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From left: Dr. Joshua Beckley, CAPSBC Board Chairman, Julie Borlaug, Borlaug Institute of International Agriculture at Texas A&M; Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC Chief Executive Officer; Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District; and James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District.
Fanco Family
SAN BERNARDINO, CA- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) held its 50th Anniversary Gala celebration on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The event was a celebration of five decades of helping low-income residents of San Bernardino County with quality programs designed to help eliminate poverty and empower people to achieve self-reliance and economic stability.
Those in attendance came out in support of CAPSBC and experienced an inspiring evening with a VIP Reception with music by Jazz saxophonist, Vaughn Fahie, an inspiring message from keynote speaker Julie Borlaug from the Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M. Event Masters of Ceremonies for the evening were James Ramos, Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Third District and Robert Lovingood, Vice-Chairman, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, First District.
Frances Grice
CEO Patricia Nickols-Butler welcomed attendees and stated, “Since 1965, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) has worked diligently to improve communities and assist residents to achieve economic stability. We are proud of our accomplishments and partnerships built over the years. CAPSBC has created many wonderful community service programs that have had a great impact on the lives of those in need. 50 years ago, we began this ‘War on Poverty.’ Tonight we pledge to continue to do all we can to help our communities and assist our fellow residents in need.”
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Community Action Legacy Awards by the CAPSBC Board of Directors. The Venny H. Newman Humanitarian Award was presented to Frances J. Grice outstanding efforts in fighting poverty in San Bernardino County. Ms. Grice is a long-standing leading advocate for diversity, promoting civil rights and equal opportunity in education, employment, housing, and economic and community development. She was a member of the San Bernardino grassroots organization known as The League of Mothers for whom diversity and economic opportunity was their mission. Her work represents our local San Bernardino history in the national movement to address the poverty and its symptoms since the 1960’s.
The Spirit of Hope Achievement award was presented to Luis and Leticia Franco, successful graduates out of CAPSBC’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Program. Through IDA, the family was helped to navigate through the process of saving and buying their first home. The family of five previously went through very difficult circumstances and were living in a converted garage sharing one set of bunk beds. They spoke in jest about what an adventure it was and how the family really got to know each other during this time.
The Legislative Advocate Award was presented to Assemblymember Cheryl Brown for her dedication to community reform and improvement. She is an active community leader and a small business champion. She has worked with numerous community support groups and councils. Ms. Brown generously presented CAPSBC with a donation of $3,000 in support of the agency’s programs and services.
Also receiving Community Action Legacy Award honors this year were: Helping People, Changing Lives Award – Amazon; Community Partner Awards – Kohl’s and Mitsubishi Cement Corporation; Spirit of Hope Achievement Awards – The Fellas and Generation Now.
Gala wide shot
