KENOSHA, Wis., Nov. 4 -- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside issued the following news release:
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Nonprofit Development Program will soon begin taking applications from local agencies operating or planning workforce development and economic recovery programs. Working with a $1 million federal Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) grant, the university will work with area nonprofits to improve their ability to promote the economic recovery of people with low incomes.
'We are pleased to support nonprofit organizations that train people to land and keep jobs, earn higher wages, and reach economic independence,' said U.S. Housing and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius. 'This is what the (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) was meant to do: provide the help people need to help themselves.'
UW-Parkside Nonprofit Development Program Director Debra Karp said a broad range of community organizations would be eligible for grants.
'If nonprofits are working with individuals in need of job training or families in transition from welfare to work, or people in need of intensive services, these organizations are ultimately affecting workforce development,' Karp said. 'The idea is to strengthen nonprofits that address workforce development and economic recovery.'
Karp added UW-Parkside and its partners will use SCF funds with an 'asset-based community development' approach. The idea is to identify each agency's niche and build on its strengths.
'It's looking at what organizations do well, how they do it well, and how they can build on their strengths to become even more successful at reaching significant outcomes,' Karp said.
The Nonprofit Development Program, part of the university's Center for Community Partnerships, joined the City of Racine and the Wisconsin Dept. of Children and Families as the only Wisconsin organizations receiving SCF funds. The grant proposal was developed in collaboration with the City of Racine, the City of Kenosha, the Workforce Development Center of Racine Co., the Job Center of Kenosha Co., both cities' Health and Human Services Depts., the United Ways of Kenosha and Racine counties, and UW Cooperative Extension offices in Racine and Kenosha counties.
Local nonprofits operating or planning workforce development and economic recovery programs must complete a competitive application to be eligible for SCF grants. Only agencies in Racine and Kenosha counties can apply and preference is given, but not limited to, organizations with budgets under $500,000. Applications must include a demonstration of how an agency would use its strengths to boost economic recovery and workforce development.
Karp expects 12 to 15 area agencies to qualify for SCF funding each year for two years. The Nonprofit Development Program is working to launch the application in December and to begin training the selected agencies in March 2010.
For more information on the grant program, call 262-595-2367.For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.
