The James M. Cox Foundation, charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, awards a $100,000 grant to the Chicano Federation to aid displaced victims of last week’s heavy floods in San Diego.
This grant will directly assist dozens of residents with emergency aid after they were displaced from their affordable housing units in Shelltown and City Heights. These two low-income communities experienced flood damage last Monday, January 22, 2024.
Chicano Federation CEO Liz Ramirez says it’s heartbreaking to see that last week’s floods heavily impacted vulnerable low-income families.
“Most of the families staying in our affordable housing complexes already had very little to begin with and now they’ve lost it all,” said Chicano Federation CEO Liz Ramirez. “It’s so heartbreaking to see, but I’m just grateful that they’re safe. And our organization and tenants are grateful to the James M. Cox Foundation for this $100,000 grant that will enable us to provide our displaced families with the support and necessities they need as soon as possible.”
The $100,000 grant will be used to help assist with the following:
- Temporary emergency shelter at nearby hotels for more than 70 tenants – including a
newborn who was just ten days old when the floods forced residents to evacuate;
- Weekly groceries and items for basic needs, including diapers and toiletries;
- One-on-one caseworker support for displaced tenants;
- Alternative transportation for those whose cars were damaged or swept away in the flood;
- Emergency restoration of 30 completely flooded units including remediation and
Construction;
- Appliances and other furniture needs once the units are habitable again.
Sam Attisha, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications’ West Region, expressed his gratitude for the Foundation’s outreach efforts to help vulnerable communities in need.
“The James M. Cox Foundation always steps up for communities in need, and I’d like to thank the Foundation for doing so, once again, by expediting this generous and much-needed donation,” said the senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications’ West Region. “We’ve partnered with the Chicano Federation for nearly 20 years to make a positive impact in our community, and the work they’re doing in the wake of this disaster is critical. This grant will help the Chicano Federation address both the immediate and long-term needs of displaced San Diegans.”
Chairwoman Nora Vargas of the San Diego Board of Supervisors says this grant is a prime example of how valuable the positive impact is when corporate and community leaders come together to serve residents going through vulnerable living conditions.
“Our communities were devastated by the record-breaking rains and flooding last week, but as a county, we always come together to help those in need,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “This grant from the James M. Cox Foundation is an important example of how our corporate and community partners always come together, not just throughout the year, but at times like this when we need it most.”