Sozosei Foundation Awards $75,000 in Grants to Local Texas Communities Impacted by Winter Storm

Three organizations received grants to bring critical resources to local Texas communities devastated by the recent winter storm

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#SozoseiFDN--The Sozosei Foundation, a U.S.-based, private charitable foundation, awarded a total of $75,000 in grants to three organizations in Texas that are providing local disaster recovery relief. These grants are drawn from Sozosei’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Philanthropy Program in response to the catastrophic winter storm that recently swept through Texas and left millions of people without power or basic necessities.

“Residents in Texas are still recovering from the recent storm, an unprecedented natural disaster that caused wide-spread power outages and left many families without heat, water or food,” said Melissa Beck, Executive Director of the Sozosei Foundation.

“We acted immediately to distribute funds to three organizations that are providing critical resources – and more importantly, hope – to individuals and communities in dire need,” said Mary Michael, Sozosei Foundation board member and Vice President of Patient Advocacy and Stakeholder Management at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.

The following organizations each received $25,000:

• Communities Foundation of North Texas/Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund: The North Texas Winter Weather Crisis Relief Fund will provide emergency assistance and long-term recovery needs. The Fund will also support other nonprofits addressing numerous and varied community recovery needs.
• The Austin Area Urban League/Love Thy Neighbor Fund: Working with community-focused organizations in Austin, the Love Thy Neighbor Fund plans to provide shelter, food, water, and clothing to those affected by the storm.
• The Houston Area Urban League/Operation SAFE Houston: Through Operation SAFE Houston, the Houston Area Urban League will provide case management and emergency financial assistance; deliver access to food, water, and other needed supplies; and create individual recovery and plans of action.

Judson W. Robinson III, President & CEO of the Houston Area Urban League, in response to the support from Sozosei said, “We appreciate the Sozosei Foundation for supporting the immediate needs for storm relief and our ongoing recovery efforts in and around the Houston area. Thanks to partners like Sozosei, our clients and communities will have the resources they need to stabilize and once again thrive.”

Sozosei’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Program, through a lens of racial equity, responds to urgent needs around the globe by allocating funds to organizations aiding in not only recovery activities, but in building long-term resilience in affected communities. Priority is given to regions where Otsuka has a geographic presence, with a current focus on COVID-19 response. The Foundation does not accept applications for its disaster philanthropy grantmaking.

About the Sozosei Foundation

The Sozosei Foundation is a U.S.-based, private charitable foundation launched by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. (OAPI) in 2019. Sozosei’s primary focus is to decriminalize mental illness in the United States. Sozosei also leads disaster relief and local philanthropy for OAPI. Visit www.SozoseiFoundation.org to learn more.

Melissa Beck, Executive Director, Sozosei Foundation
Melissa.beck@otsuka-america.com