Desert Charities News - Oct-Nov-Dec 2024

DARLA BURKETT Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Executive Director Making A Dierence For 54 years, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission has cared for thousands of people in need. It is an honor to serve as the Executive Director. My vision and purpose is always to bring awareness to our community. We host volunteers and tours, both for groups and individuals, every day. CVRM is a true beacon of hope, a place to rest, recover, and return to independent living. We serve and care for all in need. We serve all of our clients with dignity, compassion, and respect. Please come volunteer, tour, or visit cvrm.org . WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY - PAGE 3 DESERT CHARITIES NEWS DEBBIE ESPINOSA Debbie’s cultural roots of dedication to family, community, and care for those in need are the basis of her passion to work in the nonprofit sector. Building on her immigrant Filipino family’s perseverance, she has carved out a serendipitous 30-year career of service, while actively advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Since 2018 she has served as President & CEO of FIND Food Bank, the Desert’s Regional Food Bank. Committed to youth development and food security systems, she acted as Director of Programs for California’s Contra Costa and Solano area (overseeing a 16-county food bank), the National Feeding America Compliance and Capacity Development Manager for 37 food banks, Special Assistant to the CEO of Fair Trade USA and Branch Executive for the Oakland YMCA, and Strategic Programs and Operations consultant for the Global Food Banking Network and Walmart Mexico y Centro America. There she helped develop the first national food banking networks in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Debbie currently sits on the Non-Profit Leadership Alliance National Board, the Emergency Food and Shelter Riverside County Board, the EDI National Advisory Cabinet, the National Feeding America Contract Task Force and the National Strategic Framework Planning Council. She also serves on the Feeding America National Advisory Council, being the first person of color in the highest elected U.S. body. Debbie is a proud mother of two young adult daughters and partner to the son of an Indian immigrant family. She strives to embody the core belief held by her family and shared through her professional dedication: one must care for others before self. Debbie Espinosa President and CEO FIND Food Bank 83775 Citrus Avenue Indio, CA 92201 (760) 775-3663 randerson@findfoodbank.org www.findfoodbank.org SPOTLIGHT LAUREN BUDD Coachella Valley Foster Kids Treasurer Making A Dierence I am grateful and honored to be part of a compassionate community that supports the mission of CV Foster Kids. As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of foster youth in the Coachella Valley. With 2,500 children in foster care in our region, we o¡er vital support services, including clothing, beds, mental health referrals, educational resources, holiday gifts, and enriching experiences such as summer camp. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the community to address the diverse needs of children a¡ected by the foster care system. CAROLYN CALDWELL Dignity Health St Mary Medical Center Hospital President and CEO Making A Dierence As a health care veteran, I’ve always done whatever I can to make communities where I live or work better places for humankind. My husband Daniel and I moved to the desert in 2012, and having had a dear friend pass away during the AIDS crisis, I was immediately attracted to Desert AIDS Project, now known as DAP Health. I’ve enjoyed my time on the board and having an opportunity to lend my voice and support to an organization whose purpose is making life better for those they serve — which now includes women and children. PATRICIA CARRILLO Alianza Coachella Valley Director of Development & External Relations Making A Dierence Patricia was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. Patricia has 12+ years of experience in local and global community service/ non-profit work. She is a philanthropist, restorative justice practitioner and mental health advocate. Patricia has been a guest speaker/trainer for various events. She strives to make a sustainable and positive impact in her community and feels honored to be with Alianza and a board member for Angel View. Through her work Patricia has been able to leverage and bring in millions of dollars to support policy change, budget advocacy and direct service e¡orts. ANDREA CARTER Andrea Carter & Associates President/CEO Making A Dierence Blending charity involvement while providing marketing services to her clients has brought an extraordinary balance to Andrea’s life. As the pro bono PR Director for the Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, Andrea has helped raise more than $26 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is immediate Past President and current board member of Palm Springs Women in Film & Television, and serves on the Advisory Boards for Girlfriend Factor, Women Leaders Forum and Old Town Artisan Studios. Previously, she’s served on the boards of Desert Arc and Shelter From the Storm’s Sheltering Sisters. Her nonprofit clients include Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs and Variety Children’s Charity of the Desert. CINDY BURRESON Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert Chief Executive Officer Making A Dierence Our positive impact is REOPENING this amazing, multi-generational treasure of a Museum with increased accessibility and inclusion. As a Certified Autism Center, our sta¡ has been trained and we have resources for those with sensory sensitivities as well as guides that explain the type and level of stimulation of each of our exhibits. We also have things like automatic doors, adaptive trikes, and an accessible sand table to make the Museum accessible to more of our guests. We want every family to have the resources they need to have the best experience when they visit us.