Youth Development Grant Awarded by Foundation

Auburn, Calif. – Placer Community Foundation recently announced that its Board of Directors has awarded five nonprofit organizations with a Youth Development Grant.

Jointly funded by Umpqua Bank and the Placer Community Foundation’s Advisor Giving Circle, $23,890 in grants ranging from $4,000 to $5,000 each were awarded at a reception held at Roseville Arts’ Blue Line Gallery. Funding was awarded to projects that demonstrate a positive impact on the needs of economically disadvantaged and underserved youth ages 14-21.

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⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

“Our review process is both heartwarming and difficult,” said Shelia Cardno, one of 32 members currently serving on the Advisor Giving Circle. “Being a part of the process not only reinforces the extensive needs among youth within our community, but also shows the exceptional work being done by our applicants.”

PEACE for Families was awarded a $5,000 grant to support their My Strength Program. The project is a violence prevention program for young men and is designed to teach them healthy ideas about masculinity. Group topics include sexual violence, dating and relationships, and misogyny in pop culture. The program offers them the opportunity to build peer relationships and trust with an adult facilitator; to participate in an environment of physical and social safety; to have input and make decisions regarding their activities; to take on meaningful roles, responsibilities, and leadership, and to expose them to challenging learning experiences.

“Over time, the intent is that the participants will replace unhealthy ideas of masculinity with a non-violent model,” said Louise Czopek, Community Affairs Coordinator of PEACE for Families. “This is our third year receiving a grant from Placer Community Foundation to support this program,” said Michelle Coleman, Executive Director of PEACE for Families. “We are incredibly grateful that we can continue to provide this type of much needed service to young men in our community.”

Other awardees include the Rotary Club of Roseville Foundation for their Youth Leadership Awards Camp, ReDirect Nuevo Camino for their Diversion Program for Boys and Girls, Placer Dispute Resolution Service for Victim/Offender Mediation and Child Advocates of Placer County for their Adult to Youth (A2Y) Mentors Program.

“It’s rewarding to know that my contribution in the Giving Circle was leveraged to support kids in reaching their full potential in life,” said Jason Cardinet, member of the Advisor Giving Circle.