Bank of America’s Community Impact Update

To our esteemed community partners:

Thank you for your leadership in our community, especially your continued focus on the wellbeing of people in our community. As the summer comes to a close, I wanted to share updates with you about Bank of America’s efforts in the North Bay to help alleviate hardships, support basic needs, and advance racial equality and economic opportunity.

The health and safety of our employees, clients, and people in our community remain our top priority during this health and humanitarian crisis. One of the ways we continue to demonstrate our support is by working with local partners to identify and distribute personal protective equipment masks to the most vulnerable populations. Here in the North Bay we’re partnering with Downtown Streets, La Luz Center, the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, and Redwood Empire Food Bank to provide over 160,000 masks to those who need it most. This is just one example of how we are supporting local community organizations. Since the beginning of the year, we have provided more than $600,000 in philanthropic support to non-profits in our local market. Grant recipients include Community Action Marin, ExtraFood.org, Santa Rosa Community Health Centers, Petaluma Ecumenical Properties, Community Action of Napa Valley, La Luz, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, and Redwood Empire Food Bank. 

In addition, as of the end of June, we have processed approximately 1.8 million payment deferral requests across credit card, auto, mortgage and home equity, and small business loans through our Client Assistance Program, of which approximately 1.7 million are still in place. We’re also helping small businesses access government loans provided through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program. Nationally, we have helped small business access more funds than any other bank. Here locally, we have helped more than 2,030 small businesses access $162 million in funding.  We are proud that nearly 80% of the small businesses we have helped have fewer than 10 employees.

Finally, we know the coronavirus has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, magnifying underlying racial and economic inequalities. Bank of America’s four-year, $1 billion commitment to help drive racial equality and economic opportunity will help us address these inequalities in the North Bay, including affordable housing, job training/reskilling, support to small business and health care. We recently announced our initial progress towards our $1 billion commitment by allocating one-third, or $300 million to four key areas across 91 U.S. markets and globally: $25 million in support of jobs initiatives in Black and Hispanic/Latino communities, $25 million in support of community outreach and initiatives, $50 million in direct equity investments to Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), and $200 million of proprietary equity investments in minority entrepreneurs, businesses and funds. You can read more about our announcement here.

Bank of America is committed to the North Bay and this region, and we will continue to work with our clients, our non-profit partners, and local leaders to help create the conditions for fair and equal access to economic opportunity. I thank you again for your hard work and look forward to our continued partnership.

Amy Loflin
Market Manager; Napa, Marin, Sonoma

 

Kaiser Permanente – Together We Can Fight the Spread of COVID-19

Around the world and across the nation our communities are still facing an unprecedented public health crisis. In just a few months scientists and clinicians have learned a lot about COVID-19. As work continues to develop and deliver a vaccine, it is more critical than ever that we band together to stay the course in our fight against this pandemic.

“The virus is real and it’s dangerous, but together we can slow the spread and protect the most vulnerable, those we love, and those who are on the front lines,” explained Paul Thottingal, MD, national infectious disease leader at Kaiser Permanente. “We can make a difference in our communities if we all work together to follow the guidance of medical experts.”

The practical advice for preventing spread hasn’t changed.

It begins with wearing your mask. Nearly half of COVID-19 transmissions are traced to people unaware they are infected. If you are carrying COVID-19 without symptoms, a cloth mask will significantly reduce the risk that you will transmit the disease to others. A mask also reminds you not to touch your face.

Wash your hands regularly and practice healthy hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water is most effective. When soap and water aren’t available, correctly using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you stop the spread of germs.

Stay 6 feet apart. The surest way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance between yourself and those outside your home. Do your best to stay out of crowded spaces, and even with distance, you should always wear your mask.

Plus, get a flu shot, as it will be even more important this year. It can not only help keep you healthy, but it can protect those around you who may be at higher risk for complications.

It’s natural to feel anxious, stressed, or even fatigued with all the precautions, but by taking these steps you are protecting yourself, your loved ones, and all of us working to keep you safe and healthy.

