CAMARILLO — The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJF) has awarded almost $30,000 to five local organizations that inspire and educate young leaders who work to improve fairness and justice in their communities, the organization reported in a media release.
During the last 10 years, SJF has given grants to 27 grassroots groups organizing their communities to achieve tangible social change.
The 2015 grantees are:
The Abundant Table $3,800
- For the “Rooted Futures: Growing Change” project, to develop young leaders who advocate at the Santa Paula School District for the adoption of a Harvest of the Month program in all nine schools in the district, improving school lunches for more than 5,500 students and making healthy eating choices more available to a new generation of students and their families.
Future Leaders of America $6,250
- For the “Latino Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement” project, to provide students with the tools they need to become strong leaders and effective advocates with school boards and agents of social change in their communities.
Ag Innovations Network/House Farm Workers $4,800
- For the “HFW Young Advocates Committee” project. To engage, train and empower young leaders and their families as community educators and advocates who increase and improve farm worker housing in Ventura County and ultimately enact change that will impact future generations.
Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project $7,250
- For the “Fields to College” project. To increase leadership and campaign management skills for language access rights for parents and students in the Oxnard Unified High School District so that Tequio youth can improve their own academic performance and transform the educational system.
One Step A la Vez $7,500
- For the “Next Step” program. To support youth as they expand access to public transportation, inform their community about the cleanup of the Fillmore Superfund toxic waste site, reduce the number of youth involved in the juvenile justice system or excluded from school, and create a safe space for LGBTQIA youth at Fillmore High School.
About the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County: Through its grant making, convening, and educational activities, the Social Justice Fund opens the way to more equal access to opportunities and resources for all. A task force of interested donors and local activists works together to decide how SJF’s grants are distributed. SJF has given more than $400,000 to grassroots groups actively making Ventura County a better place in which to work and live.
Visit http://www.socialjusticefundvc.org for more information.