CAPITAL REGION\ Nonprofits seeking shares of stimulus cash BY SARA FOSS Gazette Reporter
In Schenectady, the waiting list for Head Start is long: approximately 343 children. But the Schenectady Community Action Program, the nonprofit organization that runs Head Start, sees an opportunity for expansion. The federal economic stimulus package contains $2 billion to expand Head Start programs throughout the country, and SCAP is applying for a slice of the pie — about $1 million — to create a new Head Start site with six classrooms and slots for 90 children. Head Start is a preschool program for low-income children ages 3 to 5. “We have such a huge need in Schenectady County,” said Keith Houghton, who directs SCAP’s Head Start. “There’s an increasing amount of child poverty.” The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the federal economic stimulus package, aims to spark the economy by funding infrastructure and energy programs, education and public safety. But it also contains money for programs that assist low-income people. Now, area organizations are applying for grants they say will help them meet an ever-increasing demand. “In the past year, our numbers have increased significantly,” said Julie Hoxsie, executive director of the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council. In Schenectady, a coalition that works with the needy is seeking funding from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. The goal is preventing eviction and a lengthy stay in a shelter. “We’re looking to help people who are in danger of losing their homes,” said Peggy Anderton, executive director of Bethesda House, one of the groups spearheading the project. “We want to help them manage their debt or arrears.” She said the idea is to help people who have fallen on hard times due to a job loss or other calamity, rather than people with chronic problems paying rent: “We’re looking at people who don’t have a reputation as bad tenants.” Also involved are SCAP, the YWCA of Schenectady, the Schenectady Inner City Ministry and Legal Aid. If approved, the funding would allow these agencies to hire additional staff and create a pool of money that could be used to help with rent, security deposits or arrears. The city of Albany is also receiving homelessness funds — about $1.5 million, according to Ira Mandelker, executive director of the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society in Albany. ...........>>>>...........>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....601&ViewMode=GIF
So tax monies from California, will be paying for Schenectady's non-profits? And come on, let's face it, non-profits are nothing more and nothing less than a welfare system. An arm of the government. Do these non-profits donate to political parties or candidates?
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In Schenectady, a coalition that works with the needy is seeking funding from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. The goal is preventing eviction and a lengthy stay in a shelter. “We’re looking to help people who are in danger of losing their homes,” said Peggy Anderton, executive director of Bethesda House, one of the groups spearheading the project. “We want to help them manage their debt or arrears.” She said the idea is to help people who have fallen on hard times due to a job loss or other calamity, rather than people with chronic problems paying rent: “We’re looking at people who don’t have a reputation as bad tenants.” Also involved are SCAP, the YWCA of Schenectady, the Schenectady Inner City Ministry and Legal Aid. If approved, the funding would allow these agencies to hire additional staff and create a pool of money that could be used to help with rent, security deposits or arrears.
Can someone tell me how this is stimulating the economy? It is clearly a billion + dollar hand out.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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