The Federal Way Human Services Commission today announced recipients of the new Community Enhancement Grants. The small grants pilot program awarded funds to twenty organizations supporting education, seniors and underserved populations.

The goal of the new program is to leverage small amounts of funding to make significant differences in the community. The pilot program will provide scholarship money for disadvantaged children to attend music, theater and recreational camps this summer. Enterprise Elementary will use their award to build a greenhouse for their community garden.

Grants will also fund the purchase of a telephonic screening tool for teen services at the Crisis Clinic and a language translation tablet to help children with limited English skills learn the English language. Funded organizations include Kikaha, Birth to Three, Kinship, Centerstage Theatre, and the Federal Way Symphony, among others.

The Commission received twenty-six applications which were reviewed according to program guidelines, and assessed for clear objectives and level of community impact, among other criteria. The twenty grants ranged from a low of $250 to the maximum $1,500. A total of $20,000 was available to support the pilot program this year.

The Community Enhancement Grants are intended to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and families, particularly for disadvantaged sectors of the community. The pilot program successfully attracted new groups that historically haven’t accessed city services.