Santa Maria Community Services Elevates Youth Potential with $75,000 Grant from The Charles H. Dater Foundation

CINCINNATI, OH – Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. announced a $75,000 grant from The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc., dedicated to enriching the lives of Lower Price Hill’s youth.

The grant bolsters Santa Maria’s Youth Development Program, designed for youth aged 10-16, to cultivate essential life skills and foster academic excellence. Through interactive groups, participants will master conflict resolution, safety, peer resistance, and more, while mentors provide tailored tutoring and support. Every participating child and their family gain access to resources fostering a stable home environment, proactively tackling challenges to their well-being. Moreover, the program empowers these young individuals to contribute to community service initiatives, reinforcing civic engagement and responsibility.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from The Charles H. Dater Foundation, which is instrumental in advancing the educational and life skills of the youth in Price Hill,” said H.A. Musser, President and CEO of Santa Maria Community Services. “Our dedicated youth development team is committed to unlocking the potential of our young people by cultivating their abilities and fostering a supportive community around them.”

“The needs are so great among the community members that Santa Maria serves, and we are pleased to be a longtime supporter,” said Bruce Krone, Foundation president. “The Santa Maria tagline Helping Families Help Themselves becomes even more relevant as the effects of the pandemic place additional stress on those who are most vulnerable.”  The Foundation made its first grant to Santa Maria in its second year of existence in 1987 and has made 40 grants totaling more than $800,000 over the years.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Cincinnati Chapter marked National Philanthropy Day by acknowledging exceptional contributors to community service. Santa Maria Community Services proudly endorsed The Charles H. Dater Foundation for this recognition. The AFP honored the Foundation with the 2023 Outstanding Corporation or Foundation Award, a testament to their enduring support and significant impact in the community, including their generous contributions to Santa Maria over the years.

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The Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1985 and makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area to carry out projects that benefit children and focus in the areas of arts/culture, education. healthcare. social services and other community needs. Charles H. Dater (1912-1993) established the foundation to ensure that funding for worthwhile community programs would continue after his death. The Foundation honors the memory and preserves the philanthropic commitment of Charles and his ancestors, whose hard work and business acumen over four generations provided them with the opportunity to share their success with their community. More information at DaterFoundation.org.

About Santa Maria Community Services, Inc.
Santa Maria Community Services, Inc. is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization originally founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1897 and place-based in Cincinnati Ohio’s Price Hill community. Santa Maria provides more than 2,500 individuals with educational tools and resources to build strong families, promote healthy residents, and foster neighborhood revitalization. Our Price Hill Family Centers provide a welcoming environment and the coaching, support, and flexibility to assist families to achieve their identified goals toward stabilization and self-sufficiency. Our mission is to be a catalyst and advocate for Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals. Our vision is for Greater Price Hill to be a vibrant, thriving, and self-sustaining community. Learn more at SantaMaria-Cincy.org.

CONTACT:                                                                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christy Cauley                                                             November 21, 2023

Santa Maria Community Services, Inc.

Christy.Cauley@SantaMaria-Cincy.org

(513) 557-7297