New building, renewed commitment at La Luz
La Luz Center’s new Community Services Building opened Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the millennial facility that replaces a smaller, decades-old old cottage on Greger Street in the Springs. For Executive Director Juan Hernandez, the building represented “a flowering of passion and community reflecting the deep-seated belief that we – Sonoma Valley– can do better in serving the disadvantaged.”
The modern new space provides provide privacy for client interviews suitable waiting and interviewing areas for its clients, and adequate working space for its staff and volunteers.
Donors, both individual and organizational; clients, board members and neighbors; local CEOs and EDs; staff past and present; the press, longtime La Luz supporters, Latino leaders, the local philanthropic community and just plain folks were there. The mood was joyous.
The event was a remarkable reminder of the generous hearts in the Sonoma Valley. The Rev. Norman Cram’s blessing began with the affirmation that all faiths honor the injunction to treat others as you would yourself.
In his welcoming remarks, Marcelo Defreitas, board president of La Luz, reminded the crowd, “We’re here because we’re closer to each other.”
He described the 2,400 sq. ft. facility as a place where “the community can come to resolve problems, learn, and be empowered.”
Hernandez acknowledged all the La Luz staff who, working over the years in a challenging facility, had stayed focused on helping the community. The new space represents La Luz’s “flight into the future” toward being a catalyst for change in the Valley, he said.
His final “¡Viva La Luz! Viva Sonoma Valley!” was met with a volley of cheers.
Guests enjoyed treats provided by Picazo Café, the Barking Dog, the Chocolate Cow and La Michoacana. Learn more about La Luz Center here.
