JVS SoCal Holds 90th Anniversary Celebration “The Way Forward: Changing Lives Together”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 17th, 2021) — JVS SoCal held its virtual celebration, The Way Forward: Changing Lives Together which took place on Thursday, June 17th at 5:30pm PST with Fritz Coleman of NBC4 fame as event host. The event is in honor of the historic milestone JVS SoCal reached this year; providing essential services to job seekers for the past 90 years and generated over $610,000 of much needed revenue to serve the underserved.
JVS SoCal is a regional non-profit leader in workforce development serving nearly 50,000 moderate to high-barrier individuals with free job training, career counseling, job placement services and more. Despite current economic performance, locally and across the US, JVS SoCal continues to provide essential services and their yearly fundraising event proceeds provide the much-needed resources to support their critical programs.
The 90thAnniversary event, The Way Forward: Changing Lives Together, featured client honorees, Valeria Elizarraraz and Lovely Porter; who received this year’s Inspiration Award for their perseverance in the face of economic and personal challenges. These women are employed by Pacific Western Bank, an employer partner of JVS SoCal. Pacific Western Bank received the Corporate Sponsorship Award that was accepted by Arbi John, SVP, Operations Administrator, Los Angeles Region.
“JVS SoCal cannot do the work we do alone. It truly takes a village of amazing staff, donors and community partners”, states Alan Levey, JVS SoCal CEO. “As we celebrate 90-years of changing lives here in Southern California, I feel humbled and proud to be a part of such a worthy and timely mission given today’s economy and unemployment crisis. I wish to thank each and every person who attended our virtual event and felt inspired to join with us helping those most in need within our community.”
The evening’s program highlighted long-time donors who have joined the “90’s club”, messages from elected officials, and the recipients of this year’s Founder’s Award recipient, Ronny Bensimon, Generation Impact Award recipient, Adam Abramowitz and Pacific Western Bank, this year’s Corporate Partnership Award recipient.
Although this event was free to view, sponsorship opportunities were available. This year’s Presenting Sponsors were CIT and Wells Fargo. Their generous support and passion for our mission makes us all proud and most grateful. To see a recording of the show, please visit www.JVS-SoCal.org
In 2019, JVS SoCal served 50,000 people in Southern California. With 4 in 10 Americans’ working lives disrupted by COVID-19, the number of people in the community who need help from JVS SoCal is only now beginning to be measured.
The Way Forward Sponsors (list to date):
Presenting Sponsor:
CIT & Wells Fargo
Inspiration Sponsor:
Pacific Western Bank
Pacific Premier Bank
Susan & Fred Kunik
Belmont Village Senior Living
VIP Reception:
Sit ‘n Sleep
Benefactor Sponsors:
Banc of California, City National Bank, Comerica Bank, Citizens Business Bank, AvalonBay Communities, Capital Group, Jennifer and Adam Abramowitz
Contributor Sponsors:
GreyStar, Armanino, Northrop Grumman, Cooper Design Space, Martin J Wolff Co., Ashjer, LLC., Debbie and Rick Powell, Pam & Steve Hirsh, Lawrence Braun of Sheppard Mullin, Linda and Jim Hausberg, Adrienne Horwitch, Carrie & Chip Robertson, Sharp Business Systems, Union Bank
Angel Sponsors:
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc., Robbi & Tom Schiff, MVAT Foundation
Advocate Sponsors:
Maximus, Jim Freedman, Deborah & Alan Levey, Nancy & Jeff Cherry, Ellen & Michael Rosenberg, Swerdlow Florence Sanchez Swerdlow & Wimmer, Intrepid Investment Bankers, Raquel Bensimon, Bonnie and Ronny Bensimon, Claudia Finkel, Charlie Hill and Amy Lerner-Hill, The Berman and Rutenberg Family, Kennedy Wilson, Alicia & John Goldsmith
Patron Sponsors:
City of Hope, BakerHostetler, Melanie & Jason Kravitz, Jamie & Joel Berman, The Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation, Jill & Harris Smith, Robert Pearman, Erica and Leland Felsenthal
About JVS SoCal
JVS SoCal is a 501c3 founded in 1931 to address joblessness and rampant workplace discrimination in the midst of the Great Depression. This year the organization celebrates 90 years of empowering individuals to achieve dignity and economic independence through sustainable employment. For more information go to www.jvs-socal.org.
