Project NOW, which serves the Illinois Quad Cities region, has been awarded an additional $1.6 million in funding for its Head Start programs.
The grant, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was announced recently by U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
“For more than 50 years, Project NOW has been working to improve living standards for low-income families and seniors in our community – and their Head Start program is an essential service for our local children,” she said in a release. “These funds will sustain Project NOW as they prepare our youngest students in Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties for the future.”
The Rock Island-based Project NOW is a Community Action Agency serving Rock Island, Henry and Mercer counties in Illinois. The latest award is on top of an initial $1.6 million in federal funds for the organization announced by Ms. Bustos in February.
“We are extremely excited about this allocation of funding,” the Rev. Dwight Ford, Project NOW executive director, told the QCBJ. “Additionally, we are deeply appreciative of the continued support of Congresswoman Bustos and policymakers who value the work of Head Start and the benefit of early childhood education.”
Project NOW helps low-income families and seniors meet their basic needs and improve their standard of living. Its services include employment training and placement, financial management, temporary shelter and early learning programs for America’s most vulnerable young children.
“I consider this an investment for our collective future and when we invest in the lives of our children, we will have a lifetime of return,” Rev. Ford said.
