On Tuesday, July 30, SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) marked an exciting milestone in the construction of its new Center for Impact with a lively “top
ping-off” ceremony. This event, celebrating the completion of the steel framework for the 61,000-square-foot facility in Chula Vista, brought together a mix of elected officials, SBCS team members, construction partners, and community supporters.
Slated to open in May 2025, the Center for Impact is more than just a new building for SBCS—it’s a huge step forward in its mission to serve the community. Located right in the heart of Chula Vista, the new facility will become the central hub for all SBCS services, making it easier for residents to access the support they n
eed and connect with one another.
A highlight of the event was the announcement of a generous $100,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, presented by Cox Communications. This funding will help bring the center’s vision to life, especially the new community engagement center, which will offer critical services for families and individuals facing tough challenges such as domestic violence, food insecurity, and housing instability.
SBCS CEO Kathryn Lembo spoke passionately about what this new facility means for the South Bay.
“This ‘Topping Off’ celebration is more than just a construction milestone; it’s a big leap forward in our mission to support the Chula Vista community,” Lembo shared. “We’re incredibly grateful to the James M. Cox Foundation and Cox Communications for their generous support. The need in our community has never been greater, and this new building will allow us to serve 10,000 additional children, youth, and families each year.”
The Center for Impact, located near Chula Vista’s City Hall, Police Department, and Public Library, is designed to be easily accessible and highly visible. Once complete, the facility will offer a range of free services, including emergency support for families in crisis, mental health services, a neighborhood computer lab, a teen center, and spaces for community gatherings and civic engagement.
SBCS envisions the Center for Impact as a beacon of hope and a one-stop resource for the community, bringing together residents, resources, and comprehensive support services under one roof. The total project cost is $34 million, and while more than half of that has already been secured, there’s still an $8 million funding gap to close. SBCS’ first gift was from David and Annie Malcolm for $500,000, the second was from Price Philanthropies for $1.2 million.
Cox Communications, a long-time partner of SBCS, was represented by Chanelle Hawken, their West Region Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, who presented an oversized check to Lembo at the event, reiterated their commitment to SBCS’ mission.
“Cox has been a proud supporter of SBCS for more than 15 years, and we’re so grateful to the James M. Cox Foundation for this $100,000 grant to support a technology center right here in the building,” Hawken said. “Chula Vista is the second largest city in San Diego County and SBCS serves 50,000 residents each year. To be able to connect them to jobs, education and healthcare through the technology lab is of vital importance. We’re so excited to be a long-standing partner with SBCS and can’t wait to see this facility open in support of the community.”
Read the article in The Star News.
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