3 Nonprofit Agencies in County Win $5,000 Grants From Times

Three Ventura County nonprofit groups each won $5,000 grants from the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday for their charitable work helping children and senior citizens.

The Times presented Community Partnership Awards to 10 organizations in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County, including Conejo Valley Seniors Concerns Inc., the Oxnard-based Children’s Activity Center, and Fillmore-Piru Boys & Girls Club.

Recipients were honored at an awards ceremony in Glendale attended by more than 400 community leaders and hosted by Julia C. Wilson, president of The Times Valley and Ventura County editions, and R. Marilyn Lee, vice president of public affairs for The Times.

“Supporting outstanding nonprofit programs is part of The Times’ ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” Wilson said. “We are proud to recognize organizations providing the vital services that make a difference in people’s lives.”

Established in 1990, the annual awards honor programs in six categories, including health, cultural arts and senior citizens.

Thousand Oaks-based Conejo Valley Senior Concerns provides programs that prevent or postpone placement of senior citizens in an institutional setting, including Meals on Wheels and support groups for caregivers.

The Children’s Activity Center provides educational and recreational programs for at-risk children.

The Fillmore-Piru Boys & Girls Club will use its award to continue programs at its three sites in the two Santa Clara Valley communities, including after-school homework help and a drug prevention program.

“It is so difficult to raise money in Fillmore because it’s the lowest income area of Ventura County,” said Diane Koranda, the club’s executive director. “So things like this are so prized and really go a long way toward helping us out.”

Also receiving awards were:

* The Oasis Women’s Recovery Community in Sylmar for an addiction recovery program.

* The Kathryn L. Kurka Children’s Health Fund in West Hills for a children’s health program.

* Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar for a health education program.

* The Halcyon Center for Child Studies in Van Nuys for a program that teaches at-risk children to be “peace-builders.”

* The Deaf West Theater Company in Los Angeles for a drama program aimed at deaf children.

* O.N.E. (Organization for the Needs of the Elderly) in Van Nuys for a program that builds understanding across generations and promotes healthy aging.

* Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Assn. in Woodland Hills for a nature trail maintenance program.

A nine-member panel of community and business leaders selected the recipients from among organizations serving Ventura County, and the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys.