June 21, 2016 THAW Receives $50K Grant to Provide Energy Assistance to Detroit Families
Funding from Skillman Foundation to assist families in five Detroit neighborhoods
DETROIT – The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) has been awarded a $50K Legacy Grant from the Skillman Foundation to assist in THAW’s mission to keep families healthy, safe and warm.
The one-year grant will provide energy assistance to families with children from five schools districts in Skillman Good Neighborhoods, including: Chadsey/Condon, Vernor, Cody/Rouge, Brightmoor and Osborn. THAW will continue its partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, community organizations and elected officials to help identify eligible families.
“The Heat and Warmth Fund is pleased to continue our partnership with the Skillman Foundation to assist Detroit families,” said Saunteel Jenkins, CEO of THAW. “Heat, water and electricity are essential to providing a healthy, stable environment for children and families. Without these critical services everything from health to education is negatively impacted in the home. That is why partnerships like this are vital to the future of Detroit communities, its children and families.”
With support of the Skillman Foundation, for more than 12 years, THAW has provided $180K in energy assistance to 207 families with children in the Skillman-targeted neighborhoods.
“Too many Detroit children face barriers to achieving their full potential,” said Tonya Allen, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation. “Bright young minds populate our neighborhoods; We can’t afford to allow the traps of poverty to hold them back. Organizations like THAW help stabilize households so families can focus on reaching a bright future.”
THAW partners with utility providers to help bring families utility bills to current or zero status and restore heating and electricity within their homes. Eligible families must have an income at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
About The Heat and Warmth Fund
The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), is an independent non-profit (501(c)(3) agency that provides emergency utility assistance to Michigan residents in need and advocates for long-term solutions for affordable utility costs. THAW was established in 1985 in order to improve the quality of life in Michigan and prevent human suffering by providing assistance to low-income individuals facing an energy crisis. Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator, awarded THAW four out a possible four stars which indicates that THAW adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. To learn more about THAW, make a donation or inquire about assistance, visit www.thawfund.org or call 1-800-866-8429 (THAW).
About The Skillman Foundation
Created in 1960, the Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy committed to improving meaningful graduation rates in the Detroit region, so kids are ready for college, career and life. The Foundation has assets of nearly a half-billion dollars, with an annual grants budget of $18 million. The Foundation works to achieve its goal by investing in community leadership, neighborhoods, safety initiatives, high-quality schools, social innovation and youth development.