SPEER TRUST AWARDS $230,217 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 causes of poverty and work in partnership with Presbyterians.

Projects funded in June 2007 are:

LOWER SHORE RAMP PARTNERSHIP - SALISBURY, MD (HOLLY COMMUNITY, INC.) - $25,500

Purpose of Grant: To provide low-cost modular wheelchair ramps to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset County residents with low to moderate incomes who are disabled or elderly to safely remain in their homes.

WILMINGTON HEALTH AWARENESS AND CANCER SUPPORT – WILMINGTON, DE (THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY – DELAWARE)

$20,000

Purpose of Grant: To enable the poor, underserved and uninsured people in the city of Wilmington affected by cancer, their caregivers and family members, to participate in free, professional and culturally competent programs of emotional support, education and hope.

EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR/PEPPER CROSSING – GEORGETOWN, DE

(INTERFAITH MISSION OF SUSSEX COUNTY, INC.) – $30,000

Purpose of Grant: To expand affordable housing developments, emergency home repair programs and associated family services to low and moderate income families.

EXPANSION OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS – GEORGETOWN AND SEAFORD, DE (PRIME-ECUMENICAL COMMITMENT TO REFUGEES) – $20,000

Purpose of Grant: To address the root causes of poverty by expanding legal immigration counseling in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

WEST CECIL HEALTH CENTER (WEST CECIL HEALTH CENTER, INC.) – RISING SUN, MD - $40,000

Purpose of Grant: To provide a consultant to initiate start-up for a primary health care

organization including educational and outreach services to individuals of all ages in Cecil County regardless of the clients’ ability to pay.

YOUTH COMMUNITY BUILDERS SUMMER 2007 CAMP – WILMINGTON, DE (CONNECTING GENERATIONS) – $13,217

Purpose of Grant: To conduct an educational and social/cultural enrichment camp in the northwest community of Wilmington with the goal to encourage campers, 11-15 years of age, to learn life skills and leadership training.

EQUIPMENT NEEDS – WHALEYVILLE, MD (DELMARVA FOOD FOUNDATION, INC.) – $31,500

Purpose of Grant: To provide operations equipment for safe food storage until distributed to needy people in the Lower Shore region.

CAMP HARMONY JUNIOR HIGH PROGRAM – WILMINGTON, DE (URBANPROMISE WILMINGTON) - $20,000

Purpose of Grant: To provide students from low income communities with a safe place where they can receive academic aid, life skills and spiritual growth.

STEPPING STONE COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION – WILMINGTON, DE (DELAWARE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACTION COUNCIL, INC.) - $30,000

Purpose of Grant: To support a program that will educate and provide competitive alternatives to costly loans and banking services, preparing members to participate in mainstream banking.

NEW APPLICATION GUIDELINES: Copies of a five-page proposal and budget are due in the Speer Trust office by 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 15, for the next funding cycle. For information and an updated application, please contact Speer Trust at (302) 366-0595. Web site: www.speertrust.org