Safety Wellness and Youth Committee Memorandum
TO: SAFETY, WELLNESS AND YOUTH COMMITTEE DATE: January 19, 2022 FROM: PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY WARDS: ALL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION UPDATE; PROVIDED BY BOARD PRESIDENT DEBORAH MACIAS - DIRECT SUBMITTAL ISSUE:
Riverside Community Services Foundation update provided by Board President Deborah Macias.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee receive and file a verbal update regarding the Riverside Community Services Foundation.
BACKGROUND:
On August 28, 2007, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department established the Riverside Community Services Foundation (“Foundation”). The Foundation is a California non-profit public benefit corporation, 501(c)(3), which is organized and operated for public and charitable purposes exclusively for the benefit of the City of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCSD).
The primary goal of the Foundation is to provide support for Riverside’s parks, recreation activities and events, and community services. These services, and the healthy lifestyle choices they represent, provide vital benefits on an individual, social, environmental, and economic level. They are governed by an all-volunteer Board, comprised of community members who have made a public commitment to help guide and strengthen the ongoing development of high quality facilities, programs, activities and events for residents, and City Staff.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
On Monday, December 20, 2021, with Vice Chair Iverson, and Commissioners Santore, Friedlander, Engles, Fairfax, Cardullo, and Jester present, the Commission unanimously voted to accept the report for file. Board President Macias was thanked by the Commission for her dedication to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.
DISCUSSION:
The Foundation raises and manages funds to assist the Department in improving recreation programs and community services to the citizens of Riverside. The support, promotion, and advancement of these services, by the Foundation, is in addition to existing City conducted programs. They serve all segments of the community, including youth, families, and senior citizens. President Macias will discuss the Foundation’s mission, bylaws, and upcoming projects.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The work contributes to Strategic Priority 1 – Arts, Culture and Recreation, which aims to provide diverse community experiences and personal enrichment opportunities for people of all ages.
It supports Goals 1.1. Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior, and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities, and fund development; 1.2. Enhance equitable access to arts, culture and recreational service offerings and facilities; and 1.5 Support programs and amenities to further develop literacy, health, and education of children, youth and seniors throughout the community.
It also aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting threads as follows:
Community Trust – Activities and actions funded or assisted by the Foundation serve the public interest, benefit the City’s diverse populations, and result in the greater public good.
Equity – The Foundation is supportive of the City’s racial, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, identity, geographic, and other attributes of diversity and is committed to advancing the fairness of treatment, recognition of rights, and equitable distribution of services to ensure every member of the community has equal access to share the benefits of community progress.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Foundation secures donations and scholarships to provide opportunities for the underserved population.
Innovation – Riverside is inventive and timely in meeting the community’s changing needs and prepares for the future through collaborative partnerships and adaptive processes; joining forces with the Foundation is a strong indicator of Innovation.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City’s capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during good and difficult times alike.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Donations to the Riverside Community Services Foundation provide the support needed to sustain and expand services that are vital to the quality of life in the communities. All funds received by the Foundation are used for their intended purpose, and no funds are used for administrative overhead costs.
Prepared by: Pamela M. Galera, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Bylaws
Foundation Update ● Page 3