Olive Crest receives quarter million grant for 24/7 child abuse crisis response

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - Olive Crest, a nonprofit focused on preventing child abuse in the Coachella Valley, received a $249,865 grant from the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation to support its crisis response team staff. The nonprofit hopes to stabilize families in crisis and prevent children from entering the child welfare system.

"If youth have structure, they have stability, they have safety, and they have support, this is probably the best ingredient for youth to show and demonstrate progress as they move into adulthood," says James Philips, the program director for their transitional housing program. The program is designed for young adults who've aged out of the foster care system. They're provided housing and other services up until the age of 21.

Olive Crest also has a 24/7 hotline, mental health counseling, an urgent needs pantry and a drop-in center where youth in crisis can decompress through arts and crafts, special theme nights and games.

Desert Healthcare District and Foundation more than $1 million in grants to five nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley focused on mental and behavioral health services for families and youth.