The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation presented a $7,500 Impact Grant to Street Life Project, which serves unhoused people across the Coachella Valley. The gift was awarded in honor of volunteer Sally Hedberg, who has dedicated herself to improving her community of Desert Hot Springs. Hedberg is involved in numerous activities in the City, and for more than two years, she has been coordinating volunteers to pack about 120 lunches, weekly, for the unhoused in Desert Hot Springs.
“We see the impact that Sally and other volunteers are having in Desert Hot Springs by providing direct help to people who need it, and we wanted to support them,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
To benefit weekly food distribution, the Berger Foundation awarded the funding to Street Life Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the tools and resources necessary to help individuals overcome homelessness.
“Street Life Project’s mission is to inspire change through hope and faith, offering not only meals and clothing, but also the critical services needed to help people rebuild their lives,” said SLP founder Christian Jelmberg. “We are the boots on the ground, reaching out and figuring out where people are and what they need. SLP relies on the support and active involvement from our community, and we encourage people to contact us for volunteer opportunities.”
Street Life Project provides ongoing outreach, mentorship, help with obtaining benefits, rehab and shelter placements, resume building, permanent housing placement, and more throughout the Coachella Valley. Monthly, Street Life Project partners with other nonprofits including Desert Healthcare Mobile Van, Overflow Showers and Jewish Family Service of the Desert to connect people with medical care, housing referrals, and many essential services.
“It is wonderful to receive the support from the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3,” said Hedberg. “Funding is essential to do what we do, but knowing that businesses and organizations are backing our efforts is meaningful.”
“Homelessness continues to be an issue everywhere, but Street Life Project, other organizations and volunteers like Sally are leading an effort to make systemic changes,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
The Berger Foundation presents Impact Grants in partnership with News Channel 3. Impact Grants are awarded on the concept that through service, funding, and awareness, we are “Making a Difference Together.” In addition to the grant, each organization also receives media coverage about its mission across News Channel 3’s various platforms including News at 4 and kesq.com. To learn more about Street Life Project or to volunteer, call 760-702-4944 or go to www.streetlifeproject.com. For more information about Impact Grants, go to kesq.com/life/impact-grants.