Six area groups get grant funds

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: August 14, 2008

Thanks to the Freddie Mac Foundation, six organizations working to improve the lives of children and families in the Prince William area have been awarded a total of $180,000.

The six were cited for their innovative programs. Overall, the total giving in the region was nearly $4 million in the first half of 2008.

"The foundation is committed to investing in the Washington, D.C., community to make this region a better place for all of us," said Ralph F. Boyd Jr., chairman and CEO of the Freddie Mac Foundation.

He added: "These grants in Prince William County will result in tangible results for children and families by allowing them to live in thriving, stable homes. In addition, the grants will help the community's children become self-sufficient, successful adults. We are proud to be making a difference in these critical areas and in the lives of so many children and families in the county."

The foundation, which is dedicated to making home a place where families and children thrive, focuses its investing in primarily three areas: stable homes/stable families, foster care and adoption, and academic and career success.

The organizations receiving grants were:

• Action in the Community Through Service received $20,000 to support intensive parent education classes for parents at-risk of abusing or neglecting their children in the county.

• Court Appointed Special Advocates of Greater Prince William was granted $20,000 to provide trained and supervised volunteers who advocate for the best interests and permanent placement of foster children in the county.

• Korean American Family Counseling Center was awarded $15,000 to educate and empower Korean at-risk children and youth in the Washington metropolitan region through individual and family counseling, active parenting workshops and a mentoring program for youth.

• Northern Virginia Family Service got $50,000 to support a home visiting program serving families most at-risk of abusing and neglecting their children, which provides intensive services to promote positive child outcomes and readiness skills in the county.

• SCAN of Northern Virginia received $25,000 to support the parent and public education programs and court appointed advocate programs to prevent child abuse and neglect in Northern Virginia.

• Transitional Housing BARN Inc. was presented $50,000 to provide transitional housing and support services to homeless women and their minor dependent children in the county.

As the largest corporate funder in the Washington area, Freddie Mac and the Freddie Mac Foundation have invested more than $348 million in organizations serving the community.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.