Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
COA has had an incredible year and we are super optimistic for an even better 2022 year. We have lots of great changes and updates going on!
I’m grateful for our beautiful community! Since 2014 when Cure San Clemente and Save San Clemente joined forces to create Community Outreach Alliance it’s been an amazing journey. In 2018 when TLC Ministries dissolved and COA was onto the next adventure we were lifted up by the generosity from individuals and businesses who believed in the mission of helping youth Thrive Alive through education, activities and leadership. We were blessed to see Stego Industries offset a year’s worth of administrative costs so we could continue to establish this wonderful non-profit and learn grant writing. COVID hit just as COA regained a strong footing but with the help of the Baha’is of San Clemente housing the Food Connection along with recurring donations from individuals and OneOC, COA was able to help put food on the table for over 1,400 locals monthly. The teens from the SCHS COA Club ran with zoom classes and helped the Orange County Health Care Agency drug prevention campaign.
Many local service organizations including the San Clemente Rotary Club, Exchange Club, San Clemente Junior Women’s Club and The Noble Path Foundation stepped up to help the COA mission continue through difficult times of isolation. COA programs are now in person thanks to the incredible leadership teams for Thrive Alive and COA Entertainment. Major shout out to Cindi Junkle and The Noble Path Foundation for sharing their new home with Thrive Alive and COA Entertainment. Together We Are Stronger!
I’m beyond grateful to introduce COA’s new president Paula Kohl, known to many of you from the City of San Clemente Human Affairs Committee. Paula has helped COA since 2017 as a volunteer. She’s an accountant who happens to be very creative. She loves music and has taught many COA teens how to knit and make jewelry. I’m excited to see what unfolds under her leadership. She’s committed to helping individuals who struggle and will lead the way in assuring logistics and long-term sustainability are achieved.
Teri Steel, Grants/Advisory
Shout out to Scott De Long from Lead2Goals and The CEO Podcast aka expert business strategist meeting with us today at The Noble Path Foundation (thanks Cindi) to plan COA Programs’ long term sustainability.
We’re in a wonderful time of transition and excited to have Scott’s help. 💝✊👊🙌🏻
Thank you to City of San Clemente – City Hall Laura Ferguson, and Chris Duncan, City Council member for joining us at The Noble Path Foundation to present certificates to four of the Thrive Alive series participants who completed the series
Thrive Alive is a seven week series with expert speakers donating their time to empower youth to choose healthy activities and leadership opportunities over drugs and alcohol. www.Thrivealivesc.com to register and learn how you can help.
Shout out to our Executive Director Boomer Rose for encouraging participants to see their value.
We’re proud of all the participants but especially the four who followed through to the end.