• Rotary Year: 2018-2019
  • Application Date: 5/30/2018
  • Club Name: Lexington Lunch
  • Project Name: The Coffeehouse of Rockbridge
  • Project Total Expenditures: $3,400.00
  • Grant Amount Requested: $1,000.00
  • Describe the Project, its location and its objectives: There are many programs available for children who have physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. These programs are administered primarily through the school system. However, when these children age out of school, there are very few services available to them. For those who can’t find work because of their disability, their welfare is primarily looked after by family members or they live in group homes. Their world can be very small and lonely, consisting of others in the group home, their care-givers, and family. For these individuals, the Coffeehouse offers an opportunity to meet and interact with other individuals with disabilities, as well as volunteers from the community who they would not otherwise meet.
    Coffee House activities take place at the YMCA facility in Lexington, VA.
  • This is the Club’s: Primary Project Application
  • Expected Start Date: 7/1/2018
  • Expected End Date: 5/7/2019
  • Expected Number of Beneficiaries: 80
  • Describe how the project will benefit the community and/or improve the lives of the less fortunate: Community building is the mission of the Coffeehouse of Rockbridge Inc. The Coffeehouse provides an evening of entertainment, refreshments, social interaction, and networking for individuals with developmental, cognitive, and physical disabilities, age 16 years and older. One Friday night, nine (9) months each year, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, the Lexington YMCA Group Fitness space is transformed into a coffeehouse ambience with tables, chairs, and decorations to provide a festive and relaxed atmosphere. There is no cost to the participants. The entertainment component involves dancing, karaoke, games with prizes, as well as holiday themes. A yearly “Joy Prom” is held in May, which includes a dinner and corsages and boutonnieres for all participants.
    The interaction of the Coffeehouse participants and the many volunteers who help with the preparation of food, set-up, decorations, and clean-up provides an opportunity for both groups to grow in understanding and caring for the needs of others.
    The growth of social skills, communication, and interaction in the participants is obvious. No longer do individuals from one group home only mingle with others from that same group home. They socialize with others present (participants and volunteers). Participants freely mingle and interact with others who may have a totally different disability than their own.
    No other agency offers services that compete with those offered to these special needs clients.
  • Estimated Total Project Volunteer Hours: 90
  • Describe the Rotarian hands-on activities in the project (i.e. non-financial participation): Rotarians will volunteer to assist in all aspects of the Coffeehouse activities as needed. Rotarians will help with the set-up, decorations, interaction with the participants, and clean-up following the events.
  • Describe the publicity plan to inform the general public that this is a Rotary sponsored project: The Rotary Wheel and the RCLL logo will be displayed at the events. Rotary will be acknowledged at each event as a sponsor. Photos and articles will appear in local news media and in the Rotary Informer. RCLL website and Facebook page will be used to report on these activities. Our local TV and Radio PCA will also be approached to cover some of the events.
  • Cooperating Organizations – Please list each cooperating organization, if any: The Coffeehouse of Rockbridge, Inc.
  • Letter(s) of Participation: Coffeeletter.pdf
  • Project Expenditure Budget – list detail uses of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: Budget for 2018
    Annual State Corporation Commission Registration Fee $ 25.00
    Postage - post card stamps and FCM stamps $ 250.00
    Room Rental $ 500.00

    Decorations, paper plates, forks, paper stock for mailers $ 250.00
    Prom meal + Decorations + Flowers $ 800.00
    Rental - McKethan Park (June Gathering) $ 75.00
    Annual PO Box Rental $ 100.00

    Entertainment Costs $1,000.00 (other source)

    Food, snacks- excluding the Prom
    meal $ 300.00 (other source)
    Custodial Fees $ 100.00

    TOTAL $ 3 ,400.00
  • Project Funding Budget – list detail sources of funds for the project, or use the Budget Upload: $1,400.00 has been raised from other sources ((United Way and the Community Foundation of Rockbridge, Bath and Allegheny and individual sponsors)). $2,000.00 ($1,000.00 RCLL/ $1,000.00 from District 7570 Community Grant.
  • Primary Contact Name: Elaine Nelson
  • Primary Contact Rotary Position: IPP
  • Primary Contact Email: enelson@bbtscottandstringfellow.com
  • Primary Contact Phone: 540-319-6083
  • Financial Contact Name: Nicholas Martino
  • Financial Contact Rotary Position: Treasurer
  • Financial Contact Address: 
    DuPont CC Union
    11 Hwy
    Lexington , VA 24450
    United States View on Map
  • Financial Contact Email: nmartino@mydccu.com
  • Financial Contact Phone: 540-946-3240
  • District Grant Project Authorization LetterAuth for coffeehouse.pdf
  • Grant Number: 1819-17
  • Grant Award: $1,000.00