Grants and Programs
Branch Out and Grow Grants
This year The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.’s (JLLC) is excited to announce that in addition to the traditional Branch Out and Grow Grants we give every year we will also be taking applications for a new grant titled the TEACH grant. TEACH stands for Taking Education and Children Higher. This grant will be awarded to one applicant who is chosen by the community at Mistletoe and Moss. The winner of the TEACH grant will receive $5,000 to fund the program they proposed.
In addition to funding educational grants this league year, the JLLC will be announcing a new grant opportunity this Spring to aid in program development for local community organizations!
2019 Branch Out and Grow Grant Application
2018 JLLC Branch Out & Grow Grant Recipients
The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.’s Branch Out and Grow educational grant program supports excellence in teaching by awarding grants for innovative projects that otherwise would not be provided for in school budgets and which fit within The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.’s vision of supporting a more confident, healthy and educated community. This program consists of grant awards in amounts ranging from $500 – $2,500; grant requests may also include a request for volunteer hours from the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.
The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc., awarded $17,000 in grant funds to teachers in the five-parish area. The 2018-2019 Branch Out & Grow recipients were:
School: John J. Johnson Elementary
Teacher: Chernika Leon
Grade(s): PK-2
Subject: Literacy
Project Title: Making Good Choices through Reading
Grant Summary: Utilize books to help students make better choices such as dealing with grief, bullying, divorce, anger, and social development.
School: Dolby Elementary
Teacher: Wava McClain
Grade(s): K – 5th
Subject: Music
Project Title: Quaver’s Marvelous World of Music
Grant Summary: Renewal of license for QuaverMusic.com, a cutting edge engaging and interactive music curriculum.
School: A.A. Nelson Elementary
Teacher: Erin Bentley
Grade(s): 3rd – 5th
Subject: Production,Technology, Public Speaking
Project Title: NNN Television Broadcast Class
Grant Summary: Students are taught how to shoot and edit video; write and produce news stories, short films, PSAs, music videos, and other projects; and operate video switchers, studio and field cameras, audio mixers, and more.
School: Grand Lake High School
Teacher: Vicki Little
Grade(s): 7th – 12th
Subject: School Counselor
Project Title: Be the Change – Victim Proof Bullying Prevention Program
Grant Summary: Be The Change will promote positive transformation by empowering students to make a difference. The event on Wed Feb 6, 2019 is designed for students parish wide to strengthen the goals and objectives of PBIS.
Funded: Yes (partial) $1500.00
School: Prien Lake Elementary
Teacher: Christi Touchet
Grade(s): K – 5th
Subject: All
Project Title: Amplify Our Learning
Grant Summary: This project is created to assist students with auditory enhancements in the classroom. Lightspeed Redcats provide all students, especially those with auditory impairments with the necessary voice amplifications to effectively hear instruction in the classroom.
School: College Street Vocational Center
Teacher: Brendan J. Boudreaux
Grade(s): 11th-12th
Subject: Emergency Medical Responder
Project Title: Tools of the Trade
Grant Summary: Obtain training adjuncts, along with real life pieces of equipment for use in the Emergency Medical Responder Class. These adjuncts and equipment will give students realistic hands on training.
School: Kaufman Elementary
Teacher: Jennifer Hooper
Grade(s): PreK – 5th
Subject: Physical Education
Project Title: Peaceful Playgrounds
Grant Summary: Create a peaceful playground for students using stencils to paint game outlines on the ground to create permanent games and outdoor entertainment for the students.
School: Barbe High School
Teacher: Samala Duffy
Grade(s): 11th-12th
Subject: Environmental Science
Project Title: Making the World a Better Place
Grant Summary: One of the main focuses of Environmental Science is the impact that human activity has on our environment. It isn’t enough that students know of the problem, they need to know that they can contribute to solutions. The three kits in this grant all directly relate to how students can work toward a cleaner, greener, and better environment.
School: Moss Bluff Elementary
Teacher: Margaret Paris
Grade(s): 3rd – 5th
Subject: ELA
Project Title: Leave the Lights On
Grant Summary: To develop a series of special “Reading Events” focusing on develop and reinforcing the student’s ability to gather information from various non-fiction text.
School: St. Louis Catholic High School
Teacher: Blake Gilbert
Grade(s): 6th-8th
Subject: Music
Project Title: Middle School Drumline
Grant Summary: Expanding students understanding of rhythms, themes, musical style, and form through marching percussion. Students would be able to play marching drums and gain knowledge that most middle schools would not be able to offer.
School: Vincent Settlement Elementary
Teacher: Emily Richmond
Grade(s): 1st
Subject: Math/Reading
Project Title: Let It Glow, Let it Glow, Let it Glow!
Grant Summary: Using black lights and neon/glow-in-the dark materials, Glow Games are an exciting way to get kids motivated to learn. Setting up stations of Glow Games/Activities will help get the biggest bang for your buck – student engagement mixed with powerful learning and application.
School: St. Louis Catholic High School
Teacher: Melanie LeJeune
Grade(s): 9th-12th
Subject: Library
Project Title: Library Dream Space
Grant Summary: Create a space for students to come in before school, during lunch, and after school to unplug and reboot. School libraries and university libraries across the country are creating similar spaces to foster creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Some people refer to these areas as makerspaces.