Second Chance Homes are adult-supervised, supportive group homes or Apartment clusters for teen mothers and their children who cannot live at home because of abuse, neglect or other extenuating circumstances. Second Chance Homes can also offer supports to help young families become self-sufficient and reduce the risk of repeat pregnancies. They provide a home where teen mothers can live, but they also offer program services to help put young mothers and their children on the path to a better future. Several federal resources are available to help state and local governments and community-based organizations create Second Chance Homes that provide safe, stable, nurturing environments for teen mothers and their children. For more information, visit http://www.hud.gov/pih/other/sch/

Funding available for housing developments serving clients with disabilities

The Enterprise Foundation's Austin office is offering capacity building grants to CHDOs,CDCs and other nonprofit organizations that are interested in including persons with disabilities as part of their target population for housing developments. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000, may be used for soft development costs, administrative costs or other capacity building activities and may be renewable for one to two years. For more information or an application, please contact David Danenfelzer toll free, at 1/888-533-2244 or via email at ddanenfelzer@enterprisefoundation.org

Funds for blankets now available

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP) has been funded in FY 2001 to provide blankets to organizations serving the homeless. The procedure to obtain blankets from DSCP is as follows:

1. The non-profit and/or local govt. agency has to send a letter to DSCP requesting the blankets. The request should:
   • Be on organization letter head
   • State the quantity wanted
   • List a point of contact
   • Have a phone number for the point of contact
   • Have a "ship to" address
   • Have a fax number
2. The requester needs a letter of endorsement from a state, local, or Federal organization stating that the requesting organization is serving the homeless. The endorsement can come from the VA, local govt. office, police department, Congressman's staff etc.
3. DSCP will fax back a disclosure statement for the requesting organization to sign. The disclosure statement says that the organization requesting the blankets is not going to sell the blankets or make a profit from the blankets.

Once the disclosure statement is signed and returned to DSCP, the request for the blankets will be processed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Al Taylor, Program specialist with the VA's Homeless Veterans Program. He can be reached at (202) 273-6350 or allen.taylor@mail.va.gov. The address for DSCP is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia 700 Robbins Ave. CNT Building 6 Philadelphia, PA 19111-5096 ATTN: Tom Holtz.

PATH Receives Increased Federal Funding

TXMHMR will receive a 26.58 percent increase in PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) funding for FY 2002. The current allocation of $1,742,000 will increase to $2,205,000.
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) formula grant program provides funds to states to support services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have serious mental illnesses. States contract with political subdivisions and/or local nonprofit organizations to provide a broad array of services, including outreach, mental health treatment, support services, and a limited set of housing services.
To read more about PATH, go to these web sites:
Center for Mental Health Services and Behavioral Health Services

Veteran clients sought
to be featured in nationally televised memorial day concert

This year's memorial day concert in Washington, DC will highlight the homeless veterans issue. The production company is accepting photos, video and outstanding stories of individual homeless veterans. Please send materials to National Capitol Concerts 499 South Capitol St., WW, Suite 404 Washington, DC 20003, 202 554-4620

NRDP listservs helpful for service providers and advocates

For more information about Tribal listserv, Health Care, Welfare Reform, Women in Rural America Listserv, Workforce Development Listserv, and the Telecommunications listserv, please contact Shanna Whitley at hanna.whitley@usda.gov or see subscription instructions on-line at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/hrdp/listserv.html
To unsubscribe from the NRDP listserv, send a message to: nrdprequest@listserv.energy.wsu.edu

Nomination Sought for
Buddy Gray Award for Homeless Activism

This award is annually given to an individual or group who has been most effective in advocating on behalf of people who are homeless or living in poverty. The individual or group must have been involved in advocacy work for at least five years. The award is named after Buddy Gray who from the early 1970's until his untimely death in 1996, worked with low income and homeless people in the Over-the-Rhine area in Cincinnati. He developed a number of non-profit organizations focusing on emergency shelter, supportive services and permanent housing. The recipient will receive a plaque, $100 honorarium, and travel expenses to attend the award ceremony in DC, and self-nominations are allowed. The deadline is for applications to be postmarked by March 15, 2001. Send a cover letter along with supporting documentation (e.g. news clippings)to National Coalition for the Homeless Attn: Michael Stoops 1012 14th St., NW; #600 Washington, DC 20005-3471 Fax: 202-737-6445 Email: micstoops@aol.com In cover letters, please address why is this individual or group is being nominated and how this nominee exemplifies the work and legacy of Buddy Gray.

New Coalition

The Mid and South Jefferson County Coalition for the Needy has disbanded. The newest coalition, The South East Texas Coalition, in the state does not replace any preexisting coalition. The South East Texas Coalition includes Orange, Jefferson and Hardin counties, as well as the cities of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange. The Beaumont coalition known as People's Assistance Coalition is still operating.

Faces of Homelessness

NCH's highly regarded "Faces of Homelessness" multi-media slide show (seen last year by at least 12,000 people nationwide) featuring images of America's homeless people is now available on VHS video. This 13-minute video is a great resource to begin a group discussion about homelessness in America. This video features images taken by award-winning photographers from around the country. These photographs are accompanied with powerful music that enables the viewer to see the many men, women and children of America who experience homelessness everyday. Cost: $25 + $3 shipping & handling. Pre-pay by check or call/email Ian at NCH (202)737-6444 x11 to bill to your credit card. Email: istevensonnch@aol.com We accept VISA, Master Card, Discover and American Express.