Burbank Police Foundation Receives $5,000 Grant from Homes for Heroes Foundation

The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded the Burbank Police Foundation with a $5,000 grant to support their Explorer Program. This program helps to mentor and prepare future police officers and community leaders. Homes for Heroes, Inc. and the Homes for Heroes Foundation are honored to support the Burbank Police Foundation in their mission toward providing academic and technical training for aspiring youth in the community.

The Burbank Police Foundation Mission

Why was the Burbank Police Foundation Established?

The Burbank Police Foundation (BPF) is a nonprofit organization that helps strengthen the partnership between the Burbank Police Department and the local community. The foundation raises money to support public safety programs, police operations, and educational efforts that help keep Burbank safe. The BPF helps the police department improve safety efforts, educate the public about the law, and encourages residents to take an active role in preventing crime.

The BPF is run by a board of police officers and community members who work together to support law enforcement and public safety projects.

“As a former mayor of the city, I’ve seen good times where there was acceptance of the Burbank police, and other times when there was friction. I decided after I came out of office that I wanted to dedicate some time to the men and women that serve in the police department. So myself, Shelley Rosati, and Captain Claudio Losacco got together to build it. It took us about a year to form the foundation to where it was really bringing the community closer to the police department, and the police department closer to the community,” said Michael Hastings, Co-Founder of the Burbank Police Foundation.

What Does the Burbank Police Foundation Do to Help Heroes?

The Burbank Police Foundation offers a variety of programs and events to support public safety and foster community engagement:

• Explorer Program – Provides academic and technical training for aspiring youth, this program focuses on developing team-building and leadership skills, as well as the self-discipline necessary to become successful community leaders.
• Arrive Alive – In partnership with local high schools, this program educates students on the importance of attentive driving and the dangers of impaired driving, aiming to prevent accidents caused by risky behaviors.
• Annual Awards Luncheon – An event honoring the outstanding achievements of Burbank Police Department personnel and community members who have made significant contributions to public safety.
• Downed Officers Program – Established to support the families of fallen officers, the BPF commits to providing financial assistance to the family of every fallen officer in California.
• Family Fun Day – Formerly known as the Hoof and Woof Walk, this community event supports the Burbank Police Department’s K9 and mounted units, featuring games, activities, music, and food for families and their pets.
• Matthew Pavelka Scholarship Awards Program – Honoring Officer Matthew Pavelka, who was killed in the line of duty, this program awards scholarships to high school seniors demonstrating outstanding effort in pursuit of educational or vocational goals. BPF hosts an annual bocce ball fundraising event that helps to raise support for the awards program.
• National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial – Each year, the BPF sponsors two members of the Burbank Police Officers’ Association to attend the National Police Week in Washington, D.C., honoring law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
• K-9 Program – The BPF also supports the Burbank Police Department’s K-9 units, which are trained to assist in various law enforcement tasks, including suspect apprehension and narcotics detection.

Programs offered by the Burbank Police Foundation play an important role in strengthening the relationship between the Burbank Police Department and the community by fostering trust, engagement, and mutual support. And, it helps to get community members actively involved in protecting the community and keeping its citizens safe.

How will this Grant be Used to Support Heroes?

The Homes for Heroes Foundation is honored to support the Burbank Police Foundation with its mission to assist the Burbank Police Department and the citizens of the Burbank community by awarding the BPF with a $5,000 grant. These funds will be earmarked by the foundation for use by and for the Burbank Police Explorer Program.

Watch the grant presentation video:

The Burbank Police Foundation’s Explorer Program provides teenagers (ages 14-17) with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in law enforcement. These volunteer explorers are passionate about their community and interested in careers within the police department; whether as sworn officers or in other law enforcement roles. The program helps them develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills while working alongside officers and participating in law enforcement competitions.

The grant funds will be used to recruit and train new explorers, purchase necessary equipment and uniforms, and support training efforts by police advisors. Additionally, funds will help send participants to regional competitions, where they practice real-world law enforcement scenarios.

“This money will go directly toward recruiting Explorers and training them. It takes a lot of time and effort from people like Lieutenant Garay, who later became an Advisor to train our Explorer teens. We need to buy them equipment so they can do their jobs, because the Explorers are going out with our officers, and they’re actually working side by side. So they need tools, uniforms, and other accouterments,” said Captain Claudio Losacco, Co-Founder of the Burbank Police Foundation.

While many Explorers go on to careers in law enforcement, the program also helps them become responsible and engaged community members. This funding will ensure the program continues to provide valuable education, training, and mentorship for young people in Burbank.

Lieutenant Henry Garay, Burbank Police Department, reflected on his time with the Explorers by saying, “I remember starting at 14 years old and really wanting to be a police officer and I was given the opportunity to join a program like the Explorers to give me the basic understanding of law enforcement. Without grants like this, kids may go in a different direction.

We do enter competitions, and we compete on some of the basic things that officers routinely do, for example traffic stops, domestic violence investigations, and DUI investigations. So, to help prepare for the competitions, Explorers will do ride-alongs with officers. To come out on a ride along and perform some of the basic duties with our officers is a motivator and reward.”

The Explorer Program is more than just training for aspiring officers — it is a transformative experience that instills discipline, leadership, and service-minded values in young people, ensuring they become engaged and responsible citizens.

How You can Support the Burbank Police Foundation’s Mission

You can help support the Burbank Police Foundation’s mission by visiting their website and taking a look at all of the charitable activities and programs. To further support their efforts, please consider making a donation. Your donation will help to further strengthen the partnership between the Burbank Police Department and the local community.

Since the BPF is independent of the City of Burbank, it relies on donations from local residents, businesses, and supporters to continue its work. Through this support, the BPF helps make Burbank a safer and more connected community.

Homes for Heroes local real estate specialist, Jorge Betito, nominated the Burbank Police Foundation to receive the $5,000 Homes for Heroes Foundation grant.

Jorge was asked why nominating this organization was important to him.

Jorge responded by saying, “Growing up in Burbank, it meant a lot to get to know our local heroes, and learn about the challenges they go through, especially in our community nowadays (referencing California wildfires). I’m just thankful and grateful for the opportunity to be able to help and continue to serve the heroes who serve us everyday.”

The Burbank Police Foundation’s mission is a testament to the power of community collaboration and support.

BPF can continue to shape the future of public safety by investing in the next generation of law enforcement and community leaders.

Every donation, grant, and act of support fuels this mission, bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community it serves.

Foundation Grants: Part of Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving

Grants from the Homes for Heroes Foundation are made possible by the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving and its network of real estate and mortgage professionals. Homes for Heroes, Inc. is committed to providing savings to community heroes; including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military (active duty, reserves and veterans), healthcare professionals and teachers.

To expand its Circle of Giving, Homes for Heroes, Inc., donates a portion of its earnings to the Homes for Heroes Foundation. So, every time a hero buys or sells a home using the Homes for Heroes program, they are helping other heroes across the country who are facing a housing crisis or are in need of urgent financial assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about how Homes for Heroes can guide you through the home buying, selling or refinancing process AND save you an average of $3,000 after closing on a home, simply sign up to be connected with our local specialists. They will follow up with you to answer all of your questions.

If you’re interested in learning about our wider impact, simply visit the Homes for Heroes Foundation for more information about recent grants to hero organizations, how much it has awarded, and how it all works.

If you’re interested in supporting and donating to the Homes for Heroes Foundation to assist heroes in need, please visit the donation page to submit your contribution via PayPal. We thank you for your interest and support.