Providing a capital challenge grant for the purchase of a new office facility. PLS provides free civil legal assistance and education to vulnerable children, youth and low-income families in Western North Carolina to help them meet basic needs in housing; domestic violence and child abuse prevention; education and health care. PLS partners with educators, child welfare workers, physicians, Guardians ad Litem and others. The relocation will allow PLS to double the number of clients served.

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Awarding a two-year grant with a second-year challenge to an organization providing low-income clients with transportation solutions in the form of a car, truck or van that has been donated or purchased and restored to good working condition. Families with children receive 80% of the vehicles. An assessment is made to ensure the vehicle will add value to the family or individual and is affordable on a long-term basis. All recipients pay a portion of restoration costs on a flexible schedule.

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Providing scholarship support for nonprofit personnel in the continuing effort to promote excellence in leadership and management in this sector.  The program was the product of a unique and imaginative collaboration between the University of Tampa and NLCTB to develop the Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Innovation program.  The certificate program is compatible with candidates ultimately opting to pursue a MBA.  The grant is restricted to organizations serving children and families.

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A capital challenge grant for the renovation of this child care center serving children from low-income, working families.  The center provides child care and after-school programming in a predominantly poor neighborhood.  Every staff member has achieved the Child Development Associate status.  The center has been a model STEPS, Early Learning Program for Head Start in the region and is the only licensed center serving infants in Monroe County.

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A third and final year award supporting the Environmental Educational Program to enhance science education for at-risk students in the Monroe County School System. The elements include in-class mentoring as well as peer-to-peer learning and technical assistance for science teachers. The organization has developed a partnership with Duke University that involves local high school students in the research efforts of Duke's master's program. The program goal is to improve graduation rates for youth and involve them in planning for success.

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Providing start-up funds over three years for a girls school that is part of the NativityMiguel Network of Schools, a nationwide network of faith-based middle schools offering education to students from low-income families in impoverished communities. The program expects to initially enroll 60-80 girls and will provide educational, emotional and social skills needed to succeed in high school and beyond. This grant complements the foundation support of the Nativity network including Nativity Prep in Wilmington and Academy Prep in St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida.

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Providing a third year of funding for the Florida Youth SHINE project, a statewide, youth-driven, advocacy project begun in 2005.  The project has demonstrated the importance and effectiveness of youth voices in public policy debates.  Over the first two years, youth participants have become strong advocates for improvement in the child welfare system, especially in foster care and independent living programs.  A professional staff person will be added to solidify and expand the leadership group and establish additional local chapters in Florida.

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Supporting ongoing work in North Carolina to implement effective alternatives to the practice of automatically trying 16 and 17 year olds as adults, no matter how minor the offense. North Carolina is one of three remaining states in the nation to follow this practice relating to youth under 18 years of age. CYJ will work with organizations in North Carolina to define needed reform, advocate for support and work with policymakers to identify and implement more effective and appropriate services for this group.

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Funding a pilot program in collaboration with the Department of Education within the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to start a flexible scholarship program for youth transitioning out of the juvenile justice system. Youth who successfully complete their involvement with the juvenile justice system earn eligibility for support to pursue academic, vocational or personal goals that cannot be met through other resources. The intent is to reinforce the definition of success beyond recidivism by supporting efforts to become productive, responsible citizens.

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A two-year award supporting the Men’s Program that provides gender-responsive mental health and substance abuse counseling, court advocacy and intensive case management to male offenders from Buncombe County, North Carolina, who are at risk of incarceration or are returning from prison to the community.  Funds will enable the expansion of the Men’s Program to focus on young men between the ages of 16 and 20 and will include a responsible fatherhood component in addition to age appropriate counseling and connection to workforce opportunities.  It is estimated that the program will serve 45 young men annually.

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