Home Page | Rotary Club of Chula Vista

Thank you for your interest in our club!

Making a Difference

We meet In Person

Tuesdays at 6:30 PM

La Bella's Pizza Garden

373 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
United States of America

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

Experience the Magic of Rotary

The Rotary Club of Chula Vista-Eastlake is known as the FUN club. We have fun while serving the community, making long-lasting friendships, hosting fabulous social events, giving out meaningful grants and donations locally and globally, and upholding the Object and Guiding principles of Rotary.

Rotary is a service organization. Membership is not only a privilege but a commitment to the service of others locally and internationally. Rotary’s motto is “Service above self.” Our members are expected to volunteer their time and skills to serve our community by participating in Club service projects.

To learn more about Rotary, please get in touch with me or any club member. The world needs more Rotarians. We need you!

Miguel Hernandez

2024-25 President

Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake

Click Me!

Club Serves Mexico's Forgotten Seniors

Restoring Dignity: Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake Serves Mexico’s Forgotten Seniors

In a remote corner of La Rumorosa, Mexico, where dusty, rock-laden roads wind toward a forgotten home for abandoned seniors, members of the Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake made a transformative visit. Armed with food, medical supplies, and an abundance of compassion, the team spent the day providing not ju Rotarian washes the feet of an elderly man.

Rotarian washes the feet of an elderly man.

st material aid, but hope, dignity, and a human connection to the 35 elderly men who call Casa Para Pobres Desamparados their home. This club service project was not merely an act of charity—it was an act of profound service, embodying the values of humility, love, and care that define the heart of Rotary’s mission.

The Sept. 14 journey to the seniors' home involved navigating a bumpy, dusty dirt road leading to a ranch-style building in a remote area about 40 minutes east of Tecate, Mexico. Despite the terrain and distance, the volunteers arrived early Saturday morning, picking up groceries in Tecate along the way. Donations from a bevy of friends and supporters helped provide funding for the project. Clubs supporting the effort include the Chula Vista Rotary Club. Rotary clubs in Mexicali and Tecate also support the seniors center.

On this day, about a dozen Rotary members and friends brought much-needed donations of food, blankets, adult diapers, medical supplies, and clothing. Among the items delivered were vegetables and medications, meticulously organized and purchased by Laura Rodriguez, one of the Chula Vista Eastlake club’s members who also played a key role in tracking fundraising efforts. Laura’s attention to detail and dedication ensured the success of the project’s logistics.

Sip n Sail 2024: A Resounding Success!

The Rotary Club of Chula Vista-Eastlake’s annual Sip n Sail on San Diego Bay truly put the FUN in fundraising this year! Held on the breathtaking Yacht America, the event was a spectacular success, thanks to the diligent efforts of our organizing committee and the dedicated staff aboard the yacht.

A special shoutout to Captain Troy, an ex-Rotarian, whose expertise ensured a smooth sailing around fabulous San Diego Bay. "Rotarians are everywhere, and tonight they helped bring our community together for a wonderful cause," said Club President Miguel Hernandez. "The stars aligned with perfect weather and great company, making this fundraiser memorable. Thank you to everyone who supported us!"

The Yacht America is hailed as one of the most beautiful racing yachts in the world and it did not disappoint for our event. The private charter proved to be an exceptional setting, from our boarding at Shelter Island to our cruise around picturesque San Diego Bay.

The camaraderie, music, dancing and refreshments made for a wonderful afternoon. Your participation and support help us continue our vital community service initiatives. Here's to another successful event and many more to come. Click to check out our brief video!

Arts Across Borders

Arts Project Brightens Children's Home in Tijuana

The Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake, in collaboration with Rotarians from Tijuana, brought a splash of color and creativity to Casa Hogar Infantil Uriel on

Saturday, April 6. The collaboration included art instructor Denise Romero (Art Houz Studio of Eastlake) and muralist Juan Bosco.

The mural project was a vivid celebration of the children's imagination, transforming a large wall at the children's home into a vibrant beacon of pride and community. The event also featured an educational art session, where the children expressed their creativity on individual canvasses, culminating in a joyful gathering with food and fun. A day of art, education, and community—painting brighter futures together in advance of Dia de los Niños (Day of the Child) and Rotarians at Work Day.

