Like the year-end emergency community grants we have made for the past two years, these dollars will have an immediate impact and reach Rhode Islanders in need today, noted Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation, the states largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofits. With so many job programs facing cutbacks as a result of federal and state budget cuts, the board and staff of the Foundation felt it was critical to respond quickly. Steinberg went on to note, Both Lifespan and the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence are well positioned to incorporate additional teens into their summer jobs programs, which are already up and running. But we hope that this grant will strongly encourage other corporations to create jobs for teens this summer. Its not too late.
Lifespans Vice President for Human Resources Brandon Melton concurred. We already employ 80 teens in our summer program and we are delighted to be able to take on an additional 15 teens as a result of this generous grant, he said, adding, Our program puts teens from South Providence, Mount Hope, and Newport to work in departments ranging from radiology to nutrition to cardiology, and provides a real opportunity for these teens to start the process of career exploration.
Teny Gross, executive director of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence noted, The Foundation is making a difference with this grant. Even taking an additional 15 at-risk kids off the streets of Providence and Central Falls moves those youth out of reach of gangs, which is where you get into trouble when you have nothing to do. Those 15 families will be breathing a little easier as a result of placing their teens into the Institutes Beloved Community Summer Youth Program, which has a proven track record of success in keeping youth out of gangs in these two communities.
Anna Cano-Morales, associate vice president for grant programs at the Foundation added, Both Lifespan and the Institute run summer job programs that go far beyond employment. They recognize the importance of developing life skills, good work habits, literacy, financial literacy, and leadership skills that will serve these teens as they navigate challenging situations going forward.
The Foundations grantmaking, which totaled $27.5 million in 2009, focuses on six sectors including human services, environment, arts and culture, community and economic development, health and education.