Gov. Jim Doyle has announced that several non-profit organizations around the state will receive grants totaling $500,000 from Wisconsin's Universal Service Fund program to help provide telecommunications services to low income and disabled customers.

The USF program is administered through the state Public Service Commission, which collect fees from telecommunication providers to fund various USF programs.

"The Universal Service Fund plays a critical role in ensuring all people in Wisconsin have access to telecommunications services," Doyle said in a statement. "I'm pleased we're continuing our partnership with non-profit organizations to provide this valuable service for the residents of Wisconsin."

The following non-profit organizations were awarded Wisconsin USF grants:

ABC for Health Inc. in Madison is a public interest law firm that helps link citizens who have special health care needs to health care benefits and services. ABC for Health, Inc. received $10,818 to develop a webcast training program to educate low-income families and service providers about available telecommunication services.

Access to Independence Inc. in Madison is a non-profit Independent Living Center that provides services to people with disabilities in Dane, Columbia, Green, and Dodge counties. Access to Independence received $24,800 to provide telephone outreach and access programs to individuals in four southern Wisconsin counties to obtain equipment and equal access to telecommunications.

Milwaukee's Adult Learning Center provides opportunities to economically and educationally disadvantaged adults. The Adult Learning Center received $14,000 to provide internet access and training for low-income individuals at the Online Learning Computer Lab for job and housing searches and computer classes.

Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Milwaukee promotes personal development, career growth, and community awareness through services and programs for people who are visually impaired. The Badger Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired received $8,072 to purchase equipment that enables visually-impaired and sighted technicians to remotely access and control an end-user's computer.

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee is a neighborhood-based youth guidance organization whose primary purpose is to have a positive impact on the lives of low-income youth. The Boys and Girls Club received $16,891 to establish a new technology center at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club for under-served youth and to upgrade technology at other computer lab locations.

The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in West Allis provides in-home assistive technology consultations to residents for access to basic telecommunication services. The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing received $1,850 to provide in-home assistance to low-income, disabled individuals requiring help installing and using specialized telecommunications equipment.

Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin in Menomonie provides services to people with disabilities to assist them with becoming or remaining as independent as possible. The Center for Independent Living for Western Wisconsin received $20,000 to provide outreach to disabled individuals in west central Wisconsin by promoting the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program, increasing consumer knowledge and acquisition of telecommunications equipment.

Madison's Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin (CAC) helps develop the economic and social capacities of individuals, families, and communities to reduce poverty in Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha Counties. CAC received $10,000 to assist low-income clients in obtaining or maintaining basic telephone service by providing counseling on financial literacy, financial assistance and available telecommunications resources.

Community Advocates in Milwaukee provides basic needs advocacy and services to homeless or low-income, at-risk individuals with chronic mental illness and families in the Milwaukee area. Community Advocates received $51,486 to assist low-income households regain and maintain basic telephone service.

DANEnet in Madison provides computer technology support for non-profit Dane County organizations. DANEnet received $29,544 to provide maintenance and upgrades for public access computer labs, including six in the Madison area, and to provide staff training and share resources with the Madison Metropolitan School District.

Goodman Atwood Community Center in Madison provides safe, accessible space for activities and programs that strengthen the lives of people in Dane County. Goodman Atwood Community Center received $25,820 to provide computer and internet access and technology classes to low-income youth, seniors and adults.

Hmong American Friendship Association in Milwaukee was founded to improve the quality of life for Hmong and Laotian refugees and the community at large. Hmong American Friendship Association received $10,210 to provide software and hardware upgrades, internet access and technical assistance to minority students with PC's available to them at home.

Milwaukee's Independence First Inc. provides services that promote independence and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. Independence First, Inc. received $22,750 to provide refurbished computers, modems, a year of broadband access and training to low-income individuals with disabilities.

