Dorothy Grant
Secretary
Low-Income Sector Representative

The name Dorothy Grant is synonymous with helping – helping the elderly, helping young families, helping children – especially in the northern part of Fontana, California.  Ms. Grant oversaw the Jessie Turner Community Center in North Fontana.    She served daily meals to senior citizens, distributed groceries and food commodities to needy families, operated a recreation program for youth and children, and took seniors on field trips and to medical appointments and so much more.   

She began volunteering with the Fontana Unified School District where her daughter attended school.  She helped the school nurse, took children home, helped with children who were ill, etc.  She started working with the Superintendent of Schools, overseeing campuses.  She went on to work in the school library, the administrative office, and the girls Physical Education department. 

After 27 years with the school district, Dorothy retired and began volunteering for Head Start.  She planned parties for the kids, held fund raisers, and counseled with troubled teens.  She also started a food program out of her own kitchen, using a borrowed truck to pick up food from a local food bank and giving it away to about 40 needy families each week.   Eventually the City of Fontana arranged for a facility for Dorothy to operate from.  She worked with Target Stores to get toys donated for Christmas, and with L. A. Gear to get 5,000 pairs of shoes donated.  She started an adult computer literacy class with computers donated by Target.  She also operates a clothing closet for the needy and is always busy accepting donations.  She lobbied for street lights, sewers, and automatic sprinklers. She is a strong advocate for the community and fights back when there is talk of cutting desperately needed children’s programs.

At holiday time Ms. Grant serves about 800 families at her annual Thanksgiving dinner and sponsors a Christmas party for the children.   
Ms. Grant serves on the Board of Directors for Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County; is a member of Habitat for Humanity for over 22 years and has assisted  with 32 homes in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. 

The Dorothy Grant Foundation was established to ensure her work will always continue.  The foundation works with three high schools and two continuation schools to identify young persons deserving of scholarships.   Ms. Grant has an elementary school ‘the Dorothy Grant Elementary School’ named in honor.

Ms. Grant has been on the Community Action Board since the eighties.