Photo Caption: Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes recognized the Salvation Army as Nonprofits of Distinction. Accepting the award were Naomi Kuhlman, Salvation Army Director of Programs; Carl M. Dameron, Public Relations Chair for the Advisory Board; and Salvation Army Corps Officer Major Adelma Braga.
(Fontana, CA) –Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) recently hosted the 9th Annual Nonprofit of the Year Luncheon, celebrating the essential work of nonprofit organizations serving the 29th Senate District and the Inland Empire.
This year’s event received over 200 nominations, a testament to the remarkable efforts of local organizations working to uplift our communities.
“Nonprofit organizations are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Senator Reyes. “Whether they are feeding families, empowering youth, housing the unhoused, or advocating for justice, these organizations are leading with compassion and creating lasting change. It is a privilege to recognize their work and thank them for all they do.”
25 Nonprofits of Distinction were recognized for their tireless service and transformative impact across the Inland Empire, including The Salvation Army Hospitality House, which provides shelter, life skills, and case management.
The Salvation Army Hospitality House in San Bernardino offers shelter and support to homeless families with children, and single unaccompanied adult women. Providing an initial emergency stay, with the option to extend as long as 18-24 months depending on individual needs, the program encourages residents to save 75% of their income, actively engage with their case managers on goals and objectives which are a part of their individualized service plan, and provide support for households to resolve their homelessness.
Besides providing basic shelter and meals, the Hospitality House offers case management, life skills training, educational supports for school-age children, and spiritual support, aiming to break the cycles of poverty and homelessness.
By addressing immediate needs and promoting long-term stability, the center empowers individuals and families to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. The Hospitality House represents The Salvation Army’s mission to meet human needs without discrimination,” said Kulman.
The Salvation Army welcomes donations of food, clothing, toys, and money, which can be dropped off at 925 W. 10th Street, San Bernardino, or at the Citadel office at 838 Alta Street, in Redlands. Donations can also be made online at SBCSVA.com.
For more information or help, call The Salvation Army at (909) 792-6868.
From left to right, Regina Ivery, Keith Morris, Dexter Smiles and Nick Alexander will provide laughs for the Little Sunshine Foundation fundraiser on Saturday.
The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to help to their community because every child deserves a little sunshine.
(Glendora, Calif.) The Little Sunshine Foundation is presenting a star-studded fundraiser to benefit underprivileged youngster on Saturday, June 4, from 4 to 8 PM at The Bidwell Forum in Glendora.
“Our foundation offers literacy programs, sports programs and a youth ambassador program that have all been improving young lives for five years now,” says Foundation Director Bianca Vobecky. What is especially noteworthy is that the organization was founded by Bianca’s now-18-year-old daughter, Monique, in 2018 when she was just 14 years old.
Monique is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.
This daughter of a Haitian mother and an American father of Czech-German heritage has always wanted to help others who are under-resourced and whose lives can take a dramatic turn for the better thanks to assistance from organizations like the one she founded.
Monique Vobecky started the Little Sunshine Foundation while a 14 year old freshman at Glendora High School. Now-18-years-old Monique, is now a full-time student at Harvard University, where she is majoring in pre-med and wants to become a neurosurgeon.
The Little Sunshine Foundation was singled out for praise by the Glendora Chamber of Commerce as its “Nonprofit of the Year” in 2019 and continues to set an example for how local charities can improve their communities. The Little Sunshine Foundation programs typically provide services to some 2,000 students every year.
The “Dinner and Comedy Show” fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Bidwell Forum, 116 E. Foothill Blvd., Glendora.
Entertainment is provided by comedians Regina “After Five” Ivery, Keith “Look Around” Morris and Dexter Smiles, with special appearances by Nick Alexander, an actor from New York City, who has a debut comedy album set to be released this year entitled “What Happened to Nick Alexander?” and DJ Afrocah.
Rich Wallace, President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, and Rhonda Jackson, owner of Decor Interior Design, Inc., a minority-owned business that widely consults minority start-ups and has a popular podcast channel, will share Master of Ceremonies duties. The dinner is being catered by Canyon City BBQ, which is certain to be a major crowd-pleaser.
Tickets are $60 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available, starting at $350 for a Star Sponsor, which includes two tickets, a Friends of Little Sunshine sponsorship for $500 that includes four tickets, and three more categories, including a Title Sponsorship that comes with tickets for a table of 12.
“Proceeds from ticket sales will go to school supplies and scholarships,” says Monique Vobecky.
For those who would like to help but cannot attend the event, the Foundation accepts tax-deductible donations on its website through the end of July. Little Sunshine will then budget the receipts for purchases to help students for the fall school term.
The Little Sunshine Foundation has developed three programs in furtherance of its mission.
The Foundation’s Literacy Program provides disadvantaged kindergarten to eighth grade students with new or gently used books as well as reading tools to improve reading proficiency.
The Sports Program provides support services to disadvantaged youth, ages 4 to 18 years of age, that allow them access to play sports. The sports program provides youth with athletic shoes, athletic equipment, and financial support for uniforms and sporting fees.
The Youth Ambassador Program provides opportunities for youth to contribute to their communities in a meaningful way. Involving youth as partners in this mission empowers them with leadership opportunities and helps them become empathetic, reflective individuals, setting them on a course to becoming community leaders.
The Little Sunshine Foundation’s mission is to provide underprivileged youth in the community the necessary resources to improve their quality of life through literacy and sports programs while also providing an avenue to train young adults on how to give back to their community because we believe every child deserves a little sunshine.
