The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton awarded grants totaling more than $2 million for the third and fourth quarters of 2011 to agencies and organizations serving the Stark County area.The foundation’s focus “is on addressing the root causes of poverty and making a lasting impact on people’s lives,” foundation President Joni Close said in a news release announcing the grants.The grants awarded for the second half of 2011 went to:• Alliance YMCA, $125,000 for capital campaign project support.• Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, $25,000 to support the development of a state-level model for Ohio’s local public health system.• Blessings in a Backpack, $2,500 to support the weekend food program at Dueber Elementary.• Central Catholic High School, $130,000 (over three years) to support the President/Principal model and $2,200 for participation in the Principles and Techniques of Fundraising course at Indiana University.• Community Services of Stark County, $75,000 to support the Bethlehem Project for Oral Health.• Early Childhood Resource Center, $245,000 for operations.• Employment Source, $130,000 (over 18 months) to support the participation of 200 individuals in the Career Advancement Program and provide matching support for the scholarship program.• Family Economic Success Program, $5,000 for general operations.• Health Policy Institute of Ohio, $100,000 (over two years), to improve the health and well-being of Ohioans through informed policy decisions.• Liberty Center Connections, $25,000 to support six months of startup costs for a social worker co-location model.• McGregor Elementary, $1,000 to support its family literacy programs.• Mercy Medical Center, $250,000 to support the expansion of emergency and trauma services.• Multi Development Services of Stark County, $59,000 (over two years) to support the Career Club and establish an outcome evaluation plan.• Multi Development Services, $5,000 for an emergency roof repair.• Ohio Business Roundtable, $50,000 to support the Early Learning Initiative.• Pathway Caring for Children, $20,000 to support costs for a mental health therapist in Carroll County and $2,200 for participation in the Principles and Techniques of Fundraising course at Indiana University.• Project KARE (Kids Are the Responsibility of Everyone), $750 for an informational event to help guidance counselors support the transition of foster youth into higher education.• Project Rebuild, $9,235 to support the Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training program.• Sisters of Charity Health System, $25,000 (over two years) to support the Building Healthy Communities.• SPARK Ohio, $92,000 for local and state support.• St. Thomas Aquinas High School, $130,000 (over three years) to support the President/Principal model and $2,200 for participation in the Principles and Techniques of Fundraising course at Indiana University.• Stark County Educational Service Center, $89,460 (over three years), to support the Olweus Bullying Prevention program in Stark County public and parochial schools and $10,000 (over three years) to support evaluation of the program.• Stark County Family Council, $148,000 (over two years), to support health screenings for young children.• Stark State College, $2,500 for sponsorship of the recent Bridges Out of Poverty conference with keynote speaker Dr. Ruby Payne.• Third Sector New England, $5,000 to support the Early Childhood Funders Network.• Viola Startzman Free Clinic, $2,200 for participation in the Principles and Techniques of Fundraising course at Indiana University.• Voices for Ohio’s Children, $1,000 to support the Kids Health Ohio Conference.• YMCA of Central Stark County, $250,000 to support the capital project for the downtown YMCA.In addition, an anonymous donor provided $63,000, which was awarded to three early childhood centers to provide emergency assistance to families eliminated from subsidized child care: J.R. Coleman Family Service Corp., $34,470; Stuckey Family Interfaith Child Development Center, $5,030; and YWCA of Canton and Canton Preschool child care center, $23,500.Established in 1996, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. Based on the vision of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved by understanding the root causes of poverty, nurturing the growth of healthy communities, emphasizing youth and family, and measuring the outcomes of these efforts.For more information on the application process, go to www.scfcanton.org.