$10,000 in Grants Awarded to Community Organizations

The Goleta City Council approved $10,000 in grants to organizations which enhance the quality of life for Goleta residents and promote our community. The amount of the 12 grants awarded ranged from $500-$1000. This is the 9th year the City of Goleta has offered the Community Grants Program.

“We are very pleased to support these organizations which make a great difference in our community,” said Mayor Margaret Connell. “In these difficult times, I am thankful that we are able to provide some funding and hope that we can provide additional funding in the future.”

Grants were awarded to the Goleta Valley Historical Society for the Holiday at the Ranch and the Rotary Club for the Goleta Fireworks Festival. Semilllas de mi Tierra received a grant that will allow them to provide dance classes for children at no cost. Transition House and Casa Esperanza received funds to help provide services for homeless people. PathPoint was awarded a grant to help provide training and support services for people with disabilities and the Goleta Valley Senior Center will use its grant to offer special events for the 115-200 seniors who access the center weekly. The Goleta Teen of the Year received an award to fund their scholarship program. The Isla Vista Teen Center Committee will fund afterschool programs for high-risk early and middle adolescent youth and the Isla Vista Youth Projects grant will fund a pre-kindergarten program to help underprivileged children become prepared for kindergarten. Operation School Bell will use their grant to supply schoolchildren with school clothing and supplies. Finally, the Santa Barbara County Trails Council received funds to update the recreation element of the Open Space and Habitat Management Plan for Ellwood Mesa.

Each year the program is advertised and applications are accepted for a six week period. A subcommittee of the Mayor and two community members reviews the applications and makes a recommendation to the Council.