Contacts:
Ron Legro, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development
Authority, 414-227-2291
Jessica Erickson, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
WAUKESHA – As part of his southeast Wisconsin tour, Governor
Jim Doyle announced $60,000 in Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development
Authority (WHEDA) grants for two Waukesha civic organizations today. La
Casa de Esperanza Inc., an area Hispanic organization, received a $35,000
grant for upgrading a local senior housing development, and Safe & Sound, a
local not-for-profit, received a $25,000 grant for promoting financial
education and literacy programs among at-risk youth.
Governor Doyle announced the assistance packages during
another in his series of “Grow Wisconsin” forums. The Governor has hosted
five “Grow Wisconsin” forums in cities across Wisconsin. In the upcoming
weeks, the Governor will host several more forums. Today’s forum was held
at the offices of La Casa de Esperanza. Participants heard a presentation
on “Grow Wisconsin,” met state officials, and obtained materials from a
range of agencies that deal with state contracting and economic development.
La Casa Village, a 51-unit senior-housing complex, will use
the $35,000 grant to convert efficiency apartments into one-bedroom units.
“This grant will help La Casa provide comfortable, secure,
affordable living options for our elderly citizens,” Governor Doyle said.
Safe & Sound of Waukesha, an organization focused on at-risk
youth, received a $25,000 grant. The grant will assist the organization’s
“Get Ahead” Program, which helps youth gain pre-employment and financial
skills. The goal of the “Get Ahead” program is to develop a qualified
workforce and empower youth to become economically self-sufficient.
The program will focus on low- to moderate-income youth ages
15 to 18 that lack the skills necessary to obtain employment.
“The tough economy has made it harder for people at all
skill levels to enter or reenter the workforce,” Governor Doyle said. “Safe
& Sound’s program will help at-risk youth develop job skills for entry-level
employment.”
WHEDA is Wisconsin’s state housing authority. WHEDA serves
Wisconsin residents and communities by working with other organizations to
provide creative financing resources and information. Its goal is to
stimulate and preserve affordable housing and small business development.
