Rockford LYDIA Urban Academy is a recipient of a grant from the United Way of the Rock River Valley. The $90,000 award will be paid over the next three years ($30,000 each year) to continue to keep high-risk students in school. LYDIA Academy was one of 15 local non-profits funded "because they have measurable, positive effect on lives," said Pattie Bigger, board chairwoman of United Way (Rockford Register Star, March 20, 2007).