By Faith Bluel | For The Times-Post
One of South Madison County’s proudest attributes is its commitment to nurturing the young minds of our community. Over the past year, South Madison Community Foundation (SMCF) has funded numerous impactful educational programs with Bright Future Grants.
Back to school season begins with the excitement of new school supplies. With Bright Future grant support, Ford Street United Methodist Church’s “School Supply Store” inspires excitement for learning. New supplies, backpacks, shoes, socks, and spirit shirts help launch a successful school year. A grant to Operation Love Ministries also assists area students with these fundamental tools.
Early education relies on reading— both learning to read and fostering a love for reading. As information becomes increasingly digital, teaching the importance of reading has become more challenging. Recognizing this, our local educators have taken action to enhance early literacy with the assistance of Bright Future Grants.
Maple Ridge Elementary School introduced vocabulary stations in second-grade classrooms. East Elementary School installed a book vending machine, adding a fun twist to reading. The fun continued at the “Kindy 500” reading celebration featuring trike races and prizes. Pendleton Community Public Library received a grant to launch its year-‘round Arabian Readers program for three elementary schools. Friendly Flock acquired indoor and outdoor learning stations that promote a “play-based learning” mindset.
Middle and high school are critical years for students to discover their passions and decide their future paths. Pendleton Heights High School has long needed hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) resources, and SMCF helped by providing a new incubator system for hatching chicks, skull models for biology, and a printer for 3-D modeling. These additions will better prepare students with a natural talent for STEM subjects for further education or careers. The Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation’s Trades Day introduced Pendleton Heights Middle School students to various career paths in civil and residential construction. This event will expand to Lapel Middle School in 2025, giving students opportunities to explore career options.
The demand for STEM education extends to all grade levels; the Ivy Tech Anderson STEM Mobile, funded by a Bright Future Grant, travels to schools across Madison County, educating students of all ages in grade-level STEM topics. For instance, Kindergarten students learn about circuits by standing in a circle and passing a hand squeeze through the entire group. Fun demonstrations benefit teachers and Ivy Tech students as well as participating classes.
Kids can’t focus on learning if they aren’t safe. The Bright Future Fund supports non-traditional education programs such as Aspire Indiana’s Kids Talk, a sexual abuse prevention program that provides professional staff to increase awareness of body boundaries and how to seek help.
Another groundbreaking way the Bright Future Fund is able to support students is through a grant to Scholar House, a supportive residential program for single parents striving to attain a college degree. A three-year grant provides services to one student through degree completion. That student will then be poised for a more stable and prosperous future for herself and her children.
By fostering positivity and exploration around academics, especially for those facing hardships, we can transform students’ educational trajectories and outlooks. Through the Bright Future Fund, our community has supported nurturing school environments. SMCF is immensely proud and grateful for every grant recipient and every donor who has contributed to the Bright Future Fund to make these grants possible.
To invest in a child’s success is to create a better future. Every donation to the Bright Future Fund is being tripled thanks to a time-limited matching grant. Contributions may be directed to SMCF’s Bright Future Fund at www.southmadisonfoundation.org or 233 S. Main St. Pendleton, IN 46064.
Bluel is philanthropy intern at South Madison Community Foundation. She is a member of Indiana State University- Class of 2026 (Networks Professional Development Program) and director of philanthropy for Zeta Tau Alpha, Gamma Chi.
