Venice Family Clinic and Water Project by Jim McFarland
Kate Orroth lead the flag salute and the thought of the day, "I sleep and dream that life was joy. I awoke and saw the life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." from Rabindramath Tagore. President Cedric Tuck-Sherman announced many guests. Sheena Khanna brought her dad Raj Khanna, visiting from Chicago. Past District Governor Makiko Nakasone, Scott Burnig and Joy Higa from Venice Family Center. Jan Rhees introduced prospective new member Sharon Gardner. BTW she is in the 2022 movie Me Time. 75th anniversary photo depicting several club members (past presidents) from 1957 outside The Beach House (currently the Fish Bar North Manhattan). John Rhind identified several members for us.
This past week 14 new and newish club members joined our president and board for his Fireside Chat including, John Bartlett, Chris Coye, Bret Hadley, David Hadley, Shweta Kapoor, Priscila Kasha, Martha Mansfield, Kate Orroth, Val Padgett, Madelyne Salo, Lisa Schlager, Mark Shoemaker, Mike Tarnay, and Don Whinfrey.
We saw a video of our 35 Rotarians in action in the Wine Garden at the Hometown Fair. Tough job, but someone had to do it!!
Venice Family Clinic
Jan Rhees introduced members of the Venice Family Clinic. They are launching the Inglewood and Crenshaw Family Center. Dr. Mitesh Popat, CEO of the Venice Family Clinic, spoke to us about the 1400 clinics across the country and how the South Bay Family Health Care (SBFHC) started in Manhattan Beach in 1969 on Manhattan Beach Blvd. The clinic grew to serve people in Redondo Beach, Carson, Inglewood and Gardena. While SBFHC was growing, Venice Family Clinic started in 1970. In 2021 they merged to be one of the leading nonprofit community heath centers. Their funding support comes from federal, state, and local government funding, along with generous support from individuals, families, foundations, and corporate donors.
Why open a clinic in Inglewood? This area is one of the most underserved communities. They lack access to the resources that help individuals and families thrive. Early education, health care, good schools, fresh food, living-wage jobs, safe housing, and networks lead to success.
The clinic, just 5 miles from us at the corner of Crenshaw and Imperial Hwy, provides comprehensive, high-quality health care, free food, health insurance enrollment assistance and harm reduction services. The first floor is currently open and the rest of the facility should be completed in 2026. To learn more, go to https://venicefamilyclinic.org/Inglewood-crenshaw/
President Cedric highlighted our Impact Projects for the year:
- 6th annual VetFest celebrating military veterans and first responders. Buy your tickets now!!!
- Championing financial literacy in partnership with Junior Achievement.
- Plan to host Poverty Simulation event for community of Manhattan Beach.
- Global WASH project in partnership with World Vision.
Global W.A.S.H. Background
10 years ago, Larry Johnson led the MB Global Grant, million-dollar Niger Water project. Access to clean water is fundamental to all Rotary areas of focus. The opportunity for a new project presented itself when Larry was introduced to Kim Lorenz of World Vision during the RI conference in Calgary.
A water taskforce has been created to review opportunities and start planning. Membership includes: Rotary Club of Harare City: Collins Rungwani, Stephen Margolis; Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach: Larry, Cedric, Ingo, Chad, Bill; Rotary District 5280: Alex Parajon (DG), Brady Connel (DGE), Guity Javid (PDG); World Vision and Others: Kim Lorenz, Lauren Van Enk, Clayton Lee, Tom Knollmann, Jim Leet.
Key Considerations:
Financial: How much do we have to raise?
Time: How many people and how much time is needed?
Multi-year leadership: Rich and successor to inherit
Opportunity cost: Both to do and not to do ("that is the question")
Sustainability: Political risk and long-term maintenance
Club member support: We can't do this without you!
Our speaker Kim Lorenz is a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author. He built and sold two multimillion-dollar companies. Kim speaks on leadership, ethics, and purpose in business. He advocates values-driven entrepreneurship. Has partnered with World Vision on global
WASH initiatives and champions sustainable solutions that transform communities.
Today 900 children will die just from bad drinking water. $58 million has been raised for these projects. World Vision has a staff of 37,000. They are a non-government organization. Each water source is managed and sustainable. 94% are still running after 24 years.
President Cedric was quoted he leaned into Rotary…and Rotary leaned back as he met our speaker at the international convention.
No Happy Dollars today as we were out of time. No one claimed their wine or the opportunity to draw for the marble so….. Adjourned.
For more meeting photos, go to SmugMug. |
