Taxpayer dollars from the sale of marijuana are heading to drug prevention programs at Anaheim Union High School District.

The nonprofit Waymakers has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from Elevate Youth California. The money will go toward youth programs such as peer support and mentorship.

Elevate Youth California is funded by tax revenues set aside under Proposition 64’s California Cannabis Tax Fund. The proposition that legalized marijuana use in California was approved by voters in 2016.

Taxpayer dollars from the sale of marijuana are heading to drug prevention programs at Anaheim Union High School District. (File photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Waymakers said a partnership with the high school district will create a “student-led youth leadership development program with the goal of reducing substance abuse.”

“This funding will be instrumental in the regrowth and success of the communities we serve that are affected by drug and alcohol abuse,” said Ronnetta Johnson, CEO of Waymakers. “We will be able to give the youth of these communities a newfound sense of purpose and drive as they are empowered to make a difference in the lives of those around them through the newly created youth leadership development program.”

Waymakers said its program will focus on social and emotional learning and education surrounding drug abuse and addiction. Students also will learn skills such as communication, organization, planning and public speaking.

AUHSD has a student population of 31,000 spread across 21 campuses in the cities Anaheim, Cypress, Buena Park, La Palma and Stanton.

Local swimsuit brand expands

Jilaine Swim, a women’s swimwear brand launched by Brooke Shannon in Huntington Beach, is releasing an inclusive summer collection in June that will expand the size range to include extra-large.

The swimsuits are priced from $82 to $150.

Pieces can be found in Diane’s Beachwear in Huntington Beach and online at jilaineswim.com.

Ryan Romero, a veteran with the U.S. Coast Guard, has opened a City Wide Facility Solutions franchise at 2755 Bristol Street, Suite 280 in Costa Mesa. (Courtesy of Ryan Romero)

Veteran opens City Wide franchise

Coast Guard veteran Ryan Romero has opened a City Wide Facility Solutions franchise at 2755 Bristol Street, Suite 280 in Costa Mesa.

City Wide Facility Solutions supports the building maintenance industry, managing janitorial services, commercial cleaning and disinfecting.

“City Wide Facility Solutions is the ideal fit for what I was looking for when I began the journey of owning my own business,” said Romero.

For more information about the services City Wide offers, go to orangecountysouth.gocitywide.com or call 714-617-4063.

Irvine City Councilmember Tammy Kim has been appointed to the board of directors at Irvine Community Land Trust. (Courtesy of Tony Kawashima and ICLT)

On board

City Councilwoman Tammy Kim in Irvine has been elected to the board of directors at the Irvine Community Land Trust. Kim will help the nonprofit further its goals of bringing more affordable housing opportunities to the city. Most recently, ICLT opened its first homeownership affordable housing community, Sage Park.

Coming up

The National Society of Black Engineers will hold its first in-person gathering since 2019 this week in Anaheim.

NSBE’s convention March 24-27 will be conducted both in-person and virtually, to optimize attendees’ safety with regard to COVID-19.

The theme of #NSBE48 is about inspiring engineers “to lead … and pave the way for the next generation of leaders and motivate aspiring engineers in college to find their place in the industry.”

For more information, go to nsbe.org

Ballerina Misty Copeland is a guest speaker at the Orange County United Way’s annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on May 19 at the Westin South Coast Plaza. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

Philanthropy breakfast is May 19

Orange County United Way will host its annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast in person from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. May 19, at the Westin South Coast Plaza.

The event will include a Q&A with Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.

Attendees will learn about the growing needs for Orange County’s most at-risk families and children facing poverty and housing instability, and how Orange County United Way is helping to ensure they can thrive.

The event will also be livestreamed virtually.

Interested parties can register for in-person or virtual attendance and submit a question for Misty Copeland at WPFbreakfast.com. The in-person cost to attend is $250 per person. Virtual attendance is free.

For more information, go to UnitedWayOC.org or contact Jessica Vanderwell via email at [email protected].

IPSF’s elementary and middle school afterschool students performed scenes from High School Musical at Spirit of Excellence Gala. (Courtesy of Frank Armstrong Photography)

Fundraising & grants

Supporters of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation raised $1 million on March 5 at the 25th Spirit of Excellence Gala at the Great Park’s Hanger 244 in Irvine. Money raised will support programs and classroom support for Irvine Unified School District.

Girls Inc. Orange County has received a $50,000 grant from Boeing Co. The money will support the yearlong STEM and SEL instruction through the SMART Girls initiative (Science, Math, and Relevant Technology) which serves at-risk middle school and early teen girls.

Milestones

Goodwill of Orange County has been issued a three-year accreditation from CARF International for its Workforce Development and Disabilities Services programs. The nonprofit said this accreditation is a benchmark of its quality health and human services programs. CARF identified no recommendations for program updates or changes.

Status Update is compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

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