|
RAP Newsletter Vol. 15 - July 2017
|
|
|
The Regional Access Project Foundation (RAP) is extremely pleased that the Desert Legal Foundation, as it winds down and becomes inactive, has selected RAP as a beneficiary of a $39,881.58 grant.
While the Desert Legal Foundation was originally formed for the purpose of helping people-middle management people, especially-who had been treated unfairly by their employers, it evolved into an organization which potentially helped anyone was being taken advantage of. A modest funding amount set up by former County Supervisor Patricia "Corky" Larson, founding Board Member Richard Cromwell III, and investor/philanthropist T. Boone Pickens, was parlayed into legal interdiction by the Foundation.
The mission evolved into supporting low to middle income people with legitimate legal issues to obtain attorney assistance in the pursuit of a good legal resolution. The monies were not used to pay the attorney, but to support the costs of the litigation, to hire experts or to obtain investigative facts to support the lawsuit. The costs were recouped in the resolution of the lawsuit and returned to the foundation for use by the next such litigant.
"Corky was the inspiration behind it," says Cromwell. "Corky did all the work."
Of course, Corky's legal expertise and her continuing fight to help those who were challenged by their employees or other factors, were crucial factors in the establishment and successes of both the Desert Legal Foundation (DLF) and RAP.
Coincidentally-or not-Corky was also the inspiration that led to the establishment of the Regional Access Project Foundation, an innovation unique in the State of California.
It is no surprise, then, that the disbanding Desert Legal Foundation looked to RAP as a significantly important nonprofit meeting the needs of residents who otherwise had no viable options.
The current DLF Board of Directors made up of Corky Larson, Aurora Wilson (Chair and President), Richard Cromwell III (Member), Sue Steding (Treasurer) and Michael O'Connor (Secretary) voted unanimously to give the remaining funds to RAP in the hope that the money will be used by nonprofits facing legal issues.
"We are extremely pleased that our work is recognized by this grant," says RAP executive director Leticia De Lara. "But then, Corky has been a friend to those who need services in the eastern part of Riverside County for many, many years. So, really, it's not that much of a surprise that we are a benefactor.
"We will continue to innovate and to extend services to the residents of the desert region of Riverside County, and we are grateful to the Desert Legal Foundation for helping us to carry on with our mission."
This grant will allow RAP to increase its Center for Nonprofit Advancement Program (CNA) resources meant to develop nonprofits capacity to serve their clients. While CNA currently provides full or partial financial assistance for consultants with expertise in a particular area (for example: Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Marketing Nonprofits etc.) up until now its consultant pool did not include attorneys. However, a nonprofit can now apply to CNA for financial assistance if it is facing legal issues and cannot afford the fees. Feel free to contact RAP for more information.
Check presentation on June 23 by Desert Legal Foundation board members Sue Steding, RAP board member VanTanner, Aurora Wilson, RAP Chairman Mark Moran, Leticia De Lara, John Epps and Richard Cromwell III.
|
|
2017 Nonprofit Conference "Opening the Door to Excellence" and Desert Fast Pitch
|
If you haven't signed up for this year's conference, "Opening the Door to Excellence" do so before the early bird rate ends on July 31. You don't want to miss the presentations of our outstanding speakers!
The event will take place on September 28 at the Double Tree Hotel in Cathedral City.
This year's three featured speakers include:
Don Howard CEO and President of
the Jam
es Irvine Foundation,
J
a
n Masaoka
,
CEO of California
Association of Nonprofits,
and high school basketball Coach Ken Carter
, who inspired
th
e 2005 Paramount movie "Coach Carter."
At the conclusion of the Conference, we will once again stage our exciting Desert Fast Pitch competition, wherein six nonprofits will be competing for grant money in three categories: Top Prize $20,000, Most Innovative/Impactful $15,000 and Audience Choice $10,000. Each of the finalists will have an opportunity to "fast pitch" their organization within three minutes, in front of an audience which includes potential funders.
