SAN BERNARDINO -
The
Time for Change Foundation will honor two individuals,
one nonprofit organization and one government agency at
its fourth annual awards luncheon today.
The foundation operates two shelters for homeless
women and children in San Bernardino.
The Spring Time Bloom awards ceremony at the National
Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, is also the
foundation's biggest annual fundraiser. The foundation
relies on private donations and grants to fund its
programs, said Kim Carter, its founder and executive
director.
At the event, Rabbi Hillel Cohn, who has ministered
to families for nearly four decades, will receive the
foundation's Humanitarian Award. He served as rabbi of
Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino from 1963 to
2001 and is now its rabbi emeritus.
Margaret Hill, a lifelong educator, community
advocate and volunteer, will be honored with the
Community Service Award for her charity work with the
foundation and other local nonprofit organizations such
as San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, Campfire
USA, East Valley YMCA, and Community Hospital of San
Bernardino. She is assistant superintendent of the San
Bernardino County Schools.
Public Service Award
The Public Service Award will be presented to the San
Bernardino County Public Defender's Office for providing
free legal services to the foundation's clients and
other low-income and disenfranchised people in the
community through outreach programs. A key service the
public defender's office provides is helping them
expunge old, minor convictions from their record thereby
improving their chances of getting employment,
education, housing and public assistance.
For its programs focused on improving the lives of
poor and low-income black communities in the region, the
Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches will
receive the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award. The
group has 54 member churches with congregations totaling
more than 7,000.
During the event, Kent Paxton, board member of the
county's Children's Fund, will present a report on the
county's needy and at-risk children. Past clients will
tell their stories of successful transition to an
independent life with the foundation's help. County
District Attorney Michael Ramos will be master of
ceremonies.
The foundation opened its first women's shelter in
2002. A second shelter, for women and children, was
opened three years later.
The foundation's clients include women recovering
from physical, mental and substance abuse, or have just
come out of prison. Its programs are geared toward
helping them rebuild their lives and become independent,
productive citizens.
Last year, the foundation served 65 women and 17
children, Carter said.
Applications for the foundation's services jumped
nearly 40 percent in the last year. "Women who have lost
their jobs and houses because of the economic downturn
are coming to us too. We have a three-month-long
waitlist," she said.
Hard Times
Donations, however, have declined. The recession has
left the foundation, like many other nonprofit groups,
struggling to stay afloat, Carter said.
The foundation suffered a further setback when
burglars stole property estimated at $15,000 from its
North Arrowhead Avenue office in San Bernardino earlier
this month. Carter said the items were not insured. The
foundation is seeking donations to replace them.
Carter overcame challenges of abuse, addiction and
incarceration with the help of Bloomington-based Cedar
House Rehabilitation Center. "Through the center's
programs, I met a lot of people, angels, who helped me
turn my life around. I believe, it's very important to
have access to people who can help you along," she said.
Carter is recognized as an advocate for disadvantaged
women and has received many awards for her work.