Rotary in Action: Community Cleanup in Southcrest

Members of the Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake, wearing white protective suits, masks, and wielding sledgehammers, embarked on a significant service project within a multifamily housing complex in Southcrest. The community is closely connected with Balboa Elementary and Chavez Elementary schools

. Positioned with St. Jude’s on a nearby hill as a backdrop, the volunteers tackled the work head-on with youth volunteers from the Urban League.

The extensive damage encountered was a sobering reminder of the need for community involvement and support. The spirit of solidarity among the volunteers and local groups was inspiring.

Together, the volunteers participated in demolition and debris removal, part of ongoing cleanup efforts in the area, which is within close view of downtown San Diego's highrises. While the city facilitated the effort by providing dumpsters, it was the united effort of volunteers from the Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake and other organizations that truly made a substantial impact. Special thank you to our coordinator and Rotarian Koko Fajardo. View brief video of our work, courtesy of Fordham University student Sofia Hernandez.

The Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake has tackled a series of hands-on projects that showcase our capacity to mobilize for the greater good. "Rotary in Action" exemplifies more than just a motto; it's a testament to the remarkable outcomes achievable when communities come together in a united effort for positive change.

#ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryInAction #CommunityService #DoGoodFeelGood

Holiday Warmth: Socks and Sleeping Bags Distribution for the Homeless

Rotarians Provide Holiday Cheer to Homeless Individuals

The Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club, in collaboration with Dreams for Change, distributed more than 160 sleeping bags, blankets, hygiene kits, and pairs of socks to homeless families and individuals. This event took place on Sunday, December 17, at secure parking locations near downtown San Diego that are operated by the nonprofit organization Dreams for Change

The Rotary initiative marked a significant effort to provide warmth and comfort to those in need during the winter season. Highlights of the day were shared on an Instagram reel created by member Koko Fajardo, and in a video below produced by Fordham University student Sofia Hernandez.

“Rotary was generous enough to bring not only blankets for our clients, but hygiene packs, pizza and some cake,” said Teresa Smith, chief executive officer of Dreams for Change. “These opportunities really mean a lot for our clients in many different ways. The blankets help them keep warm, the hygiene packs help with basic needs, but it also brings in that sense of community and understanding that others really do care about their well-being and what’s going on with their lives.”

Dreams for Change has been instrumental in fostering financial and housing stability among the homeless population in San Diego for over 14 years. The organization facilitates stability through three pathways: barrier removal support, employment and education, and income stabilization. In addition to the Safe Parking Program, Dreams for Change provides vital educational resources, such as resume-building workshops, interview practice sessions, and budgeting skills classes. These initiatives empower participants to adopt healthy financial habits, set achievable goals, and acquire marketable skills.

The Rotary Club’s Collection Drive

The socks and sleeping bags collection drive by the Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club directly supported homeless individuals and families at the tent encampments operated by Dreams for Change.

“These items are more than just donations; they represent warmth, comfort, and security for those facing the harsh reality of sleeping on the streets,” said Miriam Gonzalez, Rotary’s co-chair for the project. “I’m very grateful to everyone who came and supported us. Everybody was hands-on. Support was overwhelming. …I’m very proud of everybody who donated or participated. It meant a lot to each individual who took a blanket or a slice a pizza. Will they eat tomorrow? We don’t know. But we were able to help a lot of people today.”

“French,” a 68-year-old homeless individual, said the tent encampment helps keep them sheltered. “At least we have something over our heads at night and we have safety,” he said. “I’m really thankful for this particular project and Rotary people are great. I’m very familiar with them. They are very giving and supportive of people who are less fortunate. It’s a God-send.”

About the Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club

Rotary is a service organization. Membership is not only a privilege but a commitment to the service of others locally and internationally. Rotary’s motto is “Service above self.” The Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club is committed to positively impacting the community through service projects and partnerships with local organizations like Dreams for Change.

DA Stephan Announces Opening of Second Family Justice Center

Posted by Brianna Millican, Special to Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club

“I knew that I would spend the rest of my life trying to make sure that that look of fear, terror, and indignity leaves somebody’s eyes.” This is the promise District Attorney Summer Stephan made to herself when she started her career as a prosecutor.

