2005 grants: Unleashing the Power of Women
Childcare Resources Supplemental Child Care Program (SCCP) – $6,250: The purpose of SCCP is to make child care financial assistance available to families who earn too much to qualify for a state subsidy but for whom the significant expense of child care makes it difficult to retain their low-income employment. On average, SCCP parents pay 55% of the cost of childcare for each child. Continued eligibility for SCCP is re-determined by the SCCP counselor every six months. This grant will provide approximately five child care subsidies.
Children’s Aid Society, Project Independence – $7,500: Project Independence (PI) provides safe homes for up to 18 months for homeless and/or runaway pregnant and/or parenting young women and their children and helps these young women meet the needs of their children and their own health, educational, employment, and personal needs so that they can become self-sufficient young women and safe, nurturing mothers. Comprehensive assessments provide baseline measures, and participants receive intensive training in all areas identified as needs. This grant will assist in meeting the required annual match of 10%.
Leading Edge Institute, Alumnae Development Project – $7,500: LEI introduces young women from four-year colleges in Alabama to leadership skill development, community and state issues, community involvement, and the experience of community leaders through mentoring relationships. Over 120 women have completed the program since its inception in 1999. This grant increases LEI graduates’ involvement in policy formulation. When women are involved in policymaking, policies fostering economic self-sufficiency for women are enhanced.
Oasis: A Women’s Counseling Center, Counseling Program– $7,500: Oasis fills a critical gap in mental health services in the Greater Birmingham community by providing counseling for women and children on a sliding fee scale. This grant continues counseling programs for women who need to overcome difficult life challenges in order to achieve self-sufficiency.
Pathways, Employment Readiness Program – $7,500: Pathways conducts year-round employment readiness classes for women living in any of the Birmingham area homeless shelters that prepare women to find and keep a job. The program focuses on self-esteem, motivation, basic computer skills, and job search skills. Both staff and corporate volunteers teach classes. After class completion, staff members work one-on-one with participants to develop and achieve individualized employment and education plans.
SafeHouse of Shelby County, Therapeutic Child Care Center – $7,500: For mothers who are striving toward self-sufficiency, SafeHouse operates a therapeutic childcare center for children who have witnessed or been victims of domestic violence. The childcare is provided at no cost to allow participant mothers the opportunity to engage in training or job searches. Therapeutic groups and play therapy help the children learn that violence is not an accepted behavior and that there are alternatives to violence. This grant will help SafeHouse continue to provide the childcare after state funding cuts.
World of Opportunity (WOO), Women in Strength – $2,500: The Women in Strength program helps women become self-sufficient through GED, CNA, and other classes that provide job skills and help with job preparedness. Through their participation, women build self-esteem and become empowered. Women in the group also tackle everyday issues including medical treatment, childcare, transportation, domestic and substance abuse, and parenting. This grant will fund study materials and provide direct assistance to women in need.
YWCA, If I had a Hammer Youthbuild Program, Hammer Plus – $7,500: The Hammer Youthbuild program is an intensive 6-month program to train 16 - 24-year-old women for jobs in or related to the construction industry so that graduates can enter a non-traditional, higher paying industry. Job readiness, academic skills, leadership skills, personal finances, and interviewing skills are emphasized. This grant is for Hammer Plus, an enhancement of the program that will include job shadowing and apprentice opportunities, computer training, and post-graduate financial assistance on a sliding scale for childcare and transportation.
