International Social Service, USA Awarded Two Grants from Jessie Ball duPont Fund to Reunite Separated Families Across Borders and Aid U.S. Citizens Abroad
BALTIMORE, MD — International Social Service, USA (ISS-USA) has received two grants totaling $81,000.00 from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. The first grant will provide social services for families separated across borders and the second will provide social services for U.S. citizens stranded overseas due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Building on funding provided by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in 2018 and matching funding from the Lumos Foundation, over the past two years, ISS-USA has provided social services to more than thirty families reunited in Guatemala after a separation at the Southern U.S. border. Due to a high volume of additional requests for services in Guatemala and Honduras, the grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund will allow ISS-USA’s work to assist reunifying families to continue in an expanded capacity.
The second grant will serve U.S. Citizens stranded around the globe due to the global pandemic and provide them access to services while they await return. Linkage to social services is not a typical day-to-day function of U.S. consulates overseas, who are currently overwhelmed while they respond to the pandemic. ISS-USA’s local partners will offer virtual assistance to help citizens access services such as housing, food, medicine, healthcare and mental health services where possible.
“We applaud the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for prioritizing grant making that helps vulnerable and marginalized populations gain access to needed social services,” said ISS-USA’s Executive Director Julie Gilbert Rosicky. “These grants are especially generous and essential to helping us continue our work for families worldwide, especially during a time of extreme uncertainty.”
About ISS-USA:
Founded in 1924, International Social Service has been providing cross-border services for over 90 years and is a global network operating in over 130 countries. International Social Service, USA is the U.S. member of this network; connecting vulnerable children, adults, and families separated by international borders to the services and support they need. Learn more at www.iss-usa.org.
About the Jessie Ball duPont Fund:
The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a private foundation that works to expand access to opportunity and create inclusive growth for the people, organizations and communities that Jessie Ball duPont knew and loved. We envision a world in which every member of those communities feels they belong, and is engaged in shaping the future of their community. Our work focuses on increasing equitable access to opportunities and resources for members of society who have historically been excluded, and placemaking to build stronger communities where all voices are heard and valued. Learn more at www.dupontfund.org.
Press Contact:
Marie Blum
Senior Development and Communications Officer
443-451-1227
