• Center for Fathers and Families Receives $2.5 Million Through Federal Grant
• Meet Foundation Board Member Bob Jewell
• Grant Submissions to Change in 2007

Center for Fathers and Families Receives $2.5 Million Through Federal Grant

The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families is slated to receive a nearly 2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) with matching funds from the Sisters of Charity Foundation over the next five years to promote responsible fatherhood. The Center will receive $449,456 from ACF and $50,000 from the Foundation with the opportunity to renew each year for up to five years.

\"We are extremely grateful to be selected as a grant recipient,\" said South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families Interim Executive Director Pat Littlejohn. The Foundation made the strategic decision to launch a comprehensive statewide fatherhood initiative, Reducing Poverty through Fatherhood Engagement, in 1997.

The grant was one of 225 grants awarded, and the only one awarded in South Carolina. The grant supports the Center's programming with focus on parenting, economic stability and marriage promotion. This grant will also allow the Center to reach out to fathers of children with disabilities.

"The Foundation's initial commitment and on-going support has been critical to establishing the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families and to sustaining this initiative," said Littlejohn. "The Center has worked hard since it was established four years ago to work with community and faith-based fatherhood programs and help low-income fathers overcome the many barriers that prevent them from being an integral part of their children\'s lives. This grant is going to enable us to continue these efforts and allow us to strengthen our statewide Fatherhood Initiative.\"

In August Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) visited the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families at the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition\'s Columbia office as part of his annual five day district bus tour.

"I have visited with fathers involved in this program and have heard first-hand the difference the Center for Fathers and Families has made in their lives," said Wilson. "I am pleased the Department of Health & Human Services recognizes the impact the Center is having on the Columbia community and has seen fit to provide funds for its growth and continuation."

The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a statewide nonprofit organization, was founded in 2002 by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. The Center is a faith-based organization whose mission is to develop and support a statewide infrastructure to strengthen relationships between fathers and families throughout South Carolina. There are currently seven fatherhood programs and 16 sites serving South Carolina.

Meet Foundation Board Member Bob Jewell

Robert "Bob" Jewell (pictured above) is the latest addition to the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina's Board of Trustees. A resident of Georgetown County for more than ten years, Bob is very active in the community and has served on numerous boards including the Georgetown County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Cultural Council of Georgetown County, Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation and the Georgetown County School Board. He has also served as the chair-elect for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and on the executive committee of the Georgetown Habitat for Humanity.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Bob went on to attend the University of Wisconsin and majored in business management with a minor in economics. He currently serves as the president and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens.

Bob enjoys reading, golfing, tennis, biking, coin collecting and traveling. He and his wife Toni have three children.

Grant Submissions to Change in 2007

To better accommodate grantees and provide funding to more organizations, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina will modify the grant applications and process in 2007. Grants will be awarded twice a year.

The Caritas Fund, which provides outreach services and linkages to the poor and marginalized, will award up to $3,000 for a one-year period. These grants are designed for organizations with an annual budget of less than $250,000. Applications must be postmarked by the first Tuesday in September.

Responsive Grants, designed to address the root causes of poverty, will be awarded in the spring. Pre-applications must be completed and submitted by 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday in April. Grant award amounts will vary depending on the requirements of each funding proposal.

Look out for our new applications, available at the first of the year.