On March 27, 2019, nearly 250 guests attended Alum Rock Counseling Center’s (ARCC’s) Annual Fundraising Luncheon, including local nonprofit and business leaders, elected officials, board members, donors and some of ARCC’s very own program youth. The event helped to raise funds for ARCC’s vital programs and services, which support youth from our local communities in staying safe, in school, and on track for healthy, successful futures.
It was a moving program, including testimonials from those participating in ARCC’s programs. Daphne, a senior at Independence High School enrolled in ARCC’s Truancy Reduction Program, spoke to how she overcame being bullied at school, trauma from her past and failing grades to being on track to graduate in June with plans for moving onto college. Her counselor, Zulema, shared her own inspiring story of the path that led her to becoming a counselor and the similar life hurdles she needed to overcome:
I chose to do this work because I felt that I could have really benefited from a support system in high school. I was told time and time again I wasn’t capable and … I was dealing with multiple barriers. I think it could have been very easy for me to go down the wrong path, make wrong choices, and not get to where I am today. I love what I do … and I strive to let individuals and families know that things can get better, and hard work and a positive mind can go a long way.
Former San Jose Mayor and current CEO of the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, Ron Gonzales, helped present ARCC’s 2019 SUPER ROLE MODEL Award to the Honorable Katherine Lucero, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge, for her leadership in developing innovative programs to support abused & neglected children and dually-diagnosed youth in the juvenile justice system, particularly youth of color.
Judge Lucero delivered an inspiring and powerful acceptance speech in which she spoke to the “lethal absence of hope” that so many youth nowadays feel and the importance of agencies such as ARCC in helping them find connection, purpose and their place in the world. She put out a call to action for all guests in attendance to be part of the cure.
What I see here today is a community of compassionate leaders that know for a fact that each of our youth, no matter where they are from, or what they have done…. is valuable. That each youth carries their own unique medicine to heal themselves and the universe and that it is our job to lead those who may not see this truth…back to it. Thriving, healthy, mentally well children and teens ensure us that we will have future leaders, builders, artists, doctors and teachers…. We cannot stand by and let one child not know what it is they are here to do. We must do better at helping our children to dream … we must do better at allowing our kids to imagine a life that is full of purpose and abundance.
ARCC extends sincerest thanks to the warm, entertaining and always engaging Guisselle Nunez, who once again served as Luncheon Emcee and Mistress of Ceremonies. ARCC also acknowledges and appreciates its generous and committed Board of Directors for their leadership and support: Angel Kelly, Jon Yap, Marcos Herrera, Amardeep Chhatwal, Damian Durruty, Steve Eckert, Susan Ledezma, Teresa Leija, Frank Ponciano, Joaquin Portugal, and Tom Smith.
For more information about this year’s sponsors and to view event photos, visit the 2019 Annual Fundraising Luncheon Page.