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Project News | December 22, 2020

MENTOR California: National Mentoring Summit 2021

National Mentoring Summit MENTOR CaliforniaMENTOR is hosting its 11th annual National Mentoring Summit virtually on January 27-29, 2021. This year’s summit will focus on Rising to the Moment while bringing together practitioners, researchers, investors, and more to advance a collective mentoring agenda and support positive youth development through mentoring.

Learn more about our project partner MENTOR California and how they support MENTOR’s mission.  

Register Here


The Council for Global Equality: Recommendations for Incoming Administration  

rainbow white houseThis foreign policy-focused coalition of 30 prominent US advocacy organizations developed and shared their Pathway to Effective Global Leadership recommendations for “Centering the Rights of LGBTI Individuals in US Foreign Policy” for the incoming administration. The paper includes specific suggestions, such as urging the Biden Administration to pass the GLOBE Act.

Read the Full Paper Here


Groundwork Ohio: Newsletter Highlights

Groundwork Ohio’s most recent newsletter features stories on early childhood education, the success of Preschool Promise’s programs to support at-home play and learning, the Safe Babies Court Team approach, and more.

Read the Full Newsletter Here


Castro Country Club: Ongoing Fundraising Efforts

Castro Country Club signCastro Country Club continues to be negatively impacted by the lockdowns as they close their doors again in order to follow all guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Castro Country Club is now fundraising for its workforce development program in anticipation of the day when individuals can return to work. Castro Country Club has seen that employment, in addition to sobriety, is critical to changing the lives of members of their community.

Read Executive Director Billy Lemon’s Letter Here

Donate Here


In Other Project News:

The Healing WELL continues to offer classes & meetings (including yoga, poetry, etc.) virtually during the pandemic.  

Latino Outdoors posted a blog about the benefits of hiking and the importance of getting outside and staying active.

Attendance Works recently released a report on state attendance policies during the pandemic.


Board Member Highlight

Dee Dee MendozaDee Dee Mendoza

Community Initiatives Board of Directors Service: January 2020–present 

Dee Dee Mendoza is a veteran development professional, with more than 20 years of experience building support for nonprofits and higher education. She has pioneered the use of pre-exit philanthropy in higher ed, helping universities support early-stage entrepreneurs and facilitating philanthropy from the startup sector. Blending entrepreneurship, philanthropy and education, these award-winning innovations have been featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, EAB Research, and more.

Currently, she directs West Coast Advancement for Dartmouth College; where she enjoys working with and learning from entrepreneurs, investors, and builders in refining her approach to development.

Dee Dee is a graduate of Smith College and lives in Oakland with her wife and two children. Her family loves exploring Oakland and nearby towns in search of the best boba tea around. They have a giant white poodle named Ricky and a calico cat named Pumpkin. In her spare time, Dee Dee loves making craft cocktails and knitting teeny-tiny creations.


Please let us know if your project makes the news! If you would like to learn more about our projects, please visit our projects page or email Stephanie at communications@communityin.org.

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