“Responding to COVID-19 is a marathon, not a sprint. Each and every day, we have to recommit ourselves to following effective, proven steps that reduce the spread of the virus,” explained Bechara Choucair, MD, senior vice president and chief health officer for Kaiser Permanente. “When we all work together we will turn the tide against this pandemic.”

We can do this, but only if we do it together — because #TogetherWeThrive.

Spread the word

As your partners in health and health care, Kaiser Permanente has launched a new public health message featuring voices you can trust — doctors, nurses, specialists, and health care leaders — to remind our members and communities to stay diligent. The message will run over the next several weeks across TV, online, radio, and social media, including a version for our Spanish-speaking communities. Please share with your social networks to remind your friends, family, and neighbors that #TogetherWeThrive when we continue healthy behaviors to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Resources to help you thrive

Visit our coronavirus and COVID-19 resource center for tools and information to help you during the coronavirus pandemic, including videos and articles on wearing a mask, social distancing, hygiene, helping your children with school, and how to cope with loneliness during this challenging time. You can also find more information and resources on kp.org/coronavirus.

https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/our-story/news/announcements/together-we-can-fight-the-spread-of-covid-19

CannaCraft’s Care By Design Hemp to Participate in Industry Leading Study on CBD Safety

Care By Design Hemp, a wholly-owned CannaCraft brand, announced today that it joined several industry leaders in an IRB-approved study to provide real world evidence of safety in cannabinoid product use which commenced this month.

The ValidCare study will measure the effects on the liver from daily use of full spectrum hemp derived CBD and CBD isolate by healthy adults. The resulting third party data will address the FDA’s repeated request for more scientific data so it can confidently determine the appropriate regulatory path(s) for hemp-derived CBD products.

Care By Design Hemp is one of 13 leading CBD companies to participate in and fund this watershed research, out of more than 100 companies that were invited and screened. Other companies taking part include Charlotte’s Web, Boulder Botanical & Bioscience Labs, CBDistillery, CBD American Shaman, Columbia Care, Global Widget, HempFusion, Kannaway, Medterra CBD, SunFlora, Asterra Lab, and Infinite CBD.

“Clinical data is necessary to the progress of cannabis treatments. Over the years we have commissioned several anecdotal studies with ten-of-thousands of consumers to identify patterns and aggregate data on cannabis’ efficacy and side effects. Ultimately this information provided valuable insight on how we can better meet our customers’ needs,” said Tiffany Devitt, CannaCraft’s Chief Government Relations Officer. “We look forward to participating in the ValidCare study and we know this data will help inform the next wave of innovation in cannabinoid therapies.”

The first step of the process, according to ValidCare’s initial press release, is to collect and provide “real world evidence” from healthy American adults who have consumed oral CBD products for at least 60 days. Measures include reported product experiences and a blood sample to understand how the consumer’s liver reacts.  The design calls for participation by a minimum of 700 consumers. This data will be combined with personal history, blood tests and product data to provide investigators with the opportunity to understand multiple variables across populations, products and lifestyles.

“Care By Design is a science- and data-driven company so I was ecstatic to hear about the opportunity to participate in a clinical, IRB-reviewed study on CBD’s safety. There’s a real dearth of quality safety data out there as cannabis and CBD have been very challenging to research historically due to federal restrictions,” said Matt Elmes PhD, Head of Research and Development at CannaCraft. Adding, “We welcome this unique opportunity to work alongside our consumers to meaningfully advance cannabinoid science. The valuable data we generate together will undoubtedly impact the future of hemp-derived CBD in the USA.”

The study commenced in late July, and ValidCare targets completion by the end of the year.

About ValidCare
ValidCare, LLC provides clinical research outsourcing (CRO) and consumer intelligence solutions for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and life sciences industries. ValidCare’s proprietary platform supports virtual research powered by real world evidence (RWE) including self-reported consumer data to deliver insights that help improve research, regulations, product development and consumer health. For more information, visit www.validcare.com or call 844-825-4322.

