Great work is being done by Holly Hagler, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels Orange County. As the county’s largest provider of senior nutrition and supportive services, serving levels have increased by almost 400% during the pandemic - with no end in sight. In response to this major undertaking, they produced Step Up to the Plate: Our Community in Action, a documentary that shares its story while raising critical funding for meals. The campaign remains open with $82,902 raised towards their $100K goal.

The 20-minute film is available here.

Holly participated in the 2014 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2015 Executive Coaching Program.

Bravo, Laguna Food Pantry! In October 2020, the California Legislature Assembly awarded the Laguna Food Pantry the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year for the City of Laguna Beach. For over 25 years, the Laguna Food Pantry has served thousands in need providing a vital lifeline for families across Orange County. Though food insecurity has always been a hidden struggle for many, COVID-19 significantly increased the number of people becoming, or at risk of becoming, food insecure. The Laguna Food Pantry remained open throughout the pandemic and immediately transitioned to a drive-through distribution system to provide free, fresh, nutritious groceries to any individual or family in need. The demand for food will continue, and the Laguna Food Pantry is prepared to serve anyone in need.

Congratulations to Laurie Zagon, Founder and Executive Director of Art & Creativity for Healing for receiving the Outstanding Founder award at this year's National Philanthropy Day. For more than 40 years, Laurie has facilitated Art & Creativity for Healing workshops. Using her method of Art4Healing®, she has helped tens of thousands of children and adults process stress, illness, grief, and fear in hospitals and nonprofit community organizations throughout Southern California and the U.S. Laurie founded Art & Creativity for Healing in Orange County in 2000 and thus far has trained and certified (through her partnership with Brandman University-Chapman University System) more than 250 facilitators in the Art4Healing® method and facilitated workshops for more than 85,000 children, teens and adults.

Laurie participated in the 2005 Executive Learning Group and was coached in our 2006 Executive Coaching Program.

Welcome to Jen Santos- the new Outreach Director at Casa Youth Shelter! Jen will oversee Casa Youth Shelter's outreach efforts, raising awareness of programs and working to widen and deepen community connections. She brings six years of experience in nonprofit outreach in Southern California, most recently from Walk with Sally, and a strong background in community service and collaboration. Casa Youth Shelter is an active member of our Network.

Kudos to Taylor Montano, Director of Housing at Grandma's House of Hope. She has been a team member for the last three years, and was recently promoted to Director of Housing.

Je'net Kreitner, Executive Director stated, "Taylor has proven that you can work your way up with dedication, determination, and exceptional leadership skills. Everyday, she makes those she serves a priority, and has a passion for the work she does. She is also a great representative of Grandma's House of Hope; empowering the invisible populations of Orange County through love, compassion, respect, acceptance, honesty, and integrity. Taylor is a huge asset and a superb leader!"

Je'net and several staff members are in our Network and we look forward to Taylor joining too!

Congratulations to Jennifer Ponce on her new position of Program Specialist, Crisis Response Network for the Orange County Department of Education. For the last 15 years Jennifer has implemented community outreach and education programs internationally and domestically. She is passionate about social welfare and providing education and resources to disadvantaged communities and victims of violence. Jennifer has been instrumental in the creation and expansion of Healthy Emotions and Attitudes in Relationships Today (H.E.A.R.T.), an effective teen dating violence prevention program.

Crisis Response Network (CRN) was developed to support school communities in crisis preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Jennifer participated in the 2019 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Great work, KellyAnn Romanych, Deputy Executive Director of Veterans Legal Institute! Veterans Legal Institute raised over $100,000 at Lawyers for Warriors 2020 because of generous advocates who believe in the care for our Veterans.

Listen to KellyAnn as she shares her quest of bringing compassion to the world in service of our Veterans on this national podcast.

KellyAnn was coached in our 2019 Executive Coaching Program and participated in the 2020 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Kudos to Girls, Inc of Orange County, CEO Lucy Santana and Chief Program Officer, Jessica Hubbard, as they were recently featured 'live' on Good Day LA - Fox 11!!

See this link to see all the action!

Lucy participated in the 2002 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and was coached in our 2004 Executive Coaching Program. Jessica was coached in our 2018 Executive Coaching Program and participated in the 2019 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Times are changing, but one thing remains—Megan Klink will not stop working to find a cure for breast cancer. Earlier this year, in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving needs of patients across the country, Susan G. Komen announced its transformation from a federated model to a united entity. This phased reorganization is based on a need to ensure Komen is structured for long-term sustainability and to meet the needs of the people Komen serves most efficiently and effectively across the United States. As part of the transition, Megan, Komen Orange County’s CEO will become Vice President of Susan G. Komen’s West Region.

Megan participated in the 2011 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and the 2019 Executive Learning Group.

Great work is being done by Karen Williams, President & CEO of 2-1-1 Orange County. Calls to 211 for food and housing assistance during the pandemic reveal O.C.'s "newly vulnerable." The nonprofit recently released a six-month Community Needs Analysis that reflects call volume and type from March through August and compares this year’s figures to what the organization experienced during the same period last year.

For the complete Daily Pilot article, click here.

Karen participated in the 2014 Executive Learning Group.

Thomas House Family Shelter's Executive Director, Natalie Julien, had the exciting opportunity to speak live with KTLA 5 News to discuss their 2020 November Food Drive and Sea Pointe Construction's involvement in giving back to the community!

To view the interview, click here.

Natalie was a graduate of 2018 Executive Learning Group and is currently being coached in our Executive Coaching Program.

The Samueli Academy in Santa Ana soon will open Orange County’s first on-site campus dorms for foster youth, offering students who lack stable housing a place to stay during the week. The new three-story building will house two college-style suites on each floor. Each suite will include four bedrooms – with two students per bedroom – along with a living room, kitchen and study area.

Shay Sorrells, Chief Program Officer at the Orangewood Foundation, a non-profit that offers services to foster and community youth, described the dwellings as “a home away from home” for up to 48 students. Backed by a team of social workers, counselors and other staff members, students will live on campus Sunday night through Friday afternoon and spend weekends with relatives or foster families. While students will be offered help with their studies and other areas, the grown-ups in their lives also will be trained and offered support.

For the complete Orange County Register article, click here.

Leaders in the Field is a monthly communication highlighting Fieldstone Leadership Network members and their