Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey (left) and Torrance Principal Librarian Hillary Theyer (center right) with TORC Community Relations Manager Barbara Graham (right) and TORC Community Relations Advisor Brandon Matson (center left) while a SMART Kit is being displayed. (Photo credit: City of Torrance)
Representatives of Torrance Refining Company LLC (TORC) presented a $25,000 donation to the City of Torrance during the Torrance City Council meeting on December 5, 2017 to support library, fire, and police services. The funds will be allocated for three specific municipal purposes.
First, funds will be provided to the Torrance Fire Department’s (TFD) Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) program. CERT is a FEMA-designated course that emphasizes what to do before, during, and after an area-wide emergency. TFD has been training community members in disaster preparedness and more than a thousand community members have attended the 24-hour, three-day CERT academy since the early 1990s.
Second, funds will be provided to support the John J. Neu Leadership Academy, which is led by the Torrance Police Department’s Juvenile Diversion Unit. The program is designed to provide intervention and guidance to Torrance youth in their journey through high school and into adulthood. The donation will fund two leadership classes in the 2017-18 school year.
Lastly, funds will be provided to the Torrance Library to purchase SMART Kits (Science, Math, Activity, Reading, and Teaching), which include books, a DVD, and hands-on activities based on a science concept. Each comes with directions for an appropriate grade level and incorporates “Next Generation Science Standards,” thanks to the Refinery’s partnership with the Torrance Unified School District. The donation will fund the purchase of more SMART Kits for the library.