Charisse Bremond Weaver and George Weaver
(File Photo)
Leaders who work in healthcare, literacy, higher education and crime reduction, will receive $125,000 for their programs and additional support to help share approaches with policymakers and practitioners
The James Irvine Foundation recently honored six recipients of the 2014 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award at a luncheon in Sacramento. In their ninth year, the awards recognize and support individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant challenges in California.
This year, the foundation recognized six recipients, including three leadership teams, for their effectiveness in addressing critical issues that include early childhood trauma, medical care for the homeless, literacy among immigrant populations, community college graduation and transfer rates, support for formerly incarcerated women, and helping at-risk youth achieve in school and beyond.
“The individuals we honor this year are improving the lives of thousands of Californians through strategies that are responsive, collaborative and forward-looking,” said Don Howard, Interim President and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation. “These leaders advance effective solutions to some of California’s most difficult problems. They do this by listening to the people they serve, working with the community, maximizing every dollar they use, and then sharing what they learn. We are thrilled to help their work progress.”
The 2014 award recipients are:
· Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and Suzy Loftus of the Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco for developing a screening tool to identify and treat early childhood trauma;
· Charisse Bremond Weaver and George Weaver of the Brotherhood Crusade in Los Angeles for helping at-risk youth achieve in school and beyond through a unique set of academic, sports and enrichment programs;
· Susan Burton of A New Way of Life Reentry Project in Los Angeles, who used her personal story of tragedy and incarceration to develop a program that helps formerly incarcerated women reintegrate into society;
· Mari Riddle of the Centro Latino for Literacy in Los Angeles for increasing literacy and computer skills among immigrants through innovative online courses that first focus on native language literacy;
· President Eloy Ortiz Oakley of Long Beach City College in Long Beach for substantially increasing community college students’ success rates through more accurate course placement and scheduling; and,
· Dr. J. Eugene Grigsby III and Paul Leon of the National Health Foundation and Illumination Foundation in Los Angeles and Orange counties for their cost-saving approach to follow-up medical care for homeless patients.
T The recipients were honored at the Foundation’s award luncheon at Sacramento’s Sheraton Grand Hotel. Presenters at the luncheon included Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, State Senators Kevin de León and Joel Anderson, Secretary of Health and Human Services Diana Dooley and others.
The Irvine Foundation provided the six award recipients with $125,000 in support and assistance in sharing their promising approaches with policymakers and practitioners.
To submit a nomination for the 2015 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards by April 4, 2014, visit: http://irvine.org/leadership.
