$2.4 million grant boosts services

The Near West Side CDC's Home Visitors Program has received a $2.4 million Service Connector grant from the City of Chicago's Department of Human Services for 2006 that is providing an array of support services for 589 families.

The service connector began operating on January 2 for families in West Haven Park, Henry Horner Annex, scattered-site housing located outside of the West Haven community and existing Henry Horner high-rises.

The Home Visitors Program will be able to provide new and additional social services such as employment assistance, help with lease compliance, and the identification of replacement housing for some CHA residents.

The program also will host community integration activities to bring together families of different economic and social backgrounds, giving them an opportunity to gain a better sense of understanding for one another, thus fostering an improved sense of community.

Under the terms of the grant, the Home Visitors Program will partner with two other prominent providers of social services: Project Match, under the supervision of its executive director, Toby Herr, will provide some employment services, while TASC will focus on the community integration component of the service connector.