After winnowing the original 14 candidate organizations, eight noprofits are at this writing still in the competition for the final six opportunity:
Coachella Valley Repertory; The First Tee of the Coachella Valley; 4ShayJ Foundation; Jewish Family Service of the Desert; Operation SafeHouse; Read With Me Volunteer Program; Smooth Transition; and The Unforgettables.
A continental breakfast and lunch are included.
|
| The Riverside County Latino Commission To Open Youth Residential Substance Abuse Facility |
RAP is anxiously awaiting the opening in the next few weeks of the first
youth residential substance abuse treatment facility
in eastern Riverside County. The facility will consist of a 6-bed home for boys (ages 12-17) located in Coachella and a 6-bed home for girls (12-17) located in Indio. The facility will be open to all minors throughout Riverside County, including Blythe.
According to the Latino Commission, this program will provide intensive support and resources to youths dealing with substance abuse disorders in order to assist them in overcoming their addictions, allowing them a greater opportunity to have healthy, productive and substance-free lives
. The program will utilize the evidence-based Matrix Model of Intensive Inpatient Treatment developed by UCLA in the 1980s. It consists of a rigorous and effective daily protocol including individual counseling, early recovery skills groups, relapse prevention groups, family education groups, 12-step meetings, regularly scheduled urine/breath tests, relapse analysis, and social support.
The program will also assist participants in addressing co-occurring mental health disorders (including bipolar disorder, manic depressive disorder, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) through direct intervention by the program staff and referrals to medical professionals. Further, the program's staff will provide intensive case management to connect participants to independent study programs to maintain their educational advancement during their residency, housing, medical care, and other social services to support their sobriety and potential for success beyond their residency.
Following the completion of the 45-day program term, each client will receive continuing after-care services by the Latino Commission through open access to outpatient group and individual counseling services, case management, support groups, referrals to support services, and periodic contact by program staff to encourage ongoing sobriety.
RAP is proud to have partnered with the Latino Commission in making this program accessible to our residents.
|
 |
|
|
|
We're reaching new highs, and I'm not just talking about temperatures. We are also enjoying a burgeoning number of nonprofits RAP is assisting through grants and capacity building services!
And if you have been to our new facility lately, you may have noticed the tenant improvements underway. While we'd prefer not to have to endure the noise and dust in part of the building, we keep reminding ourselves that this is necessary and, thankfully, temporary. The majority of the improvements will be complete in late July, with the remainder due to be completed by early September. I want to acknowledge the Office on Aging Volunteer Connect for coordinating volunteers to help us paint some offices.
In addition to housing RAP headquarters, we are currently providing office space for the following organizations: The Community Foundation serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, The Carreon Foundation, One Future CV, SMART Education, In Motion, Integrated Learning, Voices for Children, and El Sol Neighborhood Services. Pooling our resources this way enables us to serve more clients more efficiently.
Although our work has been impacted
by the construction, we have still been able to make the meeting rooms available for nonprofits to use. We have hosted several community and organizational meetings, during the week and also on weekends. Visit our website
The Coachella Valley Autism Society Presents: "Putting the Pieces Together" June 17, 2017.
The RAP Board of Directors voted to extend its Mental Health Initiative (MHI) in FY 2017-18 to a fourth year, as was originally planned. In our last Request for Proposal (RFP), the following mental health programs received funding: UCR School of Medicine eastern Riverside County psychiatry training program, ABC Recovery Center, Jewish Family Services; American Red Cross, and Mizell Senior Center.
The latest MHI RFP is released today, July 5th!
Check out our website,
www.rapfoundation.org for more information. Mandatory bidders' conference dates and times are the following:
July 13 9 AM -10:30 AM
July 13 3 PM-4:30 PM
Lastly, we're fortunate to have three new helpers assisting us at RAP. Through the Office on Aging we have Ken Dow, a retired Executive at Sherwin Williams; and Ana Maria De La Torre who has sales and marketing experience. Ken and Ana are each here a few hours a week. Also, we are fortunate to have Karla Eschevarria is performing her "externship" at RAP in her efforts to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Santa Barbara College . We appreciate the extra help, especially during this hectic time.
Thanks to our 'helpers' Karla, Ana Maria and Ken.
Keep cool and enjoy your summer!
