Homes for Life Receives Fujikura Foundation Grant

17/02/2008

Spartanburg, SC - AFL announces that Homes for Life is the recipient of a $3,500 Fujikura Foundation grant to support the Copper Line Transitional Living Home in Greer, South Carolina. Homes for Life is a non-profit organization providing shelter and support services to homeless youth, ages 18 – 21, with the goal of the youth transitioning to successful independent living. Each year 20,000 youth leave foster care, of which 400 are in South Carolina.

“At age 18, youth leave foster care, but with little to no support, they are unprepared to live on their own,” states Carolyn Linebarger, Founder and Executive Director of Homes for Life. “The cost of youth remaining homeless is high to society as they often roam from place to place searching for permanency.  Without skills, funds or support, it is an unfortunate reality that they may become homeless, incarcerated or worse. The grant provided by the Fujikura Foundation will support our transitional housing efforts and provide for basic needs.”

Each youth is case-managed and works on education, employment and life-skills goals while living in the transitional home. A house parent assists with more hands-on duties such as transportation, meals and supervision.

“Homes for Life is targeting a unique group in our community – homeless youth,” said Corie Culp, Community Relations Manager for AFL. “We applaud their efforts to enrich the lives of young men, and soon young women, helping them to develop a life plan that will serve as a guide, taking them places they never thought possible.”

Homes for Life was founded in April, 2005. Local faith congregations partner with the organization to help meet spiritual needs, and trained mentors provide practical assistance and positive role modeling. For more information, e-mail homes04life@cs.com.

For additional information on AFL and the Fujikura Foundation, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

About AFL
AFL is an industry leader in providing fiber optic products, engineering expertise and integrated services to the Electric Utility, Broadband, Telco, OEM, Private Network and Wireless markets. It has operations in the U.S., Mexico and the U.K. AFL is a division of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan.

About Fujikura Foundation
With a commitment to being an exemplary corporate citizen for the communities in which we operate, America Fujikura Ltd., parent company to AFL and AFL Network Services, has established a Foundation that focuses on four Areas of Opportunity supporting families, education, the environment and community partnerships. In keeping with both our current corporate strategies and principles, Fujikura Foundation is providing monetary contributions and volunteer opportunities so that we can give back to the communities who have made our existence possible.

Contact 
Corie Culp, Public Relations Manager
AFL
864.433.5409
corie.culp@aflglobal.com