Grant recipient The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is using resources distributed by IECF to fuel its extensive summer programming.

“The timing of the grant was so perfect,” said Margaret Keung, CEO and executive director of the organization. “Summer is very busy for us, and every penny is helpful.”

The grant immediately supports the organization’s Triple Play Initiative, thereby fueling its extensive summer camp program.

“Summer is one of the most extensive times of the year for us, because young people attend the club full-time when school was out,” Keung said. “But our summer classes increase costs—everything from gas, utilities, program supplies, and transportation for things like field trips. You name it. It triples.”

She added the grant also helps the organization strengthen its programming and make it possible to support the kids it serves—kids who typically spend more time at the club in summer.

“The resources even help us deal with meal insecurity,” Keung said, “because even though schools are closed, children still need to eat, and we feed them. This place also acts a cooling center. Many of these kids might stay home during the summer, when it’s hot, but at home, the AC might not always work.”

Keung also noted that during summer, the organization serves up to 300 or more young people.

Between the summer programs, and childrens, teen, and health and wellness centers, the organization’s reach and impact continue to stretch far and wide. Other programs stand out, too, of course, such as the Arts Programs, which helps foster creativity in young people, providing unique outlets for self-expression.

Other core programs include the Keystone Club for ages 14 to 18 and the Torch Club (ages 11 to13). The leadership development activities offered here are cornerstones to broader personal developments.

Collectively, these programs enhance and stoke leadership abilities, and help build strong character and integrity for youth.

In terms of funding, Keung cited the importance of grants and other fundraising efforts that take place throughout the year.

“We are fully self-funded,” she said. “We do not rely on a single source of government funding or our national headquarters to keep our doors open. We’re community invested.”

So is the BCVF.

Launched in 2023, the fund supports what is considered to be the critically urgent social, environmental, and economic resilience of the Coachella Valley. Timely in that progress is needed on many fronts in the region, the hope is that lasting change will arrive from wisely investing collectively in effective, mission-driven organizations that uplift wellbeing and also build prosperity for all residents.

To be sure, The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs also strives to serve the region the best way it can. It began as the Boys Club of Palm Springs, guiding and providing mentorship for boys in the Palm Springs Area. History buffs may appreciate the fact that beloved Palm Springs resident and entertainer Desi Arnaz once held a fundraising party at the Indian Wells Western Hills Hotel where the likes of Lucille Ball, Dean Martin and Walter Winchell cavorted among one another.

The funds raised at the event helped build the organization’s clubhouse, which is now known as the Children’s Center. It still serves as the main clubhouse today.

Keung’s love of the organization shines through. Every day, she says, offers something new to appreciate—and observe. Like the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic.

“COVID certainly changed things for all of us, but I can see it in the kids needing more help, and I don’t think the parents always know how to help them,” she said. “That’s why here at the club, we’re putting money aside to help with training for employees, which we’re very selective about—from lifeguards to staff—because mentorship comes into play for these kids.

“A lot of times these kids don’t talk to their parents,” she added, “but they will talk to the mentors here. Sometimes, they can connect with me better.”

Looking ahead, the calendar is full. Save the date: On Oct. 25, the club is hosting a bash dubbed “Be a Hero for Kids.” The Halloween-themed event will celebrate the nonprofit’s 2026 honorees. It takes place from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Hilton Palm Springs. All proceeds will benefit the club’s youth.

Donations and volunteer opportunities abound. Keung encourages people to visit the organization’s website.

Learn more at bgcps.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, August, 2026.

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The academy, which recently received a grant via the CIELO Fund at Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF), has long been preserving mariachi heritage in the region through education, cultural pride, and community connections. Inspiring children to develop a set of musical skills and preserving a valued tradition for future generations also comes into play.

The IECF grant will further help HERENCIA with those efforts as it continues helping local children find a safe haven while also gaining deeper understandings and appreciation for mariachi music.

“We are always grateful when community partners can support us because it continues to help us keep our doors open to provide mariachi music lessons and inspiration at a very low cost,” said Teresa Serrano, HERENCIA co-founder and executive board member. “When you break it down into the amount of time that we give our kids, I think that every student here represents one less child that’s out there doing things that they shouldn’t be doing.”

