Priest River Ministries receives 101 Women grant

Priest River Ministries is the most recent recipient of a $10,000 grant award from 101 Women, Sandpoint.

Officials said the group will use the funds to provide shelter and resources for families escaping violent homes as well as to provide relocation services and recovery assistance for victims of sexual assault and trafficking.

In operation since 2002, Priest River Ministries has offices in Priest River, Spirit Lake and Sandpoint and provides a long list of services for individuals and families in need. The non-profit organization operates a 24-hour crises hot line, offers short term and extended stay shelters for families in need, helps with victim services and advocacy, offers therapeutic and legal counseling, transportation and provides a learning lab with computers and tutors as needed.

The group relies entirely on donations and grants to provide these services for its clients.

The $10,000 grant to Priest River Ministries is provided through the generous donations of 101 local women. 101 Women Sandpoint provides a simple and powerful way to leverage the modest giving of many into substantial funding for local groups. Two $10,000 grants are awarded each year to Bonner County non-profit organizations.

The group meets twice a year to vote on the three finalists that emerge after a vetting process that includes grant application reviews and site visits.

The other two finalists at this spring grant cycle included Court Appointed Special Advocates and Habitat for Humanity.

CASA is an organization that trains and provides advocates for minors who are victims of abuse or neglect and who fall under the jurisdiction of the court system. The advocate supports the children as they move through the system and provides valuable feedback to members of the court on behalf of the children.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. The group works with volunteers and a partner family to build an affordable home and then provides a no-interest mortgage to the family who moves into the home.

Information:

• Priest River Ministries: online, www.prmafw.com; 24/7 emergency helpline,208-290-6529; office, 208-448-2800

• Court Appointed Special Advocates: online, www.northidahocasa.org; Sandpoint office, 208-255-7408

• Habitat for Humanity: online, www.iphfh.org; phone, 208-265-5313

To learn more about 101 Women Sandpoint, their grant opportunities or to find out how to become a member, go to 101 Women Sandpoint’s website at www.101womensandpoint.com.