First 5 offering up to $250,000 in Family-Friendly Community Grants
Prop. 10 Funds To Support Community Improvement Projects Benefiting Young Children

—Contact: Tracy Irwin 925/335-9991 ext. 13

Martinez (April 1, 2003) — First 5 Contra Costa, also known as the Contra Costa Children and Families Commission, is offering up to $250,000 in Proposition 10 funds to support local community improvement projects that benefit families with children up to age 5. Small non-profit organizations and community groups are eligible to apply for a $5,000 Family-Friendly Community Grant for projects that provide enrichment activities for parents and children or improve community safety. Larger nonprofit organizations (with budgets over $250,000) are eligible to receive grants up to $10,000. Applicants must attend one mandatory Information Workshop to apply:

April 9, 2003: 7:00 PM
Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F Street, Antioch

April 10, 2003: 7:00 PM
Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill

April 17, 2003: 7:00 PM
Swain House, 1027 La Gonda Way, Danville

April 21, 2003: 2:00 PM (Make-up Session – Reservation Required)
1340 Arnold Drive, Suite 125, Martinez

Spanish translation and child care will be offered at all workshops. Applicants will also receive help, as needed, in filling out their applications. “Family-Friendly Community Grant projects have benefited hundreds of families and we want to continue building on those successes,” said Brenda Blasingame, executive director of First 5 Contra Costa. “We work with community groups to help them turn their great ideas into successful projects. Parents have learned infant CPR techniques and preschoolers have learned about pool safety, among many other successful projects.”

Family-Friendly Community Grant applications are due May 2, 2003. Applications will be available at the Information Workshops and can be previewed after April 2, 2003 on First 5’s website, www.firstfivecc.org. Applications can be mailed by calling (925) 335-9991.

In 1998, California voters approved Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on each pack of cigarettes. Revenues generated are used to fund local health, child care and education programs that promote early childhood development, targeting children during their first five years of life, as well as anti-tobacco education. First 5 Contra Costa has awarded more than $500,000 for Family-Friendly Community Grants.