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Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the Genesee County Youth Corporation would receive an $80,000 grant to fund the Basic Center Program. The Office of Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, awarded the grant to the Genesee County Youth Corporation to provide assistance to runaway and homeless children.
“These funds will help strengthen our community by providing immediate assistance, relief and support to runaway and homeless youth,” said Kildee. “We cannot afford to turn our backs on these children because every child deserves the right to grow and learn in a healthy, safe and loving environment.”
The Basic Center Program was originally designed to provide a system of care for young runaways outside the traditional child protective services, law enforcement, or juvenile justice agencies. Today, the central purpose of these centers is to provide both runaway and homeless youth with emergency shelter, food, clothing, counseling, and referrals for health care. The centers also seek to reunite young people with their families, whenever possible, or to locate appropriate alternative placements. In addition, these centers are also encouraged to pursue youth development strategies in an attempt to prevent young people from engaging in risky or delinquent behavior. The outreach program specifically focuses on giving young people the chance to exercise leadership, build skills and become involved in their community. |
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