Editor's note: this corrects an earlier version

This When the state cut funding to the New London-based Child and Family Agency a year and a half ago, staffers didn't know how they were going to pay for their 75-student outreach program at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

Then, the organization received $14,500 from the Women & Girls Fund late last year, putting part of it toward continuing the Wyman Teen Outreach Program, commonly known as TOP.

Through TOP, the students take part in community service activities while also taking advantage of an atmosphere where they're free to talk about life in general.

"If you're feeling good about yourself and what you do, you're generally going to be making healthy choices, and it's going to benefit the community at large," said JoAnn Eaccarino, associate director of school-based health programs for the agency.

She said students participating in TOP were less likely to be suspended and more likely to believe in their ability to work through problems. All who were part of the program in 2013 and 2014 were promoted to the next grade level, she said.

Overseen by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, the Women & Girls Funds — which support a variety of projects geared toward helping females of all ages — exist in four areas: northeast, southeast, Norwich and Windham.

About $150,000 was given to almost 30 groups late last year. Area organizations have until Oct. 1 to apply for the next round of funds, which will be awarded in December.

In the past, Community Foundation Program Director Jennifer O'Brien said, the funds have been used for everything from in-school, peer-led decision-making programs to training that helps women enter or re-enter the workforce.

Safe Futures, also headquartered in New London, used part of the $12,295 it received last year to expand its teen dating violence prevention program, Healthy Relationships.

Executive Director Cathy Zeiner said the program teaches students in about 20 schools about gender roles, stereotypes, consent and the red flags of abusive relationships, as well as how to help friends or family members who are being abused or are abusive.

It grew by about 500 students in the past year, she said, bringing the total number of participants to 4,800.

This year, she said, two notable success stories emerged from the program.

In one, a pregnant senior wrote to Safe Futures and said the program gave her confidence to leave a controlling, abusive relationship and enroll in a community college.

In another, Zeiner said, a male student took a Safe Futures business card home to his mother, telling her he learned she didn't have to put up with her boyfriend's abuse.

"The next week, she was in our counseling office," Zeiner said. "We know (these programs) are going to improve the lives of kids. But when we see them have an effect not just on the son, but on the mom, too, then we know we're on the right track."

Zeiner said it can be challenging to find financial support for prevention — more groups want to fund basic needs programming.

"Only 45 percent of our budget comes from government sources," Zeiner said. "For us to sustain or expand into new and important areas, we really do rely heavily on private giving ... and the Community Foundation has been a key."

Both organizations plan to reapply for the funding this year.

Created in 1999, the southeast area fund is the oldest and the largest, with its endowment at $2.5 million. The endowments of all four funds total $2.9 million.

The Women & Girls Funds are just some of the many grants the Community Foundation administers throughout the year.

l.boyle@theday.com

Twitter: @LindsayABoyle