NAWIC's Toast to the Trades Fundraiser Brings Awareness to Future Construction Leaders Foundation

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Diego Chapter kicked off the Women in the Construction (WIC) Week with a ‘Toast to the Trades’ fundraiser benefiting the Future Construction Leaders Foundation (FCLF) on March 5, 2019 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on San Diego Bay.

The nearly 200 people in attendance raised $10,000 through ticket sales, silent auction and sponsorships. The funds will be donated to the FCLF, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of programs focused on educating youth about career opportunities in the construction industry and encouraging them to pursue careers in this field.

Kayleen McCabe, the evening’s keynote speaker, is a general contractor, TV host of DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, and trades advocate. She spoke about the rising demand for trade professionals and how it is currently outpacing vocational training.­ McCabe advocates for the restoration of America’s respect for the trades. She also enlightened the audience with anecdotes from her TV show and how the popularity of the DIY movement has gotten some homeowners in over their heads with renovation projects.

Ana Gutierrez, tradeswomen at Clark Construction and former Camp NAWIC participant, spoke about her journey from attending camp as a high school student and learning about the various construction trades to her successful career in the industry.

The ‘Toast to the Trades’ event was part of WIC Week which is designed “to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry,” according to NAWIC. “WIC Week also provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry. It is also a time for local chapters to give back to their communities.”

Sponsors for the event included:
Project Manager Sponsors - DPR Construction, Tru-Duct Sheet Metal Fabrication, and MC Painting
Superintendent Sponsors - Paradigm Mechanical Corp., SMART, Titan Fire Protection, RDO Equipment Co., and Wateridge Insurance Services
Foreman Sponsors - Herc Rentals, Harper Construction Company, Inc., Ryan Companies, ROE Strategic, Sunrise Bobcat & Hauling Service, Inc., and Women’s Construction Coalition
Journeyman Sponsors - Clairemont Equipment, C-SOS Consulting, Denning Moores, SASC Surety Associates
Apprentice Sponsors - D3 Construction Services, Inc. and Ferguson Commercial

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter
The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.

About Future Construction Leaders Foundation
The Future Construction Leaders Foundation of San Diego is dedicated to providing opportunities for young men and women to investigate the many private and public construction career opportunities available. From kindergarten to college, we have hands-on, free programs that expose students to various trades and the corresponding seasoned professionals who can guide and coach them. For more information, visit www.futureconstructionleaders.org.

East County Posse Gives Military Families Walmart Gift Cards

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the East County Posse, a philanthropic organization comprised of over 80 East County business owners, provided $15,000 to 30 military families in the form of $500 gift cards to Walmart. The 4th Annual Gift Card Giveaway was held at the East County Chamber of Commerce.

“Many of our military families struggle this time of year,” Tim Ney, Executive Director of the San Diego Armed Services YMCA, “We are extremely grateful that the East County Posse has chosen to provide support to our military families during this holiday season.”

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, has been a long-time member of the East County Posse and was privileged to participate in the event.

“We are pleased to honor our military families and show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make and the service they provide, so that we can all enjoy the freedoms that we have here in the USA,” Tim McDougal, President of the East County Posse.

About the East County Posse

The East County Posse is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping their fellow East County residents who are in need of support. Our goal is to help those less fortunate improve their quality of life by way of donation of our time, skill or trade, as well as monetary donations. For more information, visit www.eastcountyposse.com.

About Armed Services YMCA San Diego

Armed Services YMCA (San Diego ASY) is the leading non-profit that makes military life easier for active duty service members and their families. The San Diego ASY gives military personnel and their loved ones the support and resources they need to be resilient, confident, connected, and secure. Founded in 1920 as a national affiliate of the YMCA, its mission is to enhance the lives of service members and their families in mind, body, and spirit. Through programs and services that are relevant to the unique challenges of military life, the ASY strengthens the military community. The San Diego ASY is, and always will be, dedicated to strengthening our military family. For more information, visit www.asysd.org.

Client Spotlight: Family Health Centers of San Diego Provides Medication to Displaced Homeless

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Hundreds of San Diego’s homeless were forced to evacuate a downtown shelter on Thursday, December 6, 2018 after heavy rains caused a flash flood.

City crews worked with local police, fire fighters and lifeguards to safety evacuate the shelter.

A temporary shelter was established at the SDCCU Stadium where Family Health Centers of San Diego stepped in to provide much needed medications. Many of those staying at the shelter feared their medications were washed away in the flood waters. Several people were cited by the San Diego Union Tribune as seeing personal items like backpacks, clothing and medication floating in the flood water.

Additionally, the American Red Cross provided cots and blankets, the Lucky Duck Foundation contributed clothing, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office donated blankets, Feeding San Diego brought food, and the San Diego Humane Society attended to pets that were also staying at the shelter.

It is unclear when the Alpha Project, the organization who operates the shelter, anticipates the facility to reopen.

About Family Health Centers of San Diego

For more than four decades, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide affordable, high-quality health care and support services to all people, with a special commitment to the uninsured, low-income and medically underserved. Annually, our staff provides care to more than 190,000 unique patients—a third of our region’s low-income patients—through more than 800,000 encounters. For more information, visit www.fhcsd.org.

Community Spotlight: NAWIC Donates 500 lbs of Food to San Diego Food Bank

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

In November 2018, the NAWIC San Diego Chapter donated at total of 500 pounds of nonperishable food items to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

Members of the local NAWIC chapter collected food and monetary donations from their employers, coworkers and themselves to amass the large donation.

On November 16, 2018, a substantial donation was presented to John and Tammy from KSON’s morning show at their Food Fund event hosted at Perry’s Café in El Cajon.

“It’s really special to see the local construction industry come together to support such a vital nonprofit organization in San Diego,” said Chase Hixson, Account Executive in the Human Services Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services.

Later that day, another 310 pounds of food, along with a monetary donation from Tri State General Contractors, was made at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank facility in San Diego.

About Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 28 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 370,000 people per month in San Diego County. For more information, visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org.

About NAWIC San Diego Chapter

The San Diego Chapter, chartered on April 30, 1959, is very active and involved in the construction industry and the community. Each year the chapter participates in a variety of events including educational seminars and conferences, Women in Construction Week (WIC Week), Block Kids (construction awareness program for children in grades 1 thru 6), CAD/Design/Drafting Contest (High School student activity), Camp NAWIC (a week long program designed to mentor high school girls planning to enter the construction industry), college scholarships, joint meetings with other San Diego professional organizations and various activities with local charities. For more information, visit www.nawicsd.org.