Rotary Club of Los Angeles Fights Homelessness

The Rotary Club of Los Angeles awarded five local non­profit organizations committed to combating homelessness a portion of $64,500 at its 2016 Fast5 Community Service Grant event this month.

January 22, 2016 ­ LOS ANGELES, CA. - On Friday, January 22 the Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5) honored its commitment to combating and raising awareness of the growing problem of homelessness in Los Angeles by inviting five non­profit organizations to participate in the Fast5 Community Service Grant event at City Club Los Angeles from 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M

Competing for a share of $64,500 in grants, Fast5 participants presented their unique approaches to addressing homelessness in Los Angeles to more than 100 friends, guests, and members of LA5. Rotarians then casted their votes for the organization they felt had the most promising approach. All organizations participating received some portion of the award with S​chools On Wheels​, the non­profit with the majority of votes, receiving a grant of $33,290.

School on Wheels’ Program director Matt Raab said, “We appreciate having the opportunity to be here today and everything that [LA5] does for the community. The grant will be used on a variety of education programs for homeless children and to help staff our volunteer tutoring programs, which is the main service provided to our students.” School on Wheels is the only organization in Greater Los Angeles exclusively dedicated to serving the educational needs of homeless children.

The full list of 2016 Fast5 Community Service Grants awarded is as follows:

LA5 president Jose Vera said, “This year, we decided to focus on the issue of homelessness in the Los Angeles area because it’s impacting our community right now. It’s visible and certainly has grown over the years. As one of the leaders in L.A.’s service community, LA5 decided to do something about it. We have focused our resources from our 300 members who have decided that we won’t stand by as veterans and children live on the streets.”

Of the $64,500 award an initial $33,000 was raised by individual members of LA5, $25,000 was contributed by the Rotary Club of Los Angeles Foundation, and an additional $6,500 was raised by more than 100 friends, guests and members of LA5 in attendance at the event.

About the LA5: Rotary Club of Los Angeles

The Rotary Club of Los Angeles, LA’s leading business and civic organization since 1909, is comprised of over 300 of LA’s most prominent leaders in business, legal, government, and not­for­profit sectors. An historic pillar in the community, the Rotary Club of Los Angeles, also known as LA5, possesses the influence to shape the future of Los Angeles. For more information about LA5 or to apply to become a member visit: http://www.rotaryla5.org/membership.​

Media Contact
A​lexandra Forero
Public Relations Associate,Pepperdine University

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