Grassroots Community Leaders Receive $25,000 Cash Awards for Violence Prevention Work
Three outstanding community leaders were honored with the 2006 TCWF California Peace Prize on November 14, at a ceremony in Los Angeles. Sahra Abdi, Margaret Diaz and Anthony Thigpenn each received a cash award of $25,000 as an acknowledgment of their commitment to prevent violence and promote peace in their communities. Since the inception of the prize, 42 Californians have been recognized. Honorees include community activists, gang-members-turned-peace-advocates, law enforcement officers and bereaved parents. read more
WiLDCOAST Receives Award from Nonprofit Management Solutions
WiLDCOAST, a grassroots organization that works to protect and preserve coastal ecosystems and wildlife in California and Latin America, was honored with Nonprofit Management Solutions’ “Organizational Excellence” award in October. The TCWF grantee, which received $2,000, was cited for “superior performance, leadership and governance,” and for its significant impact on the quality of life in San Diego. read more
TCWF Grantees Discuss Violence Prevention on 'Larry King Live'
“A Look at Gang Violence” was the theme of the October 23 edition of “Larry King Live.” The hour-long program featured law enforcement officials, nonprofit leaders and victims of gang violence in a candid discussion of prevention efforts in Los Angeles. Guests included TCWF grantees William “Blinky” Rodriguez, executive director of Communities in Schools of the San Fernando Valley/Greater Los Angeles and Bo Taylor, a TCWF California Peace Prize honoree who is the founder and president of Unity One. Click below to read a transcript. read more
L.A. Youth Article Highlights One Teen’s Health Career Path
In the September issue of L.A. Youth, Los Angeles teen Esther Oh describes how her chiropractor’s passion for her work and positive effect on Esther’s and her mother’s health inspired Esther to study for a career in chiropractic medicine. This article is the first of a series of health career stories made possible by a partnership with TCWF’s public education campaign to increase diversity in the health professions. read more
Independent Sector Elects Officers to Its Board of Directors
Luz A. Vega-Marquis, TCWF board member and president and CEO of Marguerite Casey Foundation, was elected to serve as secretary of the board of directors of Independent Sector, a nonpartisan coalition of more than 500 national organizations, foundations and corporate philanthropy programs. Additionally, Gary L. Yates, TCWF president and CEO, was elected to serve as treasurer. Most recently, Yates served as the vice chair of the coalition's board. The elections were held at Independent Sector's annual business meeting in Washington D.C. in October. read more
TCWF Sabbatical Program Honors Nonprofit Leaders
Eight nonprofit leaders are recipients of TCWF 2006 Sabbatical Program Award: Speranza Avram, Northern Sierra Rural Health Network; Louis Chicoine, Tri-City Homeless Coalition; Brian Contreras, 2nd Chance Family & Youth Services; Xavier Flores, Pueblo Y Salud; Harry Foster, Family Healthcare Network; Michael Green, Center for Environmental Health; Rojane Jackson, Community Interface Services; and Pheng Lo, Lao Family Community of Stockton. Each organization receives a $35,000 grant to support up to six months’ paid leave for the chief executive. read more
Report Documents Widespread Lack of Insurance Coverage for Children
More than 9 million children in the United States are uninsured, and most live in two-parent working families, according to “No Shelter From the Storm: America’s Uninsured Children,” a new publication from the Campaign for Children’s Health Care. Among other findings, California is the state with the largest number of uninsured children—1.4 million. Uninsured children were found to be five times more likely than insured children to have unmet health care needs. The report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics. read more
Report Shows Record Level of Giving by California Foundations
Estimated giving by California foundations rose to a record $4.1 billion in 2005, according to “California Foundations: An Update on the State’s Grantmaking Community,” a new Foundation Center report. The number of California foundations grew by almost one-half between 1999 and 2004, far surpassing the 35 percent growth nationally. Health remained the top priority in 2005. More than half California foundation grants targeted specific population groups—the economically disadvantaged, and children and youth received the largest share of grant dollars. read more
‘To Live and Let Live in South L.A.’ Spotlights Violence Prevention Efforts
