Community Solutions honored two women whose middle names must
be
“I will” at its first “Helping Hands and Healing Hearts” Awards
luncheon recently at the Coyote Creek Golf Club. Blanca Alvarado, a
Santa Clara County supervisor, was the first to receive the Helping
Hand Award. In her tenure on the Board, Alvarado spearheaded many
projects to improve the qu
ality of life for all residents in Santa Clara Valley. Her
commitment to improving life for youth and families is evident in
her leadership on the Public Safety and Justice Committee, the
First 5 Commission, the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Network and
Peacebuilders, just to name a few.
Community Solutions honored two women whose middle names must be “I will” at its first “Helping Hands and Healing Hearts” Awards luncheon recently at the Coyote Creek Golf Club.
Blanca Alvarado, a Santa Clara County supervisor, was the first to receive the Helping Hand Award. In her tenure on the Board, Alvarado spearheaded many projects to improve the quality of life for all residents in Santa Clara Valley. Her commitment to improving life for youth and families is evident in her leadership on the Public Safety and Justice Committee, the First 5 Commission, the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Network and Peacebuilders, just to name a few. Community Solutions President and CEO, Erin O’Brien presented this award.
Lianne Pinkston also received the Healing Heart Award. She is a former battered woman who saw her family being ravaged by violence and abuse. Her love for, and commitment to her children gave her the courage to make significant changes in her life.
“Through the counseling and other support Services at Community Solutions, I was able to rebuild my life and place my family in a safe, loving and peaceful environment,” said Pinkston. “They saved me and my family. I used to live hour to hour. Now, I am planning for the rest of my life.”
Pinkston volunteers her time and experiences in hopes that others in similar situations will find the courage to make positive changes in their lives. Deborah Morton-Padilla, Community Solutions board chair, proudly presented the award.
For 30 years, Community Solutions has lived its mission – to create opportunities for positive change by promoting and supporting the full potential of individuals, the strengths of families and the well-being of the community.
Janice Edwards, the community relations director and host and producer of “Community Focus” and “Bay Area Vista” on NBC11/KNTV was the moderator for this special event.
Also present were Mark Walker, CEO of United Way Silicon Valley, the Honorable Dolores Carr from Superior Court, Morgan Hill School Board Trustee Tom Kinoshita, Morgan Hill City Councilwoman Hedy Chang and United Way Board Member Connie Rogers.
“The luncheon was a great success,” said O’Brien. “Everyone seems to have had a good time and it was wonderful to be able to spread the word about the important work that we do and the difference we make in our community and in people’s lives.
“We are proud to partner with Blanca Alvarado and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to create opportunities for people who are facing challenges to make positive changes in their lives. Lianne has done a tremendous job of rebuilding her life, taking full advantage of the services and opportunities that Community Solutions is able to offer. It was gratifying to be able to honor these two amazing women. Both are an inspiration to me, as I believe they were to everyone who attended.”
O’Brien said she wanted to thank the agency’s generous sponsors for helping to make the event such a success. Sponsors include The Ephraim Foundation, Delyse Nash, Inc., Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation, South Valley Plumbing, Inc., RMC Engineering Co., Inc., San Jose Sabercats, Jean & Steve Zlotkin, South Valley National Bank, Fuller-Allan Insurance Agency, Anritsu Corporation and Alien Technology Corporation.
Plans are under way for the Second Annual Helping Hands and Healing Hearts Awards Luncheon, which will be held in February 2005.
The mission of Community Solutions is to create opportunities for positive change by promoting and supporting the full potential of individuals, the strengths of families and the well being of our community.
www.community solutions.org
