Two longtime community programs have received a much-needed
financial boost from the Cisco Systems Foundation
’s Community Grants Program.
Two longtime community programs have received a much-needed financial boost from the Cisco Systems Foundation’s Community Grants Program.
WERC, the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center in Morgan Hill, that provides area schools, libraries and youth groups with free educational outreach programs complementing their science and history curricula, received a grant to continue its work.
With funding received from Cisco, WERC will provide programs for children in Santa Clara and San Benito counties. These programs meet many or all of California’s Life Science Standards for elementary school grades K-6, and pique students’ interest in learning about wildlife and California Early Native Americans through hands-on, interactive learning experiences.
“WERC’s educational outreach programs strive to instill respect for wildlife at an early age, and encourage peaceful co-existence between civilization and wildlife,” said Sue Howell, executive director of WERC. “Generous support for our programs from local donors, like the Cisco Systems Foundation, give children more opportunities to learn these valuable lessons, and educators more tools to inspire learning.”
The grant from the Cisco Systems Foundation will enable WERC to provide up to 109 programs. WERC is one of 57 community organizations within 50 miles of Cisco’s headquarters to receive funding this year as part of the company’s San Jose Community Grants Program.
“Cisco is committed to building lasting solutions for the many issues facing our community,” said Sylvia Allen, senior director of worldwide diversity, philanthropy and ethics for Cisco. “As an active member of the community in which we live and do business, we are committed to supporting public benefit organizations that provide vital services like education and basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and health care.”
WERC provides the community with rehabilitation services for orphaned, sick, and injured native wildlife. Through its educational outreach programs, WERC encourages peaceful co-existence between civilization and wildlife. Details on WERC and its programs: www.werc-ca.org/
The second local organization to receive Cisco funding is Community Solutions, the agency that, among other services, offers battered women and their children have a safe haven from the violence that has marred their lives La Isla Pacifica (The Peaceful Island) has provided confidential shelter and support services for women and children since 1978.
With the $20,000 grant from Cisco, Community Solutions will be able to continue to provide critical services for families in the community. Last year, 3221 safe bed nights were provided to 76 women and 82 children fleeing from violent homes. The agency also provided legal assistance to 258 women as well as, counseling services for 100 women and children.
“It is imperative that battered women and their children find safety and support in our community,” said Erin O’Brien, CEO of Community Solutions. “It can be a long journey out of the violence and our staff are here to assist and support them every step of the way. Generous support from local donors, like the Cisco Systems Foundation, allows us to provide these critical services.”
The grant from Cisco Systems Foundation will support the daily assistance that is provided to women and children at the shelter. Counseling services, transportation, crisis intervention, emergency assistance and safety planning is available 24-hours a day. Though the current economy is resulting in significant budget cuts to all human services, the grant from Cisco helps ensure that battered women and children can continue to rely on the safety net provided by Community Solutions.
Community Solutions provides a comprehensive array of services responding to issues of mental health, substance abuse, sexual assault, teen parenting, family dysfunction and juvenile delinquency. For more information visit the agency’s website at www.communitysolutions.org or call 779-2113.
