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Welcome to Our New Program Partners
Vesper Society links arms with leaders and communities to uplift through service, break down barriers, and elevate community voices. We are thrilled to welcome five new partners and in the coming months we will take a closer look at the people they serve and their amazing programs. WEST OAKLAND HEALTH COUNCIL Fifty years ago, during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, four African American mothers launched The West Oakland Health Council. It immediately rose up to become the neighborhood anchor for healthcare, health education, food and housing programs, and voter registration. The clinic became a spark that led to a transformation in health care advocacy in California and the nation. West Oakland Health Council’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves by providing the highest quality of health care and treatment for its diverse patient population throughout Alameda County. Each of the clinic’s health centers strive to be a hub for health, compassion, engagement, and inspiration. HUPA IMMERSION NEST Hupa Immersion Nest is dedicated to the resurgence of the Hupa Language and its connection to the overall well-being of the land and community in the Hoopa Valley, Humboldt County. An inspirational group of Indigenous women at the core of this effort have decades of experience in areas of language, cultural revitalization, education, wellness and trauma-informed practice. They work closely with Hupa elders, families, and community at large to inform their work and approaches. Language is directly tied to their identity as Na:tinixwe (people of the place where the trails return). Language connects people spiritually and physically to the land, their past (ancestors), and future generations yet to come. The language programming is infused with health and wellness, including physical health and wellness through breathing, moving bodies, dancing, healthy traditional foods, mental health... Read More
Welcome New Vesper Board Members
Vesper Society is delighted to welcome four leaders who join our board of directors this year: Mike Allison, Sara Farooqi, Michael Mata, and Joe Prado. They share Vesper’s belief in the simple idea that a just society begins when everyone is well and respected as a human being. We look forward to working with them to uplift through service, break down barriers, and elevate community voices. Mike Allison has been working for social justice by helping nonprofit organizations increase their impact for more than 25 years through strategic planning, organizational development, governance, and executive coaching. Starting out as community organizer, Mike was the Director of Consulting and Research at CompassPoint Nonprofit Services for 15 years. Sara Farooqi brings over 15 years of experience leading at the intersection of operations, organizational culture, and social impact. As an independent consultant, Sara has been recognized for her capabilities as both a strategic advisor and operator, steering complex, cross-functional initiatives across all areas of an organization. Sara is founder of Conscious Collectivist which is a practice dedicated to celebrating interdependence and mutuality. Michael Mata has designed and administered community and faith-based programs for nearly forty years, particularly in the areas of community development, urban youth work, intercultural relations, organizational and leadership development. Michael is currently Director of Network Engagement and Leadership Development for Together LA, a nonprofit seeking to affirm and strengthen faith-based efforts at community transformation. Joe Prado has worked for the County of Fresno for 26 years and is currently Assistant Director of the Department of Public Health. Joe grew up in the Central Valley and has mentored students through Fresno City College Puente Program and Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy. Joe served as incident commander for the COVID-19 Vaccine response, reaching out to the underserved farmworker community. These remarkable leaders... Read More
THANK YOU, CAROL!
Carol McKevitt is retiring after 22 years with Vesper Society! Former, current, and incoming board members celebrated Carol, at Scott’s Restaurant, in Jack London Square. We are grateful for her many years of steady service. Carol’s last day in the office is December 20. Please note the office is closed for the holidays from December 21 – 29. Carol begins her new chapter on January 1, 2024 — what a wonderful way to start the new year! Please join us in wishing Carol the very best!... Read More
Congratulations Marin City Health and Wellness Center!
Everyday Vesper Society links arms with leaders and communities to uplift through service, break down barriers, and elevate community voices. We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of Marin City Health and Wellness Center (MCHWC) flagship clinic and its new Women’s Health Clinic in San Rafael! Marin City residents through their grassroots efforts fought to make primary care accessible for low-income families in this historically African American community dating back to 1942. During World War II many African American shipyard laborers migrated from the South and eventually settled in Marin City by choice or due to racial discriminatory laws limiting housing opportunities. The new 23,629 square foot facility on Phillips Drive replaces a 17-year old temporary clinic space and doubles the patient capacity. Here are some quotes from MCHWC’s leadership. Nancy Johnson, Chair, Board of Directors states: “The opening of these two new centers is consistent with MCHWC’s mission of providing innovative health and wellness services to all, with the goal of African American health equity. They are key components of our overall expansion plan, which included the previous opening of the Bayview Clinic in San Francisco. Now, after 17 years providing care at Drake Ave., we have …these new centers in Marin. It’s a dream come true.” Harold Wallace, CEO, explained that “The new clinic is night and day compared to Drake Ave. It’s twice the size and a modern, highly functional facility. We have added staff, more medical exam rooms and dental chairs; have expanded behavioral health spaces and installed an emergency generator. Plus, we have implemented new technologies – including a 360-degree dental x-ray machine, an intraoral dental x-ray system, telemedicine for behavioral health, a fiber-connected IT system, and wireless technology inside the building.” “In addition to making this a highly functional facility, it was important... Read More
Reflecting on Parliament of the World Religions 2023
Vesper Society believes that a just society begins when everyone is well and respected as a human being. Our spiritual life is an integral part of being well and we reflect on the Parliament of World Religions (PoWR) that was held in Chicago, the week of August 14, 2023. 7,000 practitioners of faith, academicians, faith seekers, and activists from 95 countries and 210 faith traditions gathered to reflect on the theme “A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom and Human Rights.” PoWR was convened 130 years ago at what is now the Art Institute of Chicago. Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism to the US in 1893 and called for religious tolerance and an end to fanaticism. One hundred years later the Parliament was incorporated in Chicago with the 1993 gathering exploring how to address the critical issues facing the world. One of Vesper Society’s early supporters, the late Rev. William Lesher (president of PLTS – Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary 1973-1979 and Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago 1979-1997) was president of PoWR from 2003-2010. Christianity has dominated the American landscape and that is changing. Pew Research Center projects that by 2070, Christians could fall below 50% of the US population. On a global scale, Islam is growing faster than any other major religion and if this trend continues, Muslims will nearly equal the number of Christians by 2050. That is why it was fascinating to see hundreds of faith traditions at the Parliament. Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka leads the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries at PLTS in Berkeley that has long been promoting interfaith studies and will soon be introducing groundbreaking curriculum for Native Americans. We asked him to reflect on these questions. The Sikh community provided daily vegetarian meals called langar for the convention participants. Why is this significant? Guru... Read More