Mentorship programs can alleviate some of these struggles, especially for children who have experienced trauma or abuse. An outside mentor can broaden a child’s horizons and open the door to a future that may not have seemed possible previously. Elks Lodges use CIP grants to support these programs, investing in their community’s young people, and thus, their community’s future.
Manitowoc, Wis., Lodge No. 687 has a long-standing relationship with its local branch of the Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children with adult mentors to develop positive relationships that help children grow. Since 2015, the Lodge has used its Beacon Grant to take program participants on outings to wildlife sanctuaries, science museums, baseball games, and even on a tour of Lambeau Field.
On these trips, the Lodge purchases meals for all the attendees, then distributes winter hats and gloves to prepare the children for the approaching winter. This year, the Lodge used its grant to rent out Stand Adventures, a local adventure park. At the facility, mentors and mentees engaged in trust-building activities on the high ropes course while Lodge members made sure all were well-fed and ready for colder weather.
Milton-Freewater, Ore., Lodge No. 2146 uses a Gratitude Grant to support the work of Danner Farms, a group that provides mentorship to boys who have gotten into trouble at school or with law enforcement.
Danner Farms works with those in need of adult role models that may not be present in their home. One of the organization’s programs teaches children how to fix bikes, showing them that satisfaction can be gleaned by working with one’s hands. The other lesson—the importance of giving to others—comes from what is they do with the refurbished bikes.
Each year, the Milton-Freewater Lodge partners with Danner Farms to host a bicycle giveaway to children of the community. The Lodge provides meals, bike safety items, additional needed parts, and the licenses the municipality requires to keep track of the bikes. Danner Farms staff and the children they serve are on hand to distribute the fruits of their labor and connect with neighbors.
Dickinson, N.D., Lodge No. 1137 supports the Best Friends Mentoring Program with its Gratitude Grant. Best Friends came into being after the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters closed, leaving a gap for children in need of mentorship.
“Many of the children who are enrolled in the Best Friends Mentoring Program have experienced trauma. Regular contact with their mentors supports our children’s need to be mentally and emotionally healthy,” says Grants Coordinator Stepheny Reger. “It may be easy for adults to identify a child’s physical needs, but a child’s mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious.”
Lodge members participate directly with the organization’s StrongKids program, which engages the mentors and mentees in outdoor exercises in collaboration with the parks department, and the annual Family Fun Day. This summertime event brings the families of mentors and mentees together to connect in a carnival atmosphere.
Even if your community does not have a group dedicated to providing mentorship, the Lodge can still ensure that local youth have adults to look up to. By living up to the values of charity and fidelity and using CIP grants to better the lives of those in need, Elks set a good example. Check out the CIP Grants Dashboard to see if you have any funds available, and become a role model today!
Beacon, Spotlight, and Gratitude Grant applications are open through January 22, 2025. For more information, visit elks.org/cip, or contact the CIP office at 773/755-4730 or LodgeGrants@elks.org.