Independent Living Inc., in Madison is a health and human services organization that provides in-home services and affordable housing options to the elderly and disabled adults in Dane County. Independent Living, Inc. received $3,875 to maintain and improve the computer labs at two senior apartment complexes in Madison and Fitchburg to provide access to the internet, e-mail and educational opportunities.

Independent Living Resources Inc. in La Crosse provides services to persons with any disability of any age within 13 southwestern Wisconsin counties. Independent Living Resources, Inc. received $24,000 to provide outreach, information, technical assistance and skill training to low-income individuals with disabilities needing telecommunication service and devices.

Midstate Independent Living Consultants Inc. in Steven's Point provides living skills, peer support and referrals to individuals with disabilities. Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc. received $9,000 for the required co-pay for speech and mobility Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program recipients along with outreach and demonstrations on the availability of specialized telecommunications equipment at the model accessible home.

The Neighborhood House of Milwaukee provides programs adapted to meet the challenges of inner-city poverty by focusing on building strong families in a strong community. Neighborhood House of Milwaukee received $16,329 to provide computer lab instruction.

The New Concept Self Development Center in Milwaukee is a comprehensive human services agency providing educational enrichment, mental health and child development services encompassing the entire family. The agency received $20,935 to provide access to the internet at the computer lab at the George Sanders Father's Resource Center for low-income fathers and their families for employment searches.

Superior's North Country Independent Living provides counseling, independent living skills training, home modification, and peer support to disabled people. North Country Independent Living received $25,390 to provide outreach and assistance to consumers and providers in eight counties and four tribes on specialized telecommunications equipment and Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program funding.

Green Bay's Options for Independent Living supports empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives. Options for Independent Living received $15,000 to provide outreach and access to specialized telecommunications equipment, providing in-home assistance for installing equipment and providing co-pay for eligible Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program applicants.

St. Catherine Residence in Milwaukee ensures safe, affordable and supportive housing to women with limited income. St. Catherine Residence received $3,000 to provide support to a computer resource lab to enable low-income, disabled women to have access to computers and the Internet and to upgrade their computer skills.

St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Milwaukee provides support and services to at-risk-youth, their families and low-income adults in the neighborhood. St. Mark A.M.E. Church received $20,100 to expand computer and Internet access to low-income youth and adults by expanding and operating the cyber cafe.

Society's Assets in Racine is an independent living center providing comprehensive services to assist people with living independently. Society's Assets received $29,500 to provide outreach and access to specialized telecommunications equipment to disabled, low-income individuals with expanded outreach to the Hispanic community.

The Stout University Foundation in Menomonie enhances the vocational potential for individuals and the productivity of organizations through service, education, training and research. The Stout University Foundation received $18,758 to develop and provide an online tutorial available to consumers and service providers to assist them in participating in the Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program.

Milwaukee's United Community Center (UCC) provides programs to Hispanic communities in the areas of education, cultural arts, recreation, community development and health and human services. UCC received $22,305 to develop and operate a computer lab to serve senior citizens and Spanish-speaking residents.

The Urban League of Greater Madison provides programs and services to improve the social and economic conditions of African Americans, other people of color, and the economically disadvantaged in Dane County. The Urban League of Greater Madison received $32,967 to provide infrastructure, telecommunications services and training for employment and training services for low-income adults and youth by developing and operating three training computer labs which include handicap accessible workstations.

The Women's Community Inc. in Wausau provides specialized services and resources to people in central Wisconsin affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and unemployment. The Women's Community, Inc. received $10,600 to provide victims of domestic and sexual violence with telephone and Internet resources for access to counseling, education, housing, legal and employment resources.

The YWCA of Rock County in Janesville focuses on eliminating racism and empowering women in the community by providing safe places for women and girls, building strong women leaders, and advocating for women's rights and civil rights. The YWCA of Rock County received $2,000 to upgrade network and telecommunications at the YWCA central and satellite facilities to improve low income crisis services and to increase telephone and internet accessibility to low-income clients.

For more information about Wisconsin's USF programs and how your organization can apply for grants, go here.

 

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