Empowering Youth Through Summer Enrichment: A Collaborative Effort Across the Region

Across Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and Curry counties, a remarkable collaborative effort is underway, providing summer programs and projects that serve over 10,400 young individuals. These initiatives, supported by a diverse array of foundations and organizations, are aimed at delivering quality educational, artistic, and recreational opportunities to ensure all youth in the region can engage in healthy and enriching summer activities.

Unlocking the Potential of the Next Generation

Fostering Holistic Development

The Summer Youth Partnership grant program has awarded grants ranging from 0 to ,000 to 41 charitable organizations and projects, enabling them to offer a wide range of activities and resources to the region's youth. These programs focus on nurturing essential skills, building confidence, and fostering thriving peer connections. From educational and outdoor pursuits to artistic and recreational programs, the grant recipients are dedicated to creating transformative experiences that will have a lasting impact on the lives of young participants.

Collaborative Efforts for Collective Impact

The collaborative nature of this initiative is a testament to the region's commitment to supporting its youth. The Humboldt Area Foundation, Wild Rivers Community Foundation, Mel & Grace McLean Foundation, Patricia D. & William B. Smullin Foundation, Providence's Community Health Investment, and the Community Assistance League Community Health Fund have all come together to provide the necessary funding and resources to make these programs a reality.

Empowering Organizations, Empowering Youth

The grant recipients, ranging from community service organizations to arts and recreation centers, are the driving force behind this transformative effort. These dedicated individuals and teams are working tirelessly to design and implement programs that cater to the diverse needs and interests of the region's youth. From Eureka Community Services' summer camp programs to Ink People Center for the Arts' arts education initiatives and Playhouse Arts' acting workshops for at-risk youth, each recipient is playing a vital role in shaping the futures of the next generation.

Celebrating Achievements and Inspiring the Future

The recent reception for grant recipients was a testament to the collective impact of these efforts. Gina Zottola, the Vice President of Advancement and Philanthropic Innovation at the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the grant recipients, acknowledging their crucial role in creating wonderful opportunities for the region's youth.

Investing in the Future, Empowering the Next Generation

Meredith Knowles, the Director of Grantmaking at the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation, emphasized the transformative power of these collaborative grants. By providing young people with essential opportunities and resources, the programs are helping them develop crucial skills, build confidence, and thrive among their peers. The foundation is eager to witness the lasting impacts these initiatives will have on the community and beyond, as they inspire and elevate the next generation.

A Legacy of Philanthropic Commitment

The Humboldt Area Foundation, joined by the Wild Rivers Community Foundation in 2004, has a rich history of serving the communities of Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Curry, and the unceded lands of many Indigenous peoples. For over five decades, the foundation has been a driving force in supporting racial equity, thriving youth and families, healthy ecosystems and environments, and a just economy and economic development. Through the awarding of over 7 million in grants and scholarships, the foundation has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to empowering the region's communities and creating a brighter future for all.