After months of planning, construction, permits, packing and making everything great for the kids….The Youth Center did it! Lina Lumme, Executive Director, said "the grand opening could not have been done without the support of amazing staff, the Board of Directors, Kemp Bros Foundation, numerous supporters, and friends."

Lina participated in the 2018 Executive Learning Group.

Dreams for Schools is proud of the publication of "the Story of Amy," written by one of their students Amy Huynh in the Orange County Business Journal's OC Philanthropy Guide. The title of the article is "Rocket Woman: The Inspiring Journey of an Aerospace Engineer, from Dreams for Schools to NASA and MIT."

To read the article click here.

Nithin Jilla, Executive Director, participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

Diana Hill, Executive Director of Pathways to Independence has been in the spotlight these past few months - featured in the Rossmoor Living Magazine, The Sun Newspaper, The News Enterprise, and LB908 Magazine. Additionally, Diana was interviewed by one of their graduates, Tiffony Jacobs, on KTLA. She thrives on spreading the word about their mission and fabulous clients. 

Diana participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group.

Orange County Grantmaker's Executive Director, Taryn Palumbo, took the stage at the OC Forum's Community Indicators Report Rollout Luncheon! Her insights into the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors were truly remarkable and added valuable perspective to the panel conversation.

The report, which covers critical aspects such as housing, education, health, income, and the overall economy for Orange County, unveiled key findings that will shape the future of our communities, while also shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Taryn participated in the 2023 Executive Learning Group and will be coached in the 2024 Executive Coaching Program.

Becky Firey, Executive Director of American Red Cross of Orange County was grateful to spend the day with her Board of Directors at their annual retreat and is honored to serve with this dedicated group of humanitarians. 

Becky Firey, Executive Director will be participating in next year's Executive Learning Group and was coached by Margie Wakeham in the 2021 Executive Coaching Program.

Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento recognized Affordable Housing Clearinghouse and Executive Director Brenda J. Rodriguez, who convened the annual 2023 OC Reinvestment forum in partnership with Santa Ana College. This year’s topic focused on Expanding Homeownership Opportunities in Orange County.

Brenda participated in the 2015 and 2022 Executive Learning Groups and was coached in the 2017 Executive Coaching Program.

Working Wardrobes has been awarded the Neighborhood Builders® grant on behalf of Bank of America. They gift of $200,000 will have an enormous impact on their ability to meet the needs of their clients and community by strengthening their capacity and services.

Neighborhood Builders are nonprofit organizations that address issues critical to the long-term sustainability of communities by building pathways to economic mobility. It is an invite-only application, and only 104 nonprofit organizations have been selected as Neighborhood Builders and those organizations represent 52 cities across the United States.

Bonni Pomush, CEO, participated this year in the 2023 Executive Learning Group and will be coached in 2024.

Congratulations to Barbara DeMarco-Barrett! Her short story, “Rowboat,” will be published in the Dec. 15th issue of Kelp Journal, and was nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize. The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honored literary project in America. 

We are so honored that Barbara has been our skilled facilitator of the Leadership Reading Group since its inception.