Since 2018 Stephan has been using her experience and influence as San Diego County’s District Attorney (DA) to combat the rise in fentanyl deaths, human trafficking, and homelessness in California’s second-largest city.

Over the past few months, Stephan has been visiting Rotary clubs across San Diego discussing her plans to provide San Diegans with equal and

fair justice. Recently, she visited the Rotary Club of Chula Vista-Eastlake to talk about her accomplishments and future initiatives. Her dedication to keeping the San Diego community safe stems from reading about the abuse of little girls in Sumatra at the age of 12. Stephan has been pursuing her promise to erase the feelings of fear and indignity from the community through her criminal justice programs.

Her latest project, a family justice center called One Safe Place, gives victims of violence a safe place to receive acute crisis care, counseling and therapy, connections to a safe shelter and housing, and other essential services–all under one roof. It is a passion project for Stephan, who dreamed of creating a center just like this since becoming district attorney. One Safe Place opened in July 2022 in San Marcos with the goal of breaking the cycle of abuse and homelessness for female and child survivors. Since its opening, the center has helped 2,239 victims and over 200 children.

Stephan is committed to providing additional centers for abuse victims elsewhere in the county. With support from District 1 County Supervisor Nora Vargas, the two trailblazing politicians plan to open a second One Safe Place in Chula Vista. Designs for the center are underway, and a building contract for the project is nearly complete.

Stephan’s game-changing criminal prevention programs don’t stop at family justice centers. Stephan and her team have been hard at work fighting to curb the rise in fentanyl deaths, human trafficking, and homelessness in San Diego. Fentanyl has become the number one cause of death for people aged 18 to 45 years old. Since 2019, the number of fentanyl-related deaths has steadily doubled from 152 deaths to 462 deaths to 814 deaths. The DA plans to tackle this epidemic head-on by collaborating with parents of fentanyl overdose victims to write letters and send them to large drug companies. Stephan hopes that the companies will be persuaded to create a commercial that raises awareness about the devastating effects of fentanyl.

The DA has also joined forces with the United States Attorney and the Drug Enforcement Agency to form team FAST and homicide team 10 to apprehend drug suppliers. She has also advocated for drug awareness campaigns and brought back drug education in San Diego public schools.

The DA and her team have also been combating the rise in human trafficking. Stephan recently spearheaded a human trafficking operation with law enforcement that captured 57 bad actors and saved eight young girls. In response to the rise in homelessness, Stephan intends to make mental healthcare treatment accessible for homeless people in need.

Rotary District 5340 has a dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking task force that launched a series of initiatives designed to increase the awareness of San Diego County's human sex trafficking scourge and generate measures to help prevent individuals–primarily young people–from becoming victims. Efforts include an educational workshop series to understand the elements of human sex trafficking in San Diego County and what residents can do to keep their eyes and ears open to combat it.

The district attorney sets an example of servant leadership, Rotary leaders say. Stephan’s programs and initiatives demonstrate her values of ethical prosecution, prevention of harm, protection of victims, and partnerships with the community.

“We are setting a standard in modern-day prosecution, innovation in how we treat our community, and how we partner with our community,” Stephan said.

Making a Difference for Abandoned Seniors

A group of our Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake members helped make sure that a seniors home in Baja California Norte had hot water during the chilly holiday season. Member Miguel Hernandez has served as project leader in ensuring basic facilities needs are addressed for these most vulnerable of seniors. Our club funded improvements to the facilities at La Casa Para Pobres Desamparados in La Rumorosa, BC, Mexico. our club paid for the installation of a water pump and a new electric water heater. The installation work was carried out by "Handyman Nacho" and his two sons. Thanks to the work of many, the seniors in La Rumorosa will now have hot water to bathe, wash dishes, and other basic needs. Special thanks to the Chula Vista Rotary Club, which generously donated to this effort, as well as the fundraising of new member Miriam Gonzalez.

Club Meeting - Training
La Bella's Pizza Garden

Oct 15, 2024
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Enter your email address and the message you want to send.

fields are required

Name

Comments

I consent to the collection, storage, and use of my information by Rotary Club of Chula Vista - Eastlake as described in this Privacy Policy. I understand that I may receive emails, and can opt out at any time.