GRHF Celebrates Saint Maud’s Grant Award from the American-Scandinavian Foundation
Pictured (L to R): Karl Zinsmaster of Saint Maud’s; Kassi Huotari and John Garske of GRHF
January 8, 2025 — The Gogebic Range Health Foundation (GRHF) is proud to announce and celebrate Saint Maud’s recent grant award from the American-Scandinavian Foundation! This significant funding will enable Saint Maud’s to expand and enhance its renowned Slöyd program, making its classes more accessible and impactful for local youth and families.
Thanks to this grant, Saint Maud’s will upgrade its equipment with the addition of a new four-person bench from Sjöbergs and another custom bench that is built in-house and designed by the Sloyd Experience. These enhancements will increase the program’s capacity to accommodate 16 participants, allowing more individuals to benefit from the hands-on craftsmanship, creativity, and character building fostered by the Slöyd program. Expanded offerings will reach local public school districts, the Superior Homeschool Co-op, and the program’s devoted community of families.
The funding will also support fair compensation for Saint Maud’s exceptional instructors and assistants, who are critical to the program’s ongoing success. Two new trainees—a work-study student from Hurley School District and a volunteer from Northland College—will join the team, bringing the total number of instructors to five. This investment in staffing will ensure the program’s continued excellence and growth.
“We’re thrilled to see Saint Maud’s Slöyd program flourish and to have supported them as their fiscal agent during their journey to achieving 501(c)(3) status,” said Kassi Huotari, Executive Director of GRHF. “Their commitment to fostering creativity and community is truly inspiring, and this grant marks an exciting new chapter in their growth.”
Saint Maud’s has been a pillar of creativity and education in the community, and this grant from the American-Scandinavian Foundation further solidifies their impact. Congratulations to Karl Zinsmaster and the entire Saint Maud’s team for this well-deserved recognition and support. GRHF and Saint Maud’s extends its gratitude to the American-Scandinavian Foundation for investing in this vital initiative. Together, we are building a brighter, more creative future for the Gogebic Range.
For more information about Saint Maud’s Slöyd program, please visit www.saintmauds.com.
About Saint Maud’s
Saint Maud’s is a community-based organization dedicated to fostering self-reliance, perseverance, concentration and love for labor through its Slöyd program. The program focuses on hands-on, project-based learning, teaching individuals of all ages the traditional Swedish craft of woodworking. With an emphasis on inclusivity, Saint Maud’s strives to make its programs accessible to all local youth and families, enriching the community with skills that promote creativity, critical thinking, and resilience. The organization continues to expand its offerings to better serve the Gogebic Range community.
About Gogebic Range Health Foundation
The Gogebic Range Health Foundation supports initiatives promoting health and wellness across Gogebic County, MI, and Iron County, WI. Its core funding priorities include youth engagement, economic empowerment, community food systems, and fostering connected communities. Learn more at gogebicrangehf.org
For more information, please contact:
Kassi Huotari
Executive Director | Gogebic Range Health Foundation
📞 906-364-7527
✉️ kassi.huotari@gogebicrangehf.org