Covenant Soup Kitchen News

Many have heard about monies available to local non profits though the Federal Governments Economic stimulus program. While there has been monies allocated to each state through the plan. The states award a portion (about half) of the funds to “designated areas”. In Connecticut that means cities such as New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, etc. And then additional funding is available through the RFP (Request For Proposal) Process. We are still navigating the reams of paper to see how we might directly qualify for some of the funding but are pleased to know we will receive funds as a result of the stimulus indirectly. We are part of the Emergency Food & Shelter Program through United Way of Connecticut and have received an additiional $5000 in our award. (our total for this year is now $15,000) through monies allocated to the EFSP. We will also see an increase in food available to us through SSNAP (State supplemental nutrition assistance program which received an increase through the stimulus program. SSNAP is coordinated through Connecticut Food Bank. To organizations such as ours.

Curtis Ehler our, Guest Advocate has been working on securing stimulus money that would also help people with issues of homelessness. Curtis recenttly attended an informational workshop in New York City , on the Stimulus Program, Curtis says;

“Federal funding for low-income housing and homelessness prevention is coming to the Windham area through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the "Stimulus Package."

The Willimantic Housing Authority has already received over $500,000 in direct funding for capital improvements, helping to keep public housing healthy and safe. The Public Housing Capital Fund has additional competitive grant money available to the Willimantic Housing Authority for further improvements to existing housing projects.

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, part of the federal $1 million to Eastern Connecticut. These funds will provide financial assistance and services to prevent homelessness and help quickly re-house those who are experiencing homelessness.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is also funding programs for energy efficiency retrofitting, guaranteed home loans,and neighborhood stabilization for eligible individuals and communities. For a complete look at programs funded by the federal stimulus package in Conneticut, go on-line to www.ct.gov/recovery.” Our hope is that through the rapid re-housing program we might secure funds to help with costs associated with our Social Security Representative Payee Program and our Case Management & Guest Advocacy Services. These services are vital to those at high risk for homelessness, to not only help them maintain their housing, but the associated costs as well. We currently serve as Representative Payee for 64 individuals. Working on bugeting with each individual helps to ensures that rental and utility expenses are paid., and in that housing is maintained.



Economic Stimulus Program September 4, 2009
Many have heard about monies available to local non profits though the Federal Governments Economic stimulus program. While there has been monies allocated to each state through the plan. The states award a portion (about half) of the funds to “designated areas”. In Connecticut that means cities such as New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, etc. And then additional funding is available through the RFP (Request For Proposal) Process. We are still navigating the reams of paper to see how we might directly qualify for some of the funding but are pleased to know we will receive funds as a result of the stimulus indirectly. We are part of the Emergency Food & Shelter Program through United Way of Connecticut and have received an additiional $5000 in our award. (our total for this year is now $15,000) through monies allocated to the EFSP. We will also see an increase in food available to us through SSNAP (State supplemental nutrition assistance program which received an increase through the stimulus program. SSNAP is coordinated through Connecticut Food Bank. To organizations such as ours. Curtis Ehler our, Guest Advocate has been working on securing stimulus money that would also help people with issues of homelessness. Curtis recenttly attended an informational workshop in New York City , on the Stimulus Program, Curtis says; “Federal funding for low-income housing and homelessness prevention is coming to the Windham area through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly known as the "Stimulus Package." The Willimantic Housing Authority has already received over $500,000 in direct funding for capital improvements, helping to keep public housing healthy and safe. The Public Housing Capital Fund has additional competitive grant money available to the Willimantic Housing Authority for further improvements to existing housing projects. The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, part of the federal $1 million to Eastern Connecticut. These funds will provide financial assistance and services to prevent homelessness and help quickly re-house those who are experiencing homelessness. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is also funding programs for energy efficiency retrofitting, guaranteed home loans,and neighborhood stabilization for eligible individuals and communities. For a complete look at programs funded by the federal stimulus package in Conneticut, go on-line to www.ct.gov/recovery.” Our hope is that through the rapid re-housing program we might secure funds to help with costs associated with our Social Security Representative Payee Program and our Case Management & Guest Advocacy Services. These services are vital to those at high risk for homelessness, to not only help them maintain their housing, but the associated costs as well. We currently serve as Representative Payee for 64 individuals. Working on bugeting with each individual helps to ensures that rental and utility expenses are paid., and in that housing is maintained.