Keystone Opportunity Center has received a $10,000 grant from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust, which will expand Keystone’s Homeless Diversion Program.

The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation established by William Wikoff Smith in 1977 to make grants in the Greater Philadelphia region to support basic needs. The grant will assist households with children or older adults who are experiencing a housing crisis.

People may become homeless for a large variety of reasons, but there is a critical point in time when intervention may help a family return to stability instead of losing their home. Once people are homeless, their ability to return to self-sufficiency is much more challenging. Keystone’s Homelessness Diversion Program run by our Community Case Manager is vital to Keystone’s effort to reduce homelessness in the region.

“This grant from W. W. Smith Charitable Foundation means we can help prevent homelessness for many more people,” said Arlene Daily, Executive Director of Keystone Opportunity Center. “Diverting someone from becoming homeless is much less traumatic to the family, and much less costly to the community. That’s why we developed this program in partnership with local churches and faith-based institutions.”

Years ago, a group of clergy saw the need for a point person who would have the skills, connections and knowledge to help members of the community who are in need, so they funded the program. More than 300 people were assisted by the Community Case Manager just last year.

“It is astounding how many local residents we help in this program,” said Daily, “especially considering that it receives no government funding—it runs on donations from individuals, congregations and foundations.”

Keystone Opportunity Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive array of social services that educate, encourage and empower people to become self-sufficient. Keystone Opportunity Center is housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, and educating adults and families in Bucks and Montgomery counties. More information on Keystone Opportunity Center can be found at www.KeystoneOpportunity.org.

 

Information Provided By:
Alan Raisman
Manager of Advancement
Keystone Opportunity Center

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