LANSING − The city of Lansing has announced nearly $2 million in community grant awards.
The contributions, which total $1,900,214, cover various community groups, including funding for homelessness outreach, disability services, food and educational assistance for youths and LGBTQ community support.
The largest recipients include Holy Cross Services, which received $290,000 for expansion of its homeless services, Greater Lansing Food Bank, which netted $250,000 for backpack food kits for Lansing students, and The Turning Point of Lansing, which will use $147,000 for academic and life skill tutoring.
The contributions were made from the roughly $25 million the city received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the large federal package passed in response to pandemic-related economic turmoil. The legislation provided $350 billion in funding for state, county and local governments across the country.
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor announced the appropriations Tuesday.
“These funds provided by the federal government through ARPA are going to help fund some great programs all across Lansing and for Lansing residents,” Schor said.
“This diverse group of organizations are doing great work in our community, especially after the effects of COVID on Lansing,” he continued. “Being able to help share this one-time funding to boost their programs as a result of the COVID pandemic is a fantastic step forward.”
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, who supported the legislation in congress, said she’s happy to see the grants going to “a range of worthy organizations doing such important work across Lansing.”
“Whether for building transitional housing for our homeless population, infrastructure improvements to make the city more accessible for the disabled, or offering essential community health services, this funding will help some of our most impactful service groups start the new year off strong as they continue to make Lansing a more vibrant and welcoming place for everyone,” she said.
Schor’s office said the city received 67 applications for grants with about $18 million in requests.
“We are so grateful that the City of Lansing understands the value of safe and affordable housing, especially when the need for a healthy home is more important than ever,” Carmen Hall, director of philanthropy for the Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, said in a statement.
Habitat for Humanity received $50,000 from the program to support transitional housing for homeless people.
“We believe the City of Lansing ARPA grant funding will have a significant impact on creating transitional housing for those who are in need of safe and healthy housing,” she said.
Michelle Gondal of Essential Blessings said that the funding is a “game changer” for the organization. Essential Blessings received $10,000 for personal care items for homeless individuals.
The funding was awarded by Schor with the advice of a special review group which included several members of Lansing’s government.
In July, the Lansing City Council passed a resolution encouraging Schor to distribute the funds to specific sectors, including public health and necessary infrastructure investments. Council members also encouraged Schor to engage with local organizations and ensure the distribution is “fair, transparent, equitable, and far-reaching.“
Holy Cross Services, the single largest recipient of the funds, drew criticism in October 2022 when Executive Director Nancy Oliver referred to Lansing’s homeless population as “undesirable.”
The remaining contributions include: $135,000 for LMTS Community Outreach; $125,000 for End Violent Encounters; $100,000 for MI Just Cause; $99,934 for Cristo Rey Community Center; $62,000 for the Women’s Center; $60,000 for East Side Community Action Center; $60,000 for KCS Angels; $50,000 for Potter Park Zoo; $50,000 for Women’s Opportunity House; $50,000 for NNOV, Inc.; $50,000 for Care Free Medical; $46,000 for Salus Center; $30,000 for Suits in the City; $25,000 for the Oak Park YMCA; $20,000 for Cardboard Prophets; $20,000 for Punks with Lunch; $20,000 for Riverwalk Theatre; $15,000 for Brand New Me – Reading Readiness; $15,000 for South Lansing Ministries; $10,000 for The Village Lansing; and $5,000 for GAAY Sports.
Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.
