Chico, California (April 2, 2009) – Three local nonprofit organizations serving youth from the Magalia/Upper Ridge have been awarded grants from the Harold Williams Fund at North Valley Community Foundation. These are intended to serve at risk youth who would otherwise not have access to services.

Paradise Recreation and Park District is receiving $1,000 to provide scholarships to Camp Coutolenc, a summer day camp providing outdoor education. Two sessions in June will expose participants ages 8-12 to outdoor skills and activities, introducing an appreciation for new recreational and social opportunities. Activities include archery, crafts, music, camp cooking, outdoor sports and games, orienteering, nature and fire safety, and plant and animal identification. For more information on Camp Coutolenc, contact Dean Moore at Paradise Recreation and Park District, 872-6393.

Paradise Center for Tolerance and Nonviolence (PCTN) is receiving $500 to expand their STARS project (Safety, Tolerance, and Respect Superstars) in Paradise and Magalia Schools. The goals for children participating in STARS include learning respect and esteem for themselves and others, appreciating differences, gaining an understanding of put-downs and bullying, acquiring practical skills for controlling anger and conflict, and creating healthy relationships through honesty and kindness. For more information on this project and PCTN, call 877-1856.

Boys and Girls Club of the North Valley is receiving $500 to expand Teen Events at Pine Ridge School. This program gives local youth a chance to participate in activities that help them make healthy choices, become more active, develop positive relationships and have fun. This is also an opportunity for youth to connect with the services of Boys and Girls Club, join the Club, and become involved in youth development programs that will support them in developing a sense of community service and civic leadership, and enhance their lives and create successful futures. For more information contact Michael Brown of the Boys and Girls Club at 872-6422.

“Through these grants from the Harold Williams Fund, North Valley Community Foundation expects to help at-risk youth in the Magalia/Upper Ridge area engage in healthy and positive activities not otherwise available,” states NVCF CEO Alexa Valavanis. “This area is relatively isolated and these youth have not had access to services generally available in more populated areas of our region. This will make a difference in their lives.”

 
NVCF is a non-profit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet community needs through grants and programs primarily for residents in the Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties.  With net assets of over $5 million, NVCF provides financial and administrative services to donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations with the goal of enriching the quality of life of its community members. Since 1986, over 250 individuals, families, businesses, and community groups have established funds at the Foundation. 

North Valley Community Foundation is one of approximately 750 community foundations throughout the United States that provides similar services. Each is dedicated to increasing philanthropy and improving and enriching the lives of community members in a specific geographic area.

The NVCF office is open Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm and by appointments on the weekends. NVCF is located at 3120 Cohasset Rd., Suite 8 in Chico, California. For more information visit www.nvcf.org or call  (530) 891-1150.