Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth Awards $243,556 to Community Connections of Southwest Michigan
October 9, 2008 - The Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) today announced the awarding of $243,556 in grant funds to Community Connections of Southwest Michigan in Benton Harbor to serve people with disabilities.
"We must invest in our citizens and their talents to meet the growing demands of Michigan's economy," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "These grants help those people with disabilities to be contributing members of our 21st century workforce."
The $243,556 in grants will help people with disabilities in Berrien and Cass counties live more independently and gain successful employment by enabling Community Connections of Southwest Michigan to maintain and expand the information and support it provides.
As a nonprofit community organization operated by and for people with disabilities, Community Connections of Southwest Michigan is one of 15 designated centers for independent living in Michigan. Centers for Independent Living (CIL) use federal and state grant funds to provide information and assistance, independent living skills, peer support, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy for people with disabilities.
In addition, Community Connections will use grant funds to collaborate with Michigan Rehabilitation Services in developing increased CIL capacity to assist current, former, and potential Michigan Rehabilitation Services consumers in achieving vocational goals, and in providing services that will facilitate the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to individuals in underserved-areas.
In total, more than $5 million in federal and state funds are being awarded to 17 entities throughout the state that promote independent living. The federal portion is funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The grants are issued by Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS), a bureau of DLEG that collaborates with agencies such as Community Connections of Southwest Michigan in a mutual goal of helping Michigan residents with disabilities live more independently and enter the workforce. MRS operates 36 offices throughout the state that provide job preparation and placement services for persons with disabilities.
The Department of Labor & Economic Growth is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.
For more information about DLEG, visit the department’s website at www.michigan.gov/dleg. DLEG is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Applicant |
Amount |
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (Ann Arbor) |
$870,897 |
Blue Water Center for Independent Living (Port Huron) |
330,206 |
Capital Area Center for Independent Living (Lansing) |
342,330 |
Community Connections of Southwest Michigan (Benton Harbor) |
243,556 |
Disability Advocates of Kent County (Grand Rapids) |
273,998 |
Disability Connection/West Michigan (Muskegon) |
280,165 |
disAbility Connections, Inc. (Jackson) |
249,616 |
Disability Network/Lakeshore (Holland) |
228,853 |
Disability Network/Michigan (Haslett) |
303,936 |
Disability Network/Mid Michigan (Midland) |
261,376 |
Disability Network/Northern Michigan (Traverse City) |
356,054 |
Disability Network/Oakland & Macomb (Clinton Township) |
411,602 |
Disability Network/Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo) |
388,932 |
Disability Network/Wayne County-Detroit (Detroit) |
501,323 |
Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (Lansing) |
399,982 |
Superior Alliance for Independent Living (Marquette) |
172,502 |
The Disability Network (Flint) |
312,783 |
TOTAL |
$5,928,111 |