About Care By Design
Care By Design is a wellness company with deep roots. Created in 2014 by patients seeking relief, Care By Design earned its success through operating with the highest integrity and making innovative products with unparalleled efficacy. Intent on harnessing the full healing power of cannabis therapeutics, Care By Design pioneered CBD to THC ratios that deliver powerful relief, cultivated by science. Their hemp products are available nationwide while their cannabis products are available in licensed dispensaries throughout California and Colorado. Backed by a team of expert cultivators, in-house scientists, clinicians, and caregivers, Care By Design exists to radically improve the lives of individuals and raise the baseline health of communities. Learn more at www.CBD.org.

Additional Information
Kial Long, VP Corporate Communications | CannaCraft, Inc.
kial@cannacraft.com

https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/cannacraft-s-care-by-design-hemp-to-participate-in-industry-leading-study-on-cbd-safety-1029557807#

North Bay Children’s Center and Other Marin Child Care Facilities Receive Marin Community Foundation’s Donation of $1M

The Marin Community Foundation has given the Marin Child Care Council a $1 million grant to bolster the county’s network of child care providers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Both family child care providers, who typically care for children in their own homes, and larger child care centers are struggling to remain financially viable under new state and county guidelines designed to reduce the spread of the disease.

“The reason for this immediate infusion of $1 million is there is no service more central in our community than child care,” said Thomas Peters, the foundation’s chief executive.

Peters said that in addition to providing quality care and education for children, the services free parents to earn a living so the overall economy can recover.

Aideen Gaidmore, executive director of the Marin Child Care Council, said so far only 69 of Marin’s 140 child care centers and 121 of its 163 smaller family child care providers have reopened following the “shelter in place” order.

Gaidmore said at least two Marin child care centers and four family child care providers have ceased operations, and it is impossible to predict how many of those closed will eventually reopen.

“We can’t afford to lose that amount of supply in the county,” she said. “We need to make sure these programs can reopen because our low-income workers are the ones who are working now and need to find child care. For our economy to recover, we need to have child care in place.”

Child care providers must adhere to state regulations that require them to have at least one adult supervising every 10 kids. The state regulations also specify that child care sites with more than one group of 10 children must house the groups in separate rooms or spaces; groups are not to mix.

“With the stricter regulations,” Gaidmore said, “the child care providers have fewer children and higher staffing costs, as well as higher cleaning and sanitation costs.”

Gaidmore said that even before the pandemic, funding for child care was woefully inadequate.

“Now we’re in crisis mode,” she said.

Monique Liebhard, vice president of children and family services at Community Action Marin, said her organization is able to provide child care for about 550 kids.

“That is half of what we would normally do in a non-COVID year,” Liebhard said. “We need to have smaller group sizes but maintain the same level of staffing. These funds will provide a buffer and allow us to continue to serve families. It is essential.”

Liebhard said new coronavirus regulations aren’t the only reason the number of children Community Action Marin is caring for is down.

“Parents are hesitant to come back because of ongoing COVID fears,” she said.

Susan Gilmore, chief executive of North Bay Children’s Center in Novato, said the 161 children her center is currently caring for represents 46% of the number it was previously serving.

“We’re really struggling to get programs reopened and get services to families,” Gilmore said. “This grant from Marin Community Foundation is going to be a huge help.”

Cheryl Paddack, chief executive officer of North Marin Community Services, said her organization is providing child care for 75 kids.

“We have double the amount of staff and half the number of kids because of the COVID health and safety regulations, so the funding will definitely be helpful to support our deficit,” Paddack said.

Gaidmore said some child care centers are also providing expanded after school care for school-age children because schools have moved to distance learning during the pandemic.

“That has put another strain on our child care programs,” Gaidmore said.

Gilmore said, “We’re doing everything we can to support families and children who don’t have the technology for distance learning or the luxury of forming learning pods. This funding is going to help with that.”

Paddack said, “We’re offering full-time remote learning Monday through Friday while Novato Unified is not in session. We’re their learning pods so their parents, who are essential workers, can be in the workforce.”

