May 29, 2020 | Stories
The Community Foundation highlights the services of local nonprofits provided with the COVID-19 relief grants
The Community Foundation for San Benito County (CFFSBC) and United Way of San Benito County are extremely proud of our community coming together during the unprecedented time of COVID-19. We have witnessed community members and nonprofits stepping up every day to assist, lead, and/or volunteer in filling the multitude of COVID-19 related needs and challenges. Nonprofits are essential during a crisis and oftentimes expand their mission to fulfill their duties and help a wider range of people. CFFSBC is grateful to our donors, who have given us the ability to provide COVID-19 Relief Grants to our local nonprofits. We are excited to share with you examples of services our local nonprofits have provided with which these grant awards help make possible:
Having this grant has reduced stressors significantly brought about by COVID-19 to our clients and residents — Anna Foglia, Sun Street Centers, Chief Executive Officer
Sun Street Centers’ nonprofit mission is to provide education, prevention, treatment, and recovery in San Benito County. COVID-19 has posed several challenges to the clients of Sun Street Centers; many of the men and women in their recovery program have become unemployed. CFFSBC COVID-19 Relief Grant provided their clients with immediate health, food, and safety needs. “Having this grant has reduced stressors significantly brought about by COVID-19 to our clients and residents,” said Anna Foglia, Sun Street Centers, Chief Executive Officer.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Monterey extends their nonprofit mission reach to include San Benito County. Catholic Charities nonprofit provides rental assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. San Benito County resident, Sabrina, her husband and eight children received assistance with the expenses of relocating during the start of the pandemic. Sabrina states that being able to enjoy their new home safely “is an amazing blessing and a fresh start for our family.” Catholic Charities Family Supportive Services Director, Aurelio Salazar Jr. is grateful for the COVID-19 Relief Grant and proud that 100% goes back to San Benito County residents.
The grant from the Community Foundation for San Benito County kept the love, care, services, and spirit of Chamberlain’s as a constant for our children during what has been one of the scariest times — Patrick Ellis, Chamberlain's, Executive Director
Chamberlain’s Youth Services nonprofit provides comprehensive therapeutic, rehabilitative, and educational services for youth, all in a home-like setting. Chamberlain’s has faced many different challenges during this time, but maybe the most alarming was when a child started showing symptoms of COVID-19. Using the COVID-19 Relief Grant, Chamberlain's staff quickly transformed one of their buildings into a quarantine area for the child, while still offering comfort, entertainment, and around the clock care. “The grant from the Community Foundation for San Benito County kept the love, care, services, and spirit of Chamberlain’s as a constant for our children during what has been one of the scariest times,” said Patrick Ellis, Executive Director.
This is a good impact for the community. We are feeding those in need and those looking for a hot meal to provide to their family. Every week we see the thankfulness of the families, and that is enough to keep us coming back to give back — Valerie Lorno, Communications Operator for The Manger
San Benito County’s newest nonprofit, The Manger, has a mission of Feeding the Hungry with Compassion. The COVID-19 Relief Grant provided funding for The Manger’s drive-thru food service held every Friday evening. The Manger’s volunteers work to package every healthy meal, each tailored for adults and children. They also pack a small surprise activity for children, for some after-dinner fun. Valerie Lorno, Communications Operator for The Manger, comments, “This is a good impact for the community. We are feeding those in need and those looking for a hot meal to provide to their family. Every week we see the thankfulness of the families, and that is enough to keep us coming back to give back.”
If you would like to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund please click here, or call (831) 630-1924.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing many more stories from our community. We hope you will share in our pride and talk and share these and the coming stories.