Over 400 residents attended the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 18th to support health care for undocumented residents. 3 out of 5 Supervisors pledged to restore care to those left out of the Affordable Care Act. This groundswell movement is supported by a large number of organizations, many of which are led by ALF Fellows. Building Healthy Communities, led by HUB Manager
Kim Williams, Class XIV, and Sacramento Covered, led by Kelly Bennett-Wofford, Class XVIII, are just two organizations we should express gratitude toward in working to ensure that all of our residents have access to health care. To read more about the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors hearing click here, as well as here.
Eleven years ago, Class VI created a 'Teen ALF' program as its class project. That year, 16 young people attended a 4-day, 3 night leadership camp at Grizzly Ranch in the Sierras. A number of Class VI Fellows decided to continue the project after hearing the stories of these young people, the everyday challenges they faced, and their resiliency in facing and succeeding in life. Since that first year, nearly 1,000 young people have been through the Leadership experience and it is not uncommon to meet a young person who went through the experience, has now graduated from college, and has transformed their life. Jay Schenirer, Class VI, shared that for him, the days spent with such incredible youth are some of the best days he experiences each year, which reminds him of why public service is so important.This year, the program will once again evolve. Rather than a stand-alone experience, the camp will become a culminating event for the 100 or so high schoolers that will participate in our Summer at City Hall Program, a 7-week class for incoming juniors and seniors from 12 high schools around the city coupled with an internship at City Hall or in a City-related organizations (e.g. RT, Crocker Art Museum). Successful completion earns the student 5 units of high school credit and a $300 stipend.
These young people are clearly our leaders of tomorrow. Our responsibility is to provide the supports and services they need to be successful. If you are interested in visiting the program, either at City Hall or at the camp, possibly creating a relationship and mentoring a student, or even providing an internship, please contact Jay. The camp will be in the Santa Cruz Mountains, August 14-16. In either case, it will be an experience you will never forget.
University of the Pacific announced that it has entered in talks with Drexel to help complete its graduate degree programs. This is a great partnership between two well established and respected educational institutions. Read the press release here. University of the Pacific has had lasting impacts across California and abroad by offering over 80 majors in seven different schools. The university's Stockton campus is truly beautiful and benefits from the leadership of Class XIII's Mary Lou Lackey.
CADA is once again about to open a unique living space in downtown Sacramento. The Warehouse Artist Lofts (WAL) is a creative, affordable housing project for those with artistic talent and passion, which will open in early-April. Past CADA Board member and Class XII Fellow, William Ishmael, will have his work featured in the WAL located at 1108 R Street. To read more about the WAL click here.
Class XVII's Vikram Janardhan will be awarded an honorary PhD. on June 20th at the Crocker Art Museum. Drexel University in Philadelphia informed Vikram that, "For [his] leadership and mentoring skills, civic contributions and entrepreneurial spirit in both clean energy as well as health care, the Board of Trustees and the Office of the President of Drexel University have chosen to confer upon you an honorary doctoral degree - the Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa." Truly phenomenal and well deserved, congratulations Vikram and Insera Therapeutics for the innovative and wonderful work they do!
The Restorative Schools Vision Project named a new Executive Director. Ali Cooper, Class VIII, will bring his expertise in community organizing, labor matters, and political acumen to the organization and the important work they do. The Restorative Schools Vision Project works to provide schools and educators a better approach to punishment and zero tolerance discipline by offering restorative justice and social emotional learning trainings. To learn more about Ali and the organization click here.
Why haven't we all been to Patagonia!? Craig McNamara, Class IV, and his son Sean recently spent three weeks kayaking and hiking on some of the most wild and scenic rivers that would make any adventurer jealous. This photo says it all.
Nominations are now open for the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program (NELP) Class VII, which will begin in October 2015. This is your opportunity to change the life of a young professional -- an employee, mentee, relative, or friend. This intensive program, a collaborative partnership with ALF, Coro and Drexel, is changing the face of leadership in our region. NELP is seeking nominees who aspire to professional success and civic leadership. Visit www.nelpleaders.org to nominate.
Rick Jennings II, Class II, was sworn in last November as Sacramento City Councilmember, District Seven. Rick has made lasting positive impacts on families and residents in Sacramento and has been recognized for such contributions at the MLK, Jr. Difference Maker Award Ceremony where he was the Service and Advocacy Award Recipient. He was also recognized by Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Lambda Chapter for Superior Achievement and Asian Resources, Inc. awarded he and his wife Cassandra Jennings, Class III, for their many community service contributions.
UNITY of Sacramento is pleased to announce the opening of the Namaste Bookstore and Cafe. Unity and the cafe are located at 9249 Folsom Blvd.Stop by for a coffee and piece of mind. Keep your eye out for Reverend Kevin Kitrell Ross, Class XVII, when you're there.
