On Friday, June 2, Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) honored 24 Nonprofits of Distinction at her annual Nonprofit of the Year Celebration. These nonprofits were recognized as entities that are located in or serving the 50th State Assembly District, which she represents.
“My office received nearly 200 nominations for this year’s award,” said Reyes at the event. “Our distinguished finalists represent our region’s best! They have been recognized for showing their love for our communities and dedicating their lives to education, caring for the unhoused, protecting the rights of our veterans and workers, caring for vulnerable animals, taking in young mothers, and more. We commend and thank them for their commitment and tenacity in providing these services.”
On Wednesday, June 7th, the Angeles Especiales Parent Support Group will be recognized in Sacramento as the 2023 Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 50. This honor highlights Angeles Especiales’s work to bring psycho-educational professionals and experts to teach parents of children with disabilities about special education, SSI, Medicaid, regional centers, inclusion, and more.
"Twelve years ago I started a group to help parents who have kids and adults with special needs,” said Helen Neri, Founder and Director of Angeles Especiales. “I never imagined this group could grow so much that we’d be recognized for doing what we are passionate about! Thanks to everyone who has helped us make Angeles Especiales the beautiful, united family it is today. Our families go through lots of challenges and we are always trying to make things better and brighter for them.”
The event was opened by Ontario Mayor Paul Leon, who offered opening remarks at Caramel Connections Foundation’s Seeds of Joy Community Garden and featured Elizabeth McSwain, Founder of Caramel Connections Foundation, who addressed the honorees as the event’s guest speaker. Visit a50.asmdc.org/photo for pictures of the event, provided by the Majority Leader’s office. Full biographies for Angeles Especiales and all honorees are available on our website.
All 2023 50th Assembly District Nonprofits of Distinction honored were:
- 360 Human Services
- American Association of University Women, Redlands Branch
- American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life
- American Red Cross of San Bernardino County, located in Rancho Cucamonga
- Angeles Especiales Parent Support Group, located in Fontana
- Autism Society Inland Empire
- Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, located in Loma Linda
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
- Cats of San Bernardino
- Fontana Resources at Work
- Friends of the AK Smiley Public Library, Adult Literacy Program, located in Fontana
- Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino, Inc.
- Loma Linda University Church Pathfinders Club
- Mutts & Company Animal Rescue, Inc., located in Fontana
- Off the Chain Alliance
- PC4EJ, located in Bloomington
- Reaching New Heights Foundation, Inc.
- S.O.L. Center U.S.A.
- Smile America ABDI Foundation, located in Ontario
- The Brightest Star, Inc., located in Rialto
- The Eagle / Reaching the Unreachables
- The Love Program, located in San Bernardino
- The Unforgettables Foundation, located in Redlands
- YouthHope Foundation, located in Redlands