COUNTYWIDE : $82,000 Awarded to 35 Service Groups
The Ventura County Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling $82,000 to 35 public service organizations throughout the region, including Planned Parenthood, Conejo Youth Employment Service and United Way.
A total of 97 organizations applied for grants, which are issued every year, said Kate McLean, president and chief executive officer of the foundation. Last year, 85 organizations applied and 39 split $56,000 in grants, she said.
The foundation awards grants to youth and family organizations as well as arts and community development programs, she said.
Of this year’s recipients, the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura received the largest award, $20,000. The money will be used to expand a new music program for at-risk youth, said Jane Goldschmidt, executive director of the club.
“We are really excited,” Goldschmidt said. “We have 100 kids and only 32 instruments. This will go to provide more instruments.”
Other grant recipients included the Santa Paula Historical Society, Clinicas del Camino Real in Fillmore, El Centrito de la Colonia in Oxnard, Food Share Inc. and the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. Most of the grants ranged from $750 to $3,500.
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