“The impact is great,” she added, “and we’re happy to be able to continue providing services to these youth in so many ways.”

The nonprofit’s main mission is to offer a well-rounded education that helps children learn lifelong skills and reassure their value in local communities. By offering a diverse music programs, youth can be steered to a more promising future.

In addition to a series of level-based classes, students can get instruction on the traditional mariachi instruments, depending on enrollment and placement. These include everything from trumpet, violin, and guitar to guitarrón, vihuela, and voice.

Founded a decade ago by Eddie Nuñez and Serrano, Nuñez took on the role of president of the academy. Mariachi Legend Rafael Palomar is the intrepid musical director/maestro.

“When our children were younger, Eddie and I said, ‘Hey, we’re driving all the way to Orange County for lessons. Why don’t we start looking into possibly opening the doors here,’” Serrano said of those early days, noting that overall, the experiences children receive goes “beyond music.”

“It’s the sense that we’re impacting the ability for children to connect and discover themselves,” she said. “There’s a lot that revolves around academic impact, social skills, confident development, and self-confidence.

“Then there’s the music, which does something to you more than many folks can imagine,” she added. “And with the way technology has been, we’re losing that element of social skills. So, just seeing youth interact amongst themselves and really empower each other here is priceless.”

Mark the calendars: Sept. 12 is HERENCIA’s “Summer Concert at Dos Lagos” in Corona. Dubbed a night of “music, pride, and heritage,” it’s an opportunity to see how students have advanced and appreciate their talents.

“Every ticket that is sold to the summer concert means that people support the academy,” Serrano said. “Which helps us continue providing these services and keeping our doors open.”

Overall, Serrano feels a sense of pride and accomplishment having been with the organization since its inception. There have been challenges (learning how to fundraise) and victories (watching her own children thrive in the program and seeing the nonprofit take off).

Mostly, she’s thrilled to have witnessed many of the youth “bloom.”

“So many students grew into their confidence,” she said. “And it’s not an easy thing to go on stage so young and perform and sing. And even now… I was watching some of them being interviewed by Telemundo at an event in Sacramento. Just listening to them, and how they vocalized themselves and talked in front of the camera, is remarkable. We’re really watching them shine.”

Learn more at herenciamariachiacademy.com.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July, 2026.

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The intrepid non-profit organization helps people connect with pets as much as it assists animals needing care from public, government, and private facilities. Through the years, the organization has greatly supported efforts to prevent the euthanasia of adoptable and treatable dogs and cats.

They even reunite lost pets and provide owner retention services.

“We’re expanding all of our programs right now, so the IECF grant has been a great asset,” said Michael Phipps-Russell, executive director of Loving All Animals. “Our animal sheltering program has expanded tremendously, so the funds we received will be applied towards the operational funds for our shelter at this time.”

Programs have expanded in anticipation of having a greater volume of animals to care for as the months unfold.

“We have more animals now, particularly more cats that we didn’t used to have,” Phipps-Russell shared, noting both the importance of sheltering services and veterinary care access.

These additional services will help accommodate “little, tiny bottle-baby kittens,” Phipps-Russell said, adding that, “the largest number of animals serviced, instead of being euthanized, are those animals under 120 days old.

“Those are the animals that are most at-risk of euthanasia in our county facility,” he added. “They need to have instant access to a veterinarian. And now that we have that for them, we can take on those cases and prevent them from going to the county. Then we could help them develop and get them ready for adoption.”

A greater focus on puppies and other animals has emerged recently.

“Sometimes you have to hold these animals for a longer period of time,” Phipps-Russell said. “Because they may be too young to be standard neutered or too young to get certain kinds of care. But they are not so young that they can’t contact certain diseases, like parasites or some sort of upper respiratory or skin problem.

“Holding animals longer than we used to is important because they need a little more care as they develop,” he added. “And if they’re here longer, we need funding to help keep them become adoptable.”

Veterinary care is key, of course.

One of the biggest developments recently has been the announcement of the nonprofit’s new veterinary clinic, which is opening in the Fall 2026. The organization will relocate the organization’s existing clinic from Cathedral City to 46920 Jefferson Street in Indio.

