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| Volume 82 Issue 42 | Wed May 31, 2023 |
Rota-Scribe: Gerardo Chagolla |
Kendra Tankersley Davis, Vice President of External Affairs
at Crittenton Fullerton
Meeting was called to order by club President Joe Lins. He welcomed everyone in attendance, “good afternoon, everybody.” Today’s opening thoughts, making sure to knock on the refrigerator door before opening, “Just in case there’s a salad dressing.” Really good attention grabber by President Lins. “So, on a serious note, because of all of you, I had the privilege of laying our club wreath at the Loma Vista Memorial event. I just want to thank you all for that privilege. It was a great way to honor our veterans on Memorial Day.”
In sports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place in their division, while the Angels are 3 back in third place but playing strong. “The fun part is that watching these games on tv. I don’t know the whole back story, but the MLB network is now going to be televising the Padres’ games because the group that was doing it decided not to film the Padres anymore.” On This Date, Clint “Mr. Make My Day” Eastwood is 93. NFL Hall of Famer, “Broadway” Joe Namath is “only 80 but looks 93.” The ultra-beautiful Brooke Shields is 58. Today in 1914, Joseph Benz of the Chicago White Sox pitched a no hitter against the Cleveland Indians for a 6-1 victory. In 1944, Al Unser of the Detroit Tigers, drove in his only home run of the year when a hit turns into a Grand Slam, with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, defeating the New York Yankees, 6-2. “And I thought Al Unser only drove race cars.” The Indianapolis 500 took place this Sunday, with the winner Josef Newgarden winning his first Indy 500 race after his 12th attempt. “In 500, the last 15 laps have all the action.”
For our Commencement Ceremonies, Andrew Gregson gave us our Invocation. Andrew said that Scott Dowds gave him the inspiration for today’s Invocation. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we gather as members of Rotary, united by commitment to serving others above ourselves. Let us take a moment and reflect on the power we hold to make a positive impact in the world. Regardless of our backgrounds, our beliefs, we come together in a spirit of inclusivity and understanding. Our mission is to help those in need. Knowing that true service knows no boundaries. Let us be grateful for the opportunities we have to extend a helping hand, provide support and empower others. Each act, no matter how small, contributes to a more compassionate and just world as we embark on this day, let us stay true to our values of integrity, honesty, and ethical conduct. Let us embody the essence of Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, with gratitude and purpose in our hearts.”
Monica Fernandez gave us our Patriotic Moment. She led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our Songmaster today was Carol Morris filling in for Bud Lang. “Since this was Memorial Day Week, let’s go with a patriotic song.” Carol led us in God Bless America. Great job Carol!
Today’s guest, Tess Perry. Jennifer Gregson, wife and guest of Andrew Gregson, and Sally Williams, guest and wife of Jim Williams. Welcome all guests! President Lins thanked Dr. Bob Simon for bringing in cookies to the meeting.
Today’s announcement, President Lins made an announcement on behalf of Theresa Harvey, the Fullerton Community Band Summer Concerts are beginning again on June 3rd at 6 p.m. and July 1st and 6 p.m. at the Fullerton College Sculpture Garden on the corner of Lemon and Chapman. Jim Williams announced for Zoot Velasco who is in Australia representing the Fullerton Rotary Club at Rotary International Convention, “On your tables, there are flyers. This Rotary Club has enjoyed 100 years of no repeat presidents. On Wednesday, June 28th, The 100th annual demotion night of Joe Lins. We need you to show up and oust Joe.” Jim is asking for people to let him know if they will be making it to the event by signing the sheet, so the club knows how many meals to order, “but we are going to finally be able to get Joe out of escrow where his presidency has been. Jim Ripley thinks we should let him serve another year but that is not going to happen.”
Cathy Gach announced that June 30th is the end of our fiscal year, “So if you are not caught up on your dues, please get a hold of me.” Contact her if you have any questions.
Andrew Gregson announced the Chamber’s Membership Awards Dinner, on June 22nd, John Phelps is one of the award winners, “WHO CARES!” someone yelled from the crowd. “I’d love to see you be there and support it.” Andrew also announced Coffee, Donuts, and Camaraderie for veterans, every Monday at 9:30 am at Korean War Memorial Park in Fullerton.
