One Step Closer, Autism Fun and Cecelia’s Closet receive funds
Published in the Sept. 30 – Oct. 13, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
The Intero Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2002 that has raised more than $3 million to benefit children living in the communities they serve, handed out its annual grants last month. The foundation gave $6,000 to One Step Closer and Autism Fun, and $4,000 to the Edward Boss Prado Foundation.
To date, the Intero Foundation has lent its support to more than 130 local charities — organizations that range in size and mission, but all work to positively impact the growth and well-being of children by enhancing their education and personal development.
They also have an endowment fund which recently hit $1 million. The foundation will be giving its first grant in the near future and it will be their largest to date at $20,000. Nonprofits that help children are encouraged to send their grant requests to Karlene DiNapoli at [email protected] or log on to the foundation website interofoundation.org. Grant application guidelines are forms are available on our website.
One Step Closer is a therapeutic riding program which helps children with special needs achieve their physical, emotional, cognitive and social development goals. They reach 2,000 children per year in their riding programs. Children with special needs have challenges that impede learning and success in school.
These challenges include attention deficit, speech and communication delays, difficultly with social interaction and inappropriate behavior. This program address these challenges and is designed to improve their school readiness and learning performances. The grant for will be used only for this program and will serve children 4-18 years old. Programs incorporates games and tasks on horseback that helps address the challenges these children face. It helps with confidence, self-esteem and fitness.
Autism Fun aims to make music and performing arts accessible to children and their family’s for whom regular performances are typically off limits are difficult due to behavior or sensory challenges. This group organizes autism friendly activities and events with the purpose of giving opportunity to individuals of various ages to enjoy the educational and recreational benefits of high quality concerts, plays, ballet, etc. without being excluded due to behavior.
Currently this group organizes about six events per year, such as the children attending the dress rehearsal for the San Jose Ballet production of “Cinderella” and “The Nutcracker.” These events are free to children and their families. The grant will allow this group to plan a full weekend of autism friendly performances. The grant will help the nonprofit secure a facility for the performances, hire talent and provide snacks. This group is 100 percent volunteer so all funds they raise goes to these children. They currently reach about 1,000 children.
Cecelia’s Closet aims to empower people in need with resources that foster dignity and respect. They are involved with various projects such as No Child Goes Unfed – in partnership with Sobrato and Live Oak funds and food are provided to students who do not have money for lunch. Share the Runway- gently used prom dresses and accessories are provided. Cecilia’s closet and food pantry provides emergency food, clothing and household supplies to those in need. There are also other programs such as turkeys provided at Thanksgiving and toys during the Christmas Holiday.
Due to the tremendous outpouring of support this foundation has received they are in need of additional storage space and will use the funds for a new shed that will be named The Intero Closet. This foundation is run 100 percent by volunteers so all funds and resources go directly in those in our community who are in need of food and clothing.
