Illinois' portion of federal faith dollars increases

[sabra]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0603090186mar09,1,16051.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Illinois' portion of federal faith dollars increases

WASHINGTON -- When Chicago's Night Ministry opens a temporary shelter for homeless teenagers this spring, it can thank the White House for $50,000 in "compassion capital."

This is one small slice of a growing, $2 billion-plus federal pie being served to private faith-based organizations that provide social services.

Illinois' portion of such outlays has grown substantially since the program started with President Bush's 2000 campaign pledge to "rally the armies of compassion." Illinois climbed to No. 2 among states receiving funds for faith-based services in 2005, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is expected to announce Thursday when it reports an increase in overall faith-based spending nationwide for the third consecutive year.

The government gave $127.4 million to groups in Illinois last year, a 13 percent increase over 2004, according to the White House. Only in New York did faith-based organizations receive more money. Florida ranked third, California fourth and Pennsylvania fifth.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. I wonder what the pay back will be.

Will the recipients of the shelter services get a friendly visitor from a recruiter for career options? Perhaps the local fundy fruitcakes will get their hands on these vulnerable kids, promising them warmth and shelter and a nice dose of nutball brainwashing.

I fear what is really going on, especially since it has been revealed that Homeland Security now houses the Faith Based Initiative department.