The Tennessee Department of Human Services has awarded a $1 million grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga.
These funds – $500,000 to BBBS ETN and $500,000 to BBBS of Greater Chattanooga – will support programs that move children and their parents and guardians toward educational success and economic security, a news release from TDHS states.
Each grant is funded through federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program dollars and approved through a collaboration with the Tennessee General Assembly TANF Work Group.
Grant dollars will support hundreds of families throughout East Tennessee in both urban and rural areas.
In addition to those youth and families served through one-to-one mentoring relationships, BBBS agencies will provide educational programs for youth and parents and guardians while they wait to be matched with a mentor.
“This grant will allow our team to expand our parental efforts to include trainings on parenting, family literacy and more, allowing us to offer training and individualized services,” says BBBS Greater Chattanooga CEO Jessica Whatley.
Source: TDHS