2 Nonprofit Groups Receive Community Grants

Two Valley nonprofit organizations received $5,000 grants Thursday from the AirTouch Communications Foundation to reduce street violence and provide assistance in high-stress emergency situations.

Communities in Schools, a Pacoima organization that works to pursue peacekeeping efforts among Valley gangs, will use its grant to continue efforts to help at-risk youth through mentoring, tutoring and conflict resolution.

The West Valley Crisis Response Team, an all-volunteer organization, received funds to advance its work with the West Valley police and fire departments. The 27-member team is on call at all times to respond in situations of child endangerment and domestic violence, homicide and suicide. The West Valley program will use its grant to train volunteers.

The AirTouch Foundation, through grants, charitable sponsorships and volunteer efforts, supports organizations that focus on youth development, community safety and the strengthening of families in crisis, a spokesman said.

Also receiving grants were the Los Angeles Zoo, which got $10,000 for a youth education program created for the new orangutan exhibit, “Red Ape Rain Forest,” scheduled to open next spring; and Los Angeles Team Mentoring, called Teamworks, which was awarded $5,000 for its activity-based after-school program that emphasizes team building, community service, leadership development and multicultural understanding for disadvantaged children.