There's nothing like spreading joy during the holidays! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County hosted a Holiday Gift Drive on December 10th. Through the efforts of their amazing donors, 350 children received gifts this holiday season and they were also able to give away backpacks and school supplies, thanks to Tarsadia Investments. 

Brianna Rios participated this year in the Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group and Cristal Ochoa participated in 2019.

Collaboration at its finest! Cal Winslow, CEO of Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services, joined forces with another local food distribution charity to create a virtual and live weekend of events in the Temecula Valley, raising over $250,000 through special events and a major donor dinner that was both live and virtual. Adapting was critical, but it reminded Cal of his years with the Jerry Lewis Telethons!.

Cal was a member of the 2010 Executive Learning Group

Great work is being done by Greg Bradbard, President of the Hope through Housing Foundation, as the organization launched a new virtual Teen Club. They support students’ social and emotional needs during this time of online learning, and added virtual services to their Financial Coaching program, safely reaching families, allowing them to maintain their housing and financial stability.

Greg participated in the 2000 Executive Learning Group and was coached in our 2010 Executive Coaching Program.

Kudos to Nadia Babayi, Executive Director of The Susi Q. While Susi Q Senior Center is still closed and will remain closed until the pandemic has passed, they have welcomed Susi Q Without Walls, where they are as busy as ever helping the community weather this public health crisis with a growing number of Zoom programs. They have also made in-person, one-on-one appointments available for all seniors needing help with care management services, including one-on-one therapy, where all public health guidelines are strictly observed. Just as importantly, their channels of communication continue to be wide open!

Nadia participated in the 2005 Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group.

Good things grow out of difficult circumstances! Farrell Hirsch, CEO of The Muckenthaler Cultural Center reported that during the pandemic, they hosted close to 100 live events on their eight-acre lawn...which necessitated major repairs! In response to this situation, they started a campaign and have received pledges in excess of $150,000. Funds will be used to install new irrigation and landscaping, including a one-acre plot that will be designed by an all-star team of landscape architects and artists from different disciplines using drought-tolerant plants to create a living, breathing work of art.  Work began this month, and should be completed by April.

Farrell participated in the 2019 Executive Learning Group.

Are our children turning into Zoom Zombies? Two of our community's popular educational nonprofits, Pretend City Children's Museum and Child Creativity Lab, have partnered to present in-person, hands-on STEAM + Creativity workshops at Pretend City during the Winter Break. Each 90-minute class is designed to offer an engaging, tactile, and interactive STEAM learning experience. Each day children make a new project, such as creating a robot or a vehicle and the kids will build a super tower that can withstand an earthquake.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, register here.

Sandra Bolton, Leslie Perovich and Sue Harrison are all active members of our Network!

We are so proud to know Network member Rochelle Mills, President & CEO, Innovative Housing Opportunities. She was recently interviewed by Black and Bold. She touches on her experiences in her current role, the value of prioritizing the celebration of self, and her endeavor to pass the baton to others.

For the complete interview, click here.

Rochelle participated in the 2019 Executive Learning Group and was coached this year in the Executive Coaching Program.

Child Guidance Center, led by CEO Lori Pack, has been listed as one of the top 50 nonprofits in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal. Lori stated, “The role of the nonprofit community health organizations has never been more critical to the wellbeing of vulnerable families in Orange County. I am so proud of our team of mental health professionals who are providing 6,000 telehealth services per month! We are so inspired by the outpouring of support from our donors and partners in the community who understand the emotional toll that this year has had on the mental health of our youth. "

Lori participated in the 2010 Executive Learning Group and was coached in the 2011 Executive Coaching Program.