JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- At a time when nonprofits are feeling the pinch from the economy, some local organizations are getting much-needed help from the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation.

The foundation is handing out $712,750 in grants to 24 agencies that help children and families. This is the foundation's first grant cycle of 2009.

Youth program grants went to the following organizations:

• American Legion Post 194 (through EPIC Community Services), $20,000: After-school and summer programs for elementary students in West St. Augustine.
• Best Buddies International, $20,000: A mentor program that provides youth, both with and without intellectual disabilities, the opportunity to form friendships, at Forrest High School, Southside Middle School, and Lake Shore Middle School.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, $26,250: After-school and summer programs at the Woodland Acres Boys and Girls Club.
• Bridge of Northeast Florida, $50,000: The Bridge Teen Connection program in Springfield.
• Communities in Schools of Nassau County Inc., $40,000: A multi-site student dropout prevention program at Nassau County Public Schools.
• Communities in Schools of St. Johns, $24,000: A youth/family, physical fitness, healthy nutrition, academic and arts enrichment program in Hastings, Fla.
• DLC Nurse & Learn, $28,000: Financial assistance for specialized child care services for low-income families with children who have severe disabilities and medically complex conditions.
• Empowerment Resources Inc., $15,000: Journey Into Womanhood program promoting leadership development in girls ages 9-17.
• Episcopal Children’s Services, $19,500: Continuation grant for the Male Involvement Initiative in Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Baker, Clay and Nassau counties.
• Florida Community College at Jacksonville Foundation, $7,000: “Karate and Careers,” after-school youth college preparation, recreation and mentoring program.
• Fresh Ministries, $18,000: A teen mentoring program and teen summer employment program at the Eastside Neighborhood Outreach Center.
• Habitat for Humanity of Jax Beaches, $30,000: After-school academic, tutoring and computer skills programs for youth at the Jordan and Donner centers in Atlantic Beach, and the Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center in Jacksonville Beach.
• Hubbard House: $36,000: A counselor/advocate position for the HARK Program to assist children and youth who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence.
• JASMYN, $40,000: The Safety Net Program for at-risk youth, including those residing in out-of-home settings such as foster care, homeless, or other high-risk situations.
• National Council of Negro Women’s Child Watch Partnership of Jacksonville, $25,000: A community based after-school and summer tutoring enrichment program for girls at the Reed Educational Campus in northwest Jacksonville.
• Sanctuary on 8th Street, $30,000: After-school enrichment and summer camp for low-income children.
• TLC In, $20,000: A leadership and character development program for teens during and after school.
• YMCA Florida First Coast, $25,000: An after-school teen recreation and mentor program at the Baker County YMCA teen center in Sanderson.

The foundation is also providing Straight Talk Grants in partnership with the Weaver Family Foundation, with each foundation providing half of the funding. The grants fund programs to help prevent teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The Bridge of Northeast Florida and Girls Inc. each received $40,000 grants, and the Pace Center for Girls Jacksonville received a $30,000 grant.

The foundation also partnered with the Wolfson Children's Hospital to award $129,000 in Youth Anti-Obesity grants to five nonprofits. Those grants are designed to help prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

The Jaguars Foundation has handed out more than $12.5 million in grants since 1995.

“Our dream of the Jaguars Foundation began even before Jacksonville was awarded the 30th NFL franchise in 1993, and we awarded our first grants before the team played its first game in 1995,” said Delores Barr Weaver, foundation chair. “I am proud of the Jaguars Partners for making a million-dollar commitment annually to support the Foundation’s grant making and other important programs for youth and their families.”

For more information on the grants, visit the Jaguars Foundation Web site.