Dear Friends of Leo,
During his lifetime, Dr. Leo Buscaglia emphasized the value of outreach to individuals in need, believing those helped will, in turn, help others. With that in mind, he set up his charitable foundation as a “public charity” rather than a “private foundation.” This foundation would enlist support from many people to continue his mission in the value of paying it forward. We, as board members carry on his principle through awarding grants to small, highly effective non-profit organizations fostering the spirit of giving in their communities through volunteerism or mentorship.
We are proud to share the list of the Foundation’s awardees for 2017—thirteen organizations whose mentors and volunteers face financial challenges with creativity, dedication and energy. This year’s awards total $62,500. The grants are modest in amount, but crucial to an organization’s work assisting others.
Many of you have joined with the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in its work of helping small nonprofit organizations which focus on those in great need. On behalf of the board and staff, thank you for your generosity and interest in the work of the foundation. We are grateful for your contributions and ask you to consider the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in your year-end giving for 2017 so that we may continue to fulfill Leo’s legacy of connecting people through love and caring. Your gift to the foundation will further provide funds for small non-profit organizations benefiting others.
Best wishes to all in 2018.
Keri S. Botello
Keri S. Botello
President
Leo Buscaglia Foundation
*Your donation may be tax deductible according to IRC Section 170.
2017 Grant Recipients
American Youth Symphony – Los Angeles, CA. Received a grant to support their Share-A-Stand musical mentorship outreach program. The program brings AYS musicians into Title-1 LAUSD middle schools to work with music students aged 11-14. The AYS musicians hone mentorship, teaching and leadership skills while simultaneously supporting the learning objectives of the music teachers with regards to mastering state standards in music performance. Students and their families are also invited to attend two AYS concerts. The American Youth Symphony’s mission is to inspire the future of classical music by sharing exceptional, innovative concerts for free or significantly reduced admission based on their landmark training of musicians ages 15-27.
Caterina’s Club – Anaheim, CA. Received a grant to help cover expenses related to a recent fire at the restaurant where the Caterina’s Club meals were being prepared. Funds will cover labor cost increases, equipment purchases and transportation costs resulting from the fire. The original mission of Caterina’s Club was ‘providing food, support and shelter to homeless motel children.’ The mission has now evolved and expanded to provide long-term housing assistance for homeless families and job skill training for at-risk teens. Caterina’s Club also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in 2014.
City Impact, Inc. – Oxnard, CA. Received a grant to help sustain their after-school program for 65 children/youth in community housing for low-income, migrant/agriculture farm workers. The funds will be used for costs associated with employee salary and benefits, program supplies, mileage reimbursement, van expenses, cell phones, Internet access, field trips and nutritious snacks. The mission of City Impact is to promote the educational, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of at-risk/high-risk children, youth and the families they serve through their programs. City Impact also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in 2010.
Door of Hope – Pasadena, CA. Received a grant to support general operating expenses. Funds will provide two families (parents and children) with two months of housing and services. These include housing, meals, case management, financial literacy/savings classes, job readiness/search services, mental health counseling, life skills classes and basic necessities and clothing. Door of Hope is a transitional housing program that helps homeless families with children rebuild their lives. Door of Hope provides short-term housing, case management, counseling, life skills workshops and programmatic support for children and other supportive services that assist families to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent housing within six to twelve months. Door of Hope also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in 2014.
Haven Academy of the Arts – El Segundo, CA. Received a grant to underwrite the musical rights and director’s stipend for their spring musical, Disney’s Lion King, Jr. Haven’s mission is to develop character in future leaders through the performing arts and to give them the tools, life skills and sense of purpose they need to leave a legacy in their community. They provide programs to 280 students and offer four core programs: Musicals, Summer Theatre Camps, Bridging Classes and Pretend and Play.
Jericho Road Pasadena – Pasadena, CA. Received a grant to be applied to general operations for JRP’s budget of $162,000. The mission of JRP is to build nonprofit capacity by matching the professional talents of highly qualified volunteers with the needs of community-based nonprofit organizations to promote community development, strengthen social services and enrich the lives of volunteers. Jericho Road Pasadena also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in 2014.
The Jester & Pharley Phund – Palos Verdes Estates, CA. Received a grant to help bring their $5,600 Reading Makes a Difference program to three low-income schools in Southern California. The mission of the Jester & Pharley Phund is to inspire charity and empower children facing serious challenges – both educational and medical – by sharing the universal message of hope and caring in the award-winning illustrated children’s book “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle.” The Reading Makes A Difference program inspires a love of reading among children from low-income families while helping them develop compassion for others. The Jester & Pharley Phund also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in November 2015.
Mountain Communities Boys & Girls Club, Inc – Crestline, CA. Received a grant to help cover the Program Lead and Program Aide costs of their Project Learn program. The after-school program encompasses educational, social and emotional and health and recreation components to help their members develop the skills needed to grow into productive members of their families, schools and communities. The mission of MCBGC is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens. We provide a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; hope and opportunity.”
Pasadena Village – Pasadena, CA. Received a grant for membership dues assistance, an annual stipend for a specific need and to train and honor volunteers. Pasadena Village supports adults 55 and better in maintaining their health, dignity, independence and community involvement as they age in place. They were founded to provide a community-based alternative to assisted living and are committed to providing resources, education and opportunities for seniors.
Plaza de la Raza – Los Angeles, CA. Received a grant to be used for instructor salaries, school supplies and costs associated with school productions. For the past 47 years, Plaza de la Raza has provided year-round arts educations programs and has also served as a community arts center, presenting the finest in Latino culture programming in a variety of disciplines. Plaza’s mission is to foster enrichment of all cultures bridging the geographic, social, artistic and cultural boundaries of Los Angeles and beyond.
Sharefest Community Development, Inc. – San Pedro, CA. Received a grant in support of their Workday 2017, an annual day of community service projects. Sharefest’s mission is: “building strong South Bay communities by fostering volunteerism and preparing youth to lead positive change.” Through their Workday and Youth Development Academy programs they pursue their goals of fostering volunteerism, establishing working coalitions, creating communities of care and mentoring youth to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Team Prime Time – Los Angeles, CA. Received a grant to provide resources and purchase equipment and materials for the Game Changing Programs unique to each Team Prime Time location. Programs included Prime Time Games, Prime Time Trials, Westside BAY Club, Prime Time Film Club and Prime Time Finance. The mission of Team Prime Time is to provide intervention programs for at-risk youth from low-income areas of Los Angeles that combine academics, athletics, leadership training and the arts in order to prepare them for the future and allow them to reach their full potential.
Teen Line – Los Angeles, CA. Received a grant to support their crisis hotline, volunteer training and community outreach. Teen Line was established in 1980 to help troubled teenagers in a way they would accept: teens helping teens. Their mission is to provide personal teen-to-teen education and support before problems become a crisis, using a national hotline, current technologies and community outreach. Teen Line also received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in November 2015.