GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- A Wyoming school that strives to help West Michigan Latino children improve their test scores and graduation rates is receiving $50,000 to restore its building.
Erhardt Construction named San Juan Diego Academy as the winner of its "Building Our Community" contest. The announcement was held Thursday night at the Salvation Army's Kroc Community Center on S. Division Ave.
Erhardt held a eight week-long contest to have the public choose a local non-profit group to receive a $50,000 construction project.
"San Juan Diego Academy's mission to provide children with an academically excellent and morally vibrant education that is otherwise outside their economic reach is one that Erhardt Construction is proud to support through our Building Our Community Contest," said Ben Wickstrom, president of Erhardt, in a statement.
The four other finalist groups also received prize money:
• 1st runner-up: St. Alphonsus Food and Clothing Pantry - $2,500
• 2nd runner-up: Camp Roger - $2,500
• 3rd runner-up: Crash's Landing - $1,500
• 4th runner-up: Women at Risk, International - $1,500
San Juan Diego plans to use the money to improve the school building's structure. Erhardt's next step is to work with school leaders on the plan for the repairs.