Augustana College and St. Ambrose University were two of 24 organizations that received support from The Amy Helpenstell Foundation's spring grant cycle. The institutions were awarded a combined total of $30,000 to assist students in their academic careers.

"Because of the continuing generous support of the Amy Helpenstell Foundation, Augusta students are able to bring their talents to the service of the community in a wide range of fields; from the Quad-City Botanical Center to the Putnam Museum," said Robert Haak, Augustana College's Center for Vocational Reflection Director.

The Amy Helpenstell Student Interns Program at Augustana College provides stipends for 10 students working at local nonprofits. The Interns program is a component of the Servant Leader Internship Program at Augustana's Center for Vocational Reflection (CVR). Funding for the program has enabled the CVR to provide the nonprofit community with 49 summer interns.

Haak said, "over the years Augustana students have worked with many of the nonprofit groups in the Quad Cities, learning the value of giving back to the community and strengthening all our lives."

The Amy Helpenstell Scholars Program at St. Ambrose recognizes outstanding students from Rock Island who have significant financial need with scholarships of up to $5,000 each. The scholarship program is in its fifth year and has helped lessen the financial burden for 10 area students.

"Receiving this scholarship had had a huge impact on me and my family," said Sara Brutsche, St. Ambrose University graduate. "Even with my academic financial awards, I struggled to pay my tuition. Having the extra support from the Amy Helpenstell Scholarship has truly been a blessing."

Overall, the Amy Helpenstell Foundation distributed nearly $245,000 to programs that support the Foundation's mission.

Spring 2010 grant recipients include:

• Aldridge Early Learning Center - $2,500, Parent Education
• Augustana College - $20,000, Amy Helpenstell Student Interns Program
• Bethany for Children and Families -$4,000, "Let's Talk" Community-Wide Education Event
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Quad Cities - $10,000, One-to-One Youth Mentoring
• Black Hawk College Foundation - $6,000, Enhancing Health Care Training Equipment for Health Career Students
• Black Hawk College Optional Education Program - $6,000, Short-term Training Programs Equal Marketable Skills for At-Risk Youth
• Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley - $15,000, Serving Youth in Tough Economic Times
• Child Abuse Council - $5,000, Capacity Building
• Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities - $10,000 Feeding Therapy for Infants and Children
• Community Housing Solutions - $10,000, Douglas Park Place Rental Assistance
• Gilda's Club of the Quad Cities - $10,000 Continuation and Expansion of Youth Programming
• Hand in Hand - $1,500, Inspiration Studio's Art for Individuals With Special Needs
• Henry County Youth Services Bureau - $10,000, Free Home-Based and School-Based Counseling
• Junior Achievement of the Heartland - $15,000. JA BizTown and JA Finance Park
• Junior High Drop-In Center/South Park Presbyterian Church - $3,000, Healthy Eating Program
• Marriage and Family Counseling Service - $7,500, Spanish Family Therapy Program
• Nat'l Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Scott County - $5,000, Bringing NAMI's Signature Education Classes in-house
• New Kingdom Trail Riders - $10,000, Horse Care Project
• Rick's House of Hope - $3,225, Trauma and Loss in Children Certificate Training
• Robert Young Center for Community Mental Health - $50,000, Eating Disorder Consortium
• St. Ambrose University - $10,000, The Amy Helpenstell Scholars Program
• School Health LINK, Inc. - $5,000, Behavioral Health Specialist
• Spring Forward Learning Center - $10,000, Milan Campus Expansion
• Vera French Foundation - $15,000, School-based Therapy Program Funding

To learn more about The Amy Helpenstell Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, visit www.amyehelpenstell.org or call 563-326-2840.