15 Grants to Aid Child Day Care, Arts

The Thelma Pearl Howard Foundation announced this week that it has awarded $301,024 in grants to 15 programs, including two in the Valley, to improve the quality of child day care and for educational enrichment activities in art, music and culture.

Established in 1994 upon the death of Howard, who was Walt Disney’s live-in cook for 30 years, the foundation has awarded grants through the California Community Foundation to help disadvantaged and homeless children since 1996.

Among the grant recipients is the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic in Northridge, which received $25,498 from the foundation.

Lori Kent, the center’s acting director of development at the center, said the money will be used to fund an art therapy program for children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactive disorder.

“We are very pleased because there is a strong need to help children with this disease and it’s a very important need in the community,” Kent said.

Kent said the therapy program is intended to reduce behavioral problems, increase self-esteem and improve family relationships for youth ages 4 to 18.

Stone Soup Child Care Programs in Encino received a $24,000 grant, which will be used to fund performing arts workshops and art training for teachers at day-care centers for low-income children, officials said.

Another local recipient, the Valencia-based CalArts/Community Arts Partnership, Los Angeles, received a $13,000 grant, which will be used to fund animation classes for high school students at the Watts Towers Arts Center.

The foundation was established under Howard’s will, which stated her wish to set up a fund for needy children.

During her tenure with Disney, Howard was presented every year with a few shares of Walt Disney Co. stock, which she never sold. Over the years, the shares increased in value and were eventually used to set up the foundation in her name.