LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Applications are now open for the Community Services Block Grant Program through the federal government.
The goal of the program is to partner with non-profit groups that support and make life easier for members of the community, and the grant is flexible and can be used for a variety of activities.
Each award ranges from $5,000 to $20,000.
“Our empowerment through employment program helps those people that are wanting to either increase in their career or move forward in their career or if they are unemployed and they need a job,” said VP of SWLA United Way Laurie Martin.
Martin says the grant helps make some of their programs possible.
“We have employment searches through this grant, and also we help with obtaining documentation that is needed for employment, whether it’s TWIC cards or safety cards,” said Martin.
Right now, applications for these awards are open.
“It’s a federally funded grant, and what they do is they give money to local entities, and we’re one of the calculation parish police juries. One of the entities that receives money. And what we do is we would love to partner with local organizations. Nonprofit organizations are the key,” said grant coordinator for the Calcasieu Parish Human Services Department Courtney Jacobs.
Jacobs encourages local community, civic, faith-based and non-profit organizations to apply for funding.
“The purpose is to stabilize and empower families facing economic hardships,” said Jacobs. “Help them achieve the goals and mission, and of course, for this year, the goal in the mission is education, employment, and income management. Those are the three main focus areas that we’re focusing on with these federally funded dollars.”
Applications are open now and they’re due by Thursday, Aug. 21, for more information click HERE.
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