Foundation Invests Over $16 Million In Programs That Strengthen Communities For Children And Families
May 13, 2005 – In 2004, the Freddie Mac Foundation continued
to strengthen communities by awarding more than $16 million in grants to organizations
whose innovative programs help better the lives of children and families in
the Washington, DC metropolitan area, in the cities of Freddie Mac's regional
offices and across the nation.
The Foundation, which is dedicated to opening the doors to hope and opportunity
for children and their families, approved nearly 300 grants during 2004. The
recipients are organizations working to strengthen families by preventing
child abuse and neglect, finding adoptive homes for foster children, and helping
youth reach their full potential.
A majority of the grants given in 2004 improve the lives of children in the
District of Columbia and neighboring areas.
- Bright Beginnings, Inc., which received $100,000 to provide
homeless infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in the District of Columbia with
a safe, nurturing environment that prepares them to enter kindergarten and
supports parents as they stabilize their homes.
- Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center, which received
$100,000 to provide continued operating and programmatic support to help improve
services and supports for foster and adoptive families in the District of
Columbia.
- DC Scores, which received $40,000 to bridge the academic
and athletic development of at-risk youth from elementary schools throughout
the District of Columbia through an innovative after-school program involving
soccer and creative writing.
- Dance Institute of Washington, Inc., which received $35,000 to develop
successful citizens by using quality dance instruction and performing arts
education to build self-esteem, discipline, and drive for excellence among
inner-city young people.
In Maryland, several organizations received funding for their programs, including:
- Family Services Agency, Inc., which received $100,000 to
support Healthy Families Montgomery in providing early identification and
intensive, long-term home visiting services to first time families in Montgomery
County, MD, who have assessed as high risk for child abuse and neglect.
- Hearts & Homes for Youth, Inc., which received $50,000
to support the creation of an employment preparation and training program
for 30 working-age foster youth in HHY’s group homes and independent
living program, in Montgomery and Prince George’s County, MD.
- Ninos Unidos of Montgomery County, Inc., which received
$30,000 to provide education and mentoring to Montgomery County, MD high school
students by focusing on strengthening the academic skills and proficiency
levels of these students and increasing rates of high school completion.
Among the grantees in Virginia were:
- Arlington Community Temporary Shelter, which received $100,000
to provide formerly homeless families in Arlington County, VA, with transitional
housing, case management and financial support for rental assistance and other
needs.
- Northern Virginia Family Service, which received $47,515
to support youth in the Special Foster Care program who are at high risk for
disruption in Fairfax County, VA.
- Easter Seal Society For Disabled Children and Adults, Inc.,
which received $33,000 to improve developmental and educational outcomes for
at-risk children in Fairfax County, VA, and prepare them for success in school
through parent education, early childhood education and intervention.
Among the national grants awarded by the Foundation were:
- Action Against Crime and Violence Education Fund, which
received $75,000 to build public awareness and action about the importance
of early childhood development and other benefits of investing nationally
in early education and child abuse and neglect prevention programs.
- Child Welfare League of America, which received $99,616
to support Keeping Families Together which promotes cross-systems education,
training, and collaboration for child protection workers and housing providers,
nationally to address the housing issues that result in children being placed
into foster care.
See a full list of grants[PDF 107K]
made during 2004.
|
