The Cousins Subs® Make It Better Foundation has awarded a total of $2,500 in grants to two Milwaukee-based charities—COA Youth & Family Centers and Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph Foundation.

The Make It Better Foundation gifted a $2,000 grant to COA Youth & Family Centers, a Milwaukee area nonprofit that concentrates on serving children, strengthening families and building communities. Grant funds will support its Home-based Literacy Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)—an evidence-based early literacy and school readiness program for preschool children ages 3-5. In HIPPY, children develop literacy, motor, cognitive, communication, and social/emotional skills through a 30-week in-home curriculum that is provided by HIPPY Parent Partners. More specifically, the donation will sponsor families in the HIPPY program as well as offset the cost of books, activities, family gathering nights and home visits from Parent Partners.

“We are thrilled to partner with Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation for the HIPPY program and deeply appreciate this generous grant support,” said Christine Sweeney, development and public relations director, COA Youth & Family Centers. “This grant allows COA to provide an internationally-acclaimed, home-based early literacy program for families with preschool-aged youth as well as equip them with a foundation for academic achievement for the long-term.”

A $500 grant to Wheaton Franciscan—St. Joseph Foundation will benefit its Anytime CPR Training (ACT)—a curriculum-based program for youth between ages 4-18 that educates and prepares participants for emergency situations. The goal of the program is to equip youth with the knowledge and understanding of basic life supporting first aid skills and willingness to engage in an emergency situation. The ACT was established in 2002 and is implemented in Milwaukee area schools and community-based organizations. Grant funds will support program costs for up to 40 participants.

“The grant will provide added opportunity to train more school-age children,” said Gloria Singleton-Young, ACT program coordinator. “The training they receive will strengthen safety in the community and provide students with skills that will help them in the future.”

Each grant is funded through the Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization established in 2013. The Make It Better Foundation aims to improve the general welfare and quality of life in the communities Cousins Subs serves and addresses three areas of interest that are vital to any community: health and wellness, hunger, and youth education.

“Since 1972, our deep-seated roots in the Milwaukee community has fueled our drive and commitment to help those in need in the communities we serve,” said Justin McCoy, director on Cousins Subs Make It Better Foundation board. “Our Make It Better Foundation is an extension of that belief and fully invests in supporting the advancement of our local community.”

Interested nonprofit and community organizations can visit www.cousinssubs.com/foundation to find out more information on eligibility and how to apply.