The California Wellness Foundation Awards $150,000 Grant to The Robby Poblete Foundation

FAIRFIELD, Calif. - Feb. 28, 2018 - PRLog -- The Robby Poblete Foundation, created in honor of Robby Poblete, who was killed by gun violence in Vallejo, Calif., in 2014, has been awarded a $150,000 grant from The California Wellness Foundation.

"We are so honored that The California Wellness Foundation has selected us as a grantee. Their mission to promote safe neighborhoods and healthy environments is in alignment with our mission to reduce gun violence and increase opportunities," said Pati Navalta, Founder and Executive Director of The Robby Poblete Foundation. "Now more than ever, we need resources to help promote gun safety and get unwanted firearms out of circulation. This grant also enables us to help people gain crucial job skills in the skilled trades. There is no better form of crime prevention than a good-paying job."

The California Wellness Foundation grant will be spread over three years and will support the core program areas of The Robby Poblete Foundation, specifically:

·       Provide an annual gun buyback in Solano County. Three-year plan includes replicating the buyback in 2 additional California counties most impacted by gun violence;

·       Complete three Art of Peace exhibits and 1 major public memorial made of transformed firearms to be placed in the City of Vallejo by end of grant period;

·       Raise awareness about opportunities in vocational apprenticeships and jobs to young adults and ex-offenders through apprenticeship tours, career fairs, and workshops, and partner with Napa Solano Central Labor Council, Napa Solano Building Trades and other stakeholders to develop a pre-apprenticeship program for young adults.

The grant was approved on the one-year anniversary of the formation of the Robby Poblete Foundation. To date, the nonprofit has held two gun buybacks – Solano County and the City of Richmond – and has succeeded in getting nearly 250 firearms out of circulation. As part of its mission, the foundation works with artists to transform the gun materials into art for its Art of Peace program. Two Art of Peace projects have been launched – in Solano County and in Alameda County under the direction of the Alameda County DA's Office. The foundation has also partnered with local unions to raise awareness about opportunities in trades and will be working with other stakeholders to expand its vocational program.

  The California Wellness Foundation is a private, independent foundation with a mission to advance wellness for all Californians by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.

The Robby Poblete Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation whose mission is to get unwanted firearms out of circulation and transform them into instruments of hope and opportunity through its art and vocational programs. For more information, go to www.robbypobletefoundation.org.