Grants to 35 social services agencies were approved by Council during the final budget reading yesterday.
“I am excited about the opportunities these agencies can provide for our community,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “Their hard work helps those most in need, and the City is happy to help them.”
The “Extended Social Resource Grants” include $3.8 million for support in four priority areas: Community Wellness & Safety ($1 million); Childhood & Youth Development ($700,000); Food Insecurity & Nutritional Access ($604,000); and Overnight Emergency Shelter ($1.5 million).
“The Extended Social Resource grants program is one way of assuring the needs of vulnerable populations are met, and that Lexington’s most pressing social problems are addressed,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Kacy Allen-Bryant. “As the name suggests, grants allow for the City to fund agencies that provide services, both old and new, that are beyond our capacity and reach.”
These grants, which cover fiscal years 2023 and 2024, will support programs and services for mental health, substance use recovery & treatment, violence prevention, hunger, access to affordable and nutritious food, early learning opportunities, positive youth development, violence intervention, and low-barrier, housing-oriented overnight shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
City teams from the Department of Social Services, Homelessness Prevention and Intervention, and Central Purchasing extensively reviewed 65 proposals requesting a total of $6.9 million. A complete list of the funding awards is attached.
