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In the January 2024 issue…

  • Marking 20 Years of Changing Lives Together!
  • Grantee of the Month: Family Service Agency
  • Save these Important Dates
  • Membership Corner: New Member Event and Welcome!
  • Announcing 2024 Board Members
  • Mark Your Calendar – Volunteer Information Reception
 
Marking 20 Years of Changing Lives Together!

Dear Members and Friends,

As we leap into the new year, I am excited to share our monumental occasion—the 20th anniversary of the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara! This milestone is not just a marker of time; it's a jubilant celebration of our collective dedication to positive change and community empowerment. 

Two decades ago, the Women's Fund was born out of a visionary belief that women, when united, can be an unstoppable force for positive change. 

Now, as we celebrate 20 years of impact, I hope each of you feels the energy and excitement that radiates from our incredible community. Our goal for this year was a grants pool of $1 million or more for 2024. Although financial experts are still diligently auditing the numbers, it looks like we are on track to achieve that record-breaking goal.

We raise our glasses to YOU – our cherished members – for your enduring generosity, passion, and commitment to the Women's Fund. It is only because of each and every one of you that we can extend our philanthropic reach to address critical and emerging needs of women, families, and children in our community.

A massive round of applause also goes out to the 2022-2023 Board of Directors and the leadership team for their tireless dedication and service over the past year.

In the months ahead, we’ll have more opportunities to reflect on the accomplishments of the past two decades. And I believe we will all renew our commitment to many more years filled with shared purpose, collective impact, and continued empowerment with the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara! Together, we really do make a difference!

Would like to share what the Women’s Fund means to you? Share a memory or send congratulations? Then visit our 20th Anniversary page, scroll to the bottom, and add a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

With much enthusiasm,

Jamie Dufek, Board Chair
 
Save These Important Dates!

Mark your calendars – the next few months will be busy! These important dates lead up to the selection of our new 2023-2024 grant recipients.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 - The Ballot Information Package will be emailed to all 2023 members, a little earlier than in past years and with a few great changes:

  • An expanded ballot worksheet to make it easier to compare projects,
  • Easier-to-read ballot descriptions with headings that help you zero in on key points, and
  • An invitation to submit questions to the Research Committee by March 1, in advance of the Ballot Review Meeting. As many questions as possible will be answered.

Thursday, March 7, 4:00-6:00 pm, a one-day Ballot Review Meeting via Zoom which will include:

  • An overview of the research process and the issues that helped shape this year’s ballot, and
  • Researcher presentations on each proposal with answers to questions submitted before March 1. (Time for live Q&A will be limited.)

The Zoom meeting will be recorded and available via a link provided to all members after the meeting.

March 8 - 30 – Window for voting. Group Captains should start planning now to schedule their voting meetings with their groups to discuss the ballot and decide on how to cast their group votes. Individual members can attend Ballot Discussion Groups.

Saturday, March 30 – Voting closes at 6 pm.

Tuesday, May 7, at the Lobero Theatre – the 2024 Celebration of Grants and 20th Anniversary Celebration. This will be THE event of the year! Help celebrate our 2023-24 grantees who will join the 130+ local programs that have received almost $10.5 million in Women’s Fund grants since 2004.
 
Grantee of the Month: Family Service Agency

Most of us have occasionally been flummoxed when trying to access health care services in Santa Barbara. For those with mental health issues, navigating the complexities of the system can be almost insurmountable. Layer on top of these challenges the shortage of mental health clinicians in town, and we are left with a community in dire need of support.

Enter the Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara (FSA). FSA provides a variety of social services; a key task is helping with mental health support. In response to a community survey regarding mental health needs conducted by Santa Barbara County's Department of Behavioral Wellness, the agency developed a pilot program for a community mental health navigator service, modeled on successful programs that have helped patients identify and access services for physical health issues. 

A $100,000 grant from the Women’s Fund allowed FSA to fund a half-time community mental health care navigator and administrative support services for two years. The health navigator is bilingual and bicultural, which is important given that those people receiving services are 70% Latino, 88% low-income, and 70% female.

