North Bay Woman

F A L L 2 0 1 5 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 41 More than 1,700 nonprofits call Marin County home, the highest per-capita rate in California. From the one-person iOverflow to the 1,000-volunteer Ceres Project, many of these organizations were founded or are led by women with a vision, a commitment and a passion for their cause. Here are eight inspir- ing stories of nonprofits that lead the way for positive change in our community. Each one needs your time, your donations, your dedi- cation. Where will you make a difference? Community Action Marin From the time she was in graduate school and for 25 years, Kristen Brock worked for the YMCA. That changed with a new CEO, and Brock, like many in her department, was laid off. But a generous severance package meant she could take her time planning her next career move. "I didn't want to take just any job," says Brock, single mother of a teenage boy and recently, a foster adopt mother of a 10-year- old. "It had to be local and I wanted it to be something I was really passionate about." Along came Community Action Marin (CAM), founded in 1966 by Gail Theller, who ran the organization for 49 years. It was just what Brock was looking for. "I was given much and I wanted to give back," Brock says. "It feeds my soul to be leading an organization that helps give people the same opportunities that I felt I was given." What better place to give back than the agency that has given Marin County so much? Under Theller's leadership, CAM established Ritter Center (www.RitterCenter.org), Home- ward Bound of Marin (www.hbofm.org), the Marin Community Food Bank (SFMFoodBank. org) and other programs fundamental to the county's social well-being. As it grew, CAM added services for employment, childcare, mental health and basic human needs, as well as economic development. In all, CAM's 25 programs help more than 4,000 people every day, and serve nearly 500,000 meals a year to hungry Marin children. Donations are vital. Go to www.MarinCA. org. With its new director and new vision, CAM is also looking for a fresh team of leaders on its board. Contact Gail Crain, volunteer coordinator, at 415-526-7522 or by email at gCrain@camarin. Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership The 1960s social consciousness that birthed CAM also brought the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) into existence. Originally two agencies – the Volunteer Center of Marin and the Marin Council of Agencies – they merged in 2001, and the next year, Linda Davis became chief executive officer. "The organization has really changed since then," Davis notes. "We used to serve only Marin. Now many of our programs are available throughout the entire Bay Area, including Napa." That service includes providing leadership, recruitment, training and support, funding resource information and volunteers to various nonprofits in order that each can better focus on its stated mission. "What I love about this job is that it's bigger than any one issue," Davis says. "I get to work with the great people of many organizations." In order to provide its services, CVNL is supported by a diverse funding stream, including special events, individual dona- tions, corporate sponsors, grants and earned revenue. It is also supported in large part by volunteers. And as its name suggests, CVNL serves as a clearing house for other nonprofits to match volunteers with opportunities to help. CVNL is always looking for sponsors and donations to its scholarship fund, which allows the center to keep workshop fees >> Top left: Heidi Kuhn from Roots of Peace, photo pro- vided by Roots of Peace. Top right: Ceres Community Project garden, photo provided by Ceres Community Project. Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Heart of Marin event, photo provided by CVNL. Zero Breast Cancer, mother and daughter on Dipsea Hike, photo provided by Zero Breast Cancer.

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