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Agenda Report
June 23, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Economic Development & Technology Committee (June 17, 2025) FROM: Housing Department
SUBJECT: APPROVE PASADENA ASSISTANCE FUND GRANT AWARDS FOR PROGRAM YEARS 2025 AND 2026
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Find that the recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061 (b)(3), the "common sense" provision that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and
2) Approve Pasadena Assistance Fund allocation for grant awards in the grand total amount of $150,000 for program years 2025 and 2026, as set forth in this report to Star: Illuminate, Education, Advocate; Families Forward Learning Center and Outward Bound Adventures, Inc.
BACKGROUND:
On March 1, 201 3, the City of Pasadena transferred $1.7 million from the Human Services Endowment Fund to the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) to create the Pasadena Assistance Fund (PAF). The PA^ is an endowment fund managed by PCF.
The City retains authority over awarding grants from earnings generated by the fund. All donations to the endowment become part of .the. principal and remain in the fund in perpetuity. Profits are grown from the principal through investment tools utilized by PCF.
Those profits are then granted to Pasadena non-profit agencies that provide human services to Pasadena residents. The PAF represents a partnership between the City and PCF to serve the local community. Since inception, the fund has grown to over $3.2 million, and over $600,000 have been awarded to Pasadena non-profit agencies. !
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MEETING OF _ .6/23/202 5_AGENDA ITEM NO. _4_____„_
Allocation of Pasadena Assistance Fund (PAF)
June 23, 2025
Those who wish to donate to the PAF endowment fund may do so at the PCF website www.pasadenacf.org.
As a supplement to the federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the City, the PAF was included as a funding source in the amount of $150,000 in the CDBG Notice of Funding Availability that was issued on March 27, 2025. A total of six (6) eligible applications were received. The applications were evaluated by a scoring committee made up of Housing staff and Human Services commissioners. The table below summarizes the eligible applications in ranking order. 1 Non-Protit
Agency
Stars: Illuminate,
Education,
Advocate
Project Description Score
Stars Strona Trauma Recovery Groups
This project proposes to provide mental health support to Pasadena Unified School District students affected by the Eaton fire and other systemic stressors. The program delivers weekly, school-based group counseling and one-on-one support,
reaching 240 low-income students across seven campuses. 2Families Forward
Learning Center
Bilingual Mental Health & Well Being
This project proposes to Support low-income families with children ages 0-5 by addressing mental health needs and reducing risks associated with trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Services include therapy, parenting classes, wellness workshops, and case management, all delivered in English and Spanish at their Pasadena center or via Zoom.
87.5 3Outward Bound
Adventures, Inc
Pasadena Youth Advisory Council
The project proposes to provide environmental studies
expeditions for 72 Black and Native American youth from low- income communities in Northwest Pasadena. Activities include local rock climbing, a 17-day trip to Seawood Cape Preserve and Cal Poly Humboldt, and a 9-day High Sierras backpacking trip.
80.5 4College Access
Plan
College 101 & Essay Writing
This project proposes to support two high school courses— College 101 for juniors and College Essay Writing for seniors—to guide first-generation, low-income BIPOC students through the college admissions propess. The programs aim to build
confidence, improve writing skills, and help students create college lists, essays, and plans.
80.3 5
Lineage
Performing Arts
Center
Dance for Jov: Youth with Neurodiversitv
This project proposes to provide weekly movement and strategy classes for K-12 students with neurodiverse diagnoses such as ADHD, ASD, and EFD. The classes aim to enhance brain-body connections, emotional regulation, and executive functioning through dance, music, and discussion. The program will run during the 2025-2026 school year and targets 45-60 low- to moderate-income students in Pasadena.
66 6The Gooden
Center
Rental Assistance for Mental Health Clients
This project proposes to provide transitional housing for low- income individuals with mental health needs who are at risk of becoming unhoused. Residents receive meals, medication
management, clinical services, and 24/7 support to help stabilize and reintegrate into the community.
58 Allocation of Pasadena Assistance Fund (PAF)
June 23, 2025
Through the NOFA, three (3) grant awards are available, each in the amount of $50,000 (with $25,000 to be disbursed annually for PY25 and PY26). Staff recommends that PAF funds be awarded to the three (3) highest ranking program applicants - Stars:
Illuminate, Education, Advocate; Families Forward Learning Center; and Outward Bound Adventures, Inc. The grant contract? for these awards will be administered by PCF.
ADVISORY COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATION:
On May 14, 2025, the Human Services Commission recommended that the City Council approve the two-year funding allocations for the three highest-ranking PAF projects listed above.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
This proposed action supports the City Council Strategic Planning Three-Year Goals in the areas of improving, maintaining, and enhancing public facilities and infrastructure; improving mobility and accessibility throughout the City of Pasadena; and supporting and promoting the quality of life and the local economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The action proposed herein is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the "common sense" provision of CEQA which applies to projects which may have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. The recommended action, approval of a funding allocation, is excluded from the definition of "project" pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4). Accordingly, no further CEQA review is required for this action.
Allocation of Pasadena Assistance Fund (PAF)
June 23, 2025
FISCAL IMPACT:
PAF is a philanthropic endowment fund and is not part of the City's operating budget.
There is no fiscal impact on the City General Fund as a result of this action and it will not have any indirect or support cost requirements. The anticipated impact to other operational programs or capital projects as a resuft of this action will be none.
Respectfully submitted,
James Wong (Jun 11,2025 10:31 PDT)
JAMES WONG
Housing Director
Prepared by:
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Randy Mabson
Program Coordinator
Approved by:
MARQUEZ
City Manager
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