By DOUGLAS GRAVES

Special to The Press

Lehigh County Commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a couple of grants totaling $200,000 designed to help reduce homelessness in the county.

Bipartisan support showed the program’s popularity across the political spectrum when Republican Jeffrey Dutt joined his Democrat colleagues in the vote.

Commissioners also reallocated some previously approved and allocated money to other agencies.

Allentown Rescue Mission will receive a $30,000 share of the grant package to support its mission of providing food, clothing and shelter for homeless men. The money will also support the mission’s transformation program which provides help with computer skills, resume writing, interview skills and techniques, workforce development courses and tools to help homeless men find jobs.

Aspire to Autonomy Inc. will receive $45,000 to provide emergency services care to female victims of human trafficking.

CACLV/Sixth Street Shelter will receive $30,000 for its rental assistance program for COVID-19 induced economic crises by helping families experiencing homelessness secure and maintain stable housing.

Another grant for $86,473.00 goes to Pinebrook Family Answers for its “Leaving Jail Program - evidence-based classes and highly individualized one-on-one case management for formerly incarcerated women.”

The Youth Violence Prevention Program will receive grants for $127,000 going to three organizations.

A share worth $47,000 goes to The Caring Place, Inc. to “help youth and adolescents increase self-esteem and self-confidence, act as child advocates, increase teens’ awareness of educational and career opportunities and increase youth’s employability skills.”

A grant for $30,000 goes to Manito Life Center for equine assisted activities and therapies that will help to reduce violence in Lehigh County youth.

Commissioners also reallocated Community Development Block Development Grant money previously approved for, but not used by the designated agency.

The following are some of the reallocated CDBG recipients.

Catholic Charities will receive $29,700 for up to three months of rent and utility assistance to 25 low and moderate income households; $20,790 requested for direct assistance. Remaining for casework and operating.”

Communities in Support of the Lehigh Valley is slated to receive $25,000 for case management of 20 low income, at-risk students who require truancy interventions and additional case-managed support to overcome mental and behavioral health challenges and successfully complete their academic goals at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.”

Lehigh Carbon Community College will receive $6,000 to support ESL class at Whitehall High School targeted to parents of students to promote strong parental involvement in education by improving their ability to converse with teachers and assist their children with homework.

The Center for Independent Living will receive $25,000 for providing 50 consumers with housing options and connect consumers to community services they need to achieve or maintain their independence.

Staff will also educate private landlords, property managers and Realtors on the benefits of renting to people with disabilities.”

New Bethany Ministries is slated for $15,430 in re-allocated CDBG funds.

North Penn Legal Services will receive $10,000 for housing-related legal aide to 40 LMI people - two housing outreach sessions.

The Literacy Center will receive $15,000 for “ESL, ABE and GED instruction to 30 adults.”