Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley yesterday delivered $5,000 in seized drug money to the South Boston branch of an anti-poverty agency to help fund student tutors for Hub kids.

Conley delivered the funds to Tiziana Dearing, president of Catholic Charities, and Sister Maryadele Robinson, director of the Catholic Charities Laboure Center at the Oct. 13 ceremony. The money comes from Conley’s annual Asset Forfeiture Reinvestment Program, which diverts cash seized in narcotics investigations to Suffolk County non-profits that keep young people away from drugs, crime, and violence.

“Catholic Charities provides a safe, healthy environment where young people can get help with their school work,” Conley said. “An education is the most effective tool we have in keeping kids off the streets and away from crime, and I’m happy to be a part of any effort that provides academic help.”

Catholic Charities will use the funds to pay a percentage of the salary for a full-time student tutor. Tutors who are chosen for the program must be committed to succeeding academically, have excellent grades, have a connection to the community, and not use or abuse drugs or alcohol. All student tutors work together with adult staff members and acts as both tutors and mentors for the younger children.

Money distributed annually through the Asset Forfeiture Reinvestment Program reflects a portion of drug dealers’ cash and assets seized by Conley’s office, State Police, and local law enforcement agencies during the past year. Massachusetts law allows up to 10% of those monies to be redistributed to non-profit community groups within the district attorney’s jurisdiction.

This year’s awards total $50,000, or $32,500 more than the funds distributed in the first round of reinvestment grants 17 years ago. The program has been in existence since 1992, when the awards totaled $17,500.

The annual grant application is available in June and awards are distributed to eligible groups in the fall.