OLD TOWN – The River Coalition recently was awarded two grants to help sustain programs the organization provides throughout the Greater Old Town-Orono area.

The River Coalition is a nonprofit organization that focuses on children and their families in the river communities of Alton, Bradley, Greenbush, Milford and Old Town.

It also collaborates with the Penobscot Indian Nation to help serve the Indian Island community.

The Essential Substance Abuse Prevention Services grant for $82,500 comes from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and will be distributed over 18 months beginning in January.

“It’s helping us continue our efforts that we started with the One Maine grant,” another substance abuse prevention grant, Heather Turner, the coalition’s prevention specialist, said Thursday.

The second grant for $112,500 is from the Department of Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The funding began Sept. 30 and will be spread out over the next year.

“That one is going to help us build up our coalition, as well,” Turner said.

Competition for both grants was tough, as the total amount awarded has been decreased, Michael Crooker, River Coalition executive director, said Thursday.

“It was extremely competitive, so we’re very fortunate to get it,” Crooker said. “The funding is dramatically reduced from before.”

One of Crooker’s goals for the organization is to continue to build on the accomplishments of the coalition.

Next week, all coalition staff members will be attending training events throughout the country to gather information on how to better serve the community and strengthen the organization’s infrastructure and community partnerships.

Another of the director’s goals is to diversify the organization’s funding sources.

In addition to grant funding, private donations also are needed to operate the coalition. For more information on how to donate, call the coalition at 827-8744.