The Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara passed the million dollar mark as it awarded eight local agencies $600,000 at its Fourth Annual Presentation of Funds Luncheon on Monday, January 28. In just four years of existence, the Fund has given $1,425,000 for vital needs affecting women, children and families. (See story below for grant details.)

Once again, anticipation and excitement from more than 150 people attending the event filled the El Paseo restaurant. Founding Chair Carol Palladini welcomed the guests who then enjoyed lunch underwritten by Women’s Fund member Meredith Scott and her husband, John.

Oversight Chair Jo Gifford began the program by citing an article from the New York Times that describes givers as happier than nongivers, less depressed, and full of the hormones that lower stress. “So, with that in mind I stand before the happiest, least depressed and least stressed women in Santa Barbara!” she laughed.

She went on to give a brief overview of the year describing the growth in membership and in donations, thanks in part to the matching of donations by the Orfalea Fund, and introduced Natalie Orfalea, Chairperson of the Orfalea Fund.

“The Women's Fund of Santa Barbara and the Orfalea Fund share a common vision and goals of supporting our most needy women, children, and families in the areas of education and critical community needs," explained Natalie. "Together we share a similar vision of collective granting and collaboration to make a greater impact on our community," she continued. She announced to great applause that the Orfalea Fund would again in 2008 match Women’s Fund donations 100%!

Applause echoed as Research Chair Melissa Brooks announced the eight recipients who came to the podium to speak and thank the Women’s Fund for responding to their critical needs for 2008 funding.

“We had to turn away 43 children under two in 2007,” said Meichelle Artnz, Executive Director of Angels Foster Care that rescues abused, abandoned and neglected foster infants and toddlers in Santa Barbara County. “With this grant we will be able to recruit, screen and certify 20 more foster families on the South Coast.”

“In Carpinteria 72 families live in tiny temporary campers with no cooking or bathroom facilities. During the winter and rainy season, the only dry and warm spot is the rented trailer where our bilingual credentialed teacher helps the children with homework,” explained Jeanette Duncan, Executive Director of People’s Self Help Housing. “With your gift, we will be able to operate the program another year, buy a couple of outdoor heaters, and develop ways to relocate these very low income families.”

“When funding was unexpectedly eliminated for our Counseling and Family Advocacy programs, we were forced to discontinue services to a low-income community with very few resources,” said LuAnn Miller, Executive Director of Isla Vista Youth Projects. “Your support will provide gap funding to maintain these services while we apply to new funding sources. We are overwhelmed by your support of families and children in Isla Vista.”

Congratulations to the eight nonprofit agencies that received grants from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara at its Fourth Annual Presentation of Funds Luncheon on January 28. Each recipient has demonstrated a clear, compelling funding need for its project or program in the coming year. These agencies are listed below alphabetically with a brief description of the grant’s purpose. For detailed information, see Gifts We’ve Given.

Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara ($85,000) for a licensed social worker to recruit, screen, train and support 20 foster families, doubling the number of infants and toddlers placed in 2007. Foster parents must agree to foster one child (or sibling group) at a time and care for the child until the court makes a final placement decision.

Casa Pacifica ($55,000) for three compact sedans to enable caseworkers and mental health professionals to deliver 24/7 emergency services for youth in immediate psychiatric crisis and to wrap services around families with youth at risk of being placed in foster care so that these youth can remain at home and in their communities.

Family Service Agency ($95,000) for one third of the cost of operating the 211 Human Services Helpline. Government funds expire in 2008 and until additional funding sources can be determined, gap funding is critical to maintain this 24/7, multilingual helpline giving assistance and information about community services and access to crisis counseling and suicide prevention.

Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara ($55,000) for its Teen Mentoring Program. While Girls Inc locations around the country offer teen programs, locally Girls Inc. currently serves girls only to age 12. This program expansion to girls 13-18 will help establish critical connections and role models to empower and direct girls at this vulnerable age.

Isla Vista Youth Projects ($60,000) for a family advocate and counselor for one year. State funds were eliminated in 2007, and this gap funding will restore programs to keep children from low-income families healthy by scheduling regular medical and dental care. Santa Barbara County has the second highest percentage of uninsured children in California.

People’s Self Help Housing ($50,000) for a third educator needed in the year-round specialized mentoring learning program that serves school-aged children in low-income families from Goleta to Carpinteria. Children in the program have realized an increase of several grade levels after one semester of participation.

Storyteller Children’s Center ($150,000) for a leadership grant to its $2.5 million expansion campaign that will be launched in 2008. Storyteller provides quality, tuition-free early childhood education for homeless and at-risk children including whole-family support.

Transition House ($50,000) in gap funding for the salary of one case manager for one year. This case manager will meet one-on-one with at-risk families to craft solutions for their dire problems to help alleviate poverty and help restore self-sufficiency.