$7,000 in CARES Act Funding Awarded to SUU Center for Hope

Published: June 04, 2021 | Author: Lawrence Mbaki | Read Time: 2 minutes

$7,000 in CARES Act Funding Awarded to SUU Center for HopeSouthern Utah University recently received a $7,000 award from the Utah Department of Health through federal CARES Act funding to support the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Hope’s efforts to comply with required health and safety protocols, including those required to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while providing safe and healthy child care for student families.

Center director Kristy DeGraaf worked with the SPARC Office last October to prepare and submit the grant request for this funding opportunity. The awarded funds will cover the purchase and installation of a professional sanitizing dishwasher to help quickly and effectively sanitize toys, dishes, and other items used on a daily basis. It also provides funds for seven sterilizer cabinets (one for each classroom), three steam cleaners (one for each floor – allowing teachers to clean items that don’t fit into the dishwasher or sanitizing cabinets), and one set of stacking cribs which are much easier to sterilize than other portable cribs.

DeGraaf joined the SUU family last April and has worked in the fields of family life and social work for more than 25 years. She is passionate about good care and a safe environment for children.

“You’ll never regret the work and effort you put in early childhood,” said DeGraaf. “It’s not always obvious to see the investment we put in our children.” However, it certainly is a worthwhile investment as we all know children are the future.

The benefit to our T-Bird student parents is also huge. The parents of these little ones can focus on obtaining their degree while their kids are in a safe, comfortable, and happy environment to learn and grow. DeGraaf sees the child care center as a pillar and example of high-quality care—a beacon for the whole community. Looking to the future, her hope is to receive more donations to help with a playground and community garden area.

The SPARC Office congratulates DeGraaf for securing this award and also commends her amazing teachers and staff at the center for all they do to support the children of our student families. We applaud their efforts and know the rising generation (our future) are in good hands.

Produced by the SPARC Office

SUU’s SPARC Office provides assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators seeking external funding for their projects and programs, from concept development and planning through implementation and management of funded projects.


Tags: SPARC Child Care Center

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