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In the September 2023 issue…

  • Grantee of the Month: SB Immigrant Legal Defense Fund
  • Save the Date for Exciting GIA Forums
  • Membership Corner: Closing In on a New Record and Welcoming New Members!
  • Grantee Shares Good News
  • Women’s Fund in the News
 

Grantee of the Month: SB County Immigrant Legal Defense Center

Last year, 400 unaccompanied immigrant children arrived in Santa Barbara County. Most unaccompanied minors who come to the United States have experienced trauma in their home countries from war, extreme poverty, abuse, or sexual violence. Many children arrive in the community suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress which often results in learning and behavioral problems.

The Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC) provides free legal representation to low-income immigrants of all ages, but more than legal help is needed. Unaccompanied minor immigrants face urgent needs relating to healthcare, mental health services, economic hardship, food insecurity, housing, and educational placement. ILDC is using a Women’s Fund grant of $130,000 to start a pilot program to integrate social services with existing legal services. The grant will pay 60% of the salary and benefits for a social work case manager and contracted supervision by a licensed clinical social worker for two years.

Most unaccompanied immigrant children served by ILDC qualify for a status that provides a pathway to permanent residency but the process can take years. Such minors have no legal status, making them vulnerable to pitfalls that can jeopardize that pathway. Case management services such as those funded by the Women’s Fund, coupled with legal services, increase the likelihood that children will successfully navigate the waiting period.

Unaccompanied minors face a “constellation of vulnerabilities,” as Julissa Peña, Executive Director of ILDC describes it. Helping to provide a social worker to address the trauma these immigrants experienced, and continue to experience, will greatly increase the odds of success of the ILDC’s legal team in achieving their goals. The pilot program will provide vulnerable children with the support they need to recover from past trauma, participate in the legal process, and adjust to a new life.

Julissa says the Women’s Fund grant “highlights the humanity at the heart of this complex issue, giving these children a chance to break cycles of poverty and violence despite facing long legal battles to prove they are deserving of living in this country.” Members can contact Julissa directly at: julissa@sbimmigrantdefense.org to arrange a visit and learn more about ILDC services and volunteer opportunities.
 

Save the Date for Engaging GIA Forums!

Mark your calendars so you don’t miss any of these informative upcoming Grants in Action Forums - registration will open soon. These Women’s Fund forums give our members important insights into the work of our grantees and deeper understanding of how our grants make significant differences in our community. All forums are free and open to members, guests, and people interested in learning more about critical community needs and the Women’s Fund.

Independence and Inclusion for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Women, Children, and the Legal System

Strengthening and Supporting Families
 
Membership Corner: Closing In on A New Record and Welcoming New Members

Thanks to you all for the great response to our September Membership appeal, which went out on Monday! As we approach our 20th anniversary, we’re working hard to build a $1 million grants pool to award at next year’s Celebration of Grants. The membership donations you make this year will help us reach our goal: “$1 million or more for 2024!”

Welcome new members

The weather may be turning a little cooler, but membership growth is still hot! Welcome the 19 new members who have joined us since mid-August:

Nancy Babbott, Crystal Bolt, Cynthia Calvin, Kim Carr-Howard, NancyBell Coe, Nancy Crouse, Nina Davies, Deborah Karoff, Linda Khachek, Melinda Mars, Marilyn Martin, Carol McHenry, Alexis Palius, Maeda Palius, Stevie Peters, Blair Raber, Sandy Robertson, Barbara Rosenblum, and Laurie Wolf.
 

Grantee Shares Good News

Earlier this month, the Women’s Fund received a letter from Sister Arthur Gordon, DC, of St. Vincent’s and the Fr. Virgil Cordano Center. She shared good news about one of the people they serve. Here’s an excerpt:

“Yesterday, [we] attended the open house of the new Vera Cruz Apartments. They are lovely. At the dedication ceremony, it was made known that the Women’s Fund gave a grant for the furnishings of all the single-occupancy apartments. Today, one of our members from Fr. Virgil Cordano Center is moving into one of those apartments and is so happy.

I wanted to express my gratitude to the Women’s Fund for making such a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters who are homeless. The apartments are lovely and give a sense of dignity and pride for those who will have the good fortune to live there.”
 

Women’s Fund in the News

Local news highlights the impact of our grantees

One of our local evening news channels – KEYT Channel 3-12 – has done features on each of 2022-2023 grantees this summer. In case you missed these heartwarming segments, you can catch them right here! Witness firsthand how the grants these agencies received from the Women's Fund are transforming lives and making a tangible difference in our community.

“Santa Barbara Housing” (Vera Cruz Village / 2nd Story) – May 19

“Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara hits record-breaking $925,000 grants for nonprofits” (Food from the Heart) – June 5

“Alzheimer’s Association increases outreach to Latino community in Santa Barbara County” (Alzheimer’s Association) – June 27

“St. Vincent’s transitional housing program implements new role to help homeless mothers” (St. Vincent’s Family Strengthening Program) – July 12

“Support for Domestic Abuse Survivors” (Legal Aid Foundation) -- July 19

“Helping Immigrant Children in Santa Barbara County” (Immigrant Legal Defense Center) – August 15

“New vehicle brings life-changing adventures to disabled Santa Barbara residents” (Hillside) – August 10

“Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County improves access for those seeking mental health treatment” (Family Service Agency) – September 1

“Alpha Resource Center gets $140,000 for upgrades,” (Alpha Resource Center) – September 12

“Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara addresses critical shortage in psychiatric services for youths,” (Sanctuary Centers of Santa Barbara) – September 14

“Independent Living Resource Center hires new advocate to serve youths with disabilities in Santa Barbara” (ILRC) – September 19
 

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