At LEADS, our mission is simple yet profound: to strengthen families in the communities we serve. To make this happen, we continually seek funding that helps us enhance our programs and reach more people. Recently, we’ve applied for several important grants from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Here’s a look at the grants we’re pursuing and how they can benefit our community.
Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)
Empowering Youth in Orange and Miami-Dade Counties
We’re excited about the potential of the PREP grant. This grant focuses on educating youth about both abstinence and contraception to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. If we receive this grant, we’ll target youth aged 14-19 (or up to age 20 if they’re pregnant or parenting) in Orange and Miami-Dade counties. These areas have higher rates of HIV and STIs, making this program crucial.
Impact: This grant will enable us to offer comprehensive sex education, covering topics like healthy relationships, financial literacy, and career planning. By doing so, we hope to empower young people to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives.
Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (GD SRAE)
Promoting Healthy Choices in Pinellas and Duval Counties
The GD SRAE grant is another exciting opportunity. It aims to provide education that encourages delaying sexual activity. Our proposal highlights programs for youth aged 10-14 in Pinellas and Duval counties, which also have higher HIV and STI rates.
Impact: If funded, this grant will help us teach young people the benefits of delaying sexual activity, fostering self-regulation, and setting healthy goals. This approach supports their overall well-being and helps reduce unintended pregnancies and STIs.
Head Start and Early Head Start Expansion
Supporting Early Childhood Education in South St. Petersburg
The Head Start and Early Head Start programs are critical for providing early childhood education, health, and family support services to low-income families. We’ve applied for grants to expand these programs in South St. Petersburg, around 54th Avenue South, an area with a significant need for childcare and a high concentration of low-income families.
Impact: With this funding, we can expand our services, ensuring that more children receive high-quality early education. This includes health services, parent involvement activities, and partnerships with local childcare providers, setting a strong foundation for school readiness and overall development.
The grants we’re pursuing are essential to our mission of strengthening families. Here’s a quick
recap:
- PREP Grant: Educating youth in Orange and Miami-Dade counties on sexual health and life skills.
- GD SRAE Grant: Promoting healthy, risk-avoidant behaviors in Pinellas and Duval counties.
- Head Start Expansion Grants: Enhancing early childhood education and family support in South St. Petersburg.
These grants represent a significant opportunity to make a lasting impact. They allow us to meet the immediate needs of our community while laying the groundwork for long-term success and well-being.
We’re grateful for your support and trust as we pursue these vital resources. With your help, we can continue empowering and uplifting families, creating a brighter future for everyone in our community. Thank you for standing with LEADS in our journey to make a difference.
