TUPELO – Stimulus funds are helping Lift Inc. double its staff and expand its services to the community.

Director Dorothy Leasy said the non-profit social services organization has received nearly $4 million in stimulus funds to bolster its weatherization and Community Block Grant programs, two of Lift’s most important services.

The nearly $2.9 million given to weatherization allowed the employment of six people, and the nearly $1.2 million awarded to the CBG employed eight. Lift now employs 36 people.

Leasy said both programs are important to the community.

“Those stimulus funds will mean a lot for the people in our eight-county coverage area,” said Leasy. “Last year we were able to only serve about 50 homes, but thanks to the stimulus funds we’re on pace to serve 482 this year. It’s increasing jobs for us and it’s helping those who need to be helped get it.”

The boost to the CBG funds, said Leasy, will be used to provide services to help people get back into the work force.

“We have a lot of people out of work and this will pay for training, workshops and other things that benefit people trying to find jobs,” said Leasy.

Leasy said the money will also help people maintain household finances while going through financial hardships.

Chereka Witherspoon, chairperson for the Lift board of directors, said that in addition to the obvious benefits of increasing jobs within Lift and increased services for the community, the stimulus money will help to increase buying power within the community.

“The more money people have the more money they spend, and that is a benefit to everyone in the community,” said Witherspoon. “The positions the money created within Lift are new positions which is good for those individuals and their families.”

Contact Danza Johnson at (662) 678-1583 or danza.johnson@djournal.com.