AMAZON GRANTS

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Dozens of nonprofit organizations, schools and community members in Northwest Louisiana were recognized Wednesday as part of the Amazon Northwest Louisiana Community Fund.

Forty-six local organizations and individuals were selected to receive grants through the program. The fund is awarding nearly $500,000 in grants of up to $10,000 to the recipients across Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Two Amazon representatives and a handful of STACK employees were in attendance Wednesday at the Chef's Table by BeauxJax on Barksdale Boulevard.

The grants support a wide range of community initiatives, including improving food access, expanding youth STEM education, workforce training, veteran services, domestic violence response and other local programs designed to strengthen communities.

"We don't just come in and then leave the community," said Amazon community engagement manager Afrika Alsup. "We stay in the communities. So we'll continue to invest in this community throughout the years, and we'll continue to provide resources for all of it."

The Amazon Northwest Louisiana Community Fund is managed by nonprofit partner ChangeX, which works with companies to support community-led projects. The fund also received an additional $100,000 contribution from STACK Infrastructure, Amazon's data center development partner in Northwest Louisiana.

“I think it’s a wonderful entrance into our market for Amazon to come to northwest Louisiana and employ people in our community and also contribute back to our community,” said Kristen Powers, chief executive officer of The Arc Caddo-Bossier, who received $10,000.

The Arc is a private, non-profit that provides services and supportive programs for infants, children, teens and adults with disabilities and their families.

“The nonprofit organizations that are represented here today, along with us at the Arc Goldman School and Child Development Centers, are a great cross section of the care that is provided in this community,” Powers said. “And how wonderful is it that Amazon wants to be a part of that.”

Government entities, schools and colleges were also recipients, such as Bossier 4-H, Elm Grove Middle School, Southern University at Shreveport, Centenary College of Louisiana and Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College Foundation.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office “Friends of Safety Town” was awarded $10,000, which will help purchase safety kits for domestic violence victims.

“So when those victims come to us, we can provide help for their personal needs, and ensure that they are able to operate without having to go back to their residence to pick up any items that they may need,” said Sheriff Henry Whitehorn. 

“We're excited that people are really paying attention to what's going on with domestic violence,” Whitehorn said. “April 19 changed the way we think in Caddo Parish, as it relates to domestic violence.

“I'm just glad that people are understanding what we're trying to do, and then wanting to be a part of it,” he said. “We are thankful for Amazon for this initiative and this support, and hopefully it will go a long way toward domestic violence prevention."

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The Center Square contributed to this report.