Women’s Economic Ventures founder and CEO Marsha Bailey, center, with Trailblazer Award honoree Kate Silsbury of Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. and WEV Business of the Year award winner Julia Crookston, owner of the Goodland Kitchen and Market, at WEV’s Empowerment Is Priceless breakfast. (Theresa Gingras photo)
By Danielle Deltorchio for Women’s Economic Ventures | Published on 05.08.2013 12:33 p.m.
Nearly 300 women and men attended nonprofit Women’s Economic Ventures’annual Empowerment Is Priceless event last Friday at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort.
The breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2013 Trailblazer Award honoree, Business of the Year and Volunteers of the Year. WEV clients also shared stories of their personal experience with WEV’s continuum of programs and discussed where their businesses are today.
The Trailblazer Award is typically presented to someone who is a pioneer in their industry, one who exemplifies courage, vision and the tenacity to tear down barriers. This year, WEV founding board member Kate Silsbury of Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. was named the 2013 Trailblazer Award honoree. A financial planner since 1985, Silsbury was given the award for her work in empowering thousands of women to become financially literate.
“WEV is honoring Kate today not just because she was one of the first women in our area to become a financial planner, but because of her commitment to helping women understand money and take control of their financial future,” said Gail Zannon, award presenter and WEV 2011 Trailblazer Award recipient.
Each year, WEV honors a business owner who represents the diverse clients the organization serves. The award is not necessarily for the biggest or the fastest-growing business, rather, WEV recognizes the unique and inspiring nature of a business and the contributions it and its owner make to the community.
The 2013 WEV Business of the Year award went to Julia Crookston, owner of Goodland Kitchen and Market in Old Town Goleta. Crookston was honored for bringing vibrancy and a sense of community back to Old Town Goleta and for growing her own business and supporting the growth of other businesses through renting commercial kitchen space at Goodland Kitchen.
“All of us are empowered when we master concepts we didn’t think we could master; when we face our fears and do it anyway. We are empowered when we take a leap of faith, not knowing where we’ll land,” said Marsha Bailey, founder and CEO of WEV. “But there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s easier to take that leap when you have a safety net beneath you — a safety net that includes a caring network of support, opportunities to learn and grow, and the financial resources to keep going. For thousands of women, that safety net is WEV.”
Karim Kaderali, founder and president of Santa Barbara Axxess, and Kim Maxwell, owner of Kim Maxwell Studio, spoke on behalf of WEV clients like themselves.
“As a result from a $20,000 loan from WEV, we are able to employ nine people and this year we’ll top $1 million in giving back to local schools through the sale of Santa Barbara Axxess books,” Kaderali said.
WEV also honored two Volunteers of the Year for their work and dedication: Santa Barbara County Volunteer of the Year Lisa Braithwaite, public speaking coach and trainer, and Ventura County Volunteer of the Year Harriet Cohen, founder of Training Solutions consulting firm.
Major sponsors of the 2013 Empowerment is Priceless event were Union Bank, Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort, Montecito Bank & Trust, Broadview Mortgage and Boone Graphics.
All proceeds from the Empowerment Is Priceless event will directly benefit client programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, including Self-Employment Training (SET), Business Plan Intensive (BPI), SET to Launch, Thrive in Five™ and the Small Business Loan Fund.
WEV is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. Since 1991, WEV has been providing self-employment training, technical assistance and microloans to primarily low-income women. WEV offers a continuum of programs to help both women and men start, stabilize and grow small businesses. WEV’s service area includes Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura. WEV’s Small Business Loan Fund provides start-up and expansion loans of up to $50,000 to pre-bankable microenterprises. Click here for more information.
— Danielle Deltorchio is a publicist representing Women’s Economic Ventures.
http://www.noozhawk.com/article/050813_womens_economic_ventures_awards_breakfast/
Rannoch Moor by Teresa McNeil MacLean, courtesy of Hospice of Santa Barbara
Celebrate the wonderful services provided by Hospice of Santa Barbara on Wednesday, May 8 in their exhibit displaying local artist Teresa McNeil MacLean‘s work, “Along the Way: Nature’s Peace,” in the Leigh Block Gallery from 5:30-7 p.m. The new exhibit will also feature a wine and cheese open house reception courtesy of Hospice, as well as a celtic harp performance by Ellen Beckerman.
