DuPage County awards $1 million in grants to nonprofits
Fifty-eight nonprofit groups providing community services as part of DuPage's safety net will share $1 million in grant money from the county.
The money awarded this week from the DuPage County Human Services Grant Fund will help pay for 60 projects from the agencies. The fund was created by the county board to partner with agencies directly serving the needs of county residents.
"It is our way of supporting the private network of agencies that take care of the vulnerable citizens in DuPage County," said Robert Larsen, chairman of the county board's health and human services committee.
County officials said the grants are available "to organizations that help families achieve independence, ensure the protection of children and other vulnerable residents, in addition to maximizing prevention opportunities to strengthen families' well-being and stability."
This year, the grant amounts range from $3,757 to $44,000.
Naperville-based Loaves & Fishes Community Services will get $44,000 for its Loaves & Fishes CARES Program. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago also will get $44,000 for its Project HELP.
The DuPage Senior Citizens Council and the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans will each receive $37,500. And Exodus World Service will get $35,000 for its new neighbor refugee adjustment support.
ChildServ, 360 Youth Services, and Teen Parent Connection Inc. will each get $32,500. Meanwhile, $30,000 grants have been awarded to the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform and Sharing Connections.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet has been awarded two grants. One will provide $32,500 to help fund the agency's Emergency Services Program. The other will provide $25,000 to help support Hope House.
The DuPage Homeownership Center also was awarded two grants. A $15,000 grant will help pay for its Financial Fitness Collaborative. A second grant of $3,757 will support its Counselor in the Court program, which provides legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure.
Other agencies awarded grants are: UCP Seguin, Parents Alliance Employment Project, Ray Graham, World Relief DuPage Aurora, Humanitarian Service Project, People's Resource Center, Prairie State Legal Services Inc., DuPage PADS, Serenity House Counseling Services Inc., Spectrios Institute for Low Vision, Literacy Volunteers of America DuPage Inc., Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services, CASA of DuPage County, Little City, Marklund Children's Home, Outreach Community Ministries, Love INC of Western Suburbs, Metropolitan Asian Family Services, West Suburban Community Pantry, DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation, Almost Home Kids, Bridge Communities Inc., DuPage Habitat for Humanity, Ecumenical Support Services for the Elderly, Donka Inc., Family Focus Inc., Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center Inc., Achieving Independence and Mobility Center for Independent Living, Naperville Elderly Homes Inc., The Community House, Community Adult Day Center, Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, NAMI of DuPage County, Wayne/Winfield Area Youth/Family Services, Family Shelter Service, Community Career Center, Healthcare Alternative Systems Inc., DayOne PACT, Evangelical Child and Family, Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, Hope's Front Door, Little Friends, Xilin Association, Youth Outlook, and Bartlett Learning Center.