By Celine Klosterman
Twelve groups that serve children in the Davenport Diocese have received a total of $42,000 from St. Vincent Home Corporation.
That amount, distributed Jan. 1, is $108,000 less than the $150,000 that was given out yearly in the past, said John Kiley. He is the diocese’s social action director and provides staff support to the St. Vincent Home Corporation Board.
Funds available for grants declined after the corporation set aside $3 million to contribute to the diocese’s bankruptcy settlement, which was approved in spring 2008. The stock market’s downturn also has hurt the corporation, Kiley said.
The corporation now has about $1.2 million.
Because of dwindling funds, the board will award grants just once annually for the foreseeable future, said Kiley. Typically, the board has given out grants twice yearly.
The Diversity Service Center of Iowa in Muscatine, which helps immigrants and works on immigration-related issues, received the largest grant — $10,000. Organizations in West Liberty, Keokuk, Clinton, Fort Madison and West Point also were awarded grants.
“We’ve tried very hard since last year to get the word out to more organizations geographically,” said Kiley. “We’re very happy with that outcome.”
Of 17 groups requesting funding, the 12 receiving grants were:
• Diversity Service Center of Iowa, Muscatine: $10,000. The organization provides interpretation and translation services, consultation on immigration services, coordination with other service providers and immigration-related workshops. The center also works to reunite families split because of immigration issues.
• Emma Cornelius Hospitality House, Fort Madison: $5,000 to provide shelter and services for homeless people in Lee County and the surrounding tri-state area.
• Project Renewal, Davenport: $5,000 to pay for materials and stipends for three college students coordinating a daily summer program for central-city children.
• Safer Foundation, Davenport: $5,000 to help youths ages 16-18 who’ve had a brush with the criminal justice system make positive choices and prepare for GED tests.
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Great River Area, Keokuk: $4,500 to enhance partnerships in the Fort Madison community that will further the program, to increase the number of children served to 150, and to increase tracking and reporting of program outcomes.
• Bethany for Children and Families, Davenport: $2,500 to pay staffers who counsel people struggling with adoption difficulties.
• Family Resources, Inc., Davenport: $2,500 to provide 50 therapeutic sessions for members of three families with at-risk youths, to renovate child/family visitation rooms and to buy materials for activities.
• West Liberty Dream Catchers, West Liberty: $2,500 to provide scholarships and fund activities for children in poverty who are considered at risk for dropping out of high school.
Friendly House, Davenport: $2,000 to provide fresh food and dairy products as part of a daily program for youths, 79 percent of whom come from low-income families.
Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley, Davenport: $1,000 to buy equipment and supplies to conduct daily activities for youths.
Churches United of the Quad City Area, Rock Island, Ill.: $1,000 to help fund operation of Winnie’s Place, an emergency shelter for homeless women and children.
Fort Madison SAFE Community Coalition, Fort Madison: $1,000 to promote youth awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Since St. Vincent Home Corporation was established in 1973, it has given out nearly $3 million in grants, said Glenn Leach, a volunteer in the diocese’s social action department. The corporation works to help organizations whose mission is consistent with that of the former St. Vincent Home in Davenport. Beginning in 1895 that home served as an orphanage, relocation center for displaced children, residential treatment center for teens, and child-placing agency through Catholic Charities.
To apply for a grant, visit www.davenportdiocese.org/socialaction/sastvincenthomecorporation.htm. Deadline to apply for next year’s grants is Oct. 15. For more information, contact Kiley at (563) 324-1912, ext. 269, or kiley@davenportdiocese.org.