MacLean is a talented Santa Ynez artist who is known for her work with colored pencils and her unique talent of painting landscapes from memory. She has a passion for wilderness, creative composition, form and color, and this permeates through each of her works. Appearing in over 20 solo exhibits, numerous invitational shows and several books on colored-pencil art, MacLean’s artwork is displayed in collections within North and South America and Europe. She belongs to Santa Barbara Art Association and Artists’ Guild of the Santa Ynez Valley, and is a signature and lifetime member of Colored Pencil Society of America.
Maclean’s exhibition will be on display through July 2013 and a portion of the proceeds from her art sales will be donated to the Hospice of Santa Barbara, Inc.
Every month, Hospice of Santa Barbara offers free professional counseling and care management services to over 600 children and adults who are suffering a life-threatening illness or are grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice also works with eight local middle and high school campuses to work with children and teens who are mourning the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara and how to volunteer, call 805/563-8820 or click here.
-Ashley Somerfeld
As a result of the tireless dedication of hundreds of community volunteers, supporters and sponsors for the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College’s 2013 Campaign for Student Success – aptly themed “Show Us Your Love” – the Campaign has exceeded its original fundraising and donor acquisition goals, raising $1,050,000 with pledges still rolling in.
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While the Campaign goal has been exceeded, every dollar makes a difference in the life of SBCC students, so community members who have outstanding pledge cards are encouraged to submit them to the Foundation at SBCC at 721 Cliff Dr., Santa Barbara, 93109 or to donate online here.
The funding raised during the Campaign will go directly to student support: book grants, scholarships, child care, tutoring, and other essential student services. The Campaign for Student Success came about both as a way to engage and empower the community, and out of necessity in the face of funding cuts.
“What is particularly gratifying about this year’s Campaign, is that we increased the number of donors from 900 two years ago to today where over 5,000 have shown their love with a contribution,” said Neil Kreisel, Foundation for SBCC Board President. “We couldn’t be more grateful for these 5,000 community members that have generously chosen to make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of SBCC students.”
The Campaign for Student Success also saw more than $203,722 in donations from “Friends Asking Friends,” a social networking friend and fundraising technology. Dozens of faculty, staff members, students and alumni created their own teams or joined others, as did Foundation Board Members, all Foundation staff and many dedicated donors.
“Call Nights,” a staple of the Campaign for Student Success, were successful in reaching out to over five-thousand Santa Barbara County residents. Community members, SBCC students, faculty and the Foundation staff dedicated numerous evenings volunteering at the weekly Call Night sessions.
About Foundation for Santa Barbara City College
The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College funds programs and scholarships directly benefitting students at Santa Barbara City College. Formed by a group of community leaders, the Foundation is committed to making higher education attainable for all in the Santa Barbara community. For more information, call (805) 730-4401 or visit here.
As a result of the tireless dedication of hundreds of community volunteers, supporters and sponsors for the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College’s 2013 Campaign for Student Success — aptly themed “Show Us Your Love” — the campaign has exceeded its original fundraising and donor acquisition goals, raising $1.05 million with pledges still rolling in.
While the campaign goal has been exceeded, every dollar makes a difference in the life of SBCC students, so community members who have outstanding pledge cards are encouraged to submit them to the Foundation at SBCC at 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109, or click here to donate online.
The funding raised during the campaign will go directly to student support: book grants, scholarships, child care, tutoring and other essential student services. The Campaign for Student Success came about both as a way to engage and empower the community, and out of necessity in the face of funding cuts.
“What is particularly gratifying about this year’s campaign is that we increased the number of donors from 900 two years ago to today where over 5,000 have shown their love with a contribution,” said Neil Kreisel, Foundation for SBCC board president. “We couldn’t be more grateful for these 5,000 community members that have generously chosen to make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of SBCC students.”
The Campaign for Student Success also saw more than $203,722 in donations from “Friends Asking Friends,” a social networking friend and fundraising technology. Dozens of faculty, staff members, students and alumni created their own teams or joined others, as did foundation board members, all foundation staff and many dedicated donors.
“Call Nights,” a staple of the Campaign for Student Success, were successful in reaching out to over five-thousand Santa Barbara County residents. Community members, SBCC students, faculty and the foundation staff dedicated numerous evenings volunteering at the weekly Call Night sessions.