Gaidmore said any child care provider that is open or planning to open may apply to receive a share of the funding being provided by Marin Community Foundation.

“We won’t know the amount of funding each program will get,” she said, “until we get a feel for who is applying for it.”

Gilmore said, “We applaud Marin Community Foundation for recognizing that child care is essential and recognizing that our country’s economic recovery depends on families being able to return to work.”

https://www.marinij.com/2020/09/12/marin-community-foundation-donates-1m-for-child-care/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Redwood Credit Union Opens 2020 Fire Relief Fund

The Redwood Credit Union Community Fund (RCUCF) has opened a 2020 Fire Relief Fund to assist those who lost homes due to the recent fires, and to prepare to help its communities should more fires happen this year. Donations can be made here.

“At Redwood Credit Union, every day we passionately serve our members, employees and communities, and in times of crisis, that means stepping up even more,” said Brett Martinez, RCU president & CEO. “Year after year, we’re faced with a new wildfire season and it’s taking a toll on our communities’ emotional and financial wellness. Establishing an immediate relief fund for survivors who lost their homes due to the recent fires simply feels like the right thing to do.”

One hundred percent of the tax-deductible donations will be distributed directly to fire survivors—beginning with those who lost their primary residence in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Lake counties⁠—and through nonprofit organizations. There will be no overhead costs from RCUCF.

In addition to the Fund, RCU is offering financial assistance and other resources to members directly impacted by the recent fires. This includes special loan programs, insurance information, details related to nonprofit services, and ways to avoid fraud and scams during this time. For additional details on these resources, visit redwoodcu.org/2020-fire-assistance.

About Redwood Credit Union
Founded in 1950, Redwood Credit Union is a full-service financial institution providing personal and business banking to consumers and businesses in the North Bay and San Francisco. RCU offers complete financial services including checking and savings accounts, auto and home loans, credit cards, online and mobile banking, business services, commercial and SBA lending, and more. Wealth management and investment services are available through CUSO Financial Services L.P., and through RCU Services Group (RCU’s wholly owned subsidiary), insurance and auto-purchasing services are also available. RCU has $5.8 billion in assets and serves approximately 370,000 members with full-service branches from San Francisco to Ukiah. For more information, call 1 (800) 479-7928, visit redwoodcu.org, or follow RCU on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for news and updates.

Nelson Honored by San Francisco Business Times

For the third-consecutive year, Nelson has been recognized on the San Francisco Business Times list for the Largest Bay Area Family-Owned Businesses. Ranked by 2019 companywide revenue, Nelson lands at No. 22 out of 98 companies featured on the list.

The list includes majority family-owned businesses throughout Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties. Nelson has been a proud family-owned business for 50 years!

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6706301686824206336/

Dominican University’s President Mary Marcy Steps Down

Letter from Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Carolyn Klebanoff

After leading Dominican University of California through nearly a decade of transformation and success, President Mary B. Marcy has announced her decision to step down at the conclusion of the 2020-2021 fiscal year. At that time, she will continue her work focused on the future of higher education through an appointment as Visiting Scholar at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and she will also continue her relationship with Dominican through ongoing availability as she assumes the title of President Emerita. President Marcy is committed to leading the campus through the changes demanded by the pandemic this year, and to position the University well for new leadership in the coming years.

Since 2011, under President Marcy’s leadership, Dominican has gained national attention for a transformation that is rooted in creative programs, purposeful partnerships, and a commitment to academic excellence. Dominican’s community has embraced that vision, and your dedication and generosity have made the Dominican Experience a transformative reality for our students, as evidenced by dramatic increases in student success, satisfaction, and graduation rates.

The Board has few responsibilities more important than the selection of a new president. I am fully confident that this group of thoughtful individuals, who believe deeply in our institution’s mission will – through their discernment, wisdom, good judgment, and dedication to Dominican – successfully identify the right person to be our next president.

The Board has prioritized an internal search for Dominican’s next leader. The timeline, which aligns with best practices for presidential searches in higher education, will run 4-6 weeks, culminating with a recommendation to the Board of Trustees in early October, 2020. The Board will determine at that time if an internal appointment will be made, or if the University will undertake a national search.

