Many entities provide grants for nonprofit organizations to conduct projects within their community. However, the grant writing and application process can often be overwhelming. In January 2017 the Edmonson County FCS agent informed Edmonson County Homemakers of an available KEHA Grant for county projects.  The Edmonson County FCS Agent educated the Brownsville Homemakers on the basics of grant writing and helped members review their written grant before applying.

In April 2017 the Brownsville Homemakers were awarded a $300 grant from KEHA to fund their Calming the Heart of Autism project. The grant money was used to purchase weighted beads to make weighted blankets for autistic youth in Edmonson County. According to Autism Speaks “Weighted blankets have long been popular for calming individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Typically the blankets contain metal or plastic beads sewn into quilted layers. The idea is that the weight provides gentle, deep pressure that addresses the sensory-integration issues often associated with ASD” Depending on their size weighted blankets can range from $50 to $300.

During the summer of 2017 members of Brownsville Homemakers and Capitol Hill Homemakers worked together to sew 12 blankets. Eight were donated to youth in Edmonson County and four were donated to special needs classrooms in Edmonson County. One family reported that their child could fall asleep easier at night due to the blanket and the blanket could more effective calm their child than normal blankets.