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Washington, DC (October 2, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded communities in the 15th district with various grants.

“All of these organizations have the ability to directly improve the quality of life for their beneficiaries,” said Hinojosa.  “These grants will help them further accomplish their goals and will assist hundreds of people throughout the Rio Grande Valley.  I congratulate them all and look forward to seeing the fruits of their labor first hand.”

The following communities and/or organizations received funds:

• The Lipan Apache Band of Texas, Inc in Edinburg, TX received $50,000 under the Administration for Native Americans office for the Identification and Reintroduction of the Lipan Apache project;

• The Llano Grande Center for Research and Development in Edcouch, TX received $50,000 under the Office of Community Services for a Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building project;

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in Weslaco, TX received $71,871 under the Office of Refugee Resettlement for the End of Trafficking Today Project; and,

• The Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone Corporation received $300,000 under the Office of Community Services for the Communities Empowering Youth Program.

The Office of Community Services (OCS) works in partnership with states, communities, and other agencies to provide a range of human and economic development services and activities to assist persons in need.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) mission is to assist refugees and other special populations in obtaining economic and social self-sufficiency in their new homes in the United States. To do this, ORR funds and facilitates a variety of programs that offer, among other benefits and services, cash and medical assistance, employment preparation and job placement, skills training, English language training, social adjustment and aid for victims of torture.

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) promotes the goal of social and economic self-sufficiency of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and peoples of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.