To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: Public Safety Commission’s Recommendations for the 2021 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program, Five Applications
Body
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Executive Summary
The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP) funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund aims to support social and human services in Castle Rock. Eligibility requirements state that the organization holds 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) status, and the funding request must include provisions for the necessities of life: water, energy, food and/or shelter assistance. The Town budgeted $40,000 for this program in 2021.
Five qualified organizations applied for the 2021 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant. The Public Safety Commission (PSC) reviewed the annual applications and submitted its recommendations for the organizations that should receive grant monies. The PSC recommends the following award amounts:
Staff presents the Public Safety Commission’s recommendation for Council’s approval.
Discussion
The Public Safety Commission reviewed the applications (Attachment A) at its October 1 meeting. Representatives attended the PSC meeting to give a short presentation on the organization and the purpose of the funding request. The Commission discussed the merits of each application, reviewed the budgets presented for each project, and referred to the history of granted amounts (Attachment B). Applicants requested a total amount of $65,000.
American Legion (AL) Post 1187 requested $2,500. AL Post 1187 requests funds to assist homeless/low income veterans and current service members in meeting their food, shelter and energy needs. They provide other services to military families and promote patriotism in the community at veterans’ funerals and at local events such as civic groups’ meetings.
Crisis Center requested $20,000. The Crisis Center will use granted funds for operational support for its emergency shelter for domestic violence victims: food, personal care items and therapy. The Crisis Center provides shelter, information, advocacy and programmatic support for victims along with preventative strategies to the community. Half of the Center’s clients come from Castle Rock.
Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation (DCVMF) requested $15,000. DCVMF will use funds to continue to help provide emergency housing and utility assistance with prompt disbursement of funds directly to creditors and landlords. The Foundation prevents evictions or pauses in utilities for Castle Rock’s veteran residents.
Help & Hope Center (HHC) requested $20,000. The Help & Hope Center would use granted funds to support the on-site food bank and once-a-month senior food banks at three low-income housing units in Castle Rock, providing seven days of food per family member. HHC provides for the immediate needs of residents who face financial distress and the risk of becoming homeless.
Home Builders Foundation (HBF) requested $7,500. Grant funds will support the Foundation’s Accessible Home Modification Program that provides essentials like ramps, stair lifts and remodels to individuals with physical disabilities. Clients receive an average of two items each at no cost to them. HBF has enhanced the well-being of three to four Castle Rock clients per year by increasing their safety and independence in their own homes and their ability to engage in and serve the community.
Based on these considerations, the Commission has made the following recommendations:
Requested Recommendation
American Legion Post 1187 $ 2,500 $ 2,500
Crisis Center $ 20,000 $ 10,000
Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation $ 15,000 $ 10,000
Help & Hope Center $ 20,000 $ 12,500
Home Builders Foundation $ 7,500 $ 5,000
Total Amount Requested/Recommended $ 65,000 $ 40,000
Budget Considerations
The 2021 Proposed Budget includes $40,000 in the Philip S. Miller Fund for the 2020 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council approve the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations for the 2021 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program.
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the Public Safety Commission’s recommendations and award the 2021 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program monies as follows:
American Legion Post 1187 $ 2,500
Crisis Center $10,000
Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation $10,000
Help & Hope Center $12,500
Home Builders Foundation $ 5,000
Attachments
Attachment A: 2021 Applications
Attachment B: Five-Year History of Granted Amounts