Fatherhood programs continue with U.S. grant
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The state Department of Human Resources will be able to continue paying for several popular fatherhood programs with the renewal of a federal grant, department officials announced yesterday. The nearly $1.5 million grant will go to Baltimore City and Montgomery, Prince George's and Talbot counties. This is the third year of a five-year grant that must be approved annually by the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The three counties will receive about $500,000 to continue their "Winning Fathers" project, which serves fathers who are within six months of release from prison. The fathers and their families receive relationship counseling, parenting classes and job training. Baltimore's "Strong Fathers/Strong Families" program will receive the rest of the grant money. That project serves about 300 fathers every year through a free, 12-week training program that focuses on the importance of healthy relationships.
Julie Bykowicz
Hungry, homeless have access to $2.4 million fund
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Hungry and homeless Maryland families will have access to almost $2.4 million through the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Gov. Martin O'Malley and the state congressional delegation announced yesterday. Qualified families can use the money for rent, fees for temporary shelters or motels or food. Shelter operators can tap the fund for certain emergency repairs and supplies. Local boards will disburse the money. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, and it has provided states more than $3.1 billion in federal aid since its 1983 inception. "Particularly in these uncertain economic times, we have an obligation to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are provided for," O'Malley said.
Julie Bykowicz
Franklin Square to hold memorial for homeless
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Franklin Square Hospital Center will hold a Homeless Persons' Memorial Service at 4 p.m. tomorrow in the Kotzen Auditorium of the Crawford Conference Center to remember homeless Baltimore County citizens who lost their lives this year. The service will include music and a candlelight vigil from Franklin Square's Kotzen Auditorium to the Eastern Family Resource Center on Franklin Square Drive. Participants are asked to take canned goods to be donated to community homeless shelters. Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam and state Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier will speak. It is estimated that there are 6,000 to 8,000 homeless people in Baltimore County, and that number is expected to rise because of the poor economy, organizers said. Information: 410-777-7483.
