Saturday June 22 from 2:00-4:30 p.m.
at Hanna Boys Center, 17000 Arnold Drive.

Click here to REGISTER NOW!

Impact100 Sonoma members applaud the grant winners in 2012

Plan to join us each Tuesday from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. for an informal “Drop-In.”  Just look for the green and white checkered tablecloth located between City Hall and the rose garden!  Bring a friend and/or significant other, bring wine or food or not, bring a chair or what you need for comfort, and join in on the fun!

As stated in the Sonoma Index-Tribune, “with the grant money, La Luz will be able to complete the center’s remodel project engendered by the vote of confidence they received last summer from Impact100 Sonoma when they received that organization’s major $100,000 grant.”

But the real purpose of this event was to hear from those who received grants in 2012 and to learn how those grants have impacted their organizations and those they serve.  Constance Grizzell, Vice President of Grant Programs and Greater Impact introduced the following speakers who shared project updates:

** Impact 100 $100,000 Grant – La Luz
Claudia Mendoza-Carruth, President of the La Luz Board of Directors
Maritza Barajas – Former client and now serving as a Family Advocate

Claudia provided a brief update on the plans for the La Luz expansion, which will be so critical for their clients. With the Impact100 grant, they have also been able to increase the number of client advocates, one of whom (Maritza) spoke eloquently about her experience as a teen at La Luz.  I was struggling and needed help to graduate high school.  La Luz helped me with tutors.  It was hard but they were encouraging and kept on me.  They saw a lot of potential in me and helped me discover it.  I grew as a person.  I became more centered, more confident.  I am now happily married with a child, and last year I became a U.S. Citizen.  Now I’m giving back to La Luz as a Family Advocate.

** $15,000 – Collaboration Grant – 10,000 Degrees (Collaborating with Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance and Sonoma Valley Education Foundation)
Traci Lanier, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for 10,000 Degrees

The collaborative partners have been meeting with middle school principals, students, and parents to leverage resources and promote college access as a way to counteract a shift in attitude that occurs with young teens. When 6th graders talk about the future, they can see themselves in college.  By the time the students reach the 9th grade, they are no longer talking about the possibility of going to college.  From these initial meetings, strategies have been developed to engage alumni as role models, carrying the vision and value of continuing education.

** $15,000 – Innovation Grant – California Parenting Institute
Claudia Esparza Mudgett, Coordinator of Sonoma Requests

Parenting classes have expanded from helping families with children ages 3-18 to families with children ages 0-18.  CPI has also networked with La Luz, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center to expanding the Positive Parenting Program. Claudia briefly spoke about a family that was having difficulties involving communication and cultural issues. After working with CPI, the family is now stable and the children are flourishing. The father wanted to be with us but was working and unable to attend.  He asked to share this message: We feel like we’ve won the lottery.  We never imagined that the Positive Parenting Program would help us be closer to our kids.  The way that you raise your children today will be reflected deeply in their future.

** $3,250 – Innovation Grant – Sonoma County Free Bookmobile
Glen Weaver, Director of the Bookmobile Program
Terra Stephens, El Verano Pre-School

The grant monies have been integral in increasing access to books and enhance literacy among underserved populations. Glen and the Bookmobile have made stops all over the Sonoma Valley including La Luz, Sonoma Valley Teen Center, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Sonoma Developmental Center, Boys and Girls Club, Sonoma Overnight Support, and El Verano Pre-School. Terra described the impact of the Bookmobile: The kids were amazed at the immense size of the Bookmobile and were eager to look inside.  They were so excited when they were told they could pick out 3 free books each.  Glen mentioned the need for book donations, but the lack of a drop off location in Sonoma.  One quick phone call by Patti England to her son, and an offer was made!  The Bookmobile bin will now be located inside the Union 76 station at 2nd Street West and West Napa Street.

** $15,000 – Capital Grant – Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH)
Sandy Piotter, Co-Chair Steering Committee

FISH has been able to upgrade their facilities significantly.  The carpet which was old, very worn, and disgusting in places, has been replaced with shiny new linoleum.  The contractor generously donated his time and only charged for materials which meant that the Impact grant stretched even further.  FISH invested $2,000 in retrofitting the lighting, and thanks to volunteers and steep discounts, they received $4,000 in products and services!  The grant also helped FISH to improve security and safety in the parking lot, which have significantly improved volunteer morale, increased safety for clients and volunteers, and provided a cleaner environment in which to package food for distribution.

** $11,000 – Capital Grant – Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS)
Cindy Vrooman, Board President
Elizabeth Kemp, Former Board President and Board Member

SOS is seeing a significant influx of clients, who are participating in the residential program and who utilize support services including access to shower facilities and laundry. The residential component includes an opportunity for up to 4 men, 4 women, and a family to stay at SOS’s Haven for up to six months.  During that time SOS works with the residents to identify their challenges, develop a stepped plan to overcome those challenges, and provide needed services including counseling, employment, assistance in signing up for social services, applying for low income housing, and planning for long term, stable housing. The Impact100 Sonoma grant monies have been used to replace worn and torn linoleum and carpet, and to purchase and install closet organizers to provide for more living space in the shelter bedrooms.

