Community Solutions for Children, Families and Individuals in
Gilroy and Morgan Hill will receive a $125,000 grant from the
Lucille Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, to be used over
the next two years.
Community Solutions for Children, Families and Individuals in Gilroy and Morgan Hill will receive a $125,000 grant from the Lucille Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, to be used over the next two years.
The non-profit organization will use the money to improve programs for low income families and their preteen children, said Erin O’Brien, the CEO of Community Solutions.
The programs will focus on educating low-income parents on how to get more involved with their children’s education, and assisting low income preteens with their education, social and emotional development. The goal is to prevent unhealthy behavior and habits from forming, rather than treat those behaviors as the children get older. These programs will be held at both their centers, in Morgan Hill, at 1624 Church Ave., Gilroy at 6980 Chestnut Street.
Community Solutions serves South County and it’s surrounding areas.
Originally founded as a teen drop-in center, the agency currently provides a wide spectrum of services covering mental health, substance abuse, teen parenting, family dysfunction, sexual assault, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence, homelessness and youth development.
In order to receive the grant, the organization submitted a letter of intent to the Lucille Packard Foundation. The organization was then selected to send a full proposal, detailing their plans for the money. Community Solutions was notified of their acceptance in mid-June and must spend the funds on what was originally stated in their proposal.
“We’ve had a long relationship with the foundation,” said O’Brien, adding that they’ve received several grants from the foundation before.
The Lucille Packard Foundation is an eight-year old public charity designed to prevent childhood disease, injury and abuse. The foundation makes grants twice yearly in two focus areas: Protecting those younger than 5 years old and promoting emotional health in preteens from ages 9-13.
For more information on Community Solutions and their upcoming programs, call the Gilroy center at 842-7138 or the Morgan Hill center at 779-2113, or visit their website: www.communitysolutions.com. For more information about the Lucille Packard Foundation and it’s grantmaking program, call (650) 736-0676, or visit the website at www.lpfch.org/grantmaking.
By MEGAN BAKKER Special to the Free Lance
