Kamiah, ID - Upper Clearwater Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Kamiah Pool Scholarship Project. This scholarship program is funded by a grant from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.
The purpose of the Pool Scholarship Project is to afford families within the Kooskia and Kamiah school service areas the opportunity to enjoy the community pool regardless of their economic status. The recipients of the scholarships, as a season pass holder, will be entitled to daily access to the pool, family swim, lap swim, night swim, teen swim and other pool activities as well as one free swimming lesson class.
The Pool Scholarship Project will provide 162 low/moderate income families with scholarships to attend the Kamiah city pool during the 2008 season. Scholarship applications will be distributed May 22 through the Kooskia and Kamiah schools and will be available at Davis Communications at on Hwy 12. Applications will be accepted on Tuesday, May 27 beginning at 6:30 p.m. on a first come, first served basisat the Kamiah Welcome Center located at 518 Main Street. When completed applications are dropped off proof of income such as 3 months of pay stubs or 2007 tax return or summary statement from the unemployment office; proof of residency such as a utility bill; and social security cards or birth certificates will be required to verify eligibility. This information is required for all household members.
The scholarships will be given on a first come, first served basis and those awarded will be notified by mail. Having access to the pool is important to the community in preventing drownings in the Clearwater River. The family pass will create an avenue for the families to play together throughout the summer. We are expecting families to bond, build community connections, have physical activity for children, participate in alternative activities for youth and adults and have recreational opportunities with access to a safe and supervised environment during the summer months.
The Life Center has stepped forward to contribute to the project as well. They will provide busing from Stites and Kooskia to the Kamiah Pool two days a week during the summer months. More details will be released as information becomes available. Christine McNall, project director states “This an exciting beginning of a new scholarship program for youth activities in the area. This very generous grant from Inland Northwest Community Foundation has allowed us new momentum in giving scholarships to area youth who would like to participate in community activities but do not have the means to do so.” Although KYRA has given scholarships in the past this fund will enable youth access to more youth activities. If you would like to donate to the new youth activity scholarship fund please send your contributions to UCCF noting scholarship fund on your check. You may earmark your donation for KYRA, Pool Passes, or other.
The address is U.C.C.F. - PO Box 73, Kamiah, ID 83536.
“It is truly wonderful to see our community come together with projects such as this. To afford families in the Clearwater Valley access to the pool is exciting. The scholarships are widely needed and I think we will see more people at the pool enjoying the hot summer days. I, for one, am grateful to the Inland Northwest Community Foundation for such a wonderful gift. I hope we can come together and continue the scholarship project next year with local fundraisers.” – Christine McNall
“I think that the pool scholarships will provide a great opportunity for our area youth to be able to swim in the pool daily if they choose. I also feel that the scholarships will help the KAP summer program due to the fact that we require children who are older enough to be in the big pool to have a season pass so that we are able to take the children to the pool and this is an additional financial burden on some families. I just think that our community and the area communities will benefit all the way around. Good job and thank you for your hard work for the community.” -Vickie Jackson, Kamiah After-school Program Coordinator
“The Save the Pool Committee is extremely pleased with the receipt of this grant. Not only will it help 150 local families, it will help to ensure the pool stays open another year. It goes to show what good things can be accomplished when we all work together as a team. I hope to see the team effort continue.” – Sharlene Johnson, Save the Pool Committee member.
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