THE CEO'S REPORT

Hi everyone!

The desert community traditionally comes alive in the fall with many events scheduled for the cooler weather. There is so much that I sometimes take for granted living here year-round. This “destination” locale has so much to offer, and I hope to rediscover some of the events or places that make our desert communities so special.

Speaking of special places, a couple of my team members, Diane Morales and Betty Sanchez, joined me in attending the “Peace From Chaos Suicide Awareness” event in Blythe on September 9. This resource fair and candlelight vigil was well attended by many public and nonprofit organizations which provide essential resources to the community. The event, sponsored by RAP, was also attended by over 500 residents. This kind of attendance demonstrates increased awareness of the need for resources; it also honored those who have been lost to suicide.

RAP welcomed two people to our team, Betty Sanchez and Vanessa Arroniz-Espinoza, both of whom are eager to meet the challenges of NPO Centric.

Vanessa has joined the organization as the Marketing Project Manager. “I am looking forward to assisting nonprofits by providing them with professional development and networking opportunities,” said Vanessa. “Through my work, I hope to bring innovative ideas, improved community engagement strategies, as well as event planning, marketing, and program development.” 

Betty has joined the organization as the Community Engagement Project Manager. “I look forward to working with as many nonprofit organizations as possible,” said Betty. “I want to help them continue to serve the needs of our community.”

For now and always, enjoy life and take care,

Lety De Lara

Chief Executive Officer

“My goal is to make an effective change for the Palo Verde Valley in improving access to mental health services,” said George. “I want to contribute meaningful representation for Blythe."

Pictured above: All of the 2023 participants were recognized on stage at the event. Friday Night Lights students helped in the check presentation.

Betty was born in Los Angeles. At two months, her family moved to Thousand Palms, then Thermal and later to Coachella where she still lives.

Betty graduated from Coachella Valley High School and went on to graduate from UC Riverside earning a Bachelors in Sociology and Education. Her career has been dedicated to working in the community. Notably, working for the County of Riverside as a Community Improvement Specialist. 

Betty is fluent in Spanish and enjoys traveling and visiting family in Jalisco, Mexico.

A native of Long Beach and raised in Indio, Vanessa currently lives in Palm Desert. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Management from Cal State San Bernardino and is bilingual in Spanish.

For more than five years, she worked in the non-profit sector, including local organizations: Olive Crest, Variety the Children’s Charity of the Desert, the Desert Cancer Foundation, and the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC). Her position with GCVCC as the Program and Member Experience Manager has prepared her for this position with RAP. 

Vanessa enjoys playing soccer twice a week and spending time with her family.

RAP is proud of the recognition of Stephanie Minor as an honoree. Stephanie served as our NPO Centric Director for three years and continues to collaborate with us as a consultant offering her expertise in Marketing, Planning, and Results Based Accountability.

This fall, we're thrilled to announce an early relaunch of our Juvenile Intervention Grant. Starting on November 1, we will be accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) from eligible nonprofit organizations. But this isn't just any ordinary grant opportunity; it's a chance to have a meaningful and long-lasting impact on the lives of young individuals aged 0-24 in our community. This year, RAP has allocated $300,000 in cash grants and $20,000 in technical assistance, proudly provided by NPO Centric.

The RAP Foundation is actively working to support children and young adults with access to secure, nurturing spaces where they can grow, learn, and thrive.

The Juvenile Intervention Grant aims to support programs that align with one or more of the following strategies:

• Improve awareness of and increase the number of safe, positive, and inclusive spaces for juveniles to support their social and emotional development.
• Increase and improve parent/guardian education to help juveniles thrive and gain positive, nurturing relationships.
• Promote access and support cultural competency of juvenile clients with education of language/stigma/cultural barriers to service access for youth.
• Increase and promote healthy lifestyles for juveniles, which include nutrition, fitness, and behavioral health.

Here's what you should keep an eye out for in the weeks to come:



1. LOIs will be available for submission starting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, and will continue to be open until Monday, December 4, 2023, at 11:59 PM.

2. Organizations interested in applying must participate in the mandatory Bidders Meeting via Zoom, scheduled for Monday, November 6, 2023, from 10 AM to 11 AM. Click on the button below to confirm your attendance.

If you have any questions or need guidance, please don't hesitate to email our Grants Manager.

Join us in shaping a brighter future for our youth. Together, we can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

As you may know, RAP makes space available for nonprofits at below-market rates. Currently, 25 organizations are taking advantage of not only these reduced rental opportunities but also the ability to be in the same building with other nonprofits. It makes collaboration so much easier and more effective!

Good news: RAP currently has both office and cubicle space available. If you and your organization find this an attractive possibility—and why not?—contact Mireya Reyes.