The amount of grants the Grand Victoria Casino Foundation awards the county each year has dwindled significantly, but still makes possible such projects as Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity and East Aurora High School teaming up to rehab a house.

The Building Futures Initiative is one of 40 programs being funded through a 2016 Grand Victoria Casino riverboat grant. The Kane County Board last week approved grants and awarded $897,239 to nonprofits, school districts, villages and organizations for programs aimed at economic development, education and the environment.

The Grand Victoria Casino Foundation has given more than $140 million to Kane County since 1997, said Scott Berger, director of the Workforce Development Division, but instead of $12 million a year at the height of its success, it was $3.2 million in 2014, according to the county.

Kane County's Riverboat Grant committee has had to cut the amount of grants awarded and stay within a budget, which was $897,239 this year, Berger said.

Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is receiving $68,480, one of the highest grant amounts, for its project to provide a family with a new home and East Aurora High School students with construction experience. The school does not have a building trades program, said Jeff Barrett, executive president of the Fox Valley chapter. The local chapter has been working with the high school for about a year.

EAHS is trying to increase its graduation rate and help students who may not be heading to college by teaching them job skills, Barrett said. Habitat for Humanity is planning to purchase a home a block from the school so students can walk there for classes.

"It's exciting to have an opportunity to train young minds and bodies to be doing trade work," Barrett said. "It's an experience they are not going to get any other place."

Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity has built 54 homes in the Aurora area and is simultaneously working on houses number 55, 56, 57 and 58, Barrett said. The city of Aurora has the greatest need for affordable housing outside of Chicago, he said.

"We feel pretty honored," said Barrett, of the grant award.

The Association for Individual Development (AID) is receiving a $31,195 grant for a technology upgrade to enhance service delivery to clients, especially home-bound clients, Executive Director Lynn O'Shea said. AID serves persons with developmental, physical and/or mental disabilities.

Through the grant, AID will be able to upgrade desktop computers (primarily in group homes) and purchase laptops and air cards to serve clients in their homes, the application said.

Grand Victoria Casino grants, in the past, have been used to purchase a van and other one-time needs, O'Shea said. AID received $30,000 for its job coaching program earlier this year, helping to save it from falling victim to the state budget impasse, she said.

"It was very, very helpful to bridge the gap," she said. "It's sad to see these funds get smaller and smaller. The resources for one time needs are just drying up."

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter.