The Almaden Valley Counseling Service is the beneficiary of a $5,000 grant from San Jose District 10 Councilwoman Nancy Pyle and Hewlett-Packard to use for educational purposes.
Officials said the money would be used to educate teens on life issues and continue to support counseling interns at the center as they work to get their credentials. However, they haven't designated specific uses for the money.
"We are very excited," board member Tish Allen said.
The grant is part of a $25,000 annual fund from HP that is given to each San Jose city council district office. Council members can choose to give the money to local organizations.
"For over 20 years, the AVCS has provided a wonderful service to District 10, and I am pleased to lend my support to an organization which as done so much to benefit so many of our local residents, both young and old," Pyle said.
AVCS opened its doors 25 years ago after two local teens committed suicide. Since that time, however, the organization has grown to include more services. Besides the Counselors on Campus program, which provides local students with counseling, crisis-intervention and referral services, AVCS also offers a Geriatric Advisory Program that tends to the needs of the senior population.
"We can help out anybody," Allen said. "We saw our program just evolving."
The program reaches out to 55 zip codes throughout Santa Clara valley.
Even though organizers put on at least three fundraisers a year to cover the costs of services, there is still a shortfall, Allen said. Clients pay on a sliding scale, which covers only 70 percent of the expenses. The center relies on private grants to cover the rest. |
