South Bay Women's Network

2021 Scholarship Winners

by

South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (11) scholarships of $500 each this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Potential recipients either submitted an application themselves or were nominated, and each was required to be a female Cuesta College re-entry student, defined in the educational system as one who attends college following an interruption in their post-high school education. Funds for these scholarships were raised through the Garden Party Scholarship Benefit, SLO Witches Paddle and generous donations from SBWN members and supporters.

Presentation of our Scholarship winners was held on December 14, 2021 at The Savory Palette Wine Bar in Morro Bay.

Scholarship Winners

  • Alexis Ackell – Goal – Elementary School Teacher
  • Josephine Agoruah Goal – Psychology/Marriage Counseling
  • Angelita Castellanos – Goal – Nutrition/Culinary Arts
  • Marissa Hazelwood – Goal – LVN to RN
  • Ashlee Jenson – Goal – Science Teacher
  • Somer Maas – Goal – Guidance Counselor in Elementary School
  • Rachael Massey – Goal – Psychology
  • Courtney Niemeyer – Goal – LVN
  • Zoe Rice – Goal – Elementary School Teacher
  • Sjana Salazar – Goal – Working in Addiction Program
  • Veronica Williams – Goal – Opening Needs Based Daycare Center
Somer Maas Video
Marissa Hazelwood Video
Veronica Williams Video
Angelita Castellanos Video
Sjana Salazar video
Rachael Massey Video
Josephine Agoruah Video

Scholarship Program Gets Support from 2021 Witches Paddle

by

This year the Annual Witches Paddle collected donations to support our Cuesta College female re-entry scholarships. Thank you to SBWN Event Director Gila Zak for coordinating this collaboration with Annette Ausseresses of Paddle SLO.

Beautiful witches Gila Zak and Annette Ausseresses

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/witches-swap-broomsticks-for-paddles-in-morro-bay?_amp=true

Garden Party Scholarship Benefit – April 23, 2021

by

Thank you to all our members and guests who supported our Scholarship Program by attended our 2021 Garden Party Scholarship Benefit. We enjoyed getting back into visiting with everyone in person. Thank you to Seven Angels Cellars for the wine donation.

Proceeds from this event benefit SBWN Cuesta College Female Re-Entry Student Scholarship Program. 

Food Insecurity is REAL! – Estero Bay Kindness Coalition

by

  

Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is one way we can measure and assess the risk of hunger. In the United States currently, 1 in 9 people struggle with hunger. 

Find out what one volunteer organization is doing about Child Hunger in Our Community.

ESTERO BAY KINDNESS COALITION

BOBBY DeLANCELLOTTI, Founder

As the Founder of Estero Bay Kindness Coalition, Bobby brings 35 years of experience working in the nonprofit world. He worked for 31 years as a Pastor in the Vineyard Community of churches, both as a Lead Pastor and a Senior Associate. Following his work with Vineyard organizations, he worked for 3 years at Lifewater International as the “Church Mobilizer” and the Lead Advocate promoting clean water as a global effort, which Bobby stepped down from due to health reasons.˛ In March 2018, Bobby started the “Got Your Back” program at Del Mar Elementary School. In the beginning, the Got Your Back program served 10 students at one school, and now serves over 200 students at eight di°erent elementary schools in the Estero Bay area. When the COVID˝19 Pandemic struck, Estero Bay Kindness Coalition transitioned to home deliveries and continued to meet the needs of the children and families served prior to the pandemic. Since the pandemic, our organization delivers groceries to the doorsteps of over 90 families, which includes two bags of groceries and fresh produce every week.

The vision for the Estero Bay Kindness Coalition is to partner together with for profit, nonprofit, business, and church communities to serve those living on the margins in the greater Estero Bay area.

Ladies, Thank you so much for generous donation! Because of your kindness we are able to serve some of the most food insecure kids and families here in our beautiful community. Looking forward to participating together in the future. With Joy, Bobby

2020 Scholarship Winners

by

South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) awarded (11) scholarships of $500 each this year to Cuesta College re-entry female students. Potential recipients either submitted an application themselves or were nominated, and each was required to be a female Cuesta College re-entry student, defined in the educational system as one who attends college following an interruption in their post-high school education. Funds for these scholarships were raised through fundraising and generous donations from Corporate Sponsors and SBWN members.

To all of the wonderful women of the South Bay Women’s Network. Thank you so much for the scholarship. It will really help as I make this last push through nursing school. I look forward to being done, having a good job, being financially independent and being able to contribute to help others reach their goals!I think being introduced and included into this “Network” is also a gift. I look forward to getting to know you all better and to continue to empower women and to be inspired by other women. – Thank you, Katie Bariel

Thank you so much for the scholarship! I am very thankful for this honor. I am also thankful to be part of your network. – Love, Athena Sorensen

Not pictured:

Jade Bodine  – Soil Science
Lupe Ramos – Pre-Requisites RN program
Brittany (N) Shade – Accounting

Click on photos below for winner presentations.

Katie Bariel – RN Program
Crista Phillips – Early Childhood Education/Clinical Psychology
Rocio Torres  – Psychiatric Technician Program
Kelley Garcia – Pre-requisites for RN program
Blanca Rodriguez – Early Childhood Education
Alayna Earhart – Public Policy, Public Administration/Education
Dayra Lopez – Prerequisites for RN program
Athena Sorenson – Music Therapy

SBWN Donation to Stand Strong

by

Gila Zak and Karen Borges

South Bay Women’s Network (SBWN) presented a check for $3000 to Stand Strong (formally Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo). The money was raised at the South Bay Women’s Network 2018 Holiday Dinner & Benefit. Check was presented to Karen Borges, Director of Development and Communications by SBWN President Gila Zak.

Gila Zak, Gabby Rivera and Karen Borges