916 Ink Receives Grant to work with Rancho Cordova Youth in Creative Writing Workshops!

Rancho Cordova, Calif. [10-12-2018] – 916 Ink received a boost on in fall 2018 when it received a grant for 6 workshops in five different schools from the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement Fund. Our workshops are one set of more than 50 community projects that will receive grant funds during the 2018/2019 fiscal year. 916 Ink will receive $47,795 to put towards its project.

"We are thrilled with the City of Rancho Cordova's investment for this innovative and transformative program benefitting Rancho Cordova youth!" says Ian Hadley, Executive Director of 916 Ink.  "We are teaching youth empathy, empowerment, and a love for the written word!”

With the support of the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement Fund, 916 Ink will provide three high school creative writing workshops, one middle school creative writing workshop and two elementary school creative writing workshops in the 2018-19 school year, transforming up to 125 students into published authors and confident communicators.

The writing and sharing of stories builds empathy, increases confidence, and gives youth the agency to understand and harness the power of their personal narratives. At 916 Ink we believe that writing and publishing can be taught with empathy and compassion while providing a high-quality literary arts experience that impacts students' literacy skills, motivation, and engagement.

The City of Rancho Cordova's Community Enhancement Fund is supported by Measure H, a half-cent sales tax approved by Rancho Cordova voters in November 2014. The program generates approximately $8.1 million annually, with roughly $1.8 million going to community projects and the remaining $6.3 million allocated to public safety, public works, economic development, legacy projects and other public programs during the 2018/2019 fiscal year.

The more than 50 approved community projects were submitted by a range of individuals, organizations, businesses and community partners. Each project fulfills a need in key community priorities, including arts, culture, history, entertainment and sports; education; and other community priorities.

“In its fourth year, the Community Enhancement Fund grants have enabled the City of Rancho Cordova to partner with residents to bring new and innovative events, programs and projects from ideas to reality,” said Mayor Linda Budge. “The grant program is a great example of what a city can accomplish when we all work together to focus on community priorities.” The City of Rancho Cordova is located in eastern Sacramento County and home to approximately 74,200 residents and 60,000+ employees. The city prides itself on being a safe, inviting and vibrant community that values diversity, opportunity, partnerships and fun. Rancho Cordova became an officially incorporated city in 2003 and is celebrating its 15th birthday in 2018. The city won the All-America City Award in 2010 and was named both Playful City USA and Tree City USA.