Una Despedida

01. 1.09 | By DFP in: A Word From The Director

There is never a great time to leave an organization that you love - one that fills such an important need in our community.  However, after 13 years on the La Luz staff, nine of those as its executive director, I feel that it is time for me to step down and make way for new leadership to take La Luz into the future.  In January I will be taking a position with the Napa Valley Community Foundation as their Manager of Philanthropic Services.

It will give me a chance to continue working with nonprofit agencies so important to the fabric of our communities, serving as liaison between the service organizations and the donor community that supports and partners with them in their efforts.

La Luz has enjoyed incredible success over the past 19 years, starting with the vision of the founding director, Ligia Booker.  Li and her volunteers began a truly grassroots organization that operated out of her garage, and then a small storefront on Highway 12, answering questions, helping immigrants adjust to their new life, and responding to the needs of many families who did not know where to turn.  Thanks to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers, board members, staff and donors, La Luz has grown to an organization that serves over 1,000 families each year.

There are many success stories among our clients, folks who came to this country with little more than determination and, despite tremendous odds, created a home and a future for their families.  Their children have graduated from high school and college and now give back to their community.  For the part that La Luz played in their success, I am extremely proud and humbly grateful to have been there to witness it.  There is still much work to do and I am confident that La Luz will be there to meet that challenge, with your continued support.

I want to thank you for sharing my dream of what this community can be.  Sometimes, as an executive director with so many responsibilities, I have felt like a one-armed wallpaper hanger, but your encouragement and good counsel helped enormously.  As a long time Sonoma resident, I look forward to following La Luz Center's continued progress as it moves to its 20th year.  I remain one of its most enthusiastic supporters.

Sincerely,
Ellen LaBruce

It will give me a chance to continue working with nonprofit agencies so important to the fabric of our communities, serving as liaison between the service organizations and the donor community that supports and partners with them in their efforts.

La Luz has enjoyed incredible success over the past 19 years, starting with the vision of the founding director, Ligia Booker.  Li and her volunteers began a truly grassroots organization that operated out of her garage, and then a small storefront on Highway 12, answering questions, helping immigrants adjust to their new life, and responding to the needs of many families who did not know where to turn.  Thanks to the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers, board members, staff and donors, La Luz has grown to an organization that serves over 1,000 families each year.

There are many success stories among our clients, folks who came to this country with little more than determination and, despite tremendous odds, created a home and a future for their families.  Their children have graduated from high school and college and now give back to their community.  For the part that La Luz played in their success, I am extremely proud and humbly grateful to have been there to witness it.  There is still much work to do and I am confident that La Luz will be there to meet that challenge, with your continued support.

I want to thank you for sharing my dream of what this community can be.  Sometimes, as an executive director with so many responsibilities, I have felt like a one-armed wallpaper hanger, but your encouragement and good counsel helped enormously.  As a long time Sonoma resident, I look forward to following La Luz Center's continued progress as it moves to its 20th year.  I remain one of its most enthusiastic supporters.

Sincerely,
Ellen LaBruce