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- Category: Past Issues
Grants announced
The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has announced its annual grant awards for Windham County, totaling $17,500. Funding is made available through the George L. Holt Fund. The fund’s purpose is to help Windham area residents meet their basic needs, and, to promote self-sufficiency through education and employment.
Awards went to the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG), Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM), and Perception Programs, Inc. (PPI), according to Dianne Williams, Community Foundation’s Regional Advisory Council chair.
TEEG’s $7,500 grant will help sustain a variety of programs that empower individuals, strengthen families, and engage the whole community. Programs address a variety of basic needs such as emergency and on-going food assistance, heating assistance, camperships, back to school supplies, holiday giving support, and individual case management. Their education and enrichment programs include parent education, preschool readiness, adolescent mentoring, anger management, and Gamblers’ Anonymous. TEEG serves nearly 2,500 individuals in Thompson, Pomfret, and Woodstock. Poverty in this part of Connecticut is compounded by rural isolation.
WAIM will use their $7,500 grant to bolster their two core programs, Material Goods and Human Needs.
Perception Programs, Inc. will receive a $2,500 grant to purchase computers. This funding will provide PPI’s clients with direct access to the internet, the ability to search for employment online and complete job applications, and develop and upload resumes. The agency serves individuals with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health issues, HIV/AIDS, and those involved in the criminal justice system.
The Foundation’s Regional Advisory Council members include: Martin Bloom, Rheo Brouillard, Betti Kuszaj, Gary Osbrey, Beverly Sims, Lee Terry, and Williams. The Council is committed to helping local residents gain an education, and moving individuals and families out of poverty toward economic sustainability.