September 24, 2007

Alonzo King, Arnold Perkins, Eva Paterson, Jane Garcia, Swords to Ploughshares Each Win $10,000 -$20,000

The San Francisco Foundation 2007 Community Leadership Awards Celebration

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Monday, September 24, 2007 - The San Francisco Foundation announced today its 2007 Community Leadership Award winners: Alonzo King, Arnold Perkins, Eva Paterson, Jane Garcia, and Swords to Ploughshares. The awardees will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the Bay Area community at the Awards Celebration on Tuesday, September 25th, 2007, at the Herbst Theatre, War Memorial Building in San Francisco. The four individual winners will received $10,000 each, and Swords to Ploughshares, $20,000.

Honorees:
Alonzo King, Choreographer, Artistic Director, and Founder of Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet
Alonzo redefined classical ballet and builds community through his commitment to dance. His racially diverse company transformed the dance scene and our collective perception of dance by combining cultural traditions with classical ballet. His striking and creative performances exhilarate audiences around the world.

Arnold Perkins, Retired Director of the Alameda County Public Health Department    
Arnold’s broad experiences reflect his passion to build and strengthen community spirit. Through his lifelong commitment to the Bay Area, Arnold has mentored hundreds of African American men and challenged them to be leaders in their own right. His diverse and inspired leadership creates positive change in the health of underserved communities locally and throughout the world.

Eva Paterson, President of the Equal Justice Society                                                                 
Eva has empowered thousands of people to make their voices heard in the critical civil rights struggles of our times. Eva’s passionate and longtime commitment to advancing social and racial justice through law and public policy, communications and the arts, and alliance building has had a profound local and national impact. Her vision, coalition building, and tenacity have not only won landmark cases, but have raised the visibility and impact of the justice movement to change the very fabric of our society.

Jane Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of La Clínica de la Raza
Jane’s visionary advocacy reflects the cultures and languages of patients and has advanced the national, state, and regional public health agenda. Under Jane’s dynamic leadership, La Clínica de la Raza grew from a storefront clinic to a national model of multilingual and multicultural access to healthcare. More than 20 sites provide crucial healthcare and empowerment to hundreds of thousands of low-income residents across the Bay Area.

Swords to Plowshares
Swords to Plowshares is a critical center of support, advocacy, and services for war veterans. It has successfully transitioned from its origins serving Vietnam War veterans to now accommodating all veterans, including those from the current Iraq War. As a leading advocate for homeless and low-income veterans, it transforms national policy and provides comprehensive services, including counseling, employment programs, housing, and legal assistance.

Awards Celebration
Please join us for an evening of inspiration, fun, and food at The San Francisco Foundation 2007 Community Leadership Awards Celebration. During this celebration, we will also present the Koshland Young Leader Awards, which recognize high school juniors who are leaders in their communities.

WHEN:           Tuesday, September 25, 2007
                      6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
                      Ceremony and reception
WHERE:         Herbst Theatre
                      San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building
                      401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
RSVP:             Call 415.733.8577
 
About The San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards
The San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership has made a significant impact in their particular Bay Area communities. This work may confront societal or civic issues, address health or environmental concerns, or promote arts and humanities.
We celebrate people who are rolling up their sleeves, taking initiative, and solving problems in their neighborhoods and communities.
Up to four Community Leadership Awards are given out each year. $10,000 awards are given to individual leaders, and $20,000 awards to organizations.
The Community Leadership Awards showcase individual or organizational excellence in leadership as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others. With each award, The San Francisco Foundation publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to Bay Area communities.
About The San Francisco Foundation

The San Francisco Foundation (TSFF) is the community foundation serving the Bay Area since 1948 with current assets of more than $1 billion. Through the generosity and vision of our donors, TSFF awarded grants totaling $89 million in fiscal year 2007. Bringing together donors and building on community assets through grantmaking, leveraging, public policy, advocacy, and leadership development, TSFF addresses community needs in the areas of community health, education, arts and culture, community development, and the environment. The San Francisco Foundation is a community foundation serving San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, and San Mateo Counties.