Olive Crest, an organization that works to prevent child abuse and restore broken families, received a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, in partnership with News Channel 3.
The funds will support Olive Crest’s efforts to help vulnerable youth in the Coachella Valley – many of whom have suffered abuse and neglect. Olive Crest’s programs include safe and caring temporary homes for at-risk children, ages 0-18, as well as transitional, independent housing for emancipated foster youth, ages 18-21. A primary function of Olive Crest is preventing and ending cycles of abuse and neglect.
“With less than 1 percent of the government’s child welfare budget allocated towards preventative care, private funding for these programs is critical for us in reaching our ultimate goal, which is to restore broken families and keep kids safe,” said Tracy Fitzsimmons, Executive Director for Olive Crest.
One of Olive Crest’s primary programs is its Transitional Housing for people ages 18-21, who have been living in group homes or are emancipating from the child welfare system for successful independent living. Through its youth-centered system of care, these young people are provided with shelter, transportation, food, clothing, employment assistance, academic assistance, counseling, case management, life skills education, and support services to help them become independent and successful adults. Last year, 50 young adults in the valley were served through this program.
“Olive Crest’s transitional homes are helping young people navigate an extremely difficult time in their lives, so they can more easily shift from someone else’s care to self-sufficient, independent living,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
“We’re happy we can continue the Coachella Valley Spotlight program with the Berger Foundation during this pandemic, when many nonprofit organizations are struggling. Meanwhile, the needs for organizations like Olive Crest have not changed, so it’s important to keep their missions front and center,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
This year’s Coachella Valley Spotlight grant recipients were all selected at the end of 2019, and each one is honored monthly by receiving grant funding and media exposure on News Channel 3’s platforms. Last year, 90 applications were received for 12 grants.
Through the Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3, Olive Crest was featured on News Channel 3 programming, in public service announcements and on kesq.com. For more information about Olive Crest go to www.olivecrest.org or call 951-686-8500.
