Four regional women leaders will be amplifying their impact in their Quad Cities communities after collecting a total of $40,000 through Royal Neighbors 2024 Nation of Neighbors grant program.
The Rock Island-based fraternal benefits organization whose mission is “insuring lives, supporting women, and serving communities,” created the annual Nation of Neighbors awards. That women’s empowerment program underscores Royal Neighbors commitment to “Insurance with a Difference,” the society said.
In the Quad Cities area that included women who created a life-saving organization, are breaking down barriers to food insecurity, transforming lives of vulnerable young people, and empowering women through sports.
In all in 2024, Royal Neighbors recognized 11 women who have made a lasting impact in the lives of women and girls via a nonprofit, business or program. Through its Nation of Neighbors awards women each received a $10,000 grant to strengthen their work.
“For 130 years, Royal Neighbors has actively invested in the leadership and initiatives of women like our Quad Cities recipients,” Royal Neighbors’ CEO and President Zarifa Reynolds said in a news release. “These awards are a tangible way of showing that when women lead, whole communities thrive for generations to come.”
Amy Jones, Royal Neighbors’ senior director of social impact, added: “Each recipient has used their personal experience, passion, and talents to build a brighter future for others, and we admire their strength and courage to persevere. These grants dollars will enable each woman to continue their impactful work furthering our mission of fostering social good.”
The 2024 Quad Cities honorees and the work their empowerment organizations do are:
Atwood – Foster’s Voice
Jaime Atwood is co-founder of Foster’s Voice. She created this lifesaving organization after the tragic loss of her son, Foster, to suicide, according to Royal Neighbors.
“Our mission is to end suicide and the stigma around mental illness by improving the conversations and creating awareness, action, and hope,” Ms. Atwood said in the Royal Neighbors release.
Foster’s Voice Club has grown from a single club at United Township High School in East Moline to include nine area schools. It touches the lives of hundreds of individuals each month. It’s led by the nearly 100 UTHS members.
Ms. Atwood was nominated for Nation of Neighbor honors by Royal Neighbors member Tristyn Passini.
Ms. Atwood’s leadership and passion have been instrumental in creating safe spaces for youth and adults to openly discuss their mental health and find the support they need, Royal Neighbors said.
Foster’s Voice leaders say they will use the Nation of Neighbors grant to create activity books for its nine school clubs. The books will introduce the club’s curriculum to new schools and provide mental health resources to club members.
“This has been a goal of mine for quite some time, but I did not have the extra funds to complete the project,” Ms. Atwood said. “I feel honored and grateful to be chosen for this grant.”
Clevenger – Narratives QC
As founder and executive director of Narratives QC, Dr. Annette Clevenger transforms the lives of vulnerable young adults in the Quad Cities.
At a critical time when young adults are navigating the complexities of education, employment, and mental health, Narratives QC is providing the tools and support they need to thrive, Royal Neighbors said.
It empowers young adults to find their path to success through free, one-on-one coaching, mental health support groups, life skills classes and activities.
In 2023, Narratives QC served 85 young adults in the Quad Cities community. “We are rapidly growing as more of the community learns about our free services for young adults and, most importantly, as our young adults find a safe, trusted place to learn and grow,” Dr. Clevenger said in the society’s news release.
“We’re increasing their social capital by providing trusted peer relationships, mentorship, and healthy environments to become interdependent,” she added.
Dr. Clevenger was nominated for the award by Royal Neighbors member Jordan Kirkbride.
Ciasto – Women Outdoor Club
Christine R. Ciasto, treasurer of the QC Women Outdoor Club, is dedicated to empowering women through outdoor activities that foster self-confidence, community, and personal growth.
Ms. Ciasto joined the club 17 years ago. She has served as a dedicated board member for 13 of those years. Royal Neighbors said she has been instrumental in creating a supportive, empowering community for women.
The club encourages women of all backgrounds to embrace the beauty of nature and develop strong support systems while exploring outdoor adventures together.
“This grant validates that what we have been trying to do for the past 17 years is working, one member at a time,” Ms. Ciasto said in the release. “Our goal is to empower 100 more women in 2025 with this grant.”
She was nominated by Royal Neighbors employee and member, Angie Bardsley.
Barker – Barker Farms
Kathy Barker, founder of Barker Farm Outreach in Princeton, Illinois, ensures fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables are available to everyone regardless of economic status, Royal Neighbors said.
It all began because of Ms. Barker’s desire to help her neighbors and community break down barriers to food security by providing access to fresh produce.
“Receiving this grant means we can continue to work toward helping our community fight food insecurity by building the infrastructure of Barker Farm Outreach,” said Ms. Barker. She was nominated by Royal Neighbors member Linda Wastyn.
With the Nation of Neighbors grant, Barker Farm Outreach will build a greenhouse to grow plants from seeds – reducing costs significantly.
“Receiving this grant means we can continue to work toward helping our community fight food insecurity by building the infrastructure of Barker Farm Outreach,” Ms. Barker said in the release. “We will also work toward acquiring a mobile market to deliver fresh produce to those who struggle with food insecurity and transportation.”
Barker Farm has a partnership with River Bend Food Bank, headquartered in west Davenport, and is working to expand its reach. That includes using a mobile truck to serve rural areas to ensure fresh food is accessible to those who need it in rural areas that surround the Quad Cities and those who may have transportation challenges.
Who is Royal Neighbors?
Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 by nine women who created a membership community. They were one of the first to make life insurance accessible to women.
Nearly 130 years later, Royal Neighbors said it remains committed to its mission of Insuring Lives, Supporting Women, and Serving Communities. The organization’s 275,000+ members, chapters, employees, and appointed agents across the country drive the mission through localized volunteerism and philanthropy programs making social impact the cornerstone of their work.
