LITTLE ROCK, AR - Eighteen organizations from across the state were awarded grants to support their leading efforts in effective community-based tobacco prevention and cessation strategies on Thursday, July 14th at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) North Little Rock Campus.

The Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office (MISRGO) awarded the grants, ranging from $35,000 - $65,000, in partnership with state leaders and public health advocates.

The MISRGO at UAPB was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. The Office is responsible for addressing the devastating effects of tobacco consumption within Arkansas’ minority communities by preventing the initiation of tobacco use among youth, promoting cessation among youth and adults, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifying and eliminating disparities from tobacco use among different population groups.

“While we’ve made considerable strides in educating communities about the devastating effects of tobacco consumption, our fight is far from over,” stated Dr. Calvin Johnson, MISRGO Program Director. “However, each year, we look forward to awarding organizations that have clearly proven a commitment to joining us in this fight. We know there are more organizations that share our passion for securing healthier lives in the State of Arkansas. Our hope is to identify additional partnerships to further our mission.”

MISRGO 2011-2012 grant award recipients include, Arkansas Human Development Corporation (Little Rock). Asian Pacific Resource & Cultural Center (Little Rock), Calhoun Heights Community Outreach, Inc. (Magnolia), Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas (Little Rock), Evergreen Baptist Church (El Dorado), Family Service Agency (Little Rock), Family & Youth Enrichment Network, Inc. (Helena-West Helena), Future Builders, Inc. (Wrightsville), Garland County C.A.R.E.S. (Hot Springs), In His Image Youth Development Center, Inc. (Little Rock), Legacy Initiatives (DeQueen), Madison County Health Coalition (Huntsville), Mississippi County Coalition for a Tobacco-Free ...