For Immediate Release

Contact: James Paxson, General Manager
Hacienda Owners Association
(925) 734-6500

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Hacienda Helping Hands has awarded two impact grants to organizations providing local services: the Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative and Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley. The Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative was given a $5,000.00 grant in support of a regional convening to present information on local poverty issues and their solutions. Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley was given a $5,000.00 grant in support of the organization's Stepping Out and Reconnecting (SOAR) initiative. Grants were made through a Donor Advised Fund held by the East Bay Community Foundation.

"Hacienda Helping Hands is excited to be able to help provide a catalyst to make these unique projects happen," said James Paxson, Hacienda's general manager. "We believe that providing these grants will allow these efforts to succeed in ways that might not have happened without support. This is particularly relevant given the importance of the the work of both of these community organizations."

"The Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative (TVAPC) is very pleased to have been awarded this grant from Hacienda Helping Hands," exclaimed Kristi Miller, Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative Program Manager. "The grant award will help to fund a community education event to help link the Tri-Valley community, and in particular businesses, to the work of the collaborative. The TVAPC has spent the last two years developing as an organization in response to the very real issues confronting those experiencing poverty in the Tri-Valley. Using a collective impact approach, what has emerged are a set of focused, collaborative efforts to address issues of poverty. Such collaboration is key given that poverty is frequently hidden from sight in areas like the Tri-Valley and creating opportunities to integrate programs and resources is one of the best means of finding and elevating those in need. The program that this grant will support is an opportunity to provide an update on community poverty information that the group developed several years ago, and to hear about what has and can be done to further local poverty reduction."

"Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley (SSPTV) deeply appreciates the $5,000 grant from Hacienda Helping Hands to support our SOAR (Stepping Out And Reconnecting) program for socially isolated seniors living in the Tri-Valley" notes Robert Taylor, SSPTV Executive Director. "The grant will provide critical support for SSPTV's expanded outreach to seniors at risk for developing health and functionality problems due to social isolation that can occur after the loss of friends and family, or because of changes in health and mobility. The SOAR program addresses these challenges to health and independence by offering seniors professional evaluation, individual counseling, and group activities designed to encourage social interaction, foster new friendships, and support independence. Seniors who live alone are especially vulnerable to social isolation and its negative impacts. Fortunately, early intervention with appropriate services has proven effective both in preventing declines in physical and/or mental health and in preserving seniors' ability to live independently. This type of support is the impetus we need to grow the SOAR program and enhance the awareness of programs directly improving the lives of seniors in the Tri-Valley area. It is evident Hacienda Helping Hands is committed to building strong community partnerships to better the lives of all Tri-Valley seniors."

About Tri-Valley Anti-Poverty Collaborative

TVAPC is a cross-sector partnership between individuals working in government, schools, non-profit and safety net organizations, faith-based groups, philanthropic organizations, residents, and members of the business community to address issues related to suburban poverty and to support the needs of Eastern Alameda County. TVAPC is supported by Kaiser Permanente and has more than 40 member organizations. The collaborative supports community education forums, cross sector collaborations between members, and community listening sessions. Current areas of focus for are housing, health, education, and food access. Learn more at www.TVAPC.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley

Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley (SSPTV) is an independent, nonprofit organization providing free, comprehensive services to seniors age 60 and older in Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, and Sunol since 1981. SSPTV programs annually serve approximately 6,100 seniors in the Tri-Valley area via dedicated staff and approximately 260 volunteers. They pride themselves in being the "One Stop Shop for Seniors" and listening to the needs of the area's senior citizens and their families to create programs to fit those needs. Their mission is to provide service and assistance to seniors that will foster independence, promote safety and well-being, preserve dignity and improve quality of life. Learn more at www.ssptv.org.

About Hacienda Helping Hands

Hacienda Helping Hands supports community organizations in the following six key philanthropic areas: youth development and education, family strengthening, senior assistance, access to healthcare and healthy living, affordable housing and solutions to homelessness, and arts and culture. Over the last several years Hacienda Helping Hands has been able to distribute more than $150,000 to organizations that addressed one or more of these philanthropic areas. Past recipients include: Axis Community Health, Alameda County Community Food Bank, Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley, Buenas Vidas Youth Ranch, Open Heart Kitchen, La Familia, Sentinels of Freedom, Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center, and many more. Learn more at www.hacienda.org/about/helping-hands.

About East Bay Community Foundation

The Hacienda Helping Hands Fund is held by the East Bay Community Foundation (www.eastbaycf.org), one of the largest sources of philanthropic support for the East Bay, managing more than 500 charitable funds and endowments. The East Bay Community Foundation transforms lives by harnessing financial capital, leadership and philanthropic expertise through the power of many: partnerships with individual donors, business, government, and private foundations.

Contact Information

Hacienda Owners Association
4305 Hacienda Drive, Suite 330, Pleasanton, California  94588-2738
(925) 734-6500 phone     (925) 734-6501 fax
info@hacienda.org e-mail     www.hacienda.org WWW