It comes off a miraculous donation from philanthropist Lindi Biggi’s multi-million-dollar investment in a 12,000-square-foot veterinary clinic. The result, and unique collaboration with Loving All Animals will make spay and neuter services more affordable and accessible for pet owners throughout the Valley.

The clinic will also provide low-cost vaccines and microchips, thereby assisting local families to better care for their pets before smaller problems become bigger ones.

“The great thing is that we can do high volume, spray and neutering services,” Phipps-Russell said. “From the practical perspective, having space is important. So, let’s say, you want to do 30, 40 animals in a day. You need to place them somewhere, and then you need to be able to provide them your services, vaccinations, and other things. Then you need to have a place for them to recover.

To that end, square footage and real estate is vital.

“So, being able to set up [the new clinic] to be a high-volume speed leader clinic, and make it work, is incredible,” Phipps-Russell said. “Because right now, we rely a lot on mobile vehicles in the Valley.”

In addition to the new clinic, Phipps-Russell encourages locals to explore the organization’s impressive list of programs and education services, which range from agility training and behavioral training to an extensive list of resource, which can be valuable when taking care of a pet.

Those resources include unique ties to other standout organizations like Animal Samaritans, Animal Action League and Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Not to be overlooked: adoption. Head to the nonprofit’s website and click on the “Adopt” vertical to see a list of all animals that are ready for adoption.

Learn more at lovingallanimals.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July, 2026.

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A recent grant from the CIELO Fund at Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is giving the nonprofit yet another opportunity to expand its impact and make a difference in the region.

That’s key for the local chapter—the national organization boasts more than local councils nationwide. Its mission is “to empower and advance” many economic conditions, educational goals, political influences, and the health and civil rights of the Latino community through community-based efforts.

“The grant was immediately beneficial to us because it takes a lot of money to organize the events we do,” said Sira Uribe, president of the Riverside chapter of LULAC. “Even though we are all volunteers, we obviously still have to pay for various venues, like when we do a candidate forum.”

“Resources like the one from IECF are a big help,” Uribe added. “If you think about what it takes to put on an event, like our free healthcare event, even though everybody participating is a volunteer, including the providers—from dentists and more—we still have to get the venue. We have to get a certain type of insurance. We have to rent equipment, and that would all not be possible without additional support.”

Obtaining a grant, and even acquiring additional sponsors, helps alleviate financial pressures so that the organization can focus on hosting.

Overall, the organization’s reach stretches far and wide in the region.

The Riverside council was founded in 2010. It is 100 percent volunteer and strongly advocates for the local community through conducting citizenship and voter registration drives, working towards the development of low-income housing units, and distributing scholarships to local students.

On that note, the LULAC National Scholarship Fund offers legal U.S. students—and individuals who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—stellar opportunities to expand their education.

“We have always been very adamant about making sure that future generations have more of an education,” Uribe said, “because it helps them as an individual and their immediate family, and also because the majority of them want to give back to the community once they have achieved what they wanted.”

Uribe came on board the nonprofit in 2010.

“I was a general volunteer for a health fair event and that was my first exposure to the organization,” she said. “One of the main reasons the organization was founded at that time was because of health-related concerns.” Organizers, she says, recognized health concerns within the community and that having access to quality healthcare and preventative care is vital.

“It can make such difference,” she stressed. “We’re trying to empower a community that been marginalized and underserved for generations. That’s one of our main focuses.”

“A lot of our volunteers are people that they were first generation college students,” she added. “And they saw what big of a difference everything from scholarships to volunteering makes in opening up doors and opportunities. They want to be able to give that to the community still so they can continue to grow.”

Learn more at lulacofriverside.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July, 2026.

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Riverside Children’s Theatre – a 2026 grantee

The Aaron Norris Creative Fund completed another robust round of grantmaking to arts organizations and individuals in the region. A recent grants celebration on July 1 found grantees expressing gratitude for the resources, which Joey Romero, who oversees the fund, says was downright inspiring and groundbreaking.

