Pew to donate $8.8M to 47 charities

The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced it will make nearly $8.8 million in grants over the next three years to 47 Philadelphia-area organizations serving disadvantaged children.

Among the groups to benefit are 19 that provide after-school programs, 15 that help identify and address early signs of social and emotional problems, six that connect children to behavioral health treatment, four aimed at improving early education, and three that help families secure basic needs.

"In Philadelphia, one out of every three children lives at or below the federal poverty line," Frazierita D. Klasen, director of the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services, said in a statement issued Wednesday. "Our region is fortunate to have many outstanding organizations with a deep understanding of the needs of children and families and strong track records in providing services that make a difference."

Organizations receiving grants include:

YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity, $265,000 to improve family child care.

Drexel University, $225,000 to provide behavioral health services to children who suffer from malnutrition.

Family and Community Service of Delaware County, $199,000 to reduce problem behaviors among at-risk youth.

Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia, $180,000 to improve access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice system.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania, $215,000 to provide adult mentors for at-risk children and youth.

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, $180,000 for academic enrichment and support services to high school students at risk of dropping out of school.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, $200,000 to support the Girl Scouting Beyond Bars program for daughters of incarcerated women in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.

A full list of grant recipients is available at the Pew Web site, www.pewtrusts.org. Click on "News Room" for the latest news releases.