Ensuring a good education for our children is not just the job of teachers and administrators. It requires the involvement of parents and community members. For that reason, Class XVII Fellow, Tony Lopez, PRIDE Industries Vice President, ran, and was elected to, the Wheatland Union High School District School Board.
Sworn in December, 2014, he will serve a four-year term joining four other board members in guiding the Wheatland Union High School District policies and practices. "I wanted to play an active role in ensuring that my children receive the best possible educational experience," says Lopez. "Upon graduation, I want them to be competitively ready to transition into a career or go to college."
Lopez credits his experience at ALF with helping him to further his leadership skills, developing a collaborative approach to community service and capacity building.
David Hosley, Class VII, is co-executive producer for the Center for Asian American Media on two documentaries. Changing Season On The Masumoto Family Farm debuted at CAAMfest to sold out audiences last weekend. This Is My Home Now tells the story of four young Montagnard immigrants who have fled Vietnam. The program will be distributed to public TV stations in April.
The President's Medal is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding service to Sacramento State.
Tina Treis, Class XVIII, will be presented the medal during commencement ceremonies for the College of Business Administration on Saturday, May 23 in Sleep Train Arena. Tina served for over 12 years, including as president, on the Sacramento State Alumni Association and currently serves on the University Foundation at Sacramento State board. Congratulations Tina!
As founder and coordinator, Rene Aguilera, ALF Class X, celebrated his FREE 15th Annual Cesar Chavez Youth Leadership Conference and Celebration at UC Davis on Saturday, March 28, 2015. Over 2,000 parents, students and educators attended from over 25 area school districts and they had the opportunity to choose from over 60 career and college readiness workshops from role models in such as social welfare, engineering, law enforcement, nurses, doctors, lawyers and media careers among others. Also offered were keynote speakers, breakfast, lunch, a Kaiser Play, campus tours, cultural entertainment and a T-shirt to the targeted 6th to 12th grade students. Cheers to Rene for his fifteen years of bringing young leaders and community leaders together from the Sacramento Region to honor farmworker icon Cesar Chavez through education!
Dennis Mangers, Class I, recently became the Board Chair of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation for a two year term
. Additionally, in February he was named to the Board of Governors of California State University, Long Beach where he received his BA and Teachers Credential in 1962. He is currently serving on Mayor Kevin Johnson' s Task Force for the Performing Arts Center which is studying the potential for building a new Center for the Performing Arts in Sacramento. In January, the President of the Board of Directors of the State Bar of California appointed him to the chairmanship of the Regulations, Admissions and Discipline Committee which oversees the discipline system for attorneys in California, making him the first non-lawyer in the history of the Bar to hold this position.On October 5th of this year, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation will host a benefit concert for children aspiring to participate in the performing arts in honor of Dennis' 75th birthday. Save-the-date to celebrate with Dennis and support the artistic aspirations for youth!
Nancy Brodovsky, Class XIV, is the Co-Chair for the American Cancer Society Gala on September 19th 6pm "A Bounty of Hope" with Shelley Troshinsky. Join her for this worthy cause and if you haven't already done so, check out this interesting documentary by Ken Burns on cancer here.
Donna Burke, Class XIV, has been embracing her creative side through acting and designing custom made jewelry.
She recentlylaunched a fashion jewelry line called ICE by Donna, which stands for Individually Customized Elements. Visit her site on Facebook here to check out some magnificent pieces.
Joe Barr, Class XVII, was promoted to the newly created position of Chief Content Officer at Capital Public Radio. In the new role he'll oversee the News, Music and Digital formats encompassing about 40 hosts, reporters, editors and content producers. Barr will focus on efficiently harnessing the public media station's growing resources to create content an all platforms. Joe Barr was previously Director of News and Information. In that role, he expanded the News Department from six to nearly 30 employees, including creating Health Care, Environment and Food & Sustainability beats and the award-winning multimedia documentary series, The View From Here. He developed CapRadio's statewide news service, Capital Public Radio Network (CPRN). It's one of the largest networks in the public radio system, reaching about three-million listeners a week on about 50 stations in California, Oregon and Nevada. He led his department to numerous awards, including a national Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting and the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi award for Best Documentary.
A new ALF tradition was inaugurated on Saturday morning, March 29. Our newest ALF staffer, Chris Aguirre organized an easy 20 mile bike ride along the beautiful American River bike trail. Those joining Chris were Class V's Joyce Mitchell and husband Eric, Class VII's Tom Stallard, and Class XVI's Eric Solis. In addition to the beautiful ride, there was plenty of ALF-type conversation. Be on the lookout for the next ride and join in.
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