In April, the Anaheim Community Foundation (ACF) announced $35,000 in assistance to 17 local service organizations through its Christopher K. Jarvi HELPING HANDS grant to strengthen youth, residents and community. Named after the founding Executive Director of the Anaheim Community Foundation, the Helping Hands grant honors the memory of Chris Jarvi, who passed away April 22, 2013. He was a strong advocate for youth and the Anaheim Community. 

Helping Hands focuses on assisting community programs that improve arts and culture, youth and senior programs, community resources and emergency assistance. Grant awards range from $500 to $5,000. Funds are made possible by Anaheim residents who have made donations through their monthly Anaheim Public Utilities bill or online at www.anaheimcf.org.

“On behalf of our entire board, we thank Anaheim residents for their generosity in making the Helping Hands grant program possible,” said Stephen Sain, ACF board chair and retired Anaheim Police Deputy Chief. “2014 marks the 30th anniversary of the Anaheim Community Foundation, and we are proud to continue enriching people’s lives in Anaheim.”

The Anaheim Community Foundation was also instrumental in coordinating the 2012 Anaheim Youth Assessment, which paved the way for a $3 million commitment from Angels Baseball, the Anaheim Ducks and Disneyland Resort through Accelerate Change Together (ACT).

2014 Helping Hands grant recipients and funded programs include:

  • Anaheim Arts Council (Children’s Festival)
  • Anaheim Cops 4 Kids (Jr. Cadets and Mobile Trailer)
  • Anaheim Family YMCA (Youth Education through Swim)
  • Change Theatre (Speak UP, Take a “Chance”)
  • Girl Scouts of Orange County (Comrades in Action)
  • Illumination Foundation (Children’s Resource Center)
  • Junior Achievement of O.C. (Economic and Financial Literacy for At-Risk Students)
  • Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim (Ross School Reading Mentoring Program)
  • Lestonnac Free Clinic (Realm of Hope)
  • Magnolia Baptist Church (Labor of Love)
  • Project Dignity (Meals for Motel Seniors)
  • O.C. Child Abuse Prevention Center (Neighbor to Neighbor Program)
  • O.C. Family Justice Center Foundation (Youth Prevention Programs)
  • O.C. Mentors for Youth, Inc. (Be All You Can Be)
  • Special Olympic Orange County (Special Olympics School Partnership)
  • Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (Victim Resource Guide Project)
  • WAND (West Anaheim Neighborhood Development – Anaheim Western BBQ)