More Essential Than Ever
By Savannah Lira, Program Officer
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation’s Social Worker Resource Grant program awards grants up to $250 to Social Workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates who work with youth in dependency. The grant is to be used for immediate essential needs of the youth, and those needs are more prevalent now than ever.
The possibilities of using a $250 grant are endless, but one thing is for sure: this small amount can go a long way in the life of a foster youth.
$250 can provide a youth with an essential laptop or tablet to access remote schooling or therapy: “One of our clients recently received a personal grant from your foundation, requested by her CASA worker. The funds were used to purchase a personal tablet (Amazon Fire) and headphones. These new electronics have proven incredibly helpful to her remote learning experience; she now uses them daily for videoconferencing (via Zoom) which is a requirement for school participation and behavior therapy sessions. I want to graciously thank you for making this happen.”
$250 can allow a non-minor dependent to secure employment and provide for their young child by purchasing the required work uniforms: “Thanks to PVF for the financial assistance for [my CASA youth] as she has worked her way from being a server at Chili’s to a medical assistant/phlebotomist now working at a doctors office. Like all foster youth, she has very limited financial resources and PVF grants help so much…thank you!”
$250 can purchase an air purifier for an immunocompromised foster youth during extremely unhealthy air quality fire season: “We are so grateful for PVF, especially now that so many places that support our youth are shutting down.”
In the past 15 years we have given out thousands of these small grants to Bay Area dependent youth, and each grant has been awarded within 48 hours of us receiving a one-page request from a social worker or CASA. We strive to support high needs, disadvantaged youth by removing traditional philanthropic obstacles in order to get funds directly to where they are needed the most.
To apply for a Social Worker/CASA Resource Grant, please visit our webpage.
