Cenpatico gives $44k to Yuma organizations
The concrete gym floor at Yuma's Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club has seen better days.
It's at least 15 years old, worn from daily use by the upwards of 150 children who come to the clubhouse on 13th Avenue to play and learn during the club's after-school program, and by the people who come to praise at the regular church services. The floor was originally a basketball court, but the painted lines are long gone.
“We use it every day and on the weekends as well,” said Terre Munk, special events assistant for the club.
The floor's better days should be coming back soon, though. With $5,000 from Cenpatico of Arizona's Community Reinvestment Grants, the club can finally take it off the deferred maintenance list.
“We're so excited,” Munk said. “We just can't wait.”
The Boys & Girls Club is just one beneficiary of the nearly $44,000 in grants that Cenpatico, the Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Yuma County, is spreading among area community programs. Others include:
• Back to the Basics Please: $11,000 for the GY2KC PATHS Outreach Campaign to fund two main events that will engage youth and families.
• Campesinos Sin Fronteras: $10,665 for a roll-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer for the San Luis Food Pantry.
• Mountain Health & Wellness: $3,725 for the MHW Yuma Jardin Comunitario project, which will fund the entire community garden project.
• San Luis Police Athletic League: $7,500 for the Let's Play 5K run for kids.
• The Healing Journey: $1,000 for workbooks and office equipment for the Teen Survivors of Abuse support group.
• Yuma Conservation Garden: $5,000 for gardening supplies for Farmer Hank's Memorial Garden.
In addition, Cenpatico is awarding $6,000 to the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The money will be used to buy books for the Reach Out and Read Arizona program in Yuma and La Paz counties.
“Cenpatico views itself as a partner with the communities we serve and the awards are part of our overall plan to improve lives in the places we operate,” stated Terry Stevens, chief executive officer of Cenpatico of Arizona. “Giving back to the community is something we look forward to at Cenpatico.”
Cenpatico is giving a total of $322,658 in grants throughout Arizona. The organization also works in Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pinal and Santa Cruz counties.
