Block grant to help kids, families in Sisters

A grant of about $36,000 will be available in October for projects in Sisters that focus on youth, according to Ted Viramonte, executive director of the Community Action Team of Sisters.

The money comes from a variety of sources, including federal and state programs.

Proposals from community groups should be submitted to CATS by September 15. Projects must benefit children, prenatal to 18 years of age, and their families.

The proposals will be reviewed and approved by a CATS subcommittee, the Think Education Assets and Mentoring (TEAM) Sisters.

"We have applications at the CATS office at Sisters City Hall, along with the criteria and instructions," said Viramonte. "I am available to help projects through the process if needed."

Viramonte can be reached at 549-CATS.

The block grant was an idea from Ethel Stratton, a contact at Deschutes County's Commission on Children and Families, according to Viramonte.

Both the commission and Sisters Schools Superintendent Steve Swisher had been concerned that requests by local programs were being left out.

"More than a year ago, the Commission met in Sisters," said Swisher. "At that time I expressed ... concerns that we weren't getting the share of services we needed, and organizations were applying (for funds) with Sisters as a component but we weren't getting the service."

According to TEAM Sisters chairperson Bonnie Malone, the Commission on Children and Families then came to SOAR, looking for a neutral group to administer the funds. TEAM Sisters was formed, which then turned administration of the grant over to CATS.

"What CATS did is that it gave this committee a neutral base of support in which to function without being tied to any organization that would benefit directly or have its own focuses," Malone said.

The grant was funded with $36,000. CATS will receive proposals until September 15.

"Soon after that, TEAM Sisters will review the projects that match up with the criteria the commission is calling for and determine which ones to fund and at what level," said Viramonte. "We should begin working with those projects chosen in October."