** $9,000 – Capital Grant – Willmar Family Grief and Healing Center
Dr. Catherine Mahler – Facilitator of Willmar’s Project Grief Reach
Tess Woodbury – Former client and current Willmar volunteer working with children

The grant has been used to fund On the Go Kits which are utilized at elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in support of children who have experienced grief related to death or serious illness.  The kits contain art materials, journals, and games. Recently, volunteer and outreach workers, through Willmar’s Grief Reach Program, used the kits at Dunbar School following the anniversary of the death of a teacher. The students worked with the volunteers and made friendship bracelets. The kits have been so successful that Willmar is now in the process of restocking the kits with supplies.

With each update, we learned not only how the funds have been used, but we also heard the personal stories of individuals who have been helped through the services provided by these nonprofit organizations. Each story confirmed to each of us the power of giving and the true impact of Impact100 Sonoma.

Many thanks to our major underwriter for the year, Union Bank, and our two member event sponsors, Sharon Cohn’s Massage Envy and Kat Forsythe’s Get A Second Wind, for providing support for this amazing event.

Sonoma Valley teens attend Employment 101 classes at SVTS

SVTS has developed strong collaborations with local businesses in support of the numerous classes and training programs offered to Sonoma Valley teens. Here are just three short excerpts from the detailed report that exemplify part of what has been achieved:

• All of our programs excel in teaching the very important soft skills that employers increasingly desire from job applicants. Our teens learn how to keep commitments and be on time. They develop a sense of teamwork and cooperation with others. They learn how to dress and to relate to adults and generally how to engage in meaningful activities for their own welfare.
• At least 90% percent of the teens who have passed through our doors and who are now employed report that they were hired to work because of their SVTS work experiences.
• The No-Name Café reached impressive levels of sales this past year owing in large part to the time and expertise of IMPACT members Georganne Papac and Cathy Williamson… For the first time in its multi-year history, the student-run business is turning a true profit, seemingly growing each month of its operation.

The entire report provides an awareness of what can happen when a gift of $100,000 is given to an organization in the Sonoma Valley that has a big idea and great potential, but little access to large-scale funds. In their words:

The impact has been truly substantial for our organization as demonstrated in several of the goals we were able to accomplish (as discussed above). Perhaps the single most important impact though came in the “uncovering” of our relatively small and largely unknown organization and “putting us on the map” in the community.  Yes, people knew there was a Teen Center somewhere in the Springs Area and many were aware of something called The Shop and the No Name Café. But the vast majority of Valley residents could not tell you much beyond that, unless of course they knew of the passion and care that our part-time staff Rebecca and Cristin possessed, or they had teens involved in our programs, and even then they were not so sure exactly what SVTS was about. After all, the entire merger between Operation Youth and Valley of the Moon Teen Center to create SVTS only officially occurred approximately a year prior to receiving the Impact Grant.

Frankly until Impact 100 impacted us with this prominent award, we were struggling to get our name and “our brand” out there. I think only our board members and our staff knew of the true value of what we had to offer through our various programs. The fact that Impact 100 women, (enough of them anyway) saw what we saw, that when you spend time with young people, no matter what their background or social standing, and trust that when given some attention and meaningful experiences, they begin to flourish in remarkable ways. And so it has been.

Impact100 Sonoma members can read the full report from the SVTS, by visiting the Members’ Portal: Grantee Reports of the Impact100 Sonoma website.

Sonoma, CA – March 10, 2013 – Impact100 Sonoma welcomes members, prospective members, and friends to a special event featuring the 2012 grant recipients who will share updates on their programs. This annual event provides an opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about Impact100 membership to see how funds are invested and how those funds impact our community.  The event will take place March 23, 2013, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, at  Vintage House, 264 First Street East, Sonoma.

This year featured speakers include representatives from La Luz, the 2012 recipient of the $100,000 Impact Grant, and the six Community Grant recipients: Sonoma Overnight Support, FISH, 10,000 Degrees, California Parenting Institute, Literary Arts/Bookmobile, and WillMar Family Grief & Healing Center. Each will provide a brief status report on the project that was funded.  Refreshments will be provided.

This event is sponsored through generous donations from Get A Second Wind, Inc. and Massage Envy Spa Sonoma on the Plaza. Impact100 Sonoma is also fortunate to have Union Bank as a major underwriter for our 2013 events.   Those interested in attending should RSVP by March 20 by calling Impact100 Sonoma at 707-939-5007.

