From the Globe Community Desk

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Oakland-Bay Area Chapter recently awarded grants to five worthy community organizations at a holiday celebration at Linen Life in Emeryville.

   The grant recipients represented a broad spectrum of organizations that provide services that enrich the lives of African Americans in Bay Area communities.
    Cinnamongirls Inc. provides young girls of color a safe place to come together and practice leadership, communication and project management skills. Focusing on a teaming approach, Cinnamongirl programming extends to the areas of community outreach programs, a three-day empowerment retreat, the creation and execution of personal action plans and educational workshops. The NCBW grant will support the anticipated growth of its programs in the current academic year.
    The East Oakland Youth Development Center strives to deliver free comprehensive programs to youth as well as young adults, concentrating on developing the prerequisite skills to encourage responsible citizenship. The NCBW grant will enable students to participate in Pathways to College, an East Oakland Youth Development Center program that provides SAT preparation courses, college application workshops and opportunities to participate in university/ college tours. Partnering with UC Berkeley, Cal State East Bay, the Peralta Colleges and other local colleges, students will have access to professional guest speakers who are experts in the areas of college recruitment, selection and financial aid.
    The Friends of a Safe Home was inspired by an idea from San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris. The organization was established and developed through the collaborative efforts of Sage Edgewood Center/School. Safe Home provides high level care and support for young women escaping the sex industry who are in need of home placement. The NCBWgrant will fund an upgraded security system intended to enhance the living environment of these young women. A Safe House enables young girls to grow into strong, independent women through healthy relationships in a safe and supportive environment.
    The Lend a Hand Foundation was established to enhance the quality of life for less fortunate youth with an emphasis on youth who reside in homeless shelters. The NCBW grant will fund its Stay in School program that seeks out at-risk young women and provides them with support-based incentives to complete their senior year of high school. Achievers receive financial and nurturing support to carry them through their senior year.
    The San Francisco Black Film Festival provides an opportunity for emerging and established African American and filmmakers throughout the African Diaspora to present their films to Bay Area audiences in conjunction with panel discussions, workshops and open dialogue events. The NCBW grant will assist the funding of a film series and workshop on HIV/AIDS as part of the ninth annual film festival. In line with NCBW’s AIDS/HIV outreach initiative to bring awareness and education to the community, the series coincides with NCBW’s “It’s All About Me! Sistah’s Getting’Real About HIV” campaign.
    NCBW, a nonprofit organization, offers a variety of programs and services that enrich the lives of women, young girls and families. Members are committed to investing in the education of future leaders and providing programs that will increase the participation of women and girls in the economic, civic, entrepreneurial and human service arenas.