HARTFORD, CT/OLD LYME — On April 10, Governor Ned Lamont announced that his administration is awarding approximately $35.5 million in state funding to nonprofit providers across Connecticut for capital improvement projects that support each respective organization in their mission of delivering services to some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
One of the recipients is Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB) in Old Lyme, which will receive $400,256 to support renovations. A post on the LYSB Facebook page explains, “The grant will be used to renovate and modernize the LYSB main office building, bring all mechanical systems up to code, maximize energy efficiency, improve safety and ADA accessibility.”
The post continues, ” The grant will cover 75% of the project budget, with the remaining 25% coming from LYSB donations. Although LYSB’s building is lovely and structurally sound, just about everything is old and failing. This project will ensure that LYSB is able to serve their clients and our community for generations to come.”
In conclusion, the post notes, “Last awarded in 2018, this current round of awards was highly competitive.”
Other recipients in the local area are Safe Futures of New London, which will receive just over $380,000 to support upgrades to its emergency domestic violence shelter, along with renovations at Phoenix House Transitional Housing; and the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut in New London, which will receive $295,000 to support facility improvements.
The grants are being released through the state’s Nonprofit Grant Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. They will be used to fund capital projects not typically reimbursed through other funding mechanisms and will support items such as facility alterations, renovations, improvements, and additions; new construction; health, safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act projects; energy conservation improvements; information technology systems; technology that promotes client independence; purchase of vehicles; and acquisition of property.
“Connecticut’s nonprofit providers support residents in every town and are a vital part of our social services safety net,” Governor Lamont said. “Providing funding to make strategic investments helps these organizations deliver the services some of our most vulnerable residents depend upon. This grant funding will help all of the residents that these organizations support be able to utilize their personal strengths, talents, and passions.”
Established in 2013, this program has provided more than $130 million to the state’s nonprofit organizations, supporting about 750 projects. Today’s awards, which support 94 projects, are the program’s eighth round of grants.
State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the announcement saying, “Community nonprofits play an important role in supporting and lifting up members of our communities, and knowing these funds will support those in need and bolster the services aiding them is incredibly meaningful.”
She added, “I’m grateful to Governor Lamont and my fellow legislators for making sure this funding will support transitional housing, domestic violence victims and renovations to the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau.”
Gov. Lamont commented, “Connecticut’s nonprofit providers support residents in every town and are a vital part of our social services safety net. Providing funding to make strategic investments helps these organizations deliver the services some of our most vulnerable residents depend upon.”
He concluded, “This grant funding will help all of the residents that these organizations support be able to utilize their personal strengths, talents, and passions.”