Programs

The Santa Clarita Optimist Foundation (SCOF) sponsors local programs which help youth-in-need residing in the Santa Clarita Valley. The SCOF works with the volunteers of the Canyon Country Optimist Club to offer programs to youth. The program include Scholarships for ─ graduating high school students who provide exceptional community and school service. We also sponsor other programs that reach out and help Santa Clarita’s children and youth-in-need.

Each year the Foundation is proud to give $750 scholarships to graduating high school students in Santa Clarita. Students who have provided exceptional service to the community and school, have a 2.5 GPA, and plan to attend a four-year college or university, community college or vocational program are eligible to apply. To apply or for additional information about the scholarship go to the Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation at  SCVSF.org.

HELP FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN NEED

There are times when Santa Clarita Valley youth-serving groups and families may need financial assistance. A request may be submitted to a member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Clarita Optimist Foundation Board or the Canyon Country Optimist Club for review. This type of support may be awarded only once or on an ongoing basis.  We continue to annually support a variety of programs; following are a few examples of those we supported in 2019 and 2020:

Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Childhood Cancer

o   We donated more than $3,900 for the purchase of Kare Kits to give to newly diagnosed child cancer patients and their families in local hospitals.

o   Back-to-school backpacks were filled with school supplies and given to child cancer patients and their siblings attending preschool through high school.

Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation’s S.C.O.R.E. Program
We donated $2,500 to enable in-need youth to participate in recreational events and programs.

Carousel Ranch – Equestrian Therapy for disabled children
We donated $1,000 to this organization that provides developmental therapeutic and recreational programs for disabled and disadvantaged children through horses.

Superhero Capes for Children at Halloween, 2020!
Children of families-in-need received Superhero capes and masks for Halloween, 2020.  The 760 children were reached through the following programs — 

• Youth Activity League – Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angles Country Sheriff’s Department
• Newhall Community Center - Learning Hub
• Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer
• Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley
• Child & Family Center - Santa Clarita & Palmdale
• Boys & Girls Club of Antelope Valley
• Ocotillo Elementary School, First Steps Program
• Single Mothers Outreach – Santa Clarita Valley

Other Financial Assistance (orange color please)

Throughout the year, we will provide financial aid to local families in need who have children with debilitating illnesses or other similarly profound life challenges. For further information, contact.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROGRAMS

Please help us to bring out the best in Santa Clarita’s Kids by supporting the Santa Clarita Optimist Foundation’s efforts to continue and enhance this wide variety of programs for youth.  To contribute, please go to the Donate page and make your tax-deductible contribution (Tax ID Number 46-4800950).  Your donation may be specific to any one of these programs, or general to support all the activities of the Foundation.
Thank you!