Rochester Downtown Alliance Grant
It’s official: we are a 2023 Rochester Downtown Alliance grant recipient!
Presenting in front of more than 50 people shouldn't have been nerve-wracking for Michele Ensign, a former schoolteacher comfortable talking to groups. But Ensign never had to ask for thousands of dollars in front of a crowd before Wednesday.
Hers was one of 10 groups vying for money through the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) long-running Start-Up Event program, which changed up the application process this year. The RDA hosted a pitch night during which applicants persuaded a panel of judges, like those on ABC's "Shark Tank," to fund their plans for events and activities in downtown Rochester…
Ensign, whose 8-year-old son is nonverbal autistic, is the creator behind Autism Resource Guide, which helps connect families with special needs in southeastern Minnesota to local resources.
She's setting up Sensory Sensitive Saturday on May 20... for children who might find other family events in Rochester too overstimulating.
“I appreciate your courage to come out and put on an event that is so inclusive and needed in our community,” one of the judges, told her.”
“...along with some heartfelt praise and a few tears from the judges.”
“Other top grant winners include a sensory sensitive Saturday Family Fun Day.
Organizer Michele Ensign, mother of a nonverbal autistic son, said the event will give families of children a safe, nurturing space to explore and have fun.
Ensign said the event, which will be held at Mayo Park, will be welcoming to all families. Not all public events accommodate children who are sensitive to sudden or loud noises or are in a busy, crowded environment near car traffic.
Danielle Teal, of KSMQ public television, said she was moved by Ensign’s struggle to find events she felt comfortable taking her son.
“You touched my heart,'“ Teal told her.
Post Bulletin
Making their pitch for a portion of $25,000 in downtown event funding
John Molseed
January 12, 2023 09:22 AM
SOURCES
Rochester Downtown Alliance
All 10 Start-Up Event Grant presentations funded at Pitch Night