The Eisner Foundation awards $1.4 million to support intergenerational programming in Los Angeles County
September 23, 2016
The Eisner Foundation announced today that it would award $1,445,000 through seven grants to Los Angeles County nonprofit organizations in the third quarter of 2016. These bold investments reflect the Foundation’s commitment to fund transformative intergenerational programs that address inequality and injustice.
“These seven organizations are terrific examples of how intergenerational programs are changing Los Angeles for the better,” said Trent Stamp, CEO of The Eisner Foundation. “We’re proud to continue several long-running partnerships, and to build several new ones.”
Previous Eisner Foundation grantee Encore.org will receive $500,000 over two years in support of their new social action campaign Generation to Generation, which will mobilize 1 million people over 50 to help change the national conversation about intergenerational relationships in America. This broad campaign will support innovative and scalable pilot projects to bring generations together in ways that make lives better for all.
The 2015 Eisner Prize winner, L.A. Kitchen was awarded $100,000 in general operating support for their intergenerational culinary job training that empowers emancipated foster youth and older adults transitioning out of incarceration to thrive in careers in the food service industry.
The Eisner Foundation committed $100,000 to the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) in support of their after-school music program that offers free instruments, instruction and performance opportunities to children in underserved communities. YOLA’s three sites at Heart of Los Angeles, EXPO Center/Harmony Project and LA County High School for the Arts serve over 700 students ages 6-18, and give them opportunities to interact with professional musicians and world-renowned guest artists.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center was given a grant of $500,000 over two years in capital support to build an intergenerational campus for LGBT youth and seniors in Hollywood that enriches each generation and creates a true sense of community. This new multi-use building will significantly increase the Center’s capacity to serve homeless youth and low-income seniors through housing and social service programs, and will provide opportunities for youth and elders to learn more about their common challenges and build community.
Another new grantee, Partners for Children South L.A. will receive $50,000 to support their Kinship Project, which serves relatives—usually grandparents—caring for children both in and outside of the foster care system. These relatives are often older, of fewer financial resources, and in poor health. The foundation’s support will enable the Kinship Project to serve 120 relative caregivers through peer support groups and facilitated access to available resources.
The Southeast Asian Community Alliance is being given $25,000 in general operating support to represent multi-ethnic neighborhoods in Northeast Los Angeles and offer intergenerational programs designed to train residents in community advocacy. Though the Alliance began as a youth-centered organization, it is increasingly working with adults and seniors to build advocacy efforts in community planning, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention.
Finally, the University of Southern California was granted $170,000 over two years to launch a Grandfather Reading Buddies program that will bring retired men and retired police officers to mentor and tutor young boys of color ages 5-9 in South Los Angeles. This intergenerational program will not only improve reading skills, but also help to dispel inaccurate and negative stereotypes by providing positive role models.