Women Helping Youth (WHY) is a women’s philanthropic organization committed to improving the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children and young adults in need in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Started by Palisadians Jill Weintraub and Moira Tenzer (co-presidents) and Debbie Schermer (secretary/treasurer), the organization’s goal is to combine individual donations to create a larger pool of funds with which to make a difference in the lives of youth. Each member gives $1,000 annually, and after an extensive grant outreach and screening process, several potential grant recipients are identified. Ballots go out to members, asking that they rank the order in which they would like to see the money awarded. The projects must be based in the Greater Los Angeles area.
In April, the group held its seventh annual Grant Award Luncheon at the Palisades home of Laurie and David Cohen. WHY’s 81 members and several supporters awarded over $100,000 to six organizations.
Since its founding, the group has raised $520,000 and has awarded 33 grants. Ninety-five percent of every dollar donated goes to helping the kids.
Tenzer, Weintraub and Schermer are always trying to expand WHY. Current goals include getting 100 members, getting the word out to potential grantees and improving their Facebook page.
“Our goal every year is to attract more members so that we can raise more money to help more kids,” Tenzer says. The women hope to surpass the $100,000 raised by next year’s luncheon.
Most members are in the 40-to-60-year-old range. The oldest member is Tenzer’s 86-year-old mother, Annette Fine, and the youngest members are in high school. These teenagers take their responsibilities seriously, Tenzer says. “The young women are learning about being philanthropists and community giving,” and their vote counts as much as any other vote.
April’s grant recipients were as follows:
• The Achievable Foundation, which provides crucial services to children and adults living with developmental disabilities. WHY’s grant of $19,103 will fund essential pediatric equipment for a one-of-a-kind, new medical clinic for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
• C5LA is a five-year leadership development and college preparatory program for at-risk youth in under-resourced environments. WHY’s grant of $12,903 will create the Women Helping Youth Academic Resource Center, including computers, furniture and resource materials to aid in workshops and the college application process.
• The Guidance Center provides comprehensive mental health treatment for disadvantaged children and their families at their center and through field-based services. WHY’s grant of $12,975 will fund 42 Play Therapy On-The-Go Kits so that therapists can bring the necessary tools to the children.
• Stone Soup provides quality before and after school child-care/enrichment programs on public school sites. WHY’s grant of $23,204 will fund the purchase of fitness and nutrition education equipment to combat childhood obesity for over 2,000 children daily.
• InnerCity Struggle promotes healthy, safe and non-violent communities, while empowering youth and families to address issues of educational access and equity in East Los Angeles. The WHY grant of $27,640 will fund the purchase of a van for safe transport for high school students to this after-school leadership and college preparatory program.
• Whole Child is a treatment center for children and teens who suffer from chronic pain. The WHY grant of $4,807 will fund the purchase of photography and video equipment so kids in chronic pain can film their stories and share them with other children in pain throughout the world.
Now through September, the Grant Outreach Committee will be working to identify potential grant recipients. Call (310) 454-8991 or visit womenhelpingyouth.org.
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