Here’s a quick look at what’s happening with our local nonprofits.
Nonprofits boast new talent
On Aug. 16, the Cathedral City Senior Center announced that Tracie Alexander had joined the organization as the new director of programming.
Alexander recently worked as the volunteer coordinator for Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, where she coordinated 400+ volunteers throughout various hospital departments and Eisenhower’s George and Julia Argyros Health Center in La Quinta.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and an associate’s degree in Business Administration, and in her free time she enjoys Civil War history, photography, hiking and traveling.
Another mover and shaker is classical musician, screenwriter and legal heavyweight Howard W. Schreiber, who joined the board of directors of Palm Springs International Piano Competition.
“Howard brings to the board a broad range of talents and skills,” said board president Joe Giarrusso in an Aug. 31 press release. “The board is thrilled to have his expertise and passion as ready resources as we continue to expand our outreach to the local community. Howard’s business and legal acumen and his passion for music and the arts will be tremendous assets in our mission.”
Valenzuela Foundation awards $215,000 to IE charities
The Guillermo J. Valenzuela Foundation announced Sept. 9 that it had awarded $215,000 in grants to 11 Inland Empire community organizations that work to improve the health and well-being of underserved communities, women and families in the Inland Empire.
The 2022 Foundation grants were given out at a luncheon Sept. 7. Recipients included Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine, Desert Sanctuary Inc., MALO – Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity, Music Changing Lives, OneFuture Coachella Valley, Reach Out and the Inland Health Professions Coalition, Sahaba Initiative, Southern California Public Radio, Ujima Inc. and Youth Mentoring Action Network.
Formed by longtime Inland Empire physician and philanthropist Dr. Guillermo Valenzuela, the foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants since its launch seven years ago.
Morongo Unified School District hosts backpack giveaway with Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
More than 300 backpacks filled with all the necessities for starting a productive school year were given away Aug. 20 as part of a partnership between the Morongo Unified School District and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. In addition, the San Bernardino County COVID-19 Response team supported the event with test kits for a healthy start of the new school year.
Robert Hamilton, community outreach coordinator from the Morongo Unified School District and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Administrator Anthony Madrigal were on hand to help distribute the supplies.
September Is Hunger Action Month
During the month of September, FIND Food Bank will join Feeding America and 200 network food banks to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of locals in the Coachella Valley and High Desert facing food insecurity.
“Hunger Action Month is a time when our community comes together to learn and raise awareness of hunger because while we’re making strides in our United States to meet people’s needs, we still have many people who are experiencing food insecurity,” said FIND CEO Debbie Espinosa. “Our service numbers are not back to pre-pandemic levels, and a lot of that has to do with the increasing cost of food and gas. Though we have many employed people, their salaries have not increased at the same rate as the necessities in life. That’s why we count on our community to volunteer, donate, and advocate for their neighbors facing food insecurity this month and year-round.”
During September, businesses, city governments, and individuals across the Coachella Valley and High Desert can participate by donating, volunteering, learning, and speaking up about ways to fight hunger.
Local participants include Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs; Birba, Palm Springs; Cork & Fork, Heirloom Craft Kitchen and Tu Madres Cantina, Indio; La Quinta Desert Beer Company, Palm Desert; Desert Wine Shop on 111, Palm Desert; Eight4Nine, Palm Springs; Grill-A-Burger, Palm Desert; Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert; Kimpton Rowan Hotel, Palm Springs; La Fe Wine Bar, Palm Desert; Perfect Pint, Palm Desert; PS Underground, Palm Springs; Starbucks, 37 participating locations in the Coachella Valley region.
Thomas House Family Shelter to receive donations made at DHS Vons
Thomas House Family Shelter in Garden Grove, Calif., has been selected as a charity partner for Vons and will receive donations from its annual Nourishing Neighbors campaign aimed at helping ensure every child has access to a healthy breakfast.
All donations made at the Vons in Desert Hot Springs will be used to provide breakfast to youth in need.
“Children need a healthy breakfast to start their day, it improves their ability to focus, mood and memory” said Shakoya Green, executive director at Thomas House Family Shelter. “We’re thrilled to have been selected as the nonprofit partner for the Desert Hot Springs Vons and are grateful to Vons Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors initiative for their ongoing commitment to fighting hunger in our communities.”
Over the last 36 years, Thomas House Family Shelter has served more than 1,600 unhoused and at-risk families with children, providing rent-free, transitional shelter, food, supplies, and a full range of supportive services and programs.