“We hold the event every year on the day that Aaron passed,” Romero said. “We did that collectively and on purpose so that we could turn a day of grief and sorrow into a day that we would celebrate Aaron and his legacy. This was our third year, and it was the most attended.”

Norris launched the fund before his death through the help of Inland Empire Community Foundation. It is yet another example of Norris’s generosity of spirit.

Norris rose to prominence in Riverside as a sharp businessman and passionate community philanthropist. His death in 2022 from Stage 4 Intimal Sarcoma sent shockwaves through the community, but his legacy lives on today through the fund.

IECF commended his leadership and dedication to the Give Big Riverside campaign, which once generated nearly $1 million for charities in Riverside County.

This year’s grantees include:

Ballet Folklórico de Riverside, which was awarded a 2026 annual grant to fund dancer training and community cultural preservation.

Riverside Arts Academy received support for their ongoing community music and youth education drives.

Riverside Children’s Theatre garnered support for local youth theater productions.

Rockstars of Tomorrow accepted a grant for its distinctly unique creative community music programs.

The Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for the Arts and Crafts was a grantee—the unique gardens and gallery supports the work of wood sculptor Sam Maloof.

Empower You Edutainment will use its grant for its mission: to empower, educate, and transform the lives of the voiceless via song, dance, and theatre.

San Bernardino Symphony Association, a stalwart creative force in the area, was another grantee.

Family Promise of Riverside, which is dedicated to helping families at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and artist Roberto Cervantes round out the recipients.

“The entire fund is designed to support the arts,” Romero said. “Aaron’s passion was the performing arts. But Aaron, as a philanthropist, gave where he lived, which was in Riverside. This is the first year that we’ve actually expanded that a little bit to include organizations in San Bernardino.”

He noted that one big focus of the fun is arts organizations that benefit children.

“Because that’s where Aaron grew up—in the Riverside Children’s Theatre,” Romero added, “and that’s where he truly found his voice and really became who he really was. It gave him the confidence to be truly Aaron.”

He is quick to note the evolution of the fund and its progress over the last few years.

“We’ve given about $75,000 at this point,” Romero said. “The first year we put the annual event together, we had about 40 people there, and we gave away some money. The following year, I said to our friends—Aaron’s and mine—’Hey, let’s all get together; be on the board with me and help me with the fund.

“That year, about 80 people attended the event,” he added. “This year, because we’ve been so diligent in planning and application processes, we actually had to turn some groups away, which is not something we wanted to do, but because of our steady diligence, about 200 people attended this year’s event.”

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July 2026.

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The arts, in particular.

Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the CIELO Fund, Galan Cultural Center is making new strides to offer something unique to Inland Empire residents.

“The grant allows us to expand our programming and other initiatives,” said Goretty Ornelas, director of the center. “Especially our Safe to Be in Action project, which helps us deliver messages to the Latino community, especially to those in need.”

Safe to Be in Action (Seguridad en Acción) is a free bilingual, theater-based program designed to teach families about various topics and issues—from bullying and boundaries to domestic violence and immigrant rights.

It’s an eclectic mix, overall, and the results have proven to be positive.

“The grant truly helps us open doors and create dialogue between parents and our youth,” Ornelas added. “The theatrical performances are about five to 10 minutes long, and they touch on a variety of topics, even something like digital safety.

“The funding helps us to pay for theater professionals, artists, and actors, and the staff that will help us put this together,” he added.

Galan Cultural Center has long been making strides in terms of community connection.

Programs offered are diverse. There’s Ballet Folklorico for all ages, and Folklorico Pequeñitos, for instance, which features traditional folkloric dance classes for children ages 2 to 5, stands out.

Ballet, jazz, and hip hop are also offered for various age groups.

Meanwhile, La Care Programs offer a broad mix of opportunities for the community to learn everything from healthy cooking and Zumba to participating in circuit training and other cardio activities. Health is a significant focus here.

Singing and other theatrical programs have been woven into this creative mix.

Elsewhere, a variety of events keep the nonprofit’s calendar full throughout the year. Collectively, all this reflects the dedication Galan has maintained since it officially became a nonprofit in 2021.

