Project Oz is getting $1.5 million in federal grants over three years so the Bloomington nonprofit can continue three programs that assist runaway youth and the homeless.
Executive Director Lisa Thompson said its Basic Center Program, Street Outreach and Maternity Group Home have demonstrated their value in providing stable housing for young people who need it.
“We will be able to maintain our staffing and the robust network that we have of emergency foster homes in the area. Without that funding we would probably lose five of those homes,” Thompson said.
Street Outreach works to keep young adults from sexual exploitation. Its maternity group home is a transitional living program for women ages 18 to 21 who are pregnant or parenting.
“If these dollars weren’t in our community there would be a significant reduction in services,” Thompson said. “We respond 24 hours a day through our Basic Center Program.
“That’s 180 young people that go through that program each year.”
The grants will be spread out over three years. Project Oz is getting a 10 percent funding match from United Way of McLean County.
The federal funding comes from the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act program.
Thompson noted at least one in 10 adults ages 18 to 25 experiences some form of homelessness each year.
“With no safe place to stay and few resources, youth often find themselves exposed to high-risk situations, including exploitation and victimization,” Thompson said. “They are also more likely to fall behind or drop out of school, use alcohol or drugs, and be involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.”
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