Irving J. Symons Award Recipient

Jamestown, CA — Jamestown Elementary School’s Family Resource Center received an early Christmas gift.

The center is the 2012 winner of the Irving J. Symons Award, as presented by the Irving J. Symons Foundation, a supporting organization of the Sonora Area Foundation. In recognition, the Family Resource Center received a surprise $40K check.

“We’ll put it to good use, I can tell you that,” stated Mark Dyken, Family Resource Center Director. The center is in its 12th year, providing services to children and families at Jamestown Elementary School. Dyken has seen his funding drop over the past few years, but says the need has never been greater. He estimates that 20 percent of the Jamestown Elementary students are homeless, and 70 percent qualify for free or reduced lunches. The center provides after school activities, tutoring, transportation, food, clothing, adult education and family support services.