“We’ve actually been in the community for 30 years, before becoming a nonprofit,” Ornelas noted. “Our mission has been always to give the community access to the performing arts at a low cost or even free whenever funding is available.”

He says the organization has been expanding its programming since reaching nonprofit status, noting how having access to theater has become a great tool to educate the community and keep people informed.

“We encourage our community to participate in even more programming,” Ornelas said. “Whether that’s in areas around language or culture.”

He was quick to point out that there are always volunteer opportunities.

“We’re grateful for the volunteers we’ve had—students and college students—and we’re especially interested in volunteers for the Safe to Be in Action program,” he said. “Some of the positions we have aren’t completely volunteer because they will get paid, and we see that people put in a lot of time.

“We encourage the community to volunteer,” he added.

Learn more at galanculturalcenter.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July 2026.

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Círculo Azteca’s Executive Director, Founder, and Cultural Bearer, Gabriela Yaocihuatl Armenta, said that the recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation through the CIELO Fund helped the organization kickstart its work for 2026 and beyond.

“Given that we are known as both a cultural center and a community space, we were able to focus on keeping the doors open for the community and other local community groups and organizations that maybe don’t have a space,” she said. “These groups can come and share our resources.”

Yaocihuatl Armenta Launched the organization more than 15 years ago. Its roots stem back to 1942 in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. For nearly 20 years now, the nonprofit has participated in ceremonies and cultural events that span the spectrum from museums, city-hosted events, and nonprofit outings to intertribal gatherings throughout region.

“We’re always looking for ways to partner and to uplift the community and other organizations,” Yaocihuatl Armenta added, noting that as a traditional ceremonial group and Indigenous culture center, the nonprofit strives to always preserve and promote Mexican heritage through a variety of ancestral ceremonial practices.

In that way, anybody who is eager to learn about the native customs of the Anahuac people, including traditions rooted in natural medicine, are welcome at the center.

“I share my Indigenous culture and traditions, and that’s very much a part of who I am,” Yaocihuatl Armenta stressed. “For me, it’s not a hobby. It’s a way of life. And on many levels, it’s about creating safe spaces for the community and for individuals who want to connect with their roots and cultural traditions. There’s a lot of resilience in the work that we do, and of course, we live in a time where we need a lot of that.

“We need a space where people can come together and learn and uplift each other,” she added.

Ceremonial “danzas,” Indigenous talking circles, and other practices, which have been passed down through generations, filter into the mix here. This allows participants an opportunity to explore their identity, perhaps bring balance into their daily routines, and create meaningful connections within community.

The gatherings have grown over the years, in fact. The community events have offered spaces for locals to participate and learn—everything from understanding a new language and pondering the deeper meaning of the cultural poetry and meaning within the songs to exploring the medicinal effects of everyday herbs.

Being part of a ceremonial circle also creates a rare opportunity to embrace a new structure, discipline, and responsibility.

Another standout within the organization, beyond its diverse mix of resources and events, is a scholarship fund.

“We open up our scholarship fund once a year and direct it towards high school seniors and undergrads,” Yaocihuatl Armenta said. “Anybody can apply that falls under those guidelines. They don’t have to be registered with any tribe or group. In that way, students can utilize it the best way that they want to.”

The scholarship is fueled from fundraising efforts, whether it’s through the organization’s small bookstore or even yard sales and basic donations. Two scholarships were distributed this year.

It may take a village, however, to effectively maintain culture and tradition. And that’s where volunteers and allies come in.

“We always welcome volunteers,” Yaocihuatl Armenta said. “And it’s not just the volunteers that can come in and help with all the heavy lifting. It’s very hands-on training. We always look for folks who are interested in leadership roles and facilitator roles, and anybody who’s interested in learning.”

Learn more at azteccirclecitlaltonac.org.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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“Our focus as a Rotary Club is to strengthen education and workforce pathways for students in the Eastern Coachella Valley and the grant will be a great asset for that,” added Lorena Gomez, treasurer of the non-profit organization. “A lot of the students are first-generation graduates, and our goal is to try and fill some gaps. We want to offer support to young adults to further their education and then they can consider returning to the Valley and give back to the community.”

