$400,000 to help students help kids; Grant goes to Holy Cross partnerships.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Aaron Nicodemus

WORCESTER - A $400,000 federal grant will strengthen partnerships between the College of the Holy Cross and six community organizations, according to representatives of the groups yesterday.

The Department of Justice grant will pay stipends to Holy Cross students to act as volunteer coordinators for six community programs that bring Holy Cross undergraduates in daily contact with underprivileged city youth and to transport Holy Cross students to homework sessions and meetings with children they are mentoring.

Some money will also provide new computers and software to the Nativity School of Worcester, a private city school for 60 city middle school boys.

Holy Cross students volunteer with youths through six organizations: the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, North High School, Girls CHOICE, Nativity School of Worcester, the South Worcester Neighborhood Improvement Corp. and Youth Effect.

"Programs like this help young people listen to good advice, and think about their educational goals," said U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, at a press conference held at the South Worcester Community Center.

The Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of the College of the Holy Cross, said the money will help...