SANTA CLARITA, CA – Bank of the Sierra announced a grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project. The grant funds will be used to support the Education and Counseling Program for Youth, which implements free, highly-accessible individual and group counseling, as well as other campus-based strategies to help teens and their families in the community.

Bank President and CEO Kevin McPhaill commended the work that the organization does for Santa Clara’s teens, adding, “Bank of the Sierra is more than happy to promote the cause of the SCV Youth Project. The work they do is necessary, and we hope the grant goes far toward helping them achieve their mission.”

Serving a dozen middle, junior, and high schools in the Santa Clarita area, the SCV Youth Project started in 2000, and actively ministers to hundreds of at-risk youths at any given time.

About the Sierra Grant Program
Since its inception in 2004 the Sierra Grant Program has been responsible for donating over a million dollars to organizations that improve local communities. The grants go toward fostering community services, park preservation, and educational programs. Non-profits who wish to apply for a Sierra Grant can pick up an instructional brochure at any Bank of the Sierra branch, or visit the bank’s web site at www.bankofthesierra.com/resources/sierra_grant_program.

About Bank of the Sierra
Since opening its doors in 1977, Bank of the Sierra has grown to become the largest independent bank headquartered in the South San Joaquin Valley with assets totaling $1.7 billion. The company has over 400 employees and conducts business through 28 branch offices, an online branch, a real estate industries center, and an agricultural credit center.