Members of Las Candelas welcomed guests to their final general meeting of the year at Oakmont Country Club from some of the area non-profits they serve. Celebrating the season of giving, Las Candelas presented financial gifts to each. Accepting grants from Las Candelas for their organizations were Tara Peterson, Glendale YWCA executive director, Ascencia Executive Director Dr. Laura Duncan, Hillsides (Youth Moving On) Grant Director Rahneesha Lewis, and Dr. Patrick Kelly and Martha Basmadjian of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Funding to the YWCA will be directed to Camp Rosie, a two-week camp for girls aged 12 to 16 geared toward leadership development and healthy choices and relationships. Financial assistance to Didi Hirsch will support its annual teen summit, a seminar geared toward suicide prevention in teens and creative coping. Hillsides (Youth Moving On) will use the funds to keep its Pasadena facility stocked with food and hygiene products for homeless or struggling youth ages 18 to 25 who are no longer under foster care. Ascencia will use the grant money to purchase supplies for its art therapy program for the children living in their shelter.

Dr. Laura Duncan was the guest speaker of the day and presented an emotional program about homelessness, how it can happen and how Ascencia helps to lift people out of it.

President JC Byer adjourned the meeting and invited all to celebrate the season with a holiday luncheon.

The mission of Las Candelas is to give volunteer service and financial assistance to improve the lives of children and youth in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs. Visit the Las Candelas website at www.lascandelas.org to learn more about the history and mission of this organization that was founded in 1953.

Submitted by Cathy KEEN

  Cathy Keen