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3VCF administering opioid settlement funds
Three Valleys Community Foundation has been selected to administer Contra Costa County’s opioid settlement funds via mini grants of up to $200,000 to community-based organizations for the next two years, after being selecteed for the same role in Alameda County.
“We are deeply honored by this opportunity to partner with Contra Costa County,” said Kelly Bowers, CEO and President of 3VCF in a press release Monday. “Our shared commitment is to ensure that these critical resources reach those doing the most challenging and most impactful work, often at the neighborhood level, and that every grant awarded reflects community voice, need, and resilience.”
The foundation is set to unfurl its application process for the grants that will be funded by $2 million of the county’s share of opioid settlement funding, which was secured after a yearslong legal battle in which Contra Costa and Alameda counties were among more than 30 throughout the state to sign onto a lawsuit seeking damages from major opioid drug manufacturers and distributors.
“These settlement funds must be used with urgency, intention, and equity,” said Fatima Matal Sol, program chief for the county’s Alcohol and Other Drugs Services (AODS) Program. “We selected Three Valleys Community Foundation because they have demonstrated their ability to listen to the community, engage with integrity, and support local solutions that work. We are confident in their ability to be strong stewards of this funding.”
So far the foundation has deployed $5.5 million in funding to Alameda County organizations through two rounds of grants, with the awardees announced at last year’s State of Giving Gathering.
Among them were the Pleasanton Weekly – DanvilleSanRamon’s sister publication – and Oakland-based Tha Town, which partnered on a youth journalism project centered on Alameda County’s opioid epidemic. That project was named as a finalist for excellence in partnerships and collaboration for the California News Publishers Association awards Thursday.
Although it remains to be seen what organizations the Contra Costa funding will be distributed to, “several partner organizations and regional leaders expressed enthusiasm about the County’s selection of 3VCF,” according to Monday’s press release.
“At the Family Justice Center, we see every day how opioid addiction tears through families and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable,” said Susun Kim, former Director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center. “Three Valleys Community Foundation has the leadership, compassion, and accountability to ensure these funds are used to uplift and heal our communities.”
Editor’s note: Three Valleys Community Foundation Board Chair John Sensiba is a member of Embarcadero Media Foundation’s board of directors.
I-680 / I-580 closure
Caltrans will be closing the southbound Interstate 680 to eastbound Interstate 580 connector overnight on Sunday (June 7) in order to conduct emergency joint repair work.
The closure will start at 9 p.m. and end at 5 a.m. the following day (June 8), according to Caltrans.
Apart from the I-680 and I-580 connector, the agency will also be closing an adjacent lane in order to “safely complete this work”. Detour signs will be posted and message boards will be activated along the interstate to alert drivers and guide them through the detour, the transportation agency stated.
“Caltrans thanks the public for their patience and cooperation as we continue to improve California’s transportation network,” Caltrans stated in a press release.
National certification for Contra Costa court reporter
The National Court Reporters Association has announced that top Contra Costa court reporter Lucy Gonzales as among the latest to earn the national Registered Merit Reporter certification, marking “quite a step forward in a court reporter’s career” and making Gonzalez one approximately 1,620 to hold the certification nationwide.
“Obtaining my RMR certification has been an incredibly rewarding accomplishment,” Gonzalez said in a press release from NCRA Thursday. “It reflects the discipline, precision, and commitment required in this profession.”
The hard work that goes into learning and preparing to obtain the certification pays off according to NCRA officials, distinguishing ” the top stenographic court reporters in the profession” and providing them with “greater opportunities for challenging and lucrative job assignments.”
Gonzalez’s certification comes following a 25-year tenure in the profession, currently serving as the county’s lead court reporter.
“I’m proud to continue growing my skills while serving the judicial system and preserving the record with accuracy and integrity,” Gonzalez said. “Being a member of the National Court Reporters Association has provided me with opportunities for professional growth, continuing education, and connection with others who are dedicated to excellence in our profession.”
Senior Variety Show audtions
Perfomers 50 and up are invited to participate in the town of Danville’s annual Senior Variety Show later in the year, with five weeks left to prepare their acts for consideration, but more than that to prepare for the final performance.
Town officials announced Tuesday that auditions are scheduled for July 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., ahead of a Sept. 19 show date. More information is available here.
