SPEER TRUST AWARDS $181,700 IN GRANTS

The Speer Trust Commission of New Castle Presbytery, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) funds projects in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The primary goal of the grants is to provide assistance to organizations of people who live on low incomes so that they are empowered to gain control over their own lives. The projects must address the root cause of poverty and work in partnership with Presbyterians.

Projects funded in June 2003 are:

THE STREETLEADER JOB TRAINING PROGRAM – WILMINGTON, DE

(URBANPROMISE MINISTRIES, INC.) - $10,000

Purpose of Grant: To equip youth with job skills, leadership development, self-worth and responsibility through education, socialization and peer mentoring.

IMMIGRANTS COUNCIL OF DELAWARE – WILMINGTON, DE

(COMMUNITY LEGAL AID SOCIETY, INC.) - $25,000

Purpose of Grant: To support staff that will advocate for the rights of immigrants, educating both the immigrant population and those who provide services for them through conferences and workshops.

WEST VILLAGE PLANNING PROJECT – WILMINGTON, DE

(DELAWARE CENTER FOR HORTICULTURE) - $24,000

Purpose of Grant: To combat the root causes of poverty by empowering the poor through community organizing and leadership development sparked by neighborhood greening projects.

LIFE SKILLS TRAINING – SALISBURY, MD

(HOLLY COMMUNITY, INC.) - $39,700

Purpose of Grant: To promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities by providing accessible flexible life skills and job skills training.

Speer Trust Commission

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WAYS TO WORK LOAN PROGRAM – WILMINGTON, DE

(NEHEMIAH GATEWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATION, INC.) - $35,000

Purpose of Grant: To help low income working parents stay at work or in school by offering loans of up to $4,000 for the purchase or repair of a used car. This program will partner with a bank and local car dealers to facilitate access to credit and high quality vehicles.

READING, WRITING & RBI’s – WILMINGTON, DE

(BUS ZEBLEY YOUTH BASEBALL) - $3,000

Purpose of Grant: To support the education initiative of a youth sports program that will not only enhance children’s ability to perform academically and athletically but will also provide a valuable cultural and social understanding.

AT-RISK YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM – WILMINGTON, DE

(STOP THE VIOLENCE COALITION, INC.) - $25,000

Purpose of Grant: To provide funds for a program that promotes respect and positive

values through life-coping skills for youth and parents in a safe environment.

RUDY PARK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM – ELKTON, MD

(UPPER BAY COUNSELING & SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.) - $20,000

Purpose of Grant: To provide staff to manage and enhance the after school program which will provide educational, social and motivational support for children of

low-income families.

Letters of intent are due in the Speer Trust office by October 15 for the next funding cycle. For information and an application, please contact Speer Trust at

(302) 366-0595. Web site: www.speertrust.org