By CINDY GONZALEZ
Nebraska Examiner
OMAHA — The nonprofit Simple Foundation of Omaha has been awarded a $6 million American Rescue Plan Act grant for crime prevention and related internships, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced Wednesday.
The funds come from the $335 million Economic Recovery Act passed earlier this year by the Nebraska Legislature.
That legislation designated certain amounts to such areas as crime prevention and a business park near Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. The largest chunk is to go to lower-income areas of the state, including North and South Omaha.
The $6 million earmarked now for the Simple Foundation is the crime prevention designation. State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha said the idea is for the foundation to collaborate with other groups on crime prevention programming.
A media release Wednesday from the Department of Economic Development said the $6 million to the Simple Foundation is intended to respond to the negative economic impacts of the pandemic public health emergency.
According to its website, the Simple Foundation says it provides programs for immigrants and refugees and low- to moderate-income youths to help cultivate life skills and physical well-being.
It has offered soccer academies and summer camps.