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The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award, held at The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, has announced this year’s recipient: Becky Jorgenson, founder of Hope’s Village of SLO and homeless services advocate.

Becky Jorgenson, longtime San Luis Obispo County resident, founded Hope’s Village of SLO a 501(c)(3) that provides housing for the homeless. Hope’s Village of SLO focuses on promoting community through using cost-effective tiny homes built by volunteers and future Hope’s Village residents.
After the success of Hope’s Village of SLO, Jorgenson went on to establish the Showers of Hope program and the RVs for Veterans program. To date, 85 RVs have been given to local homeless veterans.

The Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian Award annually recognizes an individual for outstanding efforts in advocating for underrepresented people in San Luis Obispo County. This award is designated to honor the individual’s dedication to the San Luis Obispo community as exhibited by the late Dr. Isabel P. Ruiz.

Dr. Ruiz immigrated to the United States from Peru in 1973 and worked as an OB/GYN medical doctor. Throughout her career, she advocated for healthcare affordability and accessibility. Dr. Ruiz was a strong role model for both the Latino community and women.

“We are proud to honor Becky Jorgenson as the 2019 Isabel P. Ruiz Humanitarian award recipient,” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. “Ms. Jorgenson is an advocate for the homeless population and her unrelenting efforts help to strengthen our community.

For Immediate Release January 16, 2019

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County Announces New Leadership

Kathy Tompkins and Suzanne Fritz Bring Knowledge and Expertise to The Community Foundation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County recently welcomed Kathy Thompkins and Suzanne Fritz to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of leaders from a variety of backgrounds as well as geographic locations across San Luis Obispo County. Beginning this month, the two new board members joined the group of insightful members to assist in guiding ongoing efforts.

Kathy Tompkins has extensive experience in working with nonprofits. She has served on several boards in our community, including the Community Counseling Center, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital and Stand Strong. Kathy and her husband Nick originally owned a produce packing company in Santa Maria and now focus on real estate development with their company, NKT Enterprises. The Tompkins have four children, live in Arroyo Grande and are very active in their community.

Suzanne Fritz has been a member of The Foundation family for many years, most notably as the Chair of the Growing Together Initiative (GTI) Fund Advisory Committee from 2006 until 2017. She is also a Legacy Leader with the Women’s Legacy Fund (as is Kathy Tompkins). She has always been a strong advocate for diversity issues. Suzanne is a retired Associate Director of Residential Life and Education through University Housing at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and lives in Atascadero.

“We feel so fortunate to grow our Community Foundation family with these two wonderful women,” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County. “With Kathy and Suzanne’s voices on our board, we look forward to better serving the wide breadth of needs in SLO County and beyond.”

For more information about The Community Foundation, please visit cfsloco.org or call 805- 543-2323.

### About The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County: The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a grantmaking and education foundation supporting charitable work across our county. Since 1998, The Community Foundation has supported our county with grants and scholarships totaling almost $35 million. The Foundation’s charitable assets under management have grown to nearly $60 million and provide support to all aspects of our community in perpetuity. For more information or to donate to any fund or establish a new fund, visit www.cfsloco.org or call 805-543-2323.

January 2, 2018

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County awards more than $200,000

Twenty-five local nonprofit organizations received grants supporting a wide range of services

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA—The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County recently awarded $222,500 in grants to 25 nonprofit organizations throughout San Luis Obispo County. These grants will be used to support various programs, covering a wide variety of social services addressing the needs of at-risk populations.

This year’s recipients exemplify leadership in programs focused on capacity building, homeless prevention and intervention services, and case management-based emergency assistance funds. The 5Cities Homeless Coalition, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation, Bike SLO County, Casa Solana, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey, Child Development Resource Center of the Central Coast, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, Creston Activities Town Center Helping Hand, El Camino Homeless Organization, Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast, Grover Beach Community Library, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, Piedras Blancas Light Station Association, RISE San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Senior Volunteer Services, Inc., Shower the People, SLO Veterans Services Collaborative, Slow Money SLO, Stand Strong, The Salvation Army, The San Luis Obispo Child Development Center, Transitional Food and Shelter, and the Wilshire Community Services were all awarded grants.

“We are honored to provide the much-needed support for all these organizations. We look forward to working with each nonprofit to help support their clients and impact in the region.” said Heidi McPherson, CEO of The Community Foundation.

Each year, The Community Foundation awards $2-3 million in grants and scholarships with more than 90 percent of grant funding remaining locally in San Luis Obispo County. Support from The Community Foundation continues to grow thanks to the hundreds of individuals, families, local businesses, companies, and private foundations that work with the foundation to advance philanthropy in our community.

For more information on The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County’s grants program, please visit www.cfsloco.org or contact Len Smolburd at 805-543-2323.

About The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a grant making and education foundation supporting charitable work across our country. Since 1998, The Community Foundation has supported our county with grants and scholarships totaling more than $30 million. The Foundation’s charitable assets under management have grown to more than $60 million and provide support to all aspects of our community in perpetuity. For more information or to donate to any fund or establish a new fund, visit www.cfsloco.org or call 805-543-2323