The volunteers help mentor people who are making the transition off of welfare.
"Jeez Dude, this means you gotta like go to work. Like meditate on it man."
Westerm, college town Buddhists are flat out wierd.
LOL...Good question tho'. Googled it and found this...
"Project Work Together is a county-wide volunteer mentoring program which provides support, encouragement and friendship to individuals (most, but not all, are women) receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or who are enrolled in another WorkForce Boulder County program called Welfare to Work.
Since the program started at the end of 1997, over 300 volunteer mentors (of all ages and from all walks of life) have supported over 500 individuals as they begin transitioning off welfare. Many of the matches have evolved into long-term friendships.
Volunteer mentors are asked for a six-month commitment. They have regular contact with their matches and provide them with a listening ear, encouragement, and on-going support as they develop the resources, self-confidence, and skills necessary to become self-sufficient.
Training sessions are held in the fall and spring. Volunteers are needed in all parts of Boulder County, but particularly in Longmont. Those who have experienced the combined struggles of work and family are especially encouraged to get involved. Call to find out more about the program and it's successes and how you can get involved"
Robin Carrington at 303-441-3985 X235
rcarrington@co.boulder.co.us
Having in the past been caught in the welfare trap I know that welfare people tend to hang with other welfare people. All you see is selfishness, bleakness, drugs and booze. Having someone positive in a your life can give hope and encouragement. Doesn't really matter if they're Christian or Buddhist if they are into the spiritual life their positive living can be an inspiration. Up to the individual of course whether they are willing and ready for a hand up.
Still this doesn't really say what the money is specifically used for. I searched deeper into the Colorado Compassion Institute and found this...
"Thirty-nine organizations received a small sub-award grant from the Colorado Compassion Initiative during 2003. The grants were awarded through JVA and its CCI partner, the Metro Denver Black Church Initiative. An outside, volunteer review panel helped JVA Consulting select the following sub-awardees. The grant recipients are implementing diverse programs in five interest areas as identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, there is one commonality among all grant recipients: they are either starting up, expanding or aligning their social service programs with best and promising practices--strategies proven successful through research and evaluation. Twenty-six new organizations were recently selected as sub-award grant recipients for 2004.
~snip~
•Buddhist Coalition for Bodhisattva Activity. Boulder. Start-up of an adult mentoring program for people participating in Project Work Together through Workforce Boulder.
~snip~
Organizations receiving sub-awards must use the money to start up, align or expand a program based on effective practices. Sub-awards cannot be used for direct services that are not new (e.g., to purchase food for the homeless or pay existing staff to do the same work). Finally, to comply with federal law, federal funds cannot be used to support proselytizing, such as religious instruction, worship, or prayer. Preference will be given to organizations with limited or no government funding. For more information on the Sub-Award Program, see the information available on our website at www.jvaconsulting.com" (my emphasis added)
Since it's a start-up grant I'm supposing it would be for things like a computer, telephone, office space, advertising, literature, office supplies and such.