Nonprofit news around the Valley
Student artist award – City of Sonoma seeks entries for the 2023 Student Creative Artist Award. The annual honor is open to high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate promise in visual, literary or performing arts. Online entries due April 13. Winners are awarded up to $2,000 cash award towards their artistic education or career. Entry deadline: April 14. Sonomacity.org.
New restoration manager – After nine years managing vineyards in Sonoma and Napa counties, Lauren Claussen is the new Restoration Manager at Sonoma Ecology Center. “I love seeing the positive change in a landscape, whether it’s improving forest health through the removal of invasive vegetation and planting native plants, or seeing an increase in pollinators, birds and other animals as a result of restoring their habitats,” says Claussen, who holds degrees in molecular environmental biology and natural resource management. “And the added benefit of having the opportunity to see some beautiful natural places is pretty great too!”
Back to public meetings – After nearly two years of virtual public meetings, the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board has resumed in-person public meetings at the City of Sonoma’s Council Chamber, 177 First Street West, the first Thursday of each month beginning April 6, 2023. (The March meeting, on the 9th, will be virtual.) Going forward the 6pm meetings will be held in a hybrid format which allows community members to attend either in-person or virtually. Sonomavalleyhospital.org
Survey: What seniors need – Sonoma County residents of all ages are invited to complete a survey to define the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, and to provide input for future programs that benefit them. Nonprofit organizations throughout Sonoma Valley encourage a large response to this survey, which will inform where County money will be directed. “Our goal is to give older adults and their families from all backgrounds an opportunity to tell our government leaders what we need in Sonoma Valley, which has traditionally been underrepresented,” said Erick Larson, executive director of Village of Sonoma Valley. SeniorsOfSonoma.org
Trauma response training – Hanna Institute launches Trauma Responsive Sonoma (TRS), a virtual training series in trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care free to all Sonoma County residents. Sessions begin March 20 and run through December, with live Spanish translation. “If you have been looking for training for you, your staff, your volunteers, or your partners that won’t take away from your budget, this is it,” says Hanna’s Richard De León. Hannainstitute.org.
New CarePartners board member – Madolyn Agrimonti has joined the CarePartners board of directors. “I’m part of the Sonoma’s senior community,” said the former Sonoma city councilmember, “(and) I have an obligation to support our seniors and their families on their journey to well-being with dementia.” Agriminti has served on the boards of Sonoma Overnight Support, Sonoma Valley Women’s Club, Sonoma Community Center, and Sonoma Valley Health Care District, among others. Founded in 2019, the organization is a catalyst for supporting Sonoma residents with cognitive decline. Carepartnersinitiative.org.
