Community Corner

Home for Displaced Children Receives Grant

The Somerset County program has received $2,000 from the Investors Foundation.

The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children recently received a grant from the Investors Foundation.

The grant is for $2,000 from a foundation that provides funding to nonprofit programs enriching their communities, according to a release from the Somerset County nonprofit.

The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, which was founded in 1973, is the only agency in the county that works with abused, neglected and homeless teenagers.

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“We provide a safe haven and support services to help these teens deal with difficult family situations, finish their education and develop the skills they will need to make a successful transition to adulthood," said Kathy Coulahan, communications manager for the agency, in the release.

The Somerset County agency includes a street outreach team, the release said, which works with schools, police departments and other community centers to raise awareness of the availability of services. It also features a short-term crisis intervention program and a transitional-living program to help older teens find work.

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The agency has centers throughout Bridgewater, including on Brahma Avenue and other locations.

“The main obstacle to independence is safe, affordable housing, and this grant will be used to expand Bridge House, our supportive housing for young adults age 18 and older,” Coulahan said.

Raymond Fantuzzi, the interim executive officer of the agency, said he is pleased to have the grant.

“We’re extremely grateful for the support of the Investors Foundation,” he said in the release. “Our programs serve hundreds of children each year, and the generosity of our donors and partners is essential.”


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