Time for Change Foundation Honors Inland Empire's Most Precious Jewels

It was an eventful Friday evening for those who attended Time for Change's 13th annual award ceremony and dinner program "Celebrating Life's Precious Jewels" April 17. The sold-out dinner’s emcee duties were shared by John Kunkel, former Time for Change Foundation Director of Communications and Fontana Mayor Aquanetta Warren. Vanessa Perez, Civic Engagement Specialist, provided the welcoming greeting and Senator Connie Leyva led the pledge of allegiance. She introduced Pastor Hodari, who led the invocation. Time for Change Foundation awarded 2015 honorees for their outstanding community service and commitment as follows: Community Education Champion Award - Chancellor Bruce Baron; Humanitarian Award - The Race, Gender and Human Rights Giving Circle of the Women’s Foundation of California; Community Service Award - Santa Claus, Inc.; Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award - MiCocina Restaurant in Highland; Community Health Champion Award - June Collison; Community Health Advocate Award - Dr. Dora Barilla; Dynamic Duo Award - Angela and Victor Myles; Community Development Champion Award - National CORE; Community Business Leader of the Year Award - Premier Medical Transportation. Karen DiCarlo, executive director of Santa Claus Inc., shared that the organization works 11 and a half months each year to provide toys, books shoes and more to children and their families for the Christmas season. As she accepted the Community Service Award, DiCarlo shared she feels proud that her organization has "helped over 600 thousand local children." The Arroyo-Lopez family were the recipients of the Ramos Family Spirit of Compassion Award, presented by Lisa Moreno. Moreno shared she felt the family deserved special recognition because as owners of a Mexican restaurant "Mi Cocina," they are always "humbly" helping out their customers in times of need. Kim Carter with special guest Dr. Robert K. Ross, President and CEO of the California Endowment, presented the 2015 Community Development Champion Award to Steve PonTell, CEO of National CORE and Dawn Davison, Warden of California Institution for Women (retired) and current Time for Change Foundation Board member presented the Humanitarian award to the Race, Gender and Human Rights Giving Circle of the Women’s Foundation of California. Dr. Nena Messina, Ph.D., a Criminologist at the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs reported her 3-year findings as Lead Evaluator for the Time for Change Foundation’s Positive Futures project funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). The results of her evaluation yielded a zero percent recidivism rate for the 131 clients served. “SAMHSA often looks for successful programs to hold as the “gold standard” – [The Time for Change Foundation] Positive Futures [program] is an example that other programs can emulate,” said Dr. Messina. “After years of being referred to as “Evidence Based Kim” because we are focused on doing what is best (evidence based) instead of what feels good, it feels good to be nationally recognized for our outcomes,” said Kim Carter, TFCF Executive Director. Nicole Wolfe, TFCF Director of their Center for Advocacy and Leadership Training (CALT) was “excited for the community to see the results of our evidence based training programs.” In addition to these recognitions, award recipients also credited the Time for Change Foundation, founded by Kim Carter, for its work to better the local community. Carter explained the program strives towards "empowering disenfranchised low income individuals by building leadership through evidence based programs and housing to create self-sufficiency." Moreno shared, "Because of Time for Change, there is hope and change for women." In a brief speech, Carter said she does not "understand barriers," and that she "just sees roads" when it comes to what can be accomplished in helping others. Carter thanked the donors and sponsors of the event while attendees enjoyed raffles and dinner. Dr. Ross also announced that he would double the amount raised that evening to help transition families from homelessness to hopefulness.