Among the 12 groups making successful bids were the Derry Children's Commission, Focus on Family, NIPPA - The Early Years Organisation, Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action, and the Parents' Advice Centre.
The Derry Children's Commission, which campaigns to air the views of children, particularly the disadvantaged, the disabled and those from ethnic minorities, was awarded 113,000. Its director, Clionagh Boyle, said, 'We are really delighted with this award. It shows there is a shared commitment to valuing the rights of children.'
Pip Jaffa, chief executive of the Parents' Advice Centre, said the Pounds 116,500 it received from the Community Fund would enable it to launch a free advice line so parents and young people could access confidential advice on issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, drugs and divorce.
The grant will support the salaries of two staff supervisors, training for staff and volunteers, and advertising and telephone costs.
Focus on Family project manager Janis McKenna said its 83,000 grant would boost its efforts to provide training, childcare and support to women in Coleraine. 'This project will improve their quality of life through the provision of one-to- one support, a drop-in facility, advice and parenting classes.'
Ruth Morrison, development manager of Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Action, said its 91,000 award would enable the recruitment of two more part-time family advisers and development officers to help with recruiting volunteers to the health organisation.
The grant of more than 182,000 to NIPPA will be used to train people working with children with autism spectrum disorder and provide a helpline and peer support groups for those who have been trained.
Professor Jimmy Kearney, chairman of the Community Fund in Northern Ireland, said, 'Although our diminishing funds and a high level of demand mean that we can fund fewer applications than in the past, we are as committed as ever to supporting projects which combat disadvantage and improve lives in communities across Northern Ireland.'
