NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 27, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A total of $50,000 - $35,000 in grants to area community groups and $15,000 in youth scholarships - was awarded by the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc. (JLOCC) during its 49th Annual Meeting held recently at the Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom at the historic Balboa Pavilion.
The recipient projects supported by the JLOCC included Art and Creativity for Healing, Inc.; Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Orange County; The Gary Center; Kid Singers; Laurel House; Project Cuddle; St. Joseph Ballet; and Stop-Gap.
A total of $15,000 in scholarships was also awarded at the event to applicants including Brittany Cuozzo, Villa Park High School; Mary Azucena Hernandez, Saddleback High School; Kathleen Curamene, Rancho Alamitos High School; Genovpetry Calderon, Saddleback High School; Juliana Martinez, Sage High School; Yesenia Deras, Rosary High School, Fullerton; and Adam Bateman, Fullerton Community College.
The young people had been associated with Junior League projects including CASA, St. Joseph's Ballet, Orangewood, and Girls Hope. Their individual career goals include becoming a neurosurgeon, a registered nurse, a dancer, an attorney, an accountant, a clinical psychologist and an aerospace industry professional.
The Junior League of Orange County, CA, Inc. (JLOCC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. The members of the JLOCC share a vision of a community in which all children and adolescents are supported to flourish and realize their hopes and dreams.
The Junior League's projects change from year to year. For 2005-2006, they include Canyon Acres Children & Family Services; Court Appointed Special Advocates; Impact Orange County; Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center; Casa Teresa Mentoring Program; Girls, Inc., Action for Safety Program; YMCA Service Corp.; and Bear Hugs.
To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.