Transitions Mental Health Association, a non-profit organization that helps children and adults live, work and grow in the San Luis Obispo area, has received a $10,000 grant from the Dunin Opportunity Fund at the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF).

This grant will buy household goods such as beds, linens, kitchenware, phones, cleaning supplies and utility connections for formerly-homeless residents who are transitioning to their permanent home.

“The homeless folks who enter our programs often come with nothing; this grant supplies graduates of our Transitional Housing for Homeless Program (THH) the basics so when they move into their own home they do not arrive empty-handed,” said Denise Rea, Division Director of Housing and Support Services. “Plus, the federally-funded Permanent Housing with Supports program has given us more housing options than we’ve had before.” 

The THH program serves disabled adult residents of San Luis Obispo County who are currently homeless. The goal for all program residents is successful independent living within 24 months. At completion of the program, residents may be eligible for Section 8 housing assistance.

This year's Opportunity Fund grant-making program is made possible through the generous support of the Helen and Ronald Dunin Memorial Endowment. Through a testamentary gift, former Mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo, Ron Dunin, and his wife Helen established an endowment to help people who are attempting to help themselves. As immigrants, the Dunins were fortunate to receive help and support during critical times in their lives. Their goal by creating the fund was to give back to the community and assist San Luis Obispo county residents in need.

In only eleven years, the SLOCCF has given out more than $14 million in grants to assist nonprofit agencies.

For more information on the SLOCCF or any funds, call 543-2323 or log onto www.sloccf.org.

For more information on Transitions Mental Health Association, visit www.T-MHA.org.