YOUNG parents in Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan generally are to benefit from grants from the Big Lottery Fund.
Part of the Bright New Futures programme, more than £14 million was spread between 18 projects working with young parents and young disabled people aged 14 -25 throughout Wales.
Among them is Women Connect First (WCF), based in Cardiff and the surrounding area, including Penarth.
With a focus on those from black and ethnic minorities, WCF will improve the lives of 2,300 young parents with a grant of £977,546
The Youth Connect project will use a range of activities including counselling services and courses in English, ICT, parenting skills and environmental trips.
Another local initaitive that will benefit is the Taff Housing Association (TAF).
They have been awarded £999,889 to run the Taff Shine project - aimed at supporting 190 young parents aged 16-25 in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to develop good parenting skills.
Support will be provided on a one to one and group basis at community-based 'hubs' and 'hands-on' practical skills will be developed in the home.  
The grants will help to build the resilience of young people so that they have the life skills, knowledge and the ability to manage key transitions in their lives.
Highlighting their importance, Gareth Newton, Big Lottery Fund Wales ccommittee member and chair of the Bright New Futures programme committee, said: "These projects funded today will support young parents and young disabled people to help them be who they want to be and do what they want to do. We acknowledge there may be hurdles along the way for these young people but the funding from Bright New Futures will help make crossing some of them that much easier."
For further information about the programme and how to apply for funding visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wales