The 2019 awards from the Canyon City Foundation total over $180,000! The amount brings the total award from the Foundation since 2006 to $1,399,602!
This number represents grants to specific organizations that have benefitted the residents of Azusa. Additionally, the Foundation also sponsors major city events and last year began an initiative to recognize those who give of their time as volunteers.
While the Foundation Board is excited about the amount of investment in the City this year, Board President Rosedale stated, “ As I reflect back on the Foundation’s engagement with the City, I am especially pleased that the impact of ‘seed funding’ of programs have reaped many benefits. Of particular note are those initiated by Azusa Pacific University. The University has offered to the residents a myriad of programs such as Azusa Reads, Writes and Calculates for our K-12 students as well as fitness programs offered on K-12 campuses. The university has also offered physical well -being programs through the Wellness Center staffed by the School of Nursing. The residents of Azusa have indeed benefitted from having a university in its city.”
The 2019 awards are unique because the Foundation has agreed to partner with the City of Azusa for a number of years. The partnership will support the work of the city in creating an infrastructure to build a healthier Azusa while continuing to support direct programming. The Foundation Board applauds the work that has already occurred in the City that has led to Azusa being selected as a prototype by the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiatives and looks forward to building on its success.
The other grants focus on youth leadership and educating the underserved families within the City. The Santa Anita Family YMCA is partnering with the school district to ensure that students learn how government operates and how they can become a participant either as a community activist or as a professional. Neighborhood Homework House was also funded this year. The organization continues to provide educational tools to students and their families. The organization is now in its 23rd year of operating in the city and is becoming more successful in creating a sustainable infrastructure model. The final grant is to Azusa Beautiful. The Foundation is excited to fund Azusa Beautiful with the organization focusing its work on informing Azusa residents about public art and providing tangible ways for residents to become involved with projects such as the Art Utility Boxes.
The Foundation Board invites other organizations to contact the City to find out how that they too can become a part of the success that is building in the City of Azusa.
For more information, contact us at info@canyoncityfoundation.org