Lety De Lara, CEO
|
Cooling Centers
Rising temperatures don't mean that residents have to suffer with high electricity bills or insufficient cooling in their homes. If you know someone who wants to escape one or both of these ills, pass on the information about Cooling Centers available throughout our communities.
Blythe Community Center
Colorado River Senior Center
Cathedral City Senior Center
Coachella Senior Center
*Seniors Only*
Desert Hot Springs Boys and Girls Club
Desert Hot Springs Senior Center
*Seniors only*
Desert Hot Springs WIC/CAP
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission 84110
Indio Senior Center
*Seniors Only*
Martha's Village & Kitchen
La Quinta Wellness Center
Mecca Boys & Girls Club
Mecca WIC/CAP PM
Joslyn Center
Palm Desert Community Center
James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
RAP is proud to partner with the County of Riverside Community Action Partnership to coordinate several cooling centers throughout the Coachella and Palo Verde Valleys.
Access information on Cooling Centers, address and cross streets, hours of operation, and phone number.
For a full list of sites for the Coachella Valley and Palo Verde Valley, click below:
|
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement (CNA) mixer on June 21 was a tremendous success.
Thank you all of those who joined us!
Here are some fun pictures of people sharing good food and company:
|
RAP Welcomes Newest Board Member
"I was excited to be at the CNA Nonprofit Mixer
and speak on the important role of nonprofits, which form 10 percent of the workforce and work
 |
|
|
4th District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez at CNA Mixer
|
diligently to address community needs and fill the gaps in the economy and society," said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.
"I am proud to be on the RAP Foundation board and look forward to working with fellow board members and organizations that provide valuable programs and services in the Fourth District."
|
|
|
|
Center for Nonprofit Advancement (CNA)
|
Center for Nonprofit Advancement (CNA) Corner
by John Epps
"Be regular and orderly in your life so that you may be violent and original in your work." -- Gustave Flaubert
For this edition of the CNA Corner we want to celebrate a few milestones and share a few new offerings.
We launched our first mentoring cohort in partnership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals on June 15. This exciting program matches experienced fundraising professionals with executives and development team leaders to share knowledge, networks, and passion. Our goal is to improve individual careers and build the capacity of organizations in this vital area.
The graduation of our latest Nonprofit Management Certificate Program will take place on July 14, 2017 at 2 PM at UCR Palm Desert Campus. Please join us in congratulating the class on this significant accomplishment. The hard work of the students in this program helps increase the strong professional workforce that powers our nonprofit community in the Coachella Valley. Nonprofits are among the top employers in our area and as uncertainty looms in the future of government support the success of nonprofits is our assurance that we will continue to serve the special needs of our communities.
For the first time we are also offering the Advanced Nonprofit Management Certificate program for Executive Directors and Managers with three or more years' experience or those who have completed the Nonprofit Certificate Program. Partial scholarships are available for a limited number of candidates working at organizations operating in eastern Riverside County so apply today at
http://extension.ucr.edu/rap classes for both certificates begin September 15.
In May, we began a series of marketing classes with "Mastering the Media" a two-part course taught by Sidney Weisman, a Public Relations Consultant for CNA with over three decades of experience. Sydney used hand-on exercises to show the class how to make their stories and messages newsworthy. The class had a lunch panel on day one with special guests Sarah-Jayne Simon, who produces Eye on the Desert for KESQ, and Rosalie Murphy from the Desert Sun, who shared how important getting good news stories from our organizations are for their readers.
In June, we offered "Express Online Marketing" a four-part series to introduce organizations to effective email and social media marketing tools and strategies including using Facebook and Google ads to increase awareness of your programs and to reach out to donors and clients. These tools give many organizations an opportunity to reach out to the younger audience that they need to build a base for the future.
In July we will continue building your marketing capacity with our "Creating Successful Year-End Appeals Campaigns" course. This class will help you get the jump on planning and implementing a robust campaign that is specific to the local market with our seasonal givers and special demographics. As part of the class each organization will have the opportunity to have a complimentary one-hour session with our consultant to review their organization's plan to seize this important fundraising opportunity.
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