The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College funds programs and scholarships directly benefiting students at Santa Barbara City College. Formed by a group of community leaders, the foundation is committed to making higher education attainable for all in the Santa Barbara community. For more information, click here or call 805.730.4401.
http://www.noozhawk.com/article/050213_steve_jacobsen_celebrating_mothers_day_remembrance/
Steve Jacobsen: Celebrating Mother’s Day Can Be a Special Day of Remembrance
By Steve Jacobsen | Published on 05.02.2013 2:13 p.m.
Mother’s Day is a day of celebrating and remembrance, a day to give thanks for the significant woman in our lives who brought us into this world, raised us and held us, literally and figuratively, throughout the years. It is also a day of remembrance for those of us who are celebrating the memory of our mothers who have died.
A mother-child relationship is sometimes complicated, and this can add to the grief we may experience. As Mother’s Day approaches, many of us whose mothers are no longer with us can begin to feel the void of the loss. Feelings of loneliness and longing and even feelings of regret, guilt, missed opportunities and forgiveness are natural.
It’s important to recognize the emotions we are experiencing. It is also healing to recall our mother’s passing by finding ways to celebrating her life and come to terms with any unresolved feelings.
Every year we can try to find new and innovative ways to remember our mother and cope with the grief and loss we may feel by her absence. Here are a few I would like to share:
» Celebrate the life of your mother by continuing favorite traditions,such as decorating the house or baking goodies. Plan a dinner at your loved one’s favorite restaurant with siblings, relatives and friends who are also remembering her life.
» Buy your mother flowers. Go out and purchase your mother’s favorite flowers. Place them on your table, bring them to honor your mother’s grave, or plant them in the front yard to grow back every year stronger and more beautiful.
» Write a letter or card for your mother. Tell her how much you love her and care. Tell her how you are remembering and celebrating her life. Tell her how you feel. Place it on your dining room table on Mother’s Day and keep to read in future years.
» Share stories of your mother with your friends and family. Let her live through your memories.
» Set a place at the table. Leave a place setting for you mother at brunch or dinner. During the meal, talk about what she would be saying and feeling if she were present.
» Make a memory box. Have every family member bring a trinket, write some words, or make something creative that reminds them of your lost loved one. Decorate a box with photographs and memories, and encourage family members to add something new every year. Even add her favorite perfume to the box and spray it when you are missing her most.
» Make an online memorial. Creating an online memorial allows friends and family the opportunity to post, share feelings about the day and ones experiences, and feel connected.
» Join an online support group. Facebook has many open groups for support, such as Daughters Grieving Loss of Mother that are open for anyone to join and share their experience.
» Let the tears flow. It’s only natural to feel sorrow and loss on Mother’s Day when remembering one’s mother. Tears are good and shouldn’t be held back. They help with the grieving process.
» Seek local support. Hospice of Santa Barbara offers many different support groups, year round, free of charge. Find the one that’s right for you by clicking here.
And to all the moms out there, “a very happy Mother’s Day to you.”
Hospice of Santa Barbara “volunteers” its free professional counseling and care management services to more than 600 children and adults every month who are experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness, or grieving the death of a loved one. It is also present on seven local middle and high school campuses to work with children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, click here or call 805.563.8820.
— Steve Jacobsen is executive director of Hospice of Santa Barbara. Call Hospice of Santa Barbara at 805.563.8820 for a schedule of adult and children’s groups, or to make a donation. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
Posted on Thursday, May 2, 2013 12:33am
We have a followup to a story we told you about Tuesday, involving efforts by a foundation to raise a million dollars from student assistance programs at Santa Barbara City College.
When the story aired Tuesday morning, Foundation for Santa Barbara City College officials told KCLU News that they were still $100,000 short of their goal to raise the million dollars by April 30th.
But, as of the end of the day yesterday, the campaign had topped the million dollar mark by $50,000.
The Campaign For Student Success is intended to support more than a half dozen programs, ranging from child care for single parent students, to grants for books for students who can’t afford them.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 By Presidio Sports
Participants at Sunday’s Mental Wellness Walk/Run gather for a pre-event group photo at Manning Park.
The 2nd annual Mental Wellness Walk/Run brought together nearly 250 people in Montecito on Sunday in support of those living with mental illness.
