Inland Valley Interventionists Unite for Violence Prevention During Gun Violence Awareness Month
Pomona, CA — In a significant boost to local violence prevention efforts, four Inland Valley nonprofits were recently awarded $1.5 million in grants by the Trauma Prevention Partnerships Initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention and the California Community Foundation. A renewed focus on these grants comes at a crucial time as the community observes Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, underscoring a shared commitment to reducing gun violence and promoting healing.
“By funding these vital programs, we are investing in the health and safety of our communities,” said Dr. Adrienne Hillman, Program Officer at California Community Foundation. “These nonprofits are at the forefront of trauma prevention, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
The recipient nonprofits — House of Ruth, Just Us 4 Youth, Southern California Crossroads, and Project Resilience have been recognized for their innovative approaches to trauma prevention and their dedication to fostering safer environments. The funding has enabled these organizations to expand their violence prevention programs, provide critical support services, and enhance community outreach.
Grant Recipients and Their Initiatives:
House of Ruth (Pomona): With a mission of providing safe and supporting spaces for people affected by domestic violence, House of Ruth is using this funding to support youth in emergency situations.
Just Us 4 Youth (Pomona): Dedicated to investing in young lives through mentoring, Just Us 4 Youth is using their grant to strengthen their youth development and youth leadership programs.
: With a mission to provide safety and healing for individuals and communities impacted by trauma caused by violence, Southern California Crossroads is using this funding to support the capacity of Pomona Valley Hospital to support victims of violence.
Project Resilience: A Pomona-based organization committed to empowering survivors of sex trafficking through community outreach and advocacy, Project Resilience
At a June 14th convening of the Trauma Prevention Initiative, grantees heard from featured speakers in community safety and violence prevention and attended breakout sessions for further learning in their work to create safer communities.
The Trauma Prevention Partnerships Initiative is a partnership between the Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention and the California Community Foundation. Through this initiative $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have been invested in a cohort of community-based organizations across Los Angeles County dedicated to violence prevention.
Violence in Los Angeles County has increased significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating communities of color that have already been disproportionately impacted by ongoing violence.
From street outreach and hospital violence interventions to emerging best practices in youth development, trauma-informed care, crisis response, and school safety, this Initiative is committed to addressing the drivers of violence and trauma at their roots.
About California Community Foundation
The California Community Foundation (CCF) has served as a public, charitable organization for Los Angeles County since 1915. Its mission is to lead positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles communities. CCF stewards $2.3 billion in assets and manages 1,900 charitable foundations, funds and legacies. For more information, please visit www.calfund.org.
