Santa Claus, Inc. Partners With Local Law Enforcement

SAN BERNARDINO>> Santa Claus, Inc., a program that provides critical assistance to children in the Inland Empire by supporting and strengthening the family unit, announced a partnership with the San Bernardino Police Department and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department HOPE team through “Project Step Up.” The project is a groundbreaking program to help homeless families who were discovered by law enforcement in encampments, staying in cars or living with no shelter whatsoever. Working with law enforcement partners during “off hours” when shelters and other facilities are closed, Santa Claus, Inc. provides motel stays for homeless families when other options are unavailable after 5:00 p.m. on weeknights and 24 hours a day on weekends. “Santa Claus, Inc. does not have an expectation of substantially increasing our service numbers with “Project Step Up”. We would be just as happy if it were never needed – but unfortunately, it is. ” said Karen DiCarlo, SCI’s Executive Director. “Our organization carefully assesses the needs throughout our local communities and that is why we work tirelessly to bring services to needy children in all types of difficult situations." A ribbon cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Santa Claus, Inc. Workshop, located on 824 E. 6th Street, San Bernardino, 92410, for “Santa’s Closet”, the second, and final, phase of “Project Step Up.” The ribbon cutting will be held during SCI’s Annual “Head to Toe” event to provide new shoes, baseball caps, toys, bikes and large ride on toys for the region’s neediest children. “Santa’s Closet” will be exclusively available to the SBPD and the HOPE team 24/7. It will be stocked with infant items including diapers, blankets, clothing, car seats, swings and cradles. In addition to infant items the “Closet” with being stocked with all sizes of children’s clothing, new shoes, blankets, toys, stuffed animals, books, personal hygiene items, snacks and water. SCI won the 2015 Nonprofit Agency of the Year by the Academy for Grassroots Organizations, was named as the winner of the 2015 Social Entrepreneurship Award from CSUSB’s The Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, is recognized as The Nonprofit of the Year for 2015 and 2016 by Great Nonprofits.org and was recently named as a 2016 Outstanding Community Organization by AT&T and the office of Senator Connie Leyva.