Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Henriquez Fund Applications Due February 1

December 12, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—The Alice and Richard Henriquez Fund/Youth World Awareness Program, a fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, is accepting grant applications through February 1 from high school students and nonprofit organizations to support travel and humanitarian efforts in foreign countries by young people ages 14-22.

Grants were awarded to:

Annalena Barrett, Housatonic, MA: To participate in The Enkosini Eco Experience in South Africa where volunteers work with the local land and wildlife.

Peter Moon, Lakeville, CT: To work with towns and villages in Latin America on health and education related project to improve their communities.

Rebecca Palmer, Falls Village, CT: To continue her work with Project Muso Ladamunen (Project for the Empowered Woman) in Mali.

Church Outreach to Youth Project, Inc., North Adams, MA: To aid student teams participating in the Haiti Plunge Program, which builds infrastructure and helps to create job opportunities for Haitians in Haiti's Central Plateau.

The Alice and Richard Henriquez Memorial Fund was formed in 1995 to "encourage the development of peace among nations and justice for all people by funding international experiences for young men and women in their intellectually formative years." Mr. Henriquez believed that "an understanding of other people and their cultures, as well as sensitivity to the destabilizing effect of social and economic injustice is what young men and women will need if they are to effectively contribute to a peaceful and just world in their adult lives."

A committee of local residents review the applications based upon the potential impact of the experience of the applicant to carry out the project, and the likelihood of the project to have a positive impact on the community served. The next deadline for The Alice and Richard Henriquez Fund/Youth World Awareness Program grant application is February 1, 2011. Applications are available online or by calling 413.229.0370.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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