SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) receives proclamation from San Diego County Supervisors; previews fall events marking five decades of transformative community success

SAN DIEGO (September 1, 2021) – Marking its 50th anniversary as one of San Diego County’s cornerstone community services providers, SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) was honored August 31, 2021 with a proclamation from the San Diego Board of Supervisors in recognition of their positive impact on communities throughout the region. This commendation kicks off a series of events the organization is hosting to honor its dedicated staff, partners, donors, and volunteers who have helped improved the lives of more than 250,000 families and children over the past five decades.

Key programs initiated and supported by SBCS include:

• 2006 – Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool has helped hundreds of young children exposed to domestic violence heal and begin along the right path for success in kindergarten and beyond.
• 2010 – Family Violence Support Services, including 24/7 emergency response and trauma-informed care have helped thousands of survivors access safety planning, counseling, emergency housing, legal services, and other resources.
• 2010 – Youth Prevention and Intervention services have addressed the barriers facing at-risk youth and helped keep them in school and out of the juvenile justice system.
• 2011 – Promise Neighborhood initiatives, designed in partnership with residents and leaders to prioritize education and reduce child poverty, have supported children from cradle to career and beyond.
• 2021 – Emergency Intake Shelter at the San Diego Convention Center. For more than four months, SBCS helped care for more than 2,400 migrant girls and reunite them with family in the US. With their partners, they placed an additional 800 children with loving and supportive sponsor families.

To celebrate these milestones, SBCS is hosting their annual “Change Their Lives” fundraising gala in October, and a “Change Their Lives” golf tournament  in November. The money raised from both events enables the agency to provide services and supports to assist the well-being and prosperity of more than 50,000 San Diego children, youth, and families each year.

“It is an honor to work alongside our incredibly dedicated staff, volunteers, trusted partners, and generous supporters to serve the children and families of San Diego who have turned to SBCS in a time of need,” said Kathryn Lembo, President and CEO of SBCS. “We’re excited to officially announce our new name while celebrating decades of innovative programs and services and the partnerships that have made them possible. This milestone is a moment where we reflect on the impact SBCS has had on the community over the past five decades which will inspire and inform our next 50 years of service.”

“For five decades, SBCS has brought together civic, business, and community leaders and has created, enhanced, and sustained programs that heal, give hope, and change the academic and life trajectory of so many of San Diego County’s youth, families, and even entire neighborhoods,” said Vice Chair Nora Vargas. “Thousands of lives have been touched by this incredible organization, and we’re proud to stand with them as they bring together the unique offerings of local nonprofits to benefit vulnerable children and families across our region.”

This fall, several fundraising and celebratory events will be hosted by SBCS including:

SBCS’ Change Their Lives 50th Anniversary Celebration “Dancing & Dining Through the Decades”

Saturday, October 23, 2021, SBCS presents Change Their Lives 50th Anniversary Celebration “Dancing & Dining Through the Decades” at The North Promenade at Liberty Station. The fundraising gala will celebrate decades of strengthening communities with nostalgic culinary cuisine, throw-back cocktails, exclusive auction opportunities and dance the night away to music from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s performed by Republic of Music.