Santa Barbara County is blessed with a diversity of vital nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health, well-being, growth, civic leadership and compassion of our community.
Charitable giving and philanthropy are part of our identity, which is why Noozhawk is proud to support the nonprofit community through sponsoring local community organizations and events.
To showcase our support as a sponsor of Channel Islands YMCA’s Reaching for the Stars, Noozhawk spoke with Dan Noah, Director of Marketing & Communication for Channel Islands YMCA Youth & Family Services to learn more about their upcoming event.
Question: What is the name & date of your event?
Answer: Reaching for Stars will be on April, 24th, 2023
Q: What is the mission, goal, and/or theme of this occasion?
A: Every year we host an evening of epicurean delights, featuring some of Santa Barbara’s finest restaurant chefs to help fundraise for at-risk youth and community programs.
Youth & Family Services (YFS) is a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA devoted to social services. We operate programs that provide a continuum of care to youth, young adults, and families. Thousands of youth and young adults in our community experience homelessness, cycle their way through the foster care system, and face chronic stress that adversely impacts wellness and stability.
Our programs are grounded in positive youth development whereby protective factors are bolstered, risk mitigated, and those in crisis have access to supportive services when they need them most.
Q: Have you held this event before?
A: Yes, this is the 23rd year. We have held this event in various locations throughout Santa Barbara. The last several years Reaching for Stars has been hosted at the Santa Barbara Women’s Club. This year we will have moved to a new location on the beach, the Cabrillo Pavilion.
Q: Tell us some more details about your celebration?
A: Reaching for Stars is a unique fundraising event which is an intimate evening of impressive cuisine, prepared by local star chefs, and fine wines. Our annual fundraiser comes at a time when youth throughout Santa Barbara County are counting on us more than ever before.
Wednesday April 26, 2022 5:00 – 9:00 pm
5:00pm – wine and beer tasting
6:30pm – dinner
Cabrillo Pavilion
1118 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Guest Speaker: Lisa Conn-Akoni, MA, MFT
Lisa Conn-Akoni, MA., MFT is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 25+ years of experience in the behavioral health field working with historically underserved/marginalized youth & their families in Santa Barbara County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of California Santa Cruz and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. Her academic training and expertise are in Clinical Psychology with specializations in Crisis Intervention & Assessment, Trauma, Childhood/Adolescent/Young Adult Sexual Abuse, Personality Disorders, Positive Youth Development, Runaway & Homeless Youth, Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare Involved Youth, Attachment Disorders, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Trauma Focused Child/TAY Sex Trafficking Program Development and Training. Her primary passion is developing innovative biopsychosocial trauma sensitive approaches, which focus on youth centric stabilization, empowerment, connection, pro-social opportunities, resiliency, recovery, and reintegration.
Lisa is the Clinical Supervisor & Program Developer with CIYMCA’s Noah’s Anchorage; an emergency shelter & drop-in center for youth experiencing trauma, homelessness, housing instability, high family conflict, behavioral health issues, education/social challenges, and/or sexual exploitation/human trafficking. In addition, she extends intensive supports for CIYMCA’s Youth Care Workers through training, education, and robust clinical supervision/consultation.
Honorary Chair, George Leis
George Leis is the President & Chief Operating Officer for Montecito Bank & Trust. George joined the bank in July, 2016. Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Founded in 1975, the bank operates 13 branch offices in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Camarillo, and Westlake Village. George was formerly a managing director for MUFG Union Bank, N.A. He was named the national sales manager for The Private Bank after becoming regional president of Union Bank’s Central Coast region with the acquisition of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SBB&T) in December 2012. Previously, Leis was president and chief executive officer of Pacific Capital Bancorp (PCBC), a $7 billion in assets community bank holding company that included SBB&T. PCBC had more than 1,000 employees and 47 branches. After joining SBB&T in March 2006, Leis was the executive vice president for two divisions, Wealth Management and Information Technology, and was the chief information officer. He was responsible for 500 staff members and a $78 million budget. Prior to 2006, Leis was a managing director, U.S. products head, and national practice leader for investments at Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management. He also served as a senior vice president and director of the private client services center at Wells Fargo, and as a senior vice president and manager for Bank of America Private Bank. Leis began his banking career with Security Pacific National Bank in Retail and Commercial Banking. A graduate of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), he is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor.
A virtual Auction will go live 4/12/2023 with a live auction taking place at the event.
Q: How do people get involved with your event? (volunteer, attend, etc.) – If your event includes ticket sales, please note the price and include a link to purchase tickets.
A: Tickets are available to the general public and event sponors and donors to YFS are always welcome. To find out more you can visit the event webpage here.
Tickets are $250.00 and Sponsorships are available! Visit our events page to purchase tickets.
For questions, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please email Amber Stevens at amber.stevens@ciymca.org
Q: Is this a fundraising affair? If so, how will the funds raised help your organization?
A: Noah’s Anchorage is a licensed eight-bed youth homelessness prevention center for youth age 12-17. Services are free and provide temporary shelter, drop-in services, counseling, and basic needs. Services are available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year.
My Home provides services to transitional aged youth 18-24 years old who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness. YMCA staff work with youth on housing solutions and counseling to build a path to independence. My Home is a partnership with the City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority and County Child Welfare Services.
Transitional aged youth 17-24 years old who are currently or are at risk for experiencing homelessness may visit the Hayley Street Navigation Center to receive food, basic needs, hygiene supplies, counseling services, referrals, and case management. YMCA staff are available to support youth via phone, video, and in person during designated drop-in hours and by appointment during the afternoons.
St. George Youth Center provides a safe, fun, alternative space for teens during after-school hours. The youth center is open to young people in grades 5 -12. We support the strength and achievement of youth and their families through a variety of educational, recreational, cultural and leadership opportunities.
Q: Who is sponsoring your event, and why is their support important?
A: Current sponsors as of February 28:
Marilyn and Steven Gutsche
George C. Karlson Foundation
D.A. Davidson
BB&H Benefit Designs
Carolyn and Bob Williams
Marsha and Alan Roberson
Dr. Yonie Harris
Dr. Yolanda Garcia
Gary Simpson and Jill Nida
Gallagher Risk Management Services
The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College
Bryant & Sons Ltd.
Noozhawk
Our Sponsors’ passion keeps our organization going strong, able to withstand even the most unprecedented year. We are fortunate to have wonderful supporters to continue this important work. Thank you!
Q: Do you work with an Event Planner? If not, who are the key people who make it all happen?
A: No Event Planner, the Reaching for Stars committee includes the following:
Dawn Bokman
Joaquin Gonzales
Victoria Lindstrom
Marsha Roberson
Amber Stevens
Carolyn Williams
Q: Does your organization have any other upcoming events this year?
A: The Channel Island YMCA, which is spread across North Ventura and Santa Barbara counties has a variety of other upcoming events in support of the mission of the Y:
March 24th- Father Daughter Ball at Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA
April 7th- Good Friday Breakfast hosted by the Santa Barbara YMCA
April 22nd- Dancing Through the Decades hosted by Camarillo YMCA
May 19th- Montecito YMCA Golf Tournament
You can find more of our upcoming events on our website.
Q: What are you planning as a post-event follow up?
A: We do a thank you ad for all our sponsors and chefs in print and also social media posts.
To attend or learn more about the event, Channels Islands YMCA Reaching for the Stars click HERE.
If you would like to apply for Noozhawk’s 50/50 Match Sponsorship Program for your upcoming nonprofit event please click HERE to view our sponsorship application. The deadline for consideration is 45-60 days prior to the event.