The Fund For Women awards grants to 13 Delaware nonprofits

The Fund For Women of the Delaware Community Foundation has awarded $125,000 in grants to 13 nonprofit organizations for their outstanding programs that support women and girls in Delaware.

The grants were distributed at the fund’s annual awards program held May 12 at The Duncan Center in Dover.

Of the recipient organizations, five serve a statewide population, five are focused in New Castle County, two in Sussex County and one in Kent County. Their programs address such issues as domestic violence, cancer support; mental health, at-risk adolescent girls, parenting skills, financial stability, nutrition, housing and employment.

The Fund For Women grants include the following:

• Alzheimer’s Association - Delaware Valley Chapter. The Early Stage Dementia-Related Interventions for Women is a statewide program that will provide services to those in the early stages of dementia. These services include memory awareness events, early-stage education, support groups and an advisory council.

• Child, Inc. - Feeding Women and Children in Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence will help more than 250 women and 150 children living at Child Inc.’s two emergency shelters in New Castle County by providing them with nutritious meals during their stays. Funds will be used only for food and related cooking supplies.

• Children & Families First - Project SHINE encourages the development of strength, courage, confidence, honesty and communication skills in at-risk girls ages 9-18 at Milton Elementary School in an emotionally-safe setting where girls can develop caring relationships and learn to use their authentic voices.

• Delaware Center for Justice - Incarcerated mothers who have completed a Child Inc. parenting course at Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution will have the opportunity to practice their parenting skills in visits with their children through Project REACH.

• Delaware Financial Empowerment Partnership - The program, $tand By Me Financial Empowerment Strategy, is aimed at girls aging out of foster care and helps them attain economic stability through financial coaching, access to financial services and one-on-one support with budgeting, saving strategies and college and financial aid applications.

• Food Bank of Delaware - Smart Choices From the Start aims to help urban and rural low-income pregnant women and their young families learn and maintain healthy eating habits through three two-hour instructional sessions.

• Friendship House - The Credit Restoration and Empowerment for Homeless Women program helps residents of Friendship House’s Women’s Transitional Housing pay off the outstanding debts which prevent them from moving into independent housing or opening bank accounts.

• Girls Incorporated of Delaware - The Mother-Daughter Communication Workshop Outreach program will help 20 low-income girls and their mothers enhance their relationships through improved communication and listening skills. The focus is on military families where one of the parents is deployed.

• Lutheran Community Services - Through this program, Home Repairs for Older Low-Income Women, free or low-cost home repairs are provided to women age 50 and older to help them live independently and safely.

• Northeast Treatment Centers - Making My Way provides a professional employment experience to 20 girls who are in Delaware’s foster care system and supports them in developing their economic independence and advancement.

• Reaching the Harvest - The Healthy Mom - Happy Children program aims to educate teen mothers about child neglect and abuse, develop healthy lifestyles and provide the skills needed to foster safe and nurturing relationships with their children.

• Survivors of Abuse in Recovery - To provide mental health recovery services to an increased number of sexual assault victims and their families. In the aftermath of the widely publicized sex crimes allegedly committed by Sussex County pediatrician Earl Bradley, SOAR’s client population increased by more than 40 percent in 2010.

• The Wellness Community - Delaware - Live, Share and Thrive is aimed at women 60 years and older who are affected by cancer. The series provides peer support, enrichment programs, psychotherapeutic support groups, nutrition workshops, and stress reduction and arts programs.