This one-time grant helps single parents in Philly afford activities for their kids

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Low-income, single parents in Philadelphia can apply for a one-time grant to help fund an activity they otherwise couldn’t afford for their children.

Whether a child dreams of learning to swim, mastering martial arts, playing an instrument or boosting their academic skills, this $1,000 grant, made possible through The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation in partnership with Caring People Alliance, can help it become a reality.

Brandon Gilmore, vice president of the Boys and Girls Club for Caring People Alliance, says money is often a barrier to opportunity and exposure for kids, especially when there is only one stream of income in a home.

“It increases the opportunity for the household, and it just helps the child feel that they're not just stuck where they're at, there's an opportunity to see something outside of their community,” he said. “I'm not saying their community is a bad place, but there's more to see and do in this world.”

The grant, he says, provides hope.

“Kids who have dreams, they now don't have a barrier, they don't have anyone saying that, ‘Oh, we can't do this because we don't have the money.”

Applications for the grant must be completed by Sept. 30 at caringpeoplealliance.org .

This year, single parents can also apply for a grant for their own wellness or career advancement.