At a time when the state and the federal government is giving
less money to local schools, teachers are scrambling to find ways
to keep their classes and programs running.
Sometimes they rely on parents’ generosity and occasionally on
that of nonprofits like San Benito Youth Services, which recently
gave out $3,000 worth of donations to local schools and groups
working with children.
Hollister – At a time when the state and the federal government is giving less money to local schools, teachers are scrambling to find ways to keep their classes and programs running.
Sometimes they rely on parents’ generosity and occasionally on that of nonprofits like San Benito Youth Services, which recently gave out $3,000 worth of donations to local schools and groups working with children.
One of the recipients was Tres Pinos Union School, which will use its $400 award for its after-school homework program that pairs children up with tutors for one-on-one attention.
Lou Medeiros, principal of Tres Pinos, said that the money will help keep the program open another month and a half and pay for things such as extra materials.
“When it runs out, we’ll have to dig somewhere else,” said Medeiros. “But every little bit helps.”
Adele Pimentel, who holds story time for children at Hollister and San Benito libraries, is another recipient and she intends to buy new books with her $500 award.
Every Wednesday and Thursday, a group of mothers and children, some barely a year old, gather at Pimentel’s feet to listen to her reading stories, which she brings to life with singing and dancing. Pimentel says she is in the habit of giving out books at the events, but because library funds are minimal she’s had a hard time getting new books.
“I was going around to stores, asking for donations…nobody turned me down but collecting was a different story,” said Pimentel.
Others awarded money included the Pathways to Success program at San Benito High School, Hollister Youth Alliance, Friends of the San Benito County Free Library and the Literary Club at Rancho San Justo.
Twelve groups applied for funds and were selected on per-need basis by president Gloria Volosing and two community members.
San Benito Youth Services raised money for the grants through “little fundraisers” at friends’ houses, said Volosing.
The organization was formed in 1995 and was instrumental in obtaining funds to open the San Benito YMCA in 1995. Its mission is to help youth achieve their full potential through education, after-school support and other extracurricular activities. The group also provides small stipends directly to youth who want to participate in a leadership conference or any other event that will enrich them intellectually.
