CALAIS – Keeping Children Safe Downeast – a Safe Start Initiative in Washington County that educates the community about the impact that exposure to violence has on young children – has partnered with the United Way of Eastern Maine to award violence prevention grants to six local organizations.

The following amounts have been awarded:

. $1,500 to Catholic Charities Rapid Response for enhanced community education.

. $1,500 to Community Health and Counseling Services to provide children and trauma training for staff and the public.

. $3,000 to the Maine Sea Coast Mission EdGE Program, to partner with Head Start and offer an after-school mentoring program for young children.

. $1,000 to Indian Township Child Care for a violence, drug and alcohol prevention program.

. $3,000 to Mano en Mano Hispanic Family Resource Center of Milbridge to expand its preschool literacy, intergenerational activities and adult basic education in Spanish.

. $1,500 to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department to obtain a computer used solely for use in child exploitation investigations.

For more information call 454-0472.