Impact100 Sonoma is a philanthropic organization started in August 2009 that brings together at least 100 women in a common purpose: to award an impact grant of $100,000 every year to a Sonoma Valley nonprofit organization that would otherwise not have access to this level of funding.  The organization’s mission is to increase the number of women involved in local philanthropy, raise awareness of the unmet needs of nonprofits in Sonoma Valley, encourage members to become more involved with local charities, and make an impact on the long term sustainability of Sonoma Valley’s nonprofit community.

This year the organization achieved a record membership of 228, which means that on June23 those members will cast their votes to determine the distribution of $228,000 in grants to Sonoma Valley’s nonprofit community.

Information about Impact100 Sonoma may be found at www.impact100sonoma.org or by calling 707-939-5007.

Contact:
Judy Scotchmoor
Communications Chair, Impact100 Sonoma Board of Directors

This amount reflects the need within our community to which Impact100 Sonoma is responding.  The increase is also the result of the extensive outreach conducted by our grants team: Constance Grizzell, Patti England, Lorraine Ashton, and their committees as they actively encourage nonprofits serving the Sonoma Valley to apply.  Now our work begins…

Osias Encarnacion, Board Member, and Cristin Lawrence, Executive Director, of Sonoma Valley Teen Services, worked with the career development counselor at the high school to offer the workshop on campus to make it more convenient for students to participate. Human resources managers from several local businesses participated in mock job interviews. Carla Carvajal and James Flanagan from Whole Foods Company; Leslie Crooks and Gail Richwine, from Sonoma Market and Glen Ellen Market; Jennifer Ward and Kaitlyn Tinder from the Fairmont Mission Inn and Susan DuCote, a retired executive search firm recruiter, participated.

The workshop was designed to allow students to practice their interview skills, discuss career planning with business professionals, and give the students their first chance at interacting with business professionals as an independent career seeker. The interviewers asked the teens standard interview questions, while observing the students’ ability to communicate, their mannerisms, eye contact and overall attitude. Then the interviewers provided positive feedback to the students and suggested improvements.

For those students who were interested to discuss career plans, the interviewers engaged them in conversations to describe what careers are of interest to them. The importance of graduation from high school and continued education was encouraged.

The importance of customer service skills was emphasized because many students with part-time jobs need to interact with customers. The interviewers were invited to ask the teens how they would deal with customer situations that have happened in their businesses. Such practice makes it possible for the teens to improve their job-seeking skills and to develop career plans.

One seventeen year old boy shared that he was caught off guard by how nervous he was once in front of the person interviewing him. His mind went blank, which surprised him because he is comfortable talking with people. The practice was helpful to anticipate how he may react and to better prepared for a “real” job interview.

James Flanagan, Whole Foods Human Resource Director, Sonoma Store, stated, “It was absolutely worth my time to be available to talk to the teens, who were polite and engaged in the process. Most of them had never had a formal interview before.” All of the interviewers asked to be involved in future business skills workshops.

For further information about volunteering for help with the workshops and dates of upcoming workshops, please contact Cristin Lawrence, Executive Director, at 939-1452. Please visit the Sonoma Valley Teen Services website <svteens.org> to learn about teen programs and activities.

Press release provided by Jean Hopeman.

The announcement set a high tone of energy for the rest of the meeting during which members listened to an inspirational presentation by invited guest, Lynne Twist, author of the award-winning book, The Soul of Money.  She shared her personal perspectives on philanthropy and a compelling story of her early years as a fundraiser, during which she learned that anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of their financial status, and that $50 given from the heart can have far greater value than a dispassionate donation of a higher amount.

At this Education Forum, Impact100 Sonoma also welcomed Union Bank as a partner and major underwriter.  As all of the $1,000 donated by each Impact100 member goes directly to grants, support from Union Bank will help to defray the minimal administrative costs of Impact100 Sonoma.

Impact100 Sonoma is accepting Letters of Inquiry for grant funding from Sonoma Valley nonprofits for its 2013 grant cycle through midnight, February 1. Grant forms and instructions are available on the Impact100 Sonoma website, www.impact100sonoma.org

Information about Impact100 Sonoma may be found on the Impact100 Sonoma website or by calling 707-939-5007.

Contact:

Judy Scotchmoor
Communications Chair, Impact100 Sonoma Board of Directors
pr@impact100sonoma.org
Impact 100 Sonoma, P.O. Box 1958, Sonoma, CA 95476

The announcement set a high tone of energy for the rest of the meeting during which members listened to an inspirational presentation by invited guest, Lynne Twist, author of the award-winning book, The Soul of Money.  Lynne, who donated her time to speak with us, shared her personal perspectives on philanthropy and a compelling story of her early years as a fund-raiser, during which she learned that anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of their financial status, and that $50 given from the heart can have far greater value than a dispassionate donation of a higher amount.

At this Education Forum, Impact100 Sonoma also welcomed Union Bank as a partner and major underwriter.  As all of the $1,000 donated by each Impact100 member goes directly to grants, support from Union Bank will help to defray the minimal administrative costs of Impact100 Sonoma.