New Funding Brings Foundation’s Giving to More Than $1 Million
Camarillo, Calif., May 31, 2023 – Casa Pacifica today announced an $80,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to support the agency’s life-changing mental health programs for children and young adults. The grant furthers the Foundation’s philanthropic legacy at Casa Pacifica, which spans more than 15 years and totals more than $1 million.
The Gene Haas Foundation has been a staunch supporter of Casa Pacifica since 2007. Recent contributions include a $75,000 grant for residential and community-based mental health programs and a $10,000 holiday donation to support the agency’s annual holiday giving program for at-risk children and families throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Haas Automation Inc. founder and CEO, Gene Haas, to support the needs of local communities through grants to regional and local non-profits. A significant part of the Foundation’s mission is to help local organizations address the critical needs of poor and underserved populations in Ventura County. Since its inception, more than $27 million in community-based funding has been provided to non-profits.
Gene Haas and Haas Automation were the 2006 recipients of the Roy Pinkerton Award, presented by the Ventura County chapter of the United Way.
“This generous grant is evidence of the Gene Haas Foundation’s committed investment in Casa Pacifica’s mission. We are incredibly grateful for their steadfast support and for this most recent grant, which will ensure Casa Pacifica can continue to restore hope and change lives for the most vulnerable youth in our community,” said Shawna Morris, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Casa Pacifica.
Casa Pacifica is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health care services in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The agency specializes in children and youth with complex mental health challenges and serves more than 2,000 children, families and youth annually in outpatient, residential, home and community-based settings. Its licensed therapeutic programs encompass prevention, direct care and transition/emancipation for soon-to-be and emancipated foster youth.
Since 2017, rates of anxiety and depression among California youth have increased 70%, and one-third of the state’s adolescents experienced serious psychological distress, including a 20% increase in adolescent suicide. Research indicates unmet mental health needs are adversely affecting student learning and overall health.
“Mental health is fundamental to the strength and well-being of our community’s children and youth. The Gene Haas Foundation is pleased to support Casa Pacifica’s impactful work in youth mental health and to create opportunities for children and young people to heal and thrive,” said Joanne Haas, Director of Community Grants for California and Nevada, Gene Haas Foundation.
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Casa Pacifica Mission: A life worth living – Casa Pacifica inspires hope and nurtures mental health and well-being of children, young adults, and families to realize their full potential.
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families provides assessment, clinical, medical, residential, and educational services to foster and at-risk children/youth struggling with complex mental health disorders due to past trauma and/or mental illness. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and administers 15 campus- and community-based programs and services designed to give youth, and their families, the tools they need to heal, rebuild and strengthen relationships, reengage with their educations, and overcome their negative emotional and behavioral challenges. The agency’s Camino a Casa program, available to clients with private insurance, provides behavioral health care to support youth ages 9 to 17 with emotional and behavioral issues, along with their families.
For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website www.casapacifica.org or call the Development Department at (805) 445-7800.