Many thanks to all who supported Felton Institute’s 130th Anniversary celebration at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center on October 30, 2019! The engaging and informative evening featured award recipients and client testimonials as Felton commemorated 130 years of innovation in social services.
The program featured a warm welcome from Mistress of Ceremonies Janice Edwards, heartfelt greetings from Felton President and CEO Al Gilbert and dynamic opening remarks by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Mayor Breed celebrated the many service collaborations of Felton and San Francisco and proclaimed October 30, 2019, Felton Institute Day in the City and County of San Francisco.
Felton Institute 130th Anniversary, Mayor London Breed
VIDEO: Mayor Breed Proclaims Felton Institute Day
Felton Board President Amy Solliday brought genial greetings from the board and Felton COO of Children , Youth and Family and Transitional Age Youth Division Yohana Quiroz provided an inspiring testimonial before introducing charismatic keynote speaker Jenée Johnson.
VIDEO: Felton Board President Amy Solliday and COO of CYF and TAY Yohana Quiroz
Keynote speaker Jenée Johnson presented a moving and thought- provoking presentation on mindfulness. Ms. Johnson is the Program Innovation Leader of the Mindfulness, Trauma and Racial Equity Trauma Informed Systems Initiative and has been called the Chief Mindfulness Officer of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Ashley Cheng, Operations Manager of Infrastructure Design & Construction for San Francisco Public Works introduced Felton Early Autism Program (FEAP) clients Tammi Abad and her son Josh, who provided a charming testimonial.
VIDEO: Ashley Cheng of SF Public Works, Tammi and Josh
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participant Roger Treskunoff and former SCSEP participants, now Felton staff members, Donna Legenza and Effie Cockrell inspired all attendees with their stories of resilience.
The festive evening included a cocktail reception and dinner catered by The Red Door. The World Famous Rick and Russ Show featuring CJ Flash provided great music and the Someday Sweethearts wowed the guests with a classic performance and an interactive Charleston dance lesson.
Felton 130 Awards Ceremony
Felton Institute 130th Anniversary, Eve Meyer
The Kitty Felton Maverick Award was privately presented to media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey for her internationally acclaimed work that has transformed the conversations about mental health. Oprah is the recipient of countless awards in her lifetime for achievement in the arts and humanitarian efforts. One of her recent projects is a multi-part documentary on mental health in collaboration with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
President and CEO Al Gilbert presented the Felton Institute Legacy of Love Award to the former Executive Director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention Foundation (SFSP) Eve R. Meyer for her dedication to suicide prevention. Eve has been frequently featured in print and broadcast media. During her thirty years of leading the organization, financial contributions to SFSP tripled, despite annual cutbacks in public funding.
VIDEO: Al Gilbert’s Welcoming Remarks and Eve Meyer’s Acceptance Speech
The Felton Institute Inclusivity in Action Award was awarded to Coach Snoop Dogg in recognition of Snoop’s Special Stars division of the Snoop Youth Football League. Will Bryant, Felton’s Facilities Manager and President of the Northern California Snoop Youth Football League, presented the award to Snoop Youth Football League Commissioner Khalil Wadood, who flew in to accept when Snoop Dogg had a last-minute scheduling conflict.
The Felton Institute Community Bridge Builder Award was presented by Felton CFO and COO Marvin Davis to Bridge Bank for investing in communities and providing opportunities for growth and development. Bridge Bank EVP and Regional President Fred Voss accepted the award.
VIDEO: Fred Voss Accepts Felton’s Community Bridgebuilder Award
Photo Highlights
Felton’s 130 Years of Innovation has been sponsored in part by:
Felton Institute responds to the needs of our community by providing innovative, evidence-informed social services to transform lives. Our organization offers 50+ programs that address mental health, the unhoused, early care and education, those impacted by the justice system, transitional age youth, as well as aging adults. Our award-winning programs, which have been recognized as national models, combine the latest scientific research with cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to supporting and reflecting the communities we serve.
Founded in 1889, Felton is the oldest secular non-profit social services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. We have expanded our services across most Bay Area counties and continue to be at the forefront of pioneering new approaches to meet the emerging needs of underserved populations.
We know what it looks like to successfully build community.
We foster impactful change by strengthening the community as a premiere service provider. We also strengthen other service providers by supporting them in their fiscal, human resources, communications, IT and overall agency operations. With Felton’s support, they are able to focus on providing the best services to their clients, doing the work they were meant to do.
Felton empowers the community and ensures successful outcomes to all we engage with.
Felton Institute is a tax-exempt organization registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 94-1156530.