GRANT AWARDS

The Cambodian Family
Family Play Days - $25,000
The program will enrich the parent involvement component of our current 0-5 year-old School Readiness program. Through Family Play Days in the neighborhood, and Play Sessions held at the Cambodian Family Center,  the organization seeks to increase the awareness and skills of limited English-speaking, low-income Cambodian and Latino parents, so that they optimize their involvement in the early childhood development of their 0-5 year-old children.

The organization will attract 70 new families (representing approximately 105 children) to participate in the play days and sessions. The organization will also involve 4 adults age 55+ or retirees in curriculum development, promotion of the program and assist in play days and sessions.

El Sol Science and Arts Academy, Preschool—$35,000 grant
El Sol has 24 students in the preschool, parent education, health and dental care program. All programs utilize retirees to draw from their wisdom and experience.  All programs are free for preschool students and their siblings.

Healthy Smiles For Kids Of Orange County
$12,500
To support the health objectives of El Sol Science and Arts Academy Preschool, Healthy Smiles will deliver the preventive dental care component of the program. Services will include providing on-site dental screenings and secondary preventive care to 100 El Sol preschool students and their siblings, and follow-up care at Healthy Smiles’ Smile Center in Garden Grove for children with tooth decay or who are in need of diagnostic or specialized treatment.

Planned Parenthood – Orange & San Bernardino Counties, Inc.
Go Bananas for Books! - $15,000
The Go Bananas For Books! Program will provide the 3, 750 children the center sees each month with early literacy and nutritional development tools. By distributing books, mentoring parents, and using Volunteer Readers in waiting rooms, Go Bananas For Books! takes a comprehensive approach to promoting early childhood development among our high-need, high-risk clients. The organization will involve 4 adults age 55+ or retirees to read to children and mentor parents and/or help organize literacy fair.

Project Access Inc.
Raising a Reader- $20,000
The Project Access School Readiness Program will partner with OC United Way to implement Raising a Reader.  The program seeks to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills by engaging parents in a routine of daily “book cuddling” with their children from birth to age five. There will be rotating backpacks with culturally appropriate books and videos.

Rancho Santiago Community College District
Kinder Connect - $20,000
As with all things, first steps can be the most critical. Kindergarten is a huge step, not only for children but their parents as well. Children First funding will help parents prepare their child to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Through this proposed project, Kinder Connect, parents will learn the steps for success: importance of literacy, involvement in their child’s education, keeping a healthy home environment, and developing positive relationships with school personnel.