Berger Foundation Gives $25K Grant

The Palm Desert-based H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation has given a grant of $25,000 to Jewish Family Service of the Desert. The grant is part of the foundation’s Coachella Valley Spotlight program.  

The grant fund will go toward the Kids First program: a school-based counseling program that treats students who have been identified with behavioral or emotional issues.  The Kids First program serves about 500 students each year in the Palm Springs Unified School District.  

“School counseling is something that is continually being cut from tight budgets,” said Michelle Anstadt, Executive Director for JFS.  “We are happy to help fill in this gap and help many kids across the valley who might not otherwise receive proper emotional care.”  

Services are provided to the students at no cost.  

“Jewish Family Service is a vital resource for area familes looking to improve their emotional health and family well-being,” said Christopher McGuire, Vice President of Programs at the Berger Foundation.  “We are especially proud to help their student counseling program.  We continue to receive more and more requests from schools that are struggling to pay for pencils and books, let alond counselors.  This is a much needed service in our area.” 

As part of the Coachella Valley Spotlight, CBS Local 2 will provide coverage of Jewish Family Services on its “Eye on the Desert” program.