Gomez noted that The Rotary Club of Coachella East has long been active and dedicated to assisting underserved community members through a number of measures—from supporting youth development to improving neighborhoods in the East Coachella Valley.

Club members often collaborate with local businesses and educators to fund student scholarships, organize community cleanups, and host career programs.

“I’m originally from the Eastern Coachella Valley,” she said. “My father was a farm worker. I was a farm worker. So, this kind of hits home—raising funds to support and further education for first-time graduates, like myself and my sister, and just seeing parents and students not have to worry about where they’re going to get the money to either buy a computer for school or how to put gas in their car.”

Some of the organization’s key initiatives and activities include Youth Leadership and Development, which can involve sponsoring local high school students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and participate in high school mock interview programs that in turn establish some career readiness.

Community improvement is also part of the mix. Here, members help organize neighborhood yard and debris cleanups for elderly residents. Enhancing local public spaces falls into these efforts, too.

Educational support has become a significant measure. To that end, The Rotary Club provides financial assistance and scholarships for select students pursuing higher education.

Community alliances are vital, Gomez noted, touching on the importance of partnering with regional leaders, and other organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and local districts to launch service projects.

“We’re a volunteer-based organization—we belong to Rotary International,” she added. “It’s a global non-profit service organization, and it’s made up of a lot of local community clubs, whose members volunteer their time, their leadership, and their resources, to help improve communities, locally and around the world.

“We focus a lot on community service, leadership and scholarships, and supporting education and literacy,” she went on. “There are other rotaries that also fight hunger and poverty, disease prevention, and health initiatives. Basically, our motto is just ‘service above selves.’ Which means that we put others and the needs and the community first through volunteering, leadership and giving back.”

Looking ahead, this summer the nonprofit wants to partner with local businesses to try to end hunger.

“A lot of kids, when they don’t go to school, don’t have any or enough food,” Gomez said. “We want to partner with local nonprofits to help fill the gap, giving them resources to find regional food banks and distribution centers so that they have food, fresh vegetables and fruits.”

These are great strides, and yet another way The CIELO Fund helps make an impact to uplift and invest in Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. To date, the fund has successfully raised more than $3 million to support the area’s Latino majority.

Learn more at coachellaeastrotary.com.

This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, 2026.

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Domestic Violence and Abuse Protection Inc. (DVAP), a non-profit organization providing key solutions for victims and families of victims, and the elderly and those affected by child abuse, has used a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation to expand its work.

“The grant was helpful right away,” said Jeffrey Lee, DVAP’s CEO. “The resources acted as a direct response to the DEI restrictions that the government placed. We were pretty limited because of that. The grant opened things up for us because we couldn’t get access to other grants that hire people, and we needed to get things done.”

To that end, the nonprofit was able to hire more people to strengthen its impact. But Lee remains a shrewd observer of the changing times and over the last year, was surprised about an alarming rise in domestic violence incidents.

“I have noticed a serious uptick, and a lot more gun violence,” he said. “Recently, we had a case where a man blew up his girlfriend’s car in Riverside. That brings in a lot of organizations, including the fire marshal and the police department.

“Overall, I’ve seen more killing, more deputies, and more police officers,” he added. “And certainly, statistically, with our organization, we’ve been getting more calls for home protection than we ever did before.”

DVAP works with victims of restraining order violations. It also teams up with other domestic violence advocacy groups, offering an alternative resource for safety for individuals whose protection has been violated.

In addition, DVAP also offers myriad services—from child abuse protection and child visitation overwatch to elder abuse protection, court accompaniment, process serving, and security consultation.

Lee said that DVAP partners with security contractors that provide professional physical security at no cost to victims of violence, abuse, and stalking. In this way, victims and families of victims can feel protected in their own homes.

Protection orders are enforced by DVAP’s trained yet uniformed professionals. These individuals can alert local law enforcement of violators and also provide physical security to prevent further further incidents, such as injury or death.

“There’s nothing else like us out there,” Lee said. “We’re the only organization that does what we do. And when someone gets a restraining order, that’s just a piece of paper and these offenders have learned that. It takes a while for police to get there. So, they’re not afraid. They can go do whatever harm they feel like doing, knowing they can get out of there before the police arrive.”

