United Way of Greater Los Angeles Announces Funding to Help Families in Crisis Due to the Recession
Partnership With California Community Foundation Will Help More Than 70,000 People Across Los AngelesCounty
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way of Greater Los Angeles today announced the distribution of funds to 33 county-wide nonprofit organizations through a $600,000 grant from the California Community Foundation. In response to the current economic crisis United Way is committed to supporting the most urgent and critical needs of those most vulnerable in the community who are struggling now more than ever to meet the basic needs of food and shelter.
"Low-income families and individuals have been greatly impacted by our current economic downturn," said Elise Buik, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "Los Angeles County has seen a drastic increase of people needing assistance. CalWorks recently documented that there was a 30% increase in the number of homeless families and LA Regional Food Bank has documented a 41% increase in demand for food across the County."
Funding has been granted to 33 nonprofits across all regions of Los Angeles County including: Catalyst Foundation, Valley Oasis, LA Family Housing, Weingart Center Association, Ocean Park Community Center, Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Rio Hondo Temporary Home, Harbor Interfaith, LA Regional Food Bank and Catholic Charities.
"United Way continues to take a leading role in tackling the root causes of poverty by understanding the issues in relation to the current local economy such as the tremendous increase in foreclosures, unemployment and hunger," said Monsignor Gregory A. Cox Executive Director, Catholic Charities. "By providing shelter and housing to 2,300 individuals and meals to at least 68,000 people, this funding will definitely lessen the hole of despair for those facing life-changing circumstances which they might not have expected a year ago."
Funds will be provided as a one-time grant between now and the end of the year in amounts ranging from $5,000 - $50,000.
About United Way of Greater Los Angeles
United Way of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways out of poverty by focusing on meeting basic needs, improving educational achievement and increasing financial stability for the most vulnerable in our community. Through its research work, United Way identifies the issues and works in partnership with community leaders and supporters to solve them by funding targeted programs and advocating for change. For more information, visit www.unitedwayla.org.
About California Community Foundation
The California Community Foundation is L.A.'s foundation. CCF has been around since 1915 and has more than $1 billion in assets. Each year CCF gives about $125 million in grants to outstanding nonprofits. The foundation is known as one of L.A.'s most innovative investors in permanent, low-income housing; the biggest supporter of individual artists in the region; the largest scholarship fund manager in L.A.; and a national leader in increasing services for returning vets from Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands of donors choose CCF because of its personal service and expertise. To learn more, visit www.calfund.org.
