Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $1,500
To provide aid to impoverished San Marcos residents, including single mothers and children
