Sonoma Valley nonprofit news
August 1, 2023 —
The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation has welcomed three new creative talents to its board of directors. David Bolling, Conor Hagan, and Tanner Wale will help the theater diversify live programming while expanding its marketing to larger audiences, according to Jocelyn Vick, board president, and Roger Rhoten, executive director. “With renovation plans in the works, we plan to grow into a more updated, vibrant and diversified live performing arts and film center,” Rhoten said, “And that means, we need new members on our team to help us get there.” Journalist and author David Bolling. Bolling, a contributor to The Sun, has been editor and publisher of two newspapers and five magazines, including the Sonoma Index-Tribune, SONOMA magazine and, currently, Valley of the Moon. Hagan is a filmmaker, while Walle, a well-traveled performer, co-owns the Valley Bar + Bottle on Sonoma Plaza. Sebastianitheatre.com.
At Hanna Center, Thirty alumni revisited the campus recently for Scholarship Day, applying for financial aid to help plans to earn degrees at a community college, a four-year university, or a trade school. The Sisters of St. Francis Scholarship Program, named in honor of the sisters who served the Center for more than 50 years, was established in 1952 to ensure that graduates who qualified would be able to receive financial assistance as they pursued higher education. Over the years, Hanna Center has awarded scholarships to hundreds of former students. Trish Goodwin, the Director of Transitional Programs and Alumni Relations, said the afternoon is “an incredible opportunity to witness the growth of former students as they come back to share their stories and plans for their lives and academic futures. Another headline from Hanna: Noeli Cardenas Zamora, M.A. LMFT, is the new Clinical Director of the Community Mental Health Hub As a licensed clinical supervisor, Zamora (pictured) has overseen the administration of treatment programs that facilitate clinical services for at-risk children, families, and adults. She is a bilingual/bicultural provider with specialized training in the areas of trauma, grief and loss, behavioral analysis, intimate partner relations, and Latinx women.
The Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund is offering Reimagine Grants of up to $100,000 to local organizations and nonprofits with an ambitious goal of sparking brand-new concepts and ideas to solve complex local issues. “Reimagine Grants are designed to shake up our thinking and encourage some risk-taking by our local problem solvers,“ says Catalyst Co-chair Katherine Fulton. “Along with our new initiative on Food Security, they can truly help the community develop meaningful new approaches, and also to get unstuck from the ways we work now.” Reimagine Grants will help fund all phases of innovation from research and experimentation, to pilot programs and new partnerships, Fulton said. Catalyst has put a $100,000 limit per project, but expects and encourages proposals for smaller grant amounts. Find more information about the grant process at Sonomavalleycatalystfund.org
Sonoma Valley Hospital is ranked in the Top 1% in the nation at serving its patients and community, according to a healthcare think tank. The Lown Institute evaluated more than 3,600 hospitals, and SVH is among only 54 nationwide to earn Honor Roll status with “A” grades in all top categories. These are independent rankings and hospitals do not apply or pay to be listed. “Few hospitals are able to deliver high-quality, high-value care while prioritizing equity at the same time,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “That’s why it’s so important to hold up the hospitals on our Honor Roll as examples for others to follow.” LownHospitalsIndex.org.
