At an intimate gathering at the West Tisbury library Tuesday evening, MVYouth awarded $750,000 to two Island nonprofits, bringing the foundation’s total giving to over $14 million since its inception in 2014.
Ever since middle school Charlie Parkhurst knew he wanted to go to college in California. He had never been there but liked adventures and the idea of living on the west coast excited him. His dream came true when he was accepted to the University of California Los Angeles to be part of the class of 2019.
Nearly half of the Island’s children aged five and younger have no place to go for care and education while their parents are working, according to statistics from the nonprofit MV Youth.
MVYouth announced this week that it has awarded $730,000 in college and work force development scholarships to 10 Martha’s Vineyard high school seniors and young adults.
Vineyard public schools, a fledgling nonprofit that owns the schooner Shenandoah and the Island Autism Group all received major grants in a ceremony held by Zoom Monday.
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, the Island Food Pantry, Island Grown Initiative and the YMCA of MV are among those receiving relief from the community fund.
MVYouth awarded expansion grants of $200,000 to the YMCA and $75,000 to Vineyard Family Tennis, announcing simultaneously a comprehensive study of the needs of Island youth and youth services.