A total of 16 grant applications were reviewed by the committee and while all were worthwhile causes, the following are recommended for funding:

1. Casa de Misericordia:  $5,000 This request is to fund transportation costs for women and children to attend job training and tutoring. This transportation project focuses on removing barriers to education for women and children victims of violence.  Job training includes ESL classes, computer skills, sewing and beauty procedures.  A nurse is available to assit with parenting or health related questions. Children are assisted by LISD and St. Augustine High School tutors and TAMIU interns provide counseling.

2. South Texas Food Bank: $5,000 This request is to assist the food bank in purchasing a new 5,000lb forklift for their warehouse.  The food bank currently services over 150 non-profit agencies including churches, Bethany House, Kids Café-LHA, Laredo Migrant Council, Mercy Casita and many others.

3. Arts for Everyone,Inc. Hecho en Encinal:  $4,500 This request is to help fund a summer art workshop for elementary school children in Encinal (Cotulla ISD).  This is a collaboration with the school district, the city of Encinal, the South Texas Writing Project and the Alexander Memorial Library.  Approximately 100 children from the area will participate in the program.

4. Reaching Laredo Ministries:  $3,500 This request is to allow the ministry to purchase a flatbed trailer. This organization receives food donations from organizations of Laredo such as with Feed the Children and Convoy of Hope.  They transport it to various local non-profit organizations including Bethany House, Sacred Heart Children’s Home and Living Word Assembly of God Food-Cupboard.

5. Asociacion Pro-Servicios Sociales, Inc.-Centro Aztlan:  $3,000 This non-profit has been providing services to farm worker and immigrant families for over 30 years.    The request is to fund one component of a project to provide free legal services, education and advocacy to immigrant families.  The funds will be used to purchase a computer, laser printer and software.

6. Laredo Center for the Arts:  $2,000 This request is to assist in funding the summer arts program for children from low-income areas.  The program includes visual arts and theatre.  There will be 30 children participating in the theatre workshop and over 200 children in the hands-on visual art experience.  This grant will cover the total cost of supplies for both workshops.

7. Laredo Children’s Museum:  $2,000 This request is to fund the admission cost for 500 children from schools in West and South Laredo to attend the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Center.  This collaboration will allow underprivileged children of the area to attend both the museum and the center in one field trip experience.