Cook County Community Fund 2021 Grantee Profiles – YMCA
Nov 01, 2021 12:02AM ● By Editor
Submitted photos
From the Cook County Community Foundation - November 1, 2021
The YMCA is happy to announce the addition of a new Outdoor Playground, funded in part by a grant from Cook County Community Fund. The project is utilized by the inclusive child care programs of the YMCA and is open to all community kids because the YMCA and the grantors understand the importance of nature play for children's development. Through nature-based experiences, children will develop across all domains. Evidence suggests that experiences in unstructured play in a natural setting aids in cognitive, physical, and social development. Nature supports creativity and problem solving and children who play in green areas tend to play more cooperatively. Finally, studies have shown that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. The site is located on Community Center grounds south of the baseball fields and north of the community gardens in a wooded area. The Outdoor Playground is funded by several grants and funders: The Lone Wolf Foundation, The Cook County Community Fund, Great Place Project from the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, Northland Foundation, Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, and the Arrowhead Round Up from the Arrowhead Cooperative.
From the Cook County Community Foundation - November 1, 2021
The YMCA is happy to announce the addition of a new Outdoor Playground, funded in part by a grant from Cook County Community Fund. The project is utilized by the inclusive child care programs of the YMCA and is open to all community kids because the YMCA and the grantors understand the importance of nature play for children's development. Through nature-based experiences, children will develop across all domains. Evidence suggests that experiences in unstructured play in a natural setting aids in cognitive, physical, and social development. Nature supports creativity and problem solving and children who play in green areas tend to play more cooperatively. Finally, studies have shown that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. The site is located on Community Center grounds south of the baseball fields and north of the community gardens in a wooded area. The Outdoor Playground is funded by several grants and funders: The Lone Wolf Foundation, The Cook County Community Fund, Great Place Project from the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, Northland Foundation, Lloyd K Johnson Foundation, and the Arrowhead Round Up from the Arrowhead Cooperative.
The mission of the Cook County Community Foundation (CCCF) is to enhance the quality of life in Cook County by empowering local non-profits through philanthropy, education and collaboration.
CCCF is an affiliate of the Duluth Superior Community Foundation and provides funding to qualified non-profits providing services to Cook County through an annual grant application and review process.
Donations to CCCF can be made by following this link to the on-line donor portal: https://www.dsacommunityfoundation.org/donate?id=1702
Or by mailing a check to:
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
324 W. Superior St. Ste 700
Duluth, MN 55802
