SPEER TRUST AWARDS $198,750 IN GRANTS

June 2002

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 2002 are:

 

BUTTONWOOD SCHOOL – NEW CASTLE, DE (BUTTONWOOD CIVIC ASSOCIATION RESTORATION COMMITTEE) - $25,000

 

Purpose of Grant:  To provide funds to restore the school to become a facility for economic, cultural and social development for the community.

 

PracSAT PROGRAM – WILMINGTON, DE (COLLEGE RESOURCE CENTER

OF WILMINGTON, INC.) - $25,000

 

Purpose of Grant:  To support the program which will provide students from low to moderate income families exposure to and preparation for the SAT exam resulting in higher scores.    

 

STAY FREE INDIVIDUALIZED SELF-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT –

WILMINGTON, DE (KINGSWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER) - $21,250

 

Purpose of Grant:  To provide funds for the program which offers support for parents and youth by strengthening the family unit to gain the skills needed to become more self-sufficient. 

 

VOCES SIN FRONTERAS - WILMINGTON, DE (ST. PAUL’S CHURCH) -

$15,000

 

Purpose of Grant:  To build a faith-based organization of leaders from the diverse Hispanic community in New Castle County who have the power to be a force for social change in the region.

 

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS/EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

CAMPAIGN - WILMINGTON, DE (NEHEMIAH GATEWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION) - $40,000

 

Purpose of Grant:  To provide funds for the program which will focus on strengthening

the economies of low and moderate income communities by building assets, workforce capacity and business opportunities.

 

COMMUNITY-BASED AFTERCARE PROGRAM - ELKTON, MD

(MEETING GROUND) - $35,000 

 

Purpose of Grant:  To provide ongoing empowerment and support to formerly homeless persons and families who have moved from the Meeting Ground community into the community-at-large.

 

CECIL COUNTY INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - ELKTON, MD

(FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION, INC.) - $30,000

 

Purpose of Grant:  To provide staff to support homeownership counseling.

 

PRISON OUTREACH MINISTRY - WILMINGTON, DE

(FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, INC.) - $7,500

 

Purpose of Grant:  For a program which is focused on assisting released male and female adults in developing their goals for employment, housing and their transition back into society.

 

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.