Local Nonprofits Receive SAF Grants
Sonora, CA– Several Tuolumne County nonprofit groups were recently awarded over $100,000 in grant funding thanks to the Sonora Area Foundation.
We Care Sober Living Homes received a $20,000 grant to support efforts to re-open a second Sober Living home in Sonora. Owners Becki and Bobby Medina have had as many as six homes operating in the past, but had to scale back in the last three years as the economy declined and social services cut programs. For 10 years, the Medina’s have been running sober living homes for recovering addicts and alcoholics in Tuolumne County.
A community program to supply free firewood to disadvantaged families and elders was awarded $27,000 to help erect a metal storage building. The Interfaith Firewood Program is run by Interfaith Community Social Services. Funding was awarded by the IJS Trustees Fund and one of the SAF Foundation’s donor-advised funds.
Smile Keepers, Tuolumne County’s well established program that provides free dental screening and prevention services for school children, has received a $25,000 matching grant to continue services for more than 3,350 Tuolumne County children. Funding was provided by SAF and the IJS Foundation.
The Fire Safe Council received a $10,000 grant to provide extra wood chipping and fire transportation. These funds will also enable the council to provide extra services to community groups by helping homeowners clean up downed trees and slash left over from heavy winter storm damage.
Other grant recipients include Sierra Repertory Theatre, Mind Matters, a nonprofit autism clinic for children and adults, Challenge Day, a successful youth leadership program, and Volunteers with the City of Sonora Fire Department who will be able to purchase commercial ice machines for firefighters during fire season. Funding for veteran and arts projects was also given out.
These grants were awarded in the past quarter. Some were through the Foundation’s community grant program and some on behalf of donors with donor-advised funds at the Foundation.
Written by tina.falco@mlode.com
