Grant Writing Training Participant Received $45,000 Grant

Pastor Tom Iannucci thanks Cheryl Appline of HUD's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives for the powerful presentation and wealth of information shared at a recent grant writing workshop in Kauai.

Breath of Life Christian Ministry received a $45,000 grant from a local foundation to complete the renovation of its facility.

Pastor Tom Iannucci was a participant in HUD's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) grant writing training series held in Hawaii in February 2004. Pastor Tom attributes his success, in part, to the broad range of information and "CAN DO!"; attitude taught by Cheryl Appline, HUD trainer and a program manager of the CFBCI.

Breath of Life Christian Ministry is developing an 8,000 square foot warehouse space to accommodate offices, a sanctuary, library, martial arts school, and coffee house. It will be centrally located in the heart of Lihue Town in a shopping center on the island of Kauai.

The goal is to create a safe, drug-free place for Kauai residents to have fun and fellowship. Among the services that the eight-year-old ministry offers are family and drug/alcohol counseling and a self-defense academy. It also features a true beauty clinic aimed at building the self esteem of young people ages 12-17.

Pastor Tom partners with the State Department of Education, the County, and local community organizations to help youth make the right choices and develop positive thinking.