Paramount Care Foundation

Project hope (helping others provide essentials) provides a fundamental service to the Paramount community by providing low-income residents with groceries, clothing, and other provisions. This program began in 2002. In 2023 project hope served approximately 200 families and had 18 volunteers who assisted with food distribution and the weekly pop-up store (where donated items are provided at no cost), as well as special annual events. These special events include share thanksgiving, share christmas, share easter, and running start. Needy families receive meals and gifts for children. Project hope also provides students in need with backpacks and uniform shirts at a reduced cost as well as necessary school suplpies like paper, markers, crayons, erasers, binders, and folders.

Day camp - the summer day camp program seeks to expand the experiences of youth within the community of Paramount by exposing them to hands-on experiences and learning opportunities that are not readily available through their schools. Summer day camp runs for 9 weeks from late june through the end of august. Children are given unique opportunities to learn about art, music, history, wildlife, science, and the environment in productive and exciting educational settings. In addition to learning about these subjects, the children within the program can personally experience them through various field trips and activities. 38% of the children are hispanic, 5% are african american, 55% are caucasian, and 2% are asian. In 2023 the summer day camp served 127 students who pay a weekly registration fee to help cover some of the costs. Scholarships are also available to those who cannot afford the fee.

After school program (say yes) - the Foundation's after school program served 30 students during 2023. The program was in operation monday through friday, from 2:45 to 6:00 pm. Students pay a small monthly registration fee to participate in the program, and scholarships are available to those who cannot afford the fee. All day students are served a snack, helped with their academics, and have a recreational activity. Periodically the students are taken on field trips. The Foundation had 3 volunteers participating in the program last year, which has been operating in the community of Paramount since 2001.