Many people on DVAP’s staff are combat veterans who have become licensed and permitted to do the work.

“I call them stress inoculated,” Lee said. “They do not rattle and they know what they’re doing. They’re very good at de-escalation.

“Instead of an offender showing up and suddenly that victim is open to whatever they want to do, those offenders will run into the guys we provided for protection,” he added. “We fill in that gap between a restraining order being issued and when the police can arrive.”

The genesis of the organization is personal to Lee. More than a decade ago, he was overseas when he was contacted by his daughter in the states.

“She had problems with her boyfriend at the time and I advised her to get a restraining order, and she said, ‘I have one, and he’s not afraid. He doesn’t care,’” Lee shared. “That’s when DVAP was literally born because I started working on it right away. It took us six years to develop and to get all the permitting, licensing, and insurance required to provide the service.

“It took a long time,” he added, “but it’s worth it because I get to do the mission that we set out to do.”

Learn more at dvapriverside.org.

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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The non-profit organization wants to empower and uplift underserved communities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Thanks to a recent grant from Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) through its CIELO Fund, PNC can increase and equalize access to high-quality childcare services for minority populations.  

“Considering the decrease in funding to nonprofits over the last year, this grant is a miracle, and we are more than grateful,” said Yvonne Choyce, CEO and founder of PNC. “This funding represents an opportunity to continue investing in our children, families, and our communities. The support has allowed us to grow participation in our programs over the last year, leading to a successful increase in the Latino providers and the business owners.” 

“That, in turn, strengthens their sustainability and ability to expand access to their much-needed childcare issues within their own communities,” she added. “And I think that’s an important impact, and it’s especially meaningful right now.”  

She references the great challenges Spanish-speaking families and providers have and continue to face in light of funding losses and other barriers in recent years. 

“This is a major investment in childcare, and it changes lives,” Choyce shared.  

For starters, it allows parents to work with children so they can thrive in communities and make those communities grow. Grants like those distributed through IECF continue to help address the childcare shortage in the region, but also help create greater access and opportunities for working families. 

“It’s a huge impact,” Choyce said, who founded the organization three years ago. 

It’s also interesting to note Choyce’s deep commitment to the region as she’s at the helm of another key nonprofit in the region, Little Seeds Matter, which strives to empower families with young children in under-resourced communities throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

When asked why this work—in a way, her personal mission to make a difference—is so important to her, Choyce was candid. 

“First of all, I did childcare in my home for more than 20 years,” she said. “And I got called back into this environment by the Women’s Business Center four years ago. They asked me to train providers based on the grant that they had, and these were startups. In the middle of that second cohort, I started hearing a lot and saw a lot of red flags. I began looking at these women who I was training—women who wanted to take care of children—but they themselves needed help.” 

She noted that many of the woman we’re coming out of the pandemic and great losses—from jobs and familial shifts to other home issues.  

“A lot of them were starting a business just because they needed to start over,” Choyce said. “I didn’t feel right training them to take care of Little Johnny in the state that they were in. I had this overwhelming feeling that I need to do more than just train them on how to get a license, and it just came to me that… ‘providers need care.’” 

She formed PNC shortly after that revelation and the nonprofit has been thriving ever since. To be sure, Choyce has also been working perhaps the hardest she ever has in her life. 

“I love it though, and our biggest push is self-care,” she said. “We do a lot of self-care training because of all the challenges. We hold an annual retreat every year for our providers so that they can stop and allow us to take care of them for the day. That’s really important to me.”
 

Fortunately, she’s been able to maintain the same facilitators for three years. In the beginning, she didn’t have much to pay them at all. 

“I just started recruiting the facilitators from within the industry,” Choyce said, “and in that first year, I was like, ‘there is not going to be any money’—I just need you to buy into this dream. And they did.” 

Moving forward, Choyce says the nonprofit will continue to enhance its comprehensive training, business counseling, resource sharing, compliance assistance, and personal care services.  

“We want to equip providers with all the right tools and knowledge they need for success,” she stressed. 

This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, June 2026.

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