Madison County Community Foundation

 Your generosity builds kindness, teamwork, and self-worth in the children of Madison County.

“I am strong! I am healthy! I am kind! I am creative! I am brave!”

A group of elementary school children shout powerful words of affirmation over their lives.

“I am ready for the challenge! I can do hard things! I am full of love! I am thankful for the day!”

With each word, the volume, energy, and conviction increases.

“I am Important! I am Enough! I am ME and that’s the best person to be!”

This group of children are led by Avrielle Johnson and her team of volunteers. Johnson is the Event Program Coordinator for the Minority Health Coalition of Madison County (MHCMC). This incredible program of impact, Positive Anderson Childhood Experiences (PACES), provides the opportunity for children to gather after school for soccer and dance and, most importantly, to learn to be kind to themselves, be kind to others, and practice teamwork and positive coping skills.

One young girl entered PACES with some behavioral struggles that often resulted in anger. Throughout the program, she was able to reframe her anxiety through positive affirmations and practical coping strategies. Johnson is grateful that these skills not only bring stability for children presently, but also prepare them for the future and for success in life.

A Community Impact Grant from the Madison County Community Foundation provided funding for supplies and extra staff to make this program possible.

Your generosity provides a beacon of hope for many Madison County residents battling cancer.

“Cancer does not discriminate.”

The passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers at Little Red Door Cancer agency provide resilience and support when cancer unexpectedly hits the residents of Madison County. Since its inception in 1945, this organization has pursued its mission: to make the most of life and the least of cancer.

Mandy Pietrykowski, Director and CEO of Little Red Door, is persistent and passionate about living out the mission and impacting as many lives as possible, and the needs are endless. Pietrykowski says, “Without the support of funders, we couldn’t do the programs that we do.”

A Community Impact Grant from the Madison County Community Foundation provided funds for an ongoing project aimed to address two critical needs: transportation and nutrition.   

Your generosity builds confidence and inspires positive lifelong skills in children that will impact the community for years to come.  

“What do you think about bringing the Tiger Reading program back?”

This question was presented to Leigh Bivens, an English Teacher and cheer coach at Alexandria-Monroe High School in 2022. Marty Caroll, Alexandria-Monroe’s basketball coach remembered the Tiger Reader program from the 1990’s that was established by Coach Garth Cone and got the idea that he and Bivens could establish the program again together. The program had been discontinued for over 20 years due to funding.