Grant tips for immigrant groups
Forum will explain availability of $150,000 in private aid
By Jennifer Vigil (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. January 8, 2009

LINCOLN PARK — Groups that aid immigrants sometimes struggle in San Diego not just to serve their communities, but to gain access to others doing the same work.

That's one of the reasons why the North Park-based Foundation for Change will host a six-hour meeting Saturday to help immigrant groups learn how to tap $150,000 in private grants.

The grants, which will be available by the summer, will be awarded for programs in health care, reproductive care and access to communications technology.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Joe and Vi Jacobs Center, 404 Euclid Ave., in Lincoln Park. It will be conducted in English and Spanish. Officials also will provide information on how to find grants from other organizations and write requests for funds.

John Fanestil, the foundation's executive director, said some pockets of the city, such as City Heights and southeastern San Diego, have better established aid groups. He wants to see a better array of services offered for immigrants in other communities.

“We are slowly but surely connecting more and more,â€