Catholic Relief Services Awards Grants to U.S.-Haiti Catholic Partnerships

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 6, 2011 - With the goal of strengthening partnerships and supporting the long-term goals of Haitian communities, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) awarded 11 grants to projects planned by Catholic groups in dioceses in the United States and Haiti. Projects focus on activities that will stimulate local economies, provide vocational trainings, encourage entrepreneurial enterprise or improve basic services such as water and sanitation. Programs and projects begun with these matching funds are designed to be led and maintained by the Haitian communities where they operate.

The Haiti Partnership Matching Grant Program was created by CRS in response to the large number of existing relationships between Catholic groups in the United States and groups in Haiti and their desire to help rebuild and strengthen communities in Haiti.

“This is a unique opportunity for Catholic groups in the United States to collaborate with their Catholic partners in Haiti on projects that will make lasting improvements to the lives of many,” said Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations for CRS. “We’re honored to support and lend our expertise so these partnerships will grow and flourish well into the future.”

Of the 20 proposals received by CRS, 11 will begin this month, four will be reconsidered in November and all others were invited to resubmit their proposals in April, 2012 when the second year of this three-year matching grant program will be open for new submissions.

The 11 successful proposals are from eight dioceses in the U.S. with partners in six dioceses in Haiti. Proposals were submitted jointly by the Bishops of both partner dioceses. The grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are matched by the U.S. partner. The CRS portion of the grant will be given to the Haitian partner.

CRS has provided technical expertise and humanitarian support in Haiti for 55 years. Following the earthquake in January 2010, CRS drew upon its global emergency response teams and network of partners to form an immediate response to life threatening circumstances. Since then, CRS’ work has transitioned into a multi-year, integrated redevelopment plan encompassing agriculture, water and sanitation, health, education, the strengthening of civil society, job creation and the protection of children and other vulnerable citizens.

Grant highlights are listed on the CRS Newswire: http://newswire.crs.org/

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.crs.org or http://www.crsespanol.org.