Avista Foundation awards $300,000 grant to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery

The Avista Foundation has awarded a $300,000 grant to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery that will help fund the organization’s growth initiative, Project Every Kid.

Under its Project Every Kid initiative, the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery is building a larger facility at 2230 E. Sprague Ave. to provide more services that will meet the needs of children and families in the community.

The facility, anticipated to open early next year, also will provide resources to grow the privately funded organization’s mission to prevent child abuse and neglect. The nursery provides 24-hour emergency care for children up to 6 years old and is a safe shelter for kids in crisis situations stemming from families dealing with substance abuse, domestic violence or homelessness.

“We are very pleased to make this contribution to Vanessa Behan and are proud to support the expanded services the new facility will provide for children and families in our region,” Kristine Meyer, executive director of the Avista Foundation said in a statement.

The Avista Foundation, the charitable arm of Avista Corp., funds community nonprofit organizations throughout the utility’s service area. It focuses its giving in areas of education, vulnerable and limited-income populations, and economic and cultural vitality.