FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Contact: ACF Press Office (202) 401-9215
HHS
To Award $50,000 Grants to Faith-Based and Community Organizations That Serve
At-Risk
Youth and the Homeless
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children
and Families today announced that one-time, $50,000 awards will be made available
to help build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations to address
the needs of at-risk youth and the homeless. The grants, to total as much as $2.5
million, will come from the Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), a $35 million Presidential
initiative aimed at helping these organizations garner more resources and use
them effectively.
“Faith and community-based organizations have long played a critical role
in local social service delivery,” Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. “These
grants will provide a booster shot to help a large number of these groups nationwide
to expand and improve their services to at-risk youth and the homeless.”
Awards will assist these organizations to enhance their program effectiveness
and sustainability, access funds from diverse sources, and emulate model programs
and best practices. To be eligible for these grants, applicants must have a proven
track record of at least one year in serving the needs of at-risk youth or the
homeless.
The Compassion
Capital Fund will help further the President's goals and objectives regarding
faith-based and community organizations and will enhance work being supported
by multiple federal agencies. ACF estimates that the funds available under this
announcement will support approximately 50 grants.
“At risk
youth and homeless people have special needs that require a special response,”
said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., assistant secretary for children and families. “Faith
and community-based organizations are designed to meet these needs. These grants
will serve as seed money so that they can be even more effective in the future.”
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issues awards
under the Fund. Applications for these grants are due by August 11, 2003. Information
on how to apply and whom to contact can be found at:
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials
are available at www.hhs.gov/news
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