The Santa Cruz Community Foundation (SCCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, has awarded $40,000 in grants, with funding spread among 9 local and regional nonprofit organizations that are working to improve the quality of life in Santa Cruz County.
SCCF is a permanent charitable resource that was founded in 2001 by Santa Cruz County residents to empower their community to invest in itself. SCCF helps Santa Cruz County prepare for the future by strengthening the community through scholarships and grants to local nonprofit organizations.
Funded organizations include:
- Angel Heart Pajama Project
- Border Youth Tennis Exchange
- Child Health & Resilience Mastery, Inc.
- Family Health Care Amigos
- Green Valley Assistance Services, Inc.
- Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
- Patagonia Creative Arts Association
- Santa Cruz Council on Aging, Inc.
- United Way of Santa Cruz County
Grantee Highlights:
Cassina Farley, Director of Patagonia Creative Arts Association, shared, “Thank you SCCF, for continuing to support our Learning Through the Arts programming. With this grant, we will continue to build on the success of the theater, mixed media art, and literacy programs that PCAA has offered the community for 23 years.
“Linda Huffstetler-Dearing, President of Family Health Care Amigos, detailed, “The Santa Cruz Community Foundation continues to support our organization as we upgrade our logistics operations by purchasing a moving truck. This truck represents a path forward to self-sustainability in our thrift shop and our mission to supply durable medical equipment and incontinent supplies to clients in Santa Cruz county. We are grateful for the new grant award, which moves us closer to our goal.”
Marcy Chavez, Executive Director of United Way of Santa Cruz County, stated, “The United Way of Santa Cruz County is truly grateful. If not for organizations and foundations such as Santa Cruz Community Foundation, we would not be able to reach so many families in need, and not just children but our elderly as well!”
Patti Lopez, Executive Director of Angel Heart Pajama Project, shared, “The funds will go directly to provide new, pajamas, books, and cuddle pillows to over 350 children. Our goal is to ensure as many children as possible who are living in distressed situations are kept warm, feel cozy and comfortable and they know that they are loved and special.”
Charlie Cutler, Executive Director of Border Youth Tennis Exchange, shared, “In addition to free athletic programming BYTE offers high-quality enrichment classes that can further expose youth to positive experiences and relationships. In 2021 this included a dedicated youth art program at the La Linea Art Studio on Morley Ave. SCCF’s support will allow BYTE to grow this new resource for 2022, with the addition of a year-round Sensory Art Therapy class for children with developmental disabilities. BYTE is proud to partner with the Southern Arizona Autism Association on this initiative and thanks SCCF for helping us bring this new opportunity to the Nogales and Santa Cruz County Community.”
Arnoldo Montiel, Volunteer President of the Board for Santa Cruz Council on Aging, shared, “We are still handing out around 100 meals per day on a curbside pick up and also for dine-in. We look forward to continuing this for our Seniors in our community during this time.”