Rising prices, inflation means Rock House Kids needs more fundraising for expansion project
From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rock House Kids announced on Thursday that it has met its initial fundraising goal for its expansion project. However, rising costs over the past few years means there’s more work to be done.
The nonprofit safe haven for inner-city youth received a $25,000 grant from the Heritage Credit Union Legacy Fund along with a matching $25,000 from Connexus Cares Program. The donations allowed the organization to hit its initial $545,000 fundraising goal.
“We were shocked when we heard the news of this recent grant and did not anticipate such a large amount. We can now say we have met our initial goal,” Dee Lacny, executive director of Rock House Kids, said in a news release. “However, our expansion estimate was developed pre-COVID and with recent inflation, we will need additional funds to complete the project we planned at the level the kids deserve.”
Background: Rock House Kids wants Rockford to see its vision for expansion
Rock House Kids, 1325 Seventh St., executives said that in order to be good stewards of the community’s trust it will not start the project until all funds are in-hand. It will continue to seek donations to meet the additional costs.
The expansion will allow Rock House Kids to combine programming for both the elementary and the teen groups to provide space for four nights per week instead of two, increasing from 300 hours a year to 600 hours a year for each child.
It will also allow the organization to provide additional space for more children to enroll.
The expansion consists of:
- A recreational activity center to include a basketball court, a sound area, and a full projection screen.
- Three new classrooms (to allow Rock House Kids to serve additional children).
- A lounge-type area to consist of a library (with individual and collaborative workspace), a game
room, and additional restrooms.
