LAKE FOREST : Service Groups Get More City Funds

The $28,000 just wasn’t enough, so the City Council dipped into the general fund and found an extra $700 for local community service groups.

About 10 nonprofit organizations received amounts ranging from $1,080 to $5,000 to support programs that provide services from drug intervention to rides for teen drunk drivers.

At its meeting Tuesday, the council adjusted its Community Support Grant Funding for several groups.

Camino Health centers received the biggest boost, from the $2,500 recommended by city staff to $5,000. Advocates for Learning Language saw their grant increase from $1,080 to $2,000, while Women Helping Women went from $1,000 to $1,700.

YMCA Community Counseling Services went from a $2,500 grant to $1,080. And the Hot Line Help Center of Anaheim and Operation Clean Slate, which stood to get $1,000 each, were dropped altogether from the funding list.

The council cited a variety of reasons for the changes, from prioritizing support for local nonprofit groups to how badly the services were needed by the Lake Forest community.

Councilwoman Ann Van Haun was the lone voice supporting the grants as recommended by city staff. “I think the staff has been quite fair in giving everyone something,” she said.