The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that the South32 Hermosa Community Fund has awarded $87,000 to twelve nonprofits in Santa Cruz County.
The South32 Hermosa Community Fund, a fund held at Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and its geographic affiliate, the Santa Cruz Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations based in Santa Cruz County where South32’s Hermosa project is located. Supported areas include arts, culture and history, environment, health and welfare, recreation, and civic enhancement. Grants are awarded after review by a committee comprised of South32 employees and Santa Cruz County community members.
South32 Hermosa Community Fund Grant Recipients:
- 0S3 Movement
- Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch of the National Audubon Society
- Contruyendo Circulos de Paz/Constructing Circles of Peace
- KPUP-LP
- Los Charros Foundation
- Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
- Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue
- Rebuilding Together Santa Cruz County
- Senior Citizens of Patagonia
- St. Andrews Preschool
- Tubac Center for the Arts
- United Way of Santa Cruz County
0S3 Movement works to build a stronger, connected, and more friendly biking/walking community. Their youth program, “0S3 Reptilians Youth Cycling Team,” participates in the Arizona Interscholastic Cycling League and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and are the only Santa Cruz County representation at these events.
Melissa Gallegos, Director of 0S3 Movement, shared, “These funds will help us improve our youth program, which is made up of Santa Cruz County elementary, middle and high school students. The team’s goal is to unleash confidence through FUN! while also empowering youth to be independent, strong and gritty.”
Construyendo Circulos de Paz/Circles of Peace treats families affected by domestic violence and mobilizes the community into action around this issue.
Tere Romero, Program Coordinator for Circles of Peace, shared, “Thanks to the South32 Hermosa grant, we were able to provide Thanksgiving meals, Christmas gifts, nutrition classes, technology classes, but above all, we were able to provide support, empowerment and a safe place for our women during one of the most difficult years.”
Programs provided by United Way of Santa Cruz, such as their diaper bank, have made changes to directly deliver their services during COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, they have been able to deliver more diapers to their partnering agencies directly, as well as dependable health care, throughout Santa Cruz County.
Marcela Chavez, Executive Director for United Way of Santa Cruz, expressed, “Thanks to foundations like CFSA and the South32 grant that have extended all this extra funding, the program has grown and is getting stronger.”