CAIRO SHELTER GETS STATE GRANT

CAIRO, Ill. -- The Cairo Women's Shelter got one of 39 emergency grants that have been approved to assist not-for-profit organizations in providing services to the homeless in 28 Illinois communities.

Illinois First Lady Brenda Edgar announced the grants, totaling $681,540, last week. The Cairo grant is for $21,351.

"Homeless people need help, both to meet daily challenges and to break the cycle of poverty," said Mrs. Edgar. "The problem is particularly tragic where families and young children are concerned."

The grants are administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), and are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that demonstrate a need.

DCCA received 75 applications requesting more than $2.3 million. The maximum grant is $50,000.

The largest grant on the latest list was that for the Peoria YWCA, of $46,328.