Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting an “Evening of Appreciation” event to honor the dedicated individuals who have supported our mission and helped us positively impact our community. The event was held at a private residence in South Pasadena and was a special evening of recognition and gratitude.
Our Board Chair, Gary Breaux, opened the event by welcoming attendees and expressing his appreciation for the support we have received over the past 12 years. He also introduced the current board of directors and me, Kim Olpin, as the Executive Director of JRP.
During the event, I had the opportunity to speak about the impact that JRP has had on local nonprofits in Pasadena. I stated that Pasadena is fortunate to have a thriving nonprofit community with a diverse range of organizations, from large, well-known entities to smaller, volunteer-run groups. They are all dedicated to giving back, helping those in need, and making our community and the world better. Despite its relatively small size, JRP has a significant impact and reputation in the community.
Akila Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Pasadena Senior Center, also spoke and shared some of the 16 projects JRP has completed with the Senior Center. She highlighted how JRP’s pro bono services, such as website analytics, wellness calls, marketing assistance, and writing projects, have helped the Senior Center to promote its mission and serve older adults in the San Gabriel Valley. She expressed her gratitude, saying, “JRP has done so much for the Pasadena Senior Center, and we are truly grateful for the support.”
In addition, one of our active volunteers, Heather Tunis, also spoke, sharing her personal experience as a volunteer. She emphasized the importance and rarity of the pro bono services JRP provides to the community – very few, if any, communities of this size have a resource such as JRP. Her role as a volunteer provides an opportunity to be of service and allows her to get to know and work with a diversity of organizations in Pasadena and the region. She also commented on the quality and integrity of JRP’s staff and approach in selecting and facilitating pro bono engagements, a value-added for the nonprofits and the volunteers.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that JRP has on our community. Our vision is to foster an engaged community where all needs are met. By providing pro bono services to Pasadena nonprofits, we help them achieve more goals and expand the reach of their programs. By matching community talents with community needs, we help nonprofits become more efficient and effective and enrich the lives of volunteers.
On behalf of the JRP team, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our supporters for their dedication and commitment to our mission. We are grateful to have dedicated and passionate volunteers who believe in the mission of JRP and actively contribute to the community. Their contributions make a real difference in the lives of those in need and the Pasadena community.
Kim Olpin
JRP Executive Director