WESTMINSTER : City to Give Grants to Its Own Programs

Charity, city officials agree, should begin at home.

So on Tuesday, they decided not to distribute federal block grants to local charities and nonprofit groups this year. Instead, they will use the money for the city’s own programs.

“It’s not pleasant to say, ‘We can’t help you this year,’ ” said Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman. “But the reality is there’s no money to fund the nonprofits anymore.”

She urged residents to “dig deep” to help local charities continue their work.

Facing a potential $1.9-million budget shortfall for fiscal 1995-96, the City Council has decided to use the federal grants to save city programs in danger of being cut.

On Tuesday, council members allocated $1.4 million in U.S. Housing and Urban Development block grants for a variety of projects, including $100,000 for TARGET, the anti-gang joint program with the district attorney’s office and the county Probation Department.

The program was previously funded with assets from drug seizures, which are now frozen in the bankrupt county treasury.

Nearly $59,000 was allocated for a gang-prevention education program in Westminster schools, and about $25,000 more was budgeted for youth recreation programs.

“We have to look after the youths of Westminster,” said Mayor Charles V. Smith. “It’s our top priority.”

Nonprofit groups that had received grants in the past pleaded their case. The Boys and Girls Club of Westminster asked for $45,000, and St. Vincent de Paul Society, which provides job training to young former felons, requested $10,000.

“Homeless people are going to suffer,” said Jim Miller, executive director of Shelter for the Homeless, which had requested $40,000. He said that two emergency shelters in Westminster may have to be closed.