On April 15, 2022, Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) welcomed 160 guests to its first live Annual Fundraising Luncheon in over three years. Typically hosting up to 300 people, this year’s event planning team intentionally limited event capacity to provide additional safety measures & social distancing in the era of COVID. Guests included local nonprofit, healthcare, & business leaders, elected officials, board members, donors and some of ARCC’s very own program staff and 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.
CA State Assmebly Member, Ash Kalra, District 27 kicked off the luncheon portion of the program, by welcoming guests and focusing everybody on the importance of the day:
As we heal individually and collectively from the losses and challenges each of us has faced during the pandemic, agencies such as Alum Rock Counseling Center will be critical in making sure our most vulnerable youth and families are not forgotten, they have a voice, and they can access the behavioral healthcare and other resources they need to heal.
The program of speakers included Shakira, a sophomore at Cristo Rey High School, who has participated in multiple programs at ARCC, both before and during the pandemic. She spoke to her struggles with social anxiety and self-confidence, as well as the debilitating fears and breakdowns she faced due to COVID. She explained that, through the care, positive example and guidance of ARCC’s counselors as well as the online group sessions she attended during shelter-in-place, she was able to “find her voice,” “remember her strength,” and “become the best version of herself.”
We also heard the story of Daniel, a father who had recently received support from ARCC’s Parent Advocate Program as he worked to reunify his family, after losing custody of his son due to alcoholism:
Through Susan [my parent advocate], I learned about resources & available programs in the community. She helped me with my case plan … and she helped me bridge gaps in communication with my assigned social worker. She helped me regain trust in myself. Today, I am 54 months sober and my family is intact. I am very involved with my son’s education. I support him emotionally and financially, and I give him all the support and love I can…I am thankful to ARCC for giving me this second chance at life.
Many veteran lunch attendees missed being greeted this year by the smiles and handshakes of the students from ARCC’s Mentoring Program. [Unfortunately, the students were unable to attend this year due to COVID and school restrictions.] In order to bring the spirit of the students to the luncheon, ARCC Advisory Board Member. Alejandra Cervantes, visited the school campus and filmed the following video, featuring clips of some of the mentoring program youth sharing their favorite and most valuable parts of the program:
Former ARCC Super Role Model and current Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor, Cindy Chavez, District 2 helped present ARCC’s 2022 SUPER ROLE MODEL Award to San Jose City Council Member, Sylvia Arenas, District 8. Council Member Arenas was honored for her leadership & advocacy on behalf of families women, children and gender/racial equity, especially and including her work to update the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth to include social, emotional and behavioral support and to streamline City services for children and youth through the development of a Child and Youth Master Plan.
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: Marcos Herrera, Susan Ledezma, Joaquin Portugal, Vaibhav Chidrewar, Steve Eckert, Angel Kelly, Karmen Ko, Teresa Leija, Brandon Martinez-Larragoiti, and Frank Ponciano.
You can make a donation to support ARCC’s youth & programs here.
To see a list of this year’s sponsors, please visit our 2022 Annual Fundraising Luncheon Page.
If you have questions or want to become a sponsor for our 2023 Luncheon Event, please contact development@alumrockcc.org