Benton Franklin Community Action Committee is one of 31 nonprofits receiving stimulus money to support training, job placement and emergency services.
Gov. Chris Gregoire's office announced $11.7 million in grants for agencies to provide emergency shelter, food and other programs to people throughout the state.
Gregoire's office estimated the grants will create more than 100 new jobs within the community agencies receiving grants and about 700 jobs for their clients in the next year.
"These recovery funds will help thousands of individuals and households meet basic needs, and train for and find new jobs in their communities," Gregoire said in a statement.
Judith Gidley, Benton Franklin CAC executive director, said her agency will receive $449,896 that will be used for a variety of programs including emergency services, job-seeking skills training, general equivalency degree preparation and adult basic literacy.
More than $170,000 will be used to provide emergency food and shelter, and fuel, mortgage and transportation assistance not covered by other programs the nonprofit administers.
The job-seeking skills training, which gives clients tools such as resume writing and interviewing, and GED/basic literacy programs each will get about $56,000, which will be used to expand the programs and provide transportation to people who need help getting to classes.
Another portion of the grant will be used to evaluate how CAC delivers services within its building and whether operations could be made more efficient and user-friendly for clients.
CAC also will work on developing more community partnerships, like the one it has with the Department of Social and Health Services Community Service Office to provide internet-accessible computer terminals in CAC's Pasco and Prosser offices and in Connell.
The terminals allow CAC clients to apply for welfare and other DSHS services, allowing a sort of one-stop shopping for social services, Gidley said.
The overall goal is for the agency to continue to provide pathways out of poverty, she said.
The grants are administered by the Washington Department of Commerce, which is in charge of more than $200 million in recovery funds.
For more information about how stimulus money is being spent in Washington, go to www.recovery.wa.gov.
Similar stories:
Area nonprofits feel budget pinch
Area nonprofits feel budget pinch
For everything from medical care to diapers, more Tri-City families are turning to private charities for help to meet basic needs.
Area nonprofits are facing what Beverly Weber, CEO of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, calls a "squeeze from two directions," with less government funding of human and social services and greater demand.
When families can't get services through scaled-back state programs, they turn to charities, Weber said.
Nonprofit for struggling families tweaks name, remodels
Nonprofit for struggling families tweaks name, remodels
PASCO -- The Benton Franklin Community Action Committee is taking steps to make it easier for the nonprofit to help struggling families in Benton and Franklin counties.
Some changes are structural. A recent remodel of CAC's Pasco office created a single lobby for families to apply for housing and energy assistance.
The nonprofit is holding an open house from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 720 W. Court St. to celebrate its new name and remodeled building.
Day shelter opening in Kennewick
Day shelter opening in Kennewick
KENNEWICK -- Homeless Tri-Citians soon will have a place where they can go during the day for a shower, to do laundry or just get some help.
Therapeutic Innovations & Recovery is opening this month in Kennewick as the area's first homeless day shelter. It will be called Ken and Teresa's Place.
The idea is to build relationships and trust with people who are homeless, said Cindy Fransen, clinical director of the fledgling nonprofit.
United Way aims to raise extra $1 million in Tri-Cities
United Way aims to raise extra $1 million in Tri-Cities
United Way officials are upping the ante for their annual fundraising drive this year in anticipation of a rising tide of Tri-Citians in need.
The agency kicked off its campaign Tuesday with a goal to raise $4.7 million during this year's campaign -- $1 million more than the agency distributed to area nonprofits from its 2010 campaign.
The higher goal is being driven in part by significant layoffs announced at Hanford.
Credit counseling service gets boost
Credit counseling service gets boost
KENNEWICK -- Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Tri-Cities has joined with other community services agencies to help keep the doors open to Tri-Citians who need budget help.
The local nonprofit became part of Apprisen Financial Advocates as of Aug. 1.
The merger will allow the nonprofits to share the increased cost of operating over the offices, which serve 48 states, said Laurie Tufford, the regional director of partnerships for Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Tri-Cities.
Print
Email Story
