2025 Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program Recipients

The Neighborhood Grant Program honors the legacy of Vi Walker, a dedicated Meridian-Kessler resident, business owner, and passionate community advocate. Your support of the Home Tour—whether by attending, volunteering, donating, or sponsoring—helps keep the Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program thriving!

We are proud to fund these 2025 Vi Walker Neighborhood Grant Program Recipients:

• I Support the Girls was awarded $5,000 for Essential Items (bras, underwear, hygiene, and menstrual hygiene products). ISTG works with many nonprofits in the Meridian-Kessler area to provide essential items that are typically not available to those in need.
• North United Methodist Church was awarded $5,000 for the Farmer’s Market Senior Club. The voucher program serves residents of Parkside at Tarkington Apartments, a 60-unit, income-restricted, senior apartment community. Each unit is granted $20 in Club Vouchers to shop for produce each Market Day.
• Basile Opera Center was awarded $3,000 for a free, Meridian-Kessler Music Fest to be held on April 11-12, 2026. Programming will showcase a variety of musical talents.
• CFI 84 was awarded $2,600 for a Playground Stencil Project. The school plans to repave the parking lot and apply reusable stencils that can be used by the school as well as the community during after school hours.
• IPS 55 was awarded $2,200 for the Joseph Maley Foundation Programing, which supports disability awareness for students and families.
• St Joan of Arc was awarded $1,700 for their Sun and Shade Community Garden. Funding will cover the cost of a shade sail and poles to provide a shady corner for a play area and community table.
• Tabernacle Presbyterian Church was awarded $1,250 for The Open Door Café’s Blessing Table, which offers personal hygiene and other items for shopping at no cost to guests of The Open Door Cafe. The grant specifically covers the cost of laundry pods.
• Coburn Place was awarded $1,250 for Coburn Health which provides access to physical and mental health services tailored to the unique trauma of survivors.
• Crossroads AME Church was awarded $1,000 for Computer 101 classes for seniors.  Funds will be used towards the purchase of additional laptops and Microsoft suite.