Wayne Metro Awards Grants to Several Local Organizations
Community Funding Initiative Supports Local Organizations, Communities
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency has awarded grants to several community organizations throughout Out-Wayne County.
Wayne Metro’s Community Funding Initiative Program provides small grants to non-profits, community organizations and churches located in Out-Wayne County to help them fulfill their mission by providing better services to their clients.
Wayne Metro has five Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) that represent the 42 communities comprising Out-Wayne County. RACs consist of community representatives from churches and schools, business leaders, non-profit leaders and local volunteers. These councils work to eliminate problems in their community through outreach. RAC members review applications, conduct site visits and make funding decisions once a year.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church received $1,500 to purchase meat for their food pantry. Many food pantries are unable to distribute meat products to families requesting assistance due to lack of space and refrigeration. However, Sacred Heart plans to stock their freezer with hamburger, hot dogs, chicken, breakfast meats and lunch meat for families each week.
The Samuel B. Ware Community Center in Westland also received $1,500 to support their summer camp program for youth ages 5-12. The camp will provide quality, structured and supervised activities for youth while their parents are working.
Help's on the Way located in Belleville will use their $1,500 grant purchase food for their pantry. The organization served over 2,600 households in 2008 and has seen an increase in requests for services in 2009.
Redford Interfaith Relief for has been awarded $1,500 to update service computers allowing staff to increase referral services for clients. The organization will also purchase food and personal care items to assist clients.
Children’s Resource Network in New Boston was also awarded $1,500 to compile and distribute Parent Information Packets to local DHS offices, doctor’s offices, Work First locations and human service agencies. Packets include educational booklets, community resource information and referral resource services for parents.
Acts 29 Fellowship in Hamtramck will use their $1,500 grant to support their R.E.A.C.H. (Reaching for Excellence and Community Hope) Summer Program for pre-teens and teens. Four one-week camping sessions are planned to provide R.E.A.C.H campers with opportunities to develop survival and orienteering skills, enjoy recreation activities, and participate in character-building activities.
New Hope Food Pantry in Melvindale, Ecorse Seventh-Day Adventist Church, In His Name Ministry in Wyandotte, the Ecorse-Rouge Food Pantry and the Downriver Food Pantry are among several local organizations that received $600 to purchase food for families requesting assistance.
“The Community Funding Initiative Program is Wayne Metro’s way of supporting the work of our partners in the community. Together, we can make a difference” said Louis Piszker, Wayne Metro CEO. “We are proud to provide financial assistance to other organizations dedicated to serving residents of Wayne County.”
For more information on Wayne Metro’s Community Funding Initiative or becoming involved in a Regional Advisory Council, please contact Erin Evans at (734) 246-2280 x 123.
For more information please contact:
Erin Evans, Communications Manager
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-246-2280 x 123.