Wild Rivers Community Foundation awards $18,000 to 23 organizations hosting summer youth programs

Curry and Del Norte County organizations will have an easier time helping children to swim, eat healthy, do art, theater, gardening and learn job skills this summer after receiving $18,000 in mini grants from the Wild Rivers Community Foundation Wednesday, May 1.

At total of 23 groups from Port Orford to Crescent City received grants ranging from $250 to $1,500, courtesy of WRCF’s generous donors, businesses and other foundations who support the annual Summer Youth Mini Grant program, according to WRCF Director Gina Zottola. (See full list of donors below.)

“My heart is so full by all of you and the work that you do in our community,” Zottola said to a room full of grant recipients at Smith River’s Howenquet Hall. “I just want to say thank you. It’s really inspiring and I think it’s the reason we all live here.”

Del Norte County grant recipients included the California Redwoods Art Association, Del Norte Youth Football Inc., Gateway Education and RHS Harrington House’s Hope Garden project. Curry County recipients included Curry Public Library District, Rotary Club of Brookings-Harbor, Curry County 4-H and Oasis Shelter Home. (See full list of recipients below.)

“We’re very appreciative of Wild Rivers Community Foundation and all their partners who help make sure our program happens,” said Pamela Winebarger of the Brookings Harbor Community Helpers food bank. The organization provides much-needed snack packs to hungry children in Brookings during the summer break.

Native American teens interested in learning life and job skills are encouraged to sign up for the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s summer youth employment program.

“We’re going to take the funding and make sure the youth stay hydrated and have fruit and veggies in their lunch when they go out to areas where they don’t have food,” said Zachery Chapman, director for the employment program.

For more information about WRCF and its grant programs, visit www.wildriverscf.org or call 707-465-2138.

2019 grantees:

Brookings-Harbor Community Helpers Food Bank

California Redwoods Art Association

California Tribal TANF Partnership

Casa of Del Norte

Coos Curry Charitable Foundation

Crescent City Downtown Divas

Curry County 4-H Leaders

Curry Public Library District

Del Norte Child Care Council

Del Norte Youth Football, Inc.

Del Norte Youth Soccer Association

Family Resource Center of the Redwoods

The Friends of the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Gateway Education

Oasis Shelter Home

Funding Partners:

Coos Curry Electric Cooperative

Pacific Power

Patricia D. & William B Smullin Foundation

R. Baird & Jane Rumiano Family Fund

South Fork-Big Flat Endowment

St. Joseph's Health Systems, Humboldt,

The California Endowment

Gordon Elwood Foundation

Gil H. and Ann Hess Memorial Fund

Brattain Family Student Enrichment Fund