Foundation funds sabbaticals for heads of health nonprofits in California

LOS ANGELES, California — Seven executives of health related nonprofits are recipients of sabbatical program awards of $35,000 each so they can take off from often stressful day-to-day responsibilities so they can continue with their work rejuvenated and refreshed.

The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) Sabbatical Program Award — now in its 11th year — provides nonprofit organizations with grants of $35,000 each to cover salaries and other expenses during sabbaticals for their executive directors, which each last a minimum of three months.

The awards will be given to the following executives at a luncheon in Los Angeles on September 9:

Sherilyn Adams of Larkin Street Youth Services; Raul Diaz of Path of Life Ministries; Mary Anne Foo of Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Inc.; Nahla Kayali of Access California Services; Kathryn Edith Powell of Petaluma Health Center; Belinda Rolicheck of Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus; and Madalynn Rucker of ONTRACK Program Resources, Inc. Visit CalWellness.org’s Leadership Recognition portal for profiles of these honorees.

“TCWF recognizes the importance of supporting leaders in the nonprofit sector to allow them to rest, reflect and recharge,” said Judy Belk, TCWF president and CEO. “The sabbatical award not only acknowledges the contributions of these dedicated individuals, but it also provides resources to cultivate the next generation of leadership.”

The program was created to support leaders in the nonprofit health sector by giving them time to rejuvenate, reconnect with loved ones and pursue other interests.

Each organization will receive $30,000 to cover its leader’s salary during the sabbatical, plus an additional $5,000 to cover expenses related to the professional development of managers and staff who will assume extra responsibilities during their leader’s absence.

“This year’s honorees provide essential services to their communities — through homeless centers, and direct health, violence prevention and substance abuse prevention services,” said Fatima Angeles, TCWF interim vice president of programs.

The California Wellness Foundation is a private, independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. Since its founding, TCWF has awarded 7,338 grants totaling more than $890 million.