The navigator’s role is to assess the needs of the participants and identify relevant resources. FSA already has relationships with mental health agencies in the community that provide services such as crisis management, substance abuse treatment, and ongoing therapy, so the navigator doesn’t have to start new.

In addition to connecting participants with service providers, the navigator helps participants overcome barriers related to insurance, transportation, child care, and even language translation if needed. Since follow-up is always important, the navigator maintains contact with anyone placed on a waitlist until that individual receives services. In addition, the navigator plans to facilitate gatherings to build support networks for participants.

FSA anticipates that three-quarters of its Mental Health Navigation participants will connect with and successfully access the life-changing and life-saving help they need. KEYT News Channel 3-12 recently reported on how FSA is expanding mental health services in our community. Watch the video here. 
 
Membership Corner: New Member Event and Welcome!

Calling all new members of the Women’s Fund! Not yet a member but want to learn more? In either case, please plan to attend a special event designed especially for new or potential members of the Women’s Fund.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Meet other new members and current leaders in the Women’s Fund
  • Get a chance to ask questions about how the Women’s Fund works
  • Learn about how our grant dollars are working in the community
  • Find out how agencies and projects are chosen for the ballot
  • Enjoy delightful nibbles and beverages

When: Thursday, February 22, 2024
5:30 – 7:00 pm

Where: Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library
40 East Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara

Group Captains and new members can register here. This informal and informative social gathering is also a wonderful opportunity to share your Women’s Fund experience with a friend—members can bring a guest by registering here!

Not yet a member but interested in learning more? Then please register here. 

Welcome New Members

The Women’s Fund ended 2023 strong and began 2024 with the same great energy. Please welcome the 27 new members that have joined us since mid-December: Bev Abrams, Delene Goodell Bliss, Danielle Bolster, Rena Brawer, Jessica Caruso, Regina Cordova, Bonnie D. Cummings, Somayeh Dodge, Nadra Ehrman, Julia Elman, Clara Firestone, Monica Micon Fried, Rebecca Golgert, Maureen Grattan, Deborah Holmes, Felicia Luong Boyd, Leyla Lynn, Amanda Moose, Jane Murray, Natalie Orfalea, Diana Pereira, Kate Rees, Debby Rexford, Kathy J. Scroggs, Karen Shoener, Coriander Stasi, and Jillian Wittman.
 
Announcing 2024 Board Members

We are happy to announce the election of our all-volunteer board of directors for 2024!

Newly elected to officer roles for our 1,300-member organization are Board Chair Jamie Dufek, Vice Chair Carolyn Jabs, Treasurer Kathy Dunlap, and Corporate Secretary Sabina White. 

Newly elected to the board are Roberta Collier, Kerry Parker, Linda Putnam, and Suzi Schomer. Continuing terms on the board are Mary Brown, Sarah de Tagyos, Yonie Harris, Nancy Harter, Denise Hinkle, Kathy Hollis, Lynn Karlson, Lauren Trujillo, and Laurie Tumbler. We would like to thank the following members who completed their terms: Jacki Belt, Marita Hawryluk, Margie Larkin, Mary Luthy, and Michele Saltoun. Learn about all our board members here. 

The Women’s Fund has an all-volunteer management structure that includes both the board, which focuses on setting policy, overseeing that goals are met and assuring the financial stability of the organization, and an Operations Management Team, which handles day-to-day operations.
 
Mark Your Calendar – Volunteer Information Reception

Members who volunteer are essential to the success of the Women’s Fund, and we'd love for you to join our team. You’ll have a great time while making a difference! Mark your calendar and plan to join us for an informal gathering to learn more about the wide variety of opportunities that are available.

When: Thursday, February 29, 2024
5:00 – 6:30 PM

Where: Co-Lab (La Cumbre Plaza behind Starbucks)
121 S. Hope Ave., Santa Barbara

In the meantime, visit our website to learn more or contact us at volunteer@womensfundsb.org.
 

133 East De La Guerra Street, #15
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

© 2022 Women's Fund of Santa Barbara
A tax-exempt nonprofit organization | Tax ID 82-5169678

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