Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC presented grants totaling $125,000 to 22 nonprofits in eight East Tennessee counties on Thursday evening, Nov. 15, 2018, at New Hope Center. The focus areas for the grants this year were historical and cultural preservation and mental health and substance abuse. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)
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Grants totaling $125,000 focus on mental health and substance abuse, and on historic and cultural preservation
There is no better time to lend a helping hand than now as the holidays approach.
Local residents needing help with mental health and substance abuse and organizations focused on historic and cultural preservation will soon get more assistance thanks to the employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.
CNS manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Y-12 has three missions: maintaining the U.S nuclear deterrent, reducing global nuclear threats, and fueling the nuclear U.S. Navy.
CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund
In total this year, CNS employees awarded 22 grants totaling $125,000 to nonprofit organizations in eight East Tennessee counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe, and Roane.
The CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund was created in 2014, is funded by CNS, and is managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, which serves 25 East Tennessee counties. The distribution of funds is recommended by the CNS Y-12 Investment Advisory Committee, a group of Y-12 employees who serve two-year terms. The committee allows employees to determine where corporate dollars are invested in their communities.
The employee committee reviewed dozens of grant proposals, conducted staff interviews, and made site visits before recommending funding based on the committee’s focus areas: mental health and substance abuse, and historic and cultural preservation.
Mental health and substance abuse
This year, employees felt strongly about focusing on mental health and substance abuse. The employees awarded grants to local nonprofit organizations including Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence in Anderson County and COMPASSion Counseling in Blount County.
“It’s difficult to find someone who hasn’t had friends or family members affected by mental illness or substance abuse,” said Meghann Parrilla, chair of the committee. “We want to play a role in helping solve these problems.”
Historic and cultural preservation
On the focus areas of historic and cultural preservation, Parrilla noted that Y-12’s 75th anniversary made the committee more aware of the need to preserve history and culture. “Y-12 is built on the legacy of some great American patriots, and we’ve been fortunate to be able to share that story extensively this year. The committee wanted to ensure the history and culture of this region is also preserved for future generations.”
Awarding the grants
Grants from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund were awarded on November 15 at a reception to the following organizations:
| Organization | Project summary |
| Avery Trace Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution | Place a monument at the Roane County Heritage Center dedicated to the patriots of Roane County who fought in the Revolutionary War |
| Blossom Center for Childhood Excellence, Inc. | Implement a program that promotes psychological and emotional well-being for children aged one through 12 years of age |
| Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival | Support this festival that celebrates the African American country/jazz mandolinist/fiddler from the coalfields of rural East Tennessee, Howard (Louie Bluie) Armstrong |
| CDJ Media | Support interviews of blacks in Blount County for a project that is archived at Berea College in Kentucky |
| Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge | Repair, preserve, and prepare Flat Top home for visitors and create a historical interpretive program |
| City of Kingston Parks and Recreation | Enhance the fort buildings and surrounding property at Fort South West Point |
| Coal Creek Miners Museum | Promote and educate the public about the contribution and sacrifices by the miners who settled and developed the mining fields of East Tennessee |
| Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking | Equip survivors of human trafficking in our community with coping mechanisms and avenues of improved mental and physical health |
| COMPASSion Counseling | Provide clinical and educational services and transportation assistance to those seeking treatment |
| East Tennessee Children’s Hospital | Support the “Grow with Me” program that serves those discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome |
| Organization | Project summary |
| Friends of the Grove Theatre, Inc. | Replace old lighting structures with energy efficient LED lighting |
| Knoxville Family Justice Center | Help adult/child victims of domestic violence recover from mental health issues through Services to Empower Survivors |
| Main Street Athens | Bring history alive in Downtown Athens through development of a walking tour |
| Mayme Carmichael School Organization, Inc. | Capture the history and cultural significance of the Oliver Springs African American Community |
| Mental Health Association of East Tennessee | Provide early intervention and increase mental health treatment engagement in youth to prevent suicide |
| Milly’s Wings | Provide playground equipment specific to children sensory sensitives as a result of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome |
| Postmark LaFollette | Contribute to facility improvements at Postmark LaFollette Arts, Culture and History Center |
| Quilts of Valor Foundation for Starr Mountain Quilts of Valor Quilters | Purchase material to make quilts for service members and veterans |
| Rhea-Craig Chapter National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution | Restore Soloman’s Temple Cemetery in Vonore |
| Roane County Heritage Commission | Repainting the brick on exterior walls as part of the restoration of the Historic Roane County Courthouse |
| Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding | Support program for veterans with disabilities working in partnership with horses |
| The Florence Crittenton Agency | Implement the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery for Girls program, which serves adolescent women in State custody who are struggling with serious, life-threatening mental health and substance abuse problems |
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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