The Village Green was built 50 years ago and received a grant from the Palisades Optimist Club.
During the Will Roger 5/10K, the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club assists the Will Rogers Foundation, by volunteering before and during the race. In return the Foundation gives that organization funds, which the club then donates to local nonprofits.
This year 17 nonprofits benefited from nearly $30,000 in grants and included beautification, arts, sports and youth programs.
Grant Chair Jody Margulies said, “All qualified applicants received all or a large percentage of what they requested.”.
Grants that benefit local preschool and elementary school students include: Palisades Lutheran preschool playground safety enhancement; Palisades Presbyterian Preschool for program; Kehillat Preschool for to provide a safe place to play: Marquez Elementary Robotics for an expansion of the program at the school; and Marquez STAR program that works with social emotional learning;
Youth programs that will benefit from grants include Palisades-Malibu YMCA for free teen summer fitness program; Pacific Palisades Baseball Association for uniforms; Tiger Wrestling uniforms; Palisades High School Band to support the program; the YMCA-Optimist track meet held annually; and Friendship Circle Teen Leadership program that supports children with special needs.
Optimists supported the Village Green, the private park in the center of town, with two grants one for maintenance and one for tree trimming.
The Palisades Art Association received a grant for speakers. Several Palisades High School seniors will also receive scholarships this year.
The money will help sponsor middle and high school students for an international Optimist oratorical contest. Money also goes to Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services (OYHFS), which is the largest provider of residential services to youth placed on probation in California (with homes located in Highland Park and Woodland Hills).
Each Optimist Home provides extensive individual, group and family therapy; education; and recreation and athletic activities for 650 teens and families each day. Of the youth who are tracked through the agency’s aftercare program, 65 percent are crime-free and no longer in need of any type of out-of-home placement one year after discharge.
According to OYHFS, the nonprofit “provides a full continuum of care that supports children over time, across all levels of care, and into adulthood with a focus on emotional wellness, reliable relationships, educational attainment, and career pathways.”! For more information about Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, please call Annie Nuttall at (323) 443-3023 or email anuttall@oyhfs.org.
Grant money went to support the YMCA/Optimist annual track meet.
Wonderful! Many thanks to the Optimists.