Today’s Finemaster/Recognition Master is Dick Ackerman. Dick took the stage, “Whoever gets to be sergeant at arms during June gets a special treat because everything happens in June.” Dick recognized Carl Camp, which was not present, “members who didn’t show up, back in our club, they still got fined. So, I’d like to tell whoever oversees fines to send him a receipt.” Carl was recognized for his 38 years rotary anniversary and was fined $5. He recognized people who were not present, “Before I go on, I am going to fine Bill Mathis for making the list.” Dick recognized Roco for his birthday but did not fine him for doing a good job of taking care of Brett in Philadelphia. Frank Kawase was recognized for his wife’s birthday; he was fined $5. Last person to be recognized was President Joe Lins, who was celebrating a rotary anniversary. Great Job Dick!
| Proposed Member: Lisa Wozab, Sales of Window Coverings, by Leland Wilson |
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Kendra Tankersly Davis
Tells us about Crittenton |
Today’s program at hand was introduced by Joyce Capelle, “I first met Kendra Tankersley when she worked on the graveyard shift. We started a wraparound program serving the community and in her super tall high heels, she ran across the floor of the meeting room to be the first one in line to apply. Since then, she’s made a stellar contribution to treatment services. Her current role is Vice President of External Affairs. She represents the community and the agency in a larger community. She’s a wonderful speaker, very active in the faith community and human trafficking communities. Please welcome Kendra Tankersley Davis.” Kendra took the stage and thanked everyone for having her. “Joyce Capelle is one of my mentors, so I have been able to have the opportunity to learn under her great leadership. I tell everyone she is one of my mentors.” Kendra works for Crittenton Services of Fullerton, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization. Her presentation was about the history of Crittenton Services and the programs offered at Crittenton. In 1883, The National Florence Crittenton Mission was established by Charles N. Crittenton, which attempted to reform prostitutes and unwed pregnant women through the creation of establishments where they were to live and learn skills. “During this time, Charles beautiful four-year-old daughter died of scarlet fever, and he was devasted. He plummeted in such a deep depression, so much he didn’t know what to do.” Charles, a wealthy man, traveled the world for a year, and during his travels, he ran into a street preacher name Smith Allen. Pastor Allen preached to wayward women, women who were unmarried, who were divorced, who had children, and children who did not have parents. Charles was encouraged by pastor Allen to help others in need, so he bought a house to help these kids and women, “that’s when he met Katherine Waller Barrett, a natural leader. She was doing social work back in the 1800’s when really it wasn’t social work.” They shared a common goal, to help women and children move forward in life and heal. “That is the evolution of Crittenton. Which is a national organization all over the United States.” At Crittenton, its core mission is one of building resiliency in order to help their clients achieve permanency, stability, safety, and well-being. “Every child deserves to belong and feel safe and secure and have a home. Every family deeserves a chance to succeed in their own level.” The group home for pregnant women no longer exist at the Fullerton offices however, they still work with parenting and pregnant women, “one of the programs we have is called Community Based Services. We provide services in the home or wherever you are. We come to you. It’s a team-based approach.” This program offers therapist, a case manager, a rehabilitation specialist and a parent partner. “What happens is when you remove children from a home, and eventually the child goes back, what’s changed?” This is resolved with a particular program that offers two services which are quite effective. Kendra talked about Child Welfare Probation, “in order to make change, we have to learn from each other. This program allows the opportunity for us to learn from them and provide support to them. So when they are in crisis, they are not alone. They know that someone is going to help them respond. And as we respond, we are teaching them how to handle crisis themselves.” The Foster Care Program at Crittenton supports both domestic and unaccompanied minors, “this is a successful program for us.” According to childwelfare.gov, there are 391,000 children in the foster care system in the U.S. today. “That’s an alarming number.” Crittenton’s goal is to keep families out of the system, “we have a team, there’s a person who works with the family on whatever the issue is. A lot of times, these families are missing basic needs.” Transitional Housing is another service offered at Crittenton, “I am very excited, this is the last program I oversaw and it’s my other favorite program. Seeing women be successful at Crittenton Services is the ultimate goal, “she graduated with her degree. She is now living her dream working in her career of choice. We’ve got 3 graduates from university. Two of those are currently in grad school this month. They finished their first year of grad school, one at UCLA, one in a Cal State. Both of them with the goal of being social workers. Kendra and Crittenton understand that many of the kids that they help come from very broken places and broken environments. “For us at Crittenton, it’s really important that we do our best to give them a little more because they have to understand that they are not where they come from. You are not what someone told you. They need to see what’s possible in order to see who they are themselves.” Kendra thanked the Fullerton Rotary Club for the grant, which was used to furnish apartments for families that Crittenton helps with. “Thank you, Rotary, for buying these couches and these tables. Your grant bought these. Your grant bought those kitchen tables.” Kendra ended her presentation by giving a sincere and heartfelt appreciation, “from the bottom of my heart, and from Crittenton Services, our staff, as well as the families, we had the privilege to serve, I want to say thank you.” President Lins thanked her for her time and awarded her with the highly coveted speakers’ gift, “you guys do an awful lot of special things, and you have some passion in what you are doing. I can tell.”
Last thing on the agenda, the 50/50 Opportunity Drawing worth $30. Dick Ackerman wins the drawing, congratulations! “Thank you for being here today. Join us next week for another great program featuring Saint Jude Memorial Foundation, Chief Philanthropy Officer Dub Drees. Thank you for coming today and we will see you next week. Meeting adjourned. Charge On!”