Runners take off in front of the walkers at Manning Park on Sunday morning.
With cuts in state funding, the event is needed to help keep the Fellowship Club at the Mental Wellness Center open. In its second year, participation increased from 175 participants to 250 participants and raised nearly $50,000.
Organizers hope to attract even more participants next year, and are planning to include official time keeping for runners on the 5k and 10k courses.
The running route starts and finishes in Lower Manning Park, making its way through Montecito neighborhoods down Santa Rosa Lane to San Leandro Lane and back to Manning Park.
Find more information about the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center HERE
http://presidiosports.com/2013/05/mental-wellness-walk-run-attracts-hundreds/
By Danielle Deltorchio for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County | Published on 05.01.2013 8:31 p.m.
Here is the scenario: The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County had to finish in the top 40 of a national contest, Fighting Hunger Together Challenge, sponsored by the Walmart Foundation and Feeding America, in order to win $45,000 to help local children in need — no small task in competition with major cities throughout the country.
On Monday, with less than 48 hours to go and the Foodbank falling behind, the organization had issued a plea and a challenge to the community for 1,000 votes to secure a winning spot.
As Tuesday dawned, the final day of the challenge, the nail-biting began as the Foodbank remained outside of the winners’ circle — in position 43. The Foodbank had to pull ahead with just hours to go. Friends and supporters had been voting all month long, but with major new funding at stake, our community moved into high gear.
At the close of the challenge, Santa Barbara had climbed the ranks, with the additional 1,000 votes, from 43 to 28 in a single day, securing its spot among the top 40 and winning $45,000 to help feed local children through its Picnic in the Park Summer Food Program.
“We know there were groups and individuals in the community, and others far from Santa Barbara, spending time sending out the message to vote on our behalf. It was thrilling for us to see how much support the Foodbank has and how people are prepared to swing into action when we need help,” CEO Erik Talkin said. “Thanks to everyone who helped us reach our goal. Now we can focus on our real goal to make sure that Santa Barbara County is healthy and hunger free.”
In its third year, the Foodbank’s Picnic in the Park Summer Food Program promotes wellness and healthy eating during summer months and helps bridge the gap for children throughout Santa Barbara County who receive free or reduced lunches during the school year, but face the summer without. About 84 percent of children in the county who receive free or reduced lunches during the school year get nothing in the summer months. For many children, what should be an exciting season for play with friends, a family vacation or time at the pool, can instead mean a time of hunger.
Picnic in the Park provides 2,500 local, low-income children 35,000 free nutritious meals (more than 700 meals per day throughout Santa Barbara County) and educates kids, families and the public about healthy eating and staying active. Whole Foods Market (Santa Barbara) is supporting the Picnic in the Park Program through a generous donation of 38,000 durable lunch bags.
How to Remove the Walmart Facebook App
If you were among those who contributed your time by voting for the Foodbank through Facebook, thank you and the following instructions will allow you to remove the Walmart app from your account: Log in to your Facebook account and go to Privacy Settings>Apps>My Local Walmart, then click “edit” (small pencil icon) then “delete.” This will remove it from your profile.
— Danielle Deltorchio is a publicist representing the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.
http://www.noozhawk.com/article/050113_foodbank_santa_barbara_county_wins_45000/
Dr. Reed Kindermann, a Cherry Hill, N.J. ophthalmologist, was honored for his 20 years of service to the underprivileged blind at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Conference, recently held in San Francisco.
Dr. Harry Brown, Founder of SEE International and Randal Avolio, President/CEO of SEE International, present an award to Dr. Reed Kindermann for his 20 years of service to the organization.
Dr. Kindermann volunteers his services to perform sight restoration procedures through SEE International; a Santa Barbara based nonprofit, humanitarian organization that provides medical, surgical, and educational services by volunteer ophthalmic surgeons worldwide.
Dr. Kindermann began providing sight restoration procedures through SEE International with a surgical expedition to Laos in 1993. Since then, he has participated in sight restoration expeditions to Guatemala, Mongolia, Cambodia, Georgia, Romania and Namibia. Since 2011, Dr. Kindermann has been a frequent visitor to Namibia where he, along with a large team of ophthalmologists, restored sight to as many as 300 individuals in only one week.
For more information about SEE International, visit www.seeintl.org.