In preparation for this academic year, our Dominican community has done considerable — and admirable — work to support students amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Board has initiated the search early on in the academic year to ensure there is ample time for a smooth transition of leadership.

There will be opportunities to celebrate President Marcy’s leadership as a community throughout the academic year. Today, please join me in thanking her for inspired and continued leadership of this fine institution.

Becoming Independent Makes the 2020 Best Places to Work List 11 Years in a Row!

Congratulations to Becoming Independent for making the North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to work list 11 years in a row!

Becoming Independent Receives National Recognition

The NADSP, on behalf of our partner organizations, the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota and the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), is pleased to announce the 2020 Moving Mountains Award for best practices in workforce development.

Becoming Independent, Santa Rosa, CA: “The Discovery Project” 

Becoming Independent (BI) is one of California’s most innovative and respected agencies serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and epilepsy. The agency was founded 53 years ago by a small group of dedicated parents who shared a belief that there should be an alternative to institutionalization for their adult children with disabilities. Over the past year, Becoming Independent has offered 1:1 services in its day settings via a new program called the Discovery Project. This is allowing the organization to re-imagine how they provide services and assist people who have been in traditional day programs for many years. The process involves two phases; each includes the person, their family, as the individual desires, and a support circle of their choosing. Becoming Independent’s Discovery Coaches (Direct Support Professionals) are trained to see beneath the first thing people say and listen instead for the unspoken. The direct support professionals encourage those they support to look past the current service offerings to imagine what interests and dreams they hold. The exercises and activities in the 1:1 coaching sessions uncover and build on the strengths, gifts, talents, skills, and contributions of the individual and those who know and care about the individual. Click here to learn more about the services offered by Becoming Independent.

Sonoma Raceway President Steve Page Ends His Tenure

After nearly three decades at the helm of Northern California’s premier motorsports facility, Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page announced today that he will retire at the end of 2020.

Page’s 29-year tenure at the road course and drag strip, which began in 1991 at then-Sears Point Raceway, spanned two owners and the evolution of the raceway from an underdeveloped facility to a modern professional sports venue and performance automotive center. Page promoted and supervised events with a variety of the top racing series, including NASCAR, NHRA and IndyCar, as well as unique events focused on green transportation and the future of mobility.

“I have been so fortunate to work all these years with an amazing team and to have the support of a company in Speedway Motorsports that is committed to operating the top facilities in our industry,” said Page, who resides in Sonoma with his wife, Judy.  “This decision did not come easily, but I ultimately decided it was time to begin a new chapter and find other ways to be active in this wonderful community where we are so fortunate to live.”

In addition to ushering the 1,600-acre property through a $100 million modernization from 1999-2002, Page is a respected member of the Sonoma County business and non-profit community. Under his leadership, the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $6.8 million to Sonoma County nonprofit youth organizations since 2001. Page also serves as board chair for the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation and the North Bay Leadership Council, and is a board member of Speedway Children’s Charities and the Road Racing Industry Council.  He also serves on advisory boards for 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County and Social Advocates for Youth and is a former chair of the Sonoma County Tourism Council.

“Steve Page has been an exceptional leader throughout our company’s history with Sonoma Raceway,” said Speedway Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Smith. “Not only has he been an integral part of producing so many historic race events at Sonoma, he’s established the facility as a true servant to the community and elevated Sonoma Raceway’s status as a premier motorsports destination for both competition and doing business.

“Steve has a passion for doing things the right way and we are grateful for the many contributions he has made to Sonoma Raceway, Speedway Motorsports and the greater region of northern California.”

Page came to the raceway after 11 years working in marketing and special events for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics where, among other responsibilities, he served as coordinator for the 1987 MLB All-Star Game. Before entering the sports arena, Page spent several years on Capitol Hill as press secretary for U.S.  Congressman Leon Panetta.  He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

Speedway Motorsports, the raceway’s parent company, will launch a national search to recruit candidates for the position.