Community Foundation Announces $2.6 Million In Grants From Centinela Medical Funds

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- California Community Foundation (CCF) has announced $2,615,000 in two-year grants to six nonprofit hospitals and community-based organizations providing health care, medically-related services and health education to economically disadvantaged residents of Inglewood and surrounding communities in the Centinela Valley of Los Angeles. 

"The Centinela Valley Medical Care and Community Funds are a unique and significant source of support for eligible hospitals and community-based organizations in Los Angeles," said CCF President and CEO, Antonia Hernandez.  "We are extremely grateful to the medical professionals and community residents who volunteer to serve on the advisory committee."

The Saint Francis Medical Center in Lynwood receives $500,000 to work with St. John's Well Child and Family Center in coordinating care for the medically underserved, particularly perinatal care.   The South Bay Family Healthcare Center receives $250,000 to coordinate care with hospitals and increase the center's data management and quality management capacity.  The Southside Coalition of Community Health Centers receives $250,000 over two years to act as an intermediary between eight clinics and Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in South Los Angeles in order to coordinate and improve health care access for and delivery to local residents. 

The L.A. Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Med Center receives $500,000 to partner with the L.A. Best Babies Network in strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations and their partners.  UCLA receives two grants totaling $1 million to partner with faith-based organizations to community clinics in coordinating and providing care for patients with cancer or depression in Centinela Valley communities.  The Washington, DC-based organization, Center for Community Change, receives $115,000 on behalf of the Young Invincibles to provide outreach and education on health care issues through a free mobile phone application to young adults in the Centinela Valley.

"In addition to the financial benefits, Centinela Medical grant recipients receive technical and management support from the California Community Foundation," said George Moreland, MD, chair of the board and former chief of staff at Pacoima Lutheran Hospital.  "This support is also vitally important for reinforcing the stability and sustainability of nonprofit organizations in our community provides high-quality, accessible and culturally-appropriate medical and health care."

In addition to Dr. Moreland, members of the Centinela Advisory Committee to CCF are:

• Herbert L. Carter, DPA, chair of the board of the California State University System and former president/CEO of United Way, Inc.
• Thelma L. Eaton, DSW, former chief of staff for State Senator Teresa Hughes and former chair of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Whittier College
• Clifton L. Johnson, vice president of Union Bank of California and member of the CCF Board investment committee
• Valerie Lynne Shaw, commissioner and vice president of the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works
• Grant Sunoo, director of real estate and economic development for the Coalition for Responsible Community Development

The Centinela Medical Care Fund and the Centinela Medical Community Fund were established at CCF in 1999 with proceeds from the sale of the Centinela Hospital Medical Center, in order to ensure that members of the surrounding community – Inglewood, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Lawndale, Lennox, Compton, Watts and parts of Los Angeles – would continue to have access to health care.  Since then, more than $30 million has been distributed by CCF from the two funds to eligible hospitals and community-based organizations delivering health care, medically-related services and health education to the economically disadvantaged in the Centinela Valley.

California Community Foundation (CCF) is a public, charitable organization serving Los Angeles County in multiple capacities since 1915.  It encourages philanthropy by individuals, families, companies and organizations, and serves as a steward of their charitable funds and legacies.  It makes grants to and collaborates with nonprofits to address needs in their communities, with emphasis on the most vulnerable individuals and families.  It convenes and engages with private, public and nonprofits sector partners in community problem solving and advocacy work.  For more information, visit www.calfund.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/calfund.

Contact: Raul Garza
Phone: (213) 413-4130 ext 229
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE California Community Foundation