Desert Sanctuary receives $562,000 in First 5 grant

BARSTOW • Struggling families with children younger than 6 will be able to find help with immediate needs like diapers, rental assistance and food, and long-term needs like a job through Desert Sanctuary Inc.

First 5 San Bernardino awarded Desert Sanctuary a three-year grant of more than $562,200 on July 1 for the organization’s family resource center. The grant will be used to fund the organization’s Desired Results Initiative, which focuses on case management and housing stabilization, said Executive Director Peggi Fries.

Desert Sanctuary, which has provided resources to First 5 families for 10 years, hopes to help 120 families a year, or about 10 clients a month. The organization also received an emergency needs grant in January and has been able to help 15 families a month since then.

“It started with the emergency needs grant in January,” Fries said, adding that another goal is to have 90 clients a year complete the program. “(So far) we’re running ahead of projection.”

In order to be eligible for help through the Desired Results Initiative program, clients receive a case manager who does home visits and office visits. They also meet in a group setting to address issues like good parenting, nutritional information and other topics.

When they attend the meetings, clients receive help in the form of rental and utility assistance, food, transportation and other resources. First 5 funds can even be used for college tuition, books and childcare, Fries said.

In addition to helping clients access First 5-funded resources, Fries said she is also partnering with Barstow Community Hospital to hold quarterly community forums. Many people aren’t aware that there are dentists and other health care providers in the Victor Valley area that will treat First 5 families.

“It’s important to get the word out to people who are incredibly cut off,” she said.
Desert Sanctuary has also provided shelter for victims of domestic violence since 1982. It also offers resume and job-search assistance for its clients. The agency can be reached at 760-256-3733.