"Stimulus Summit" A Success at FCCJ

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- With the prospect of billions of dollars of federal stimulus money available in the coming months, how will we get our fair share here on the First Coast?

On Monday U.S. Representative Corrine Brown sponsored a "Stimulus Summit" at FCCJ downtown to provide information to the agencies and individuals hoping to obtain stimulus money.

A multitude of local and federal agencies had representatives on hand to explain how the precious stimulus money will reach the community.

"To tell us what is available in the stimulus package and how to apply for it," said Congresswoman Brown.

Among the local organizations hoping for more federal dollars is Catholic Charities, where one young mother of two showed up Monday morning to ask for assistance with her rent.

"I'm behind on my rent this month. I've been calling agencies, I'd say, since the beginning of this month trying to get help on rent and utility," said the young mother.

"And I have not got an answer yet from nobody!"

So this young mother came here to Catholic Charities --under the threat of eviction. What would $574 assistance mean to this mom and her babies?

"The world. 'Cause I only got 24-hours. I might be on the street. Me and my two kids!"

Today Catholic charities can help this young mother, but stimulus dollars from Washington could really help the agency respond to an unprecedented 10,000 calls for help each month.

"Over the past six months what we have seen is that 48% of the clients that we are seeing are individuals who have never sought assistance in the past," said Catholic Charities Executive Director Laura Hickey.

"What that says to us is things are really at a very critical need in the community."

This is why Catholic Charities was among the 1,200 visitors to FCCJ Monday for Corrine Brown's "Stimulus Summit?"

"And if we have increased dollars to assist clients, that will allow us to be more responsive to the need in the community right now," said Hickey.

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