Bigger Sky Kids Receive Grants
In October, Bigger Sky Kids received the first of three 2025 grants, a $5,000 award for operational expenses from the Judy Family Foundation.
It was timely, as BSK had just committed to the purchase of state-of-the-art iPads and Apple Pro pens for students in its digital artistry class and to bringing Robin Heigis Cormier (Juve) on board.
Cormier grew up in Wolf Point and graduated with the class of 1992. In 2025, she was honored with the Faculty Excellence Award at Montana State University - Billings, where she heads up the School Counseling Program. She has decades of experience as a teacher and guidance counselor.
Cormier visited for the first time this December. She will fly up to join Bigger Sky Kids as often as her schedule permits.
A second award of $8,300 came in November from the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation in Red Lodge, which supports programs that help children develop new skills, build confidence, improve self-image and broaden horizons. This grant renews their 2024 award in support of Cat McIntyre’s residency.
The current academic term marks McIntyre’s eighth year teaching studio art to Wolf Point children. In 2025, her students entered 24 paintings in the Roosevelt County Fair. They took home 18 blue and six red ribbons. Their artworks (and ribbons) are on display at the county library.
Earlier this month, the Wolf Point Community Organization awarded $2,000 toward groceries for the light meal that precedes every BSK session. The shared meal affords youth and volunteers time to relax and reflect on the day so far, and to preview activities planned for the session ahead.
“Grants like these play an essential role,” says president Char Matejovsky. “They ensure our kids have access to programming and materials on par with their peers in more affluent communities. And that levels the playing field.”
Bigger Sky Kids meets after school Monday through Wednesday. In past years, they served Northside students from grades four through eight. This year, they welcome third graders as well.
For more information or to donate, visit biggerskykids. org.
