In October 2008, the AWS Foundation made its first grant by donating its former headquarters building to the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation for the Community Resource Center for Refugees. The Center is a program of the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation. A coalition of community agencies provides services and education classes to assist refugees with health care, employment, language and other skills that build self-sufficiency.
Agencies involved in the Center include Advantage Health Solutions, Allen County Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes, Burmese Advocacy Center, Catholic Charities/Household Furnishings Donation Bank, Family and Social Services Administration, The Reclamation Project, Neighborhood Christian Legal Services and Super Shot.
The Center opened its doors in early November, and within the first month, more than 500 individuals sought much needed assistance at the Center. The AWS Foundation is pleased to have helped foster the development of this important community resource.