Washington, D.C. -  Congressman Joe Donnelly and Senator Evan Bayh announced today that two of their South Bend-area appropriations requests were funded in a bill that recently became law.
The Notre Dame Robinson Enterprises Community Learning Center will receive $282,000 to develop and support a comprehensive training, entrepreneurship, and business promotion initiative. “Robinson Enterprises” is the tangible manifestation of the Center’s commitment to help low-income, “at-risk” populations gain access to opportunities to improve their economic situations. 

This social entrepreneurship venture allows the University of Notre Dame and the community to work together to build neighborhood capacity and cultivate entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. Specifically, Robinson Enterprises will promote business success for at-risk youth and young adults (ages 16-24) through training, mentoring and start-up incubation for individuals to launch their own for-profit enterprises.

Donnelly and Bayh were also able to secure $146,000 for the Madison Center in South Bend. This clinic for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder will use the funds to upgrade its facilities and equipment.

“I was happy to learn that these two important projects will receive the funds they deserve to continue and expand their operations. I want to congratulate The Notre Dame Robinson Enterprises Community Learning Center and the Madison Center for their outstanding work. Both projects will contribute to area revitalization and provide employment opportunities for South Bend-area residents.” said Donnelly.

“These two community organizations offer so much to the South Bend area by connecting area residents with important resources they need,” Bayh said. “I’m pleased to see that both Robinson Enterprises and the Madison Center will be receiving these funds, which will allow them to carry on their good work and continue to have a significant impact on so many Hoosiers in the South Bend area.”