Decorative Arts Society announces $275,000 in grants to 12 OC nonprofit organizations

As fundraising continues to be challenging for charities in Orange County and beyond due to the pandemic, the Newport Beach-based Decorative Arts Society (DARTS) announced that it has given 12 Orange County nonprofit organizations a total of $275,000 in grants for the 2021-2022 year.

Earlier this year, DARTS gave a record $325,000 to women’s and children’s charities in Orange County during the pandemic. The organization has given more than $3 million to local nonprofit organizations since its inception 26 years ago.

“While the pandemic has created challenges for everyone, it has caused unprecedented hardships for women and children who are at-risk or in need. We’re seeing a bigger need than ever to support local charities, who in turn help those who are most vulnerable in our community,” said Laraine Eggleston, president of DARTS. “We are proud to continue our work to help so many in the community who need financial assistance with shelter, medical bills and meeting basic needs at this time.”

The Orange County charities who received grants include:

–Mariposa Women and Family Center, which seeks to stabilize the lives of low-income women through therapeutic mental health intervention targeting substance abuse, domestic violence, anxiety, anger management and life skills. 

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(L-R) Andrea McCallister, director of development and communications at Laura’s House with Madeline Hayward, DARTS 2021 grants chair 

 –Laura’s House, which will use the grant to support their outreach education Youth Dating Violence Prevention Program. The platform consists of workshops and outreach in schools.

 –Breast Cancer Solutions, which provides financial support, community resource navigation and emotional support to financially disadvantaged breast cancer patients experiencing financial hardship during treatment. 

 –Intervention Center for Early Childhood, which will use their grant to support its Ounce of Prevention Program that provides low-income, high-risk children with free developmental delay assessments and follow up early intervention and therapeutic services.

 –Friendly Center, whose grant will support the Family Support Advocate Program, which provides at-risk, low-income Orange County families with a family support advocate. A portion of the grant will also support their food pantry.

–Beyond Blindness (formally Blind Children’s Learning Center), which provides early intervention services to children and mothers via their Bright Visions Early Childhood Center, designed for affected children ages 6 months to 7 years.

–Taller San Jose/Hope Builders, will use their grant to fund its Health Care Training Program, which prepares disadvantaged, unemployed young women for careers as medical assistants and, ultimately, increases their life and economic stability.

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(L-R) Madeline Hayward with Amy Lakin, executive director of Casa Youth Shelter

–Casa Youth Shelter will fund its Residential Shelter Care Program, which provides shelter, counseling, case management and educational services to at-risk, run away and homeless youth.

–Boys Hope Girls Hope, which will use the grant to support this Orange County-based academic scholarship and boarding home for children in need for their College Road Program, a college prep and completion curriculum for children considered homeless by the California Department of Education.

 –SPIN (Serving People in Need, Inc.) will use their grant on their housing program, GAPP (Guided Assistance to Permanent Placement), which provides financial assistance for housing, including rapid rehousing, transitional housing and rental assistance for families in crisis with children.

 –Thomas House, which provides transitional rent-free housing and comprehensive support and prevention services to homeless families. The grant will fund up to two apartments.

–WTLC (Women’s Transitional Living Center), which offers comprehensive services including immediate shelter and longer-term support to all survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.

 The Decorative Arts Society (DARTS), established in 1995, is a membership organization that offers an annual lecture series by nationally and internationally renowned experts in the decorative arts, including interior design, architecture, landscape, fashion and other aspects of the arts. Through subscriptions, donations and other fundraising, the Decorative Arts Society provides grants to Orange County charities serving women, children and families.

 For more information on the Decorative Arts Society and membership opportunities, visit www.decorativeartssociety.net and follow the organization on Instagram or Facebook at @decorativeartssociety.