CITY OF SIMI VALLEY
MEMORANDUM
January 9, 2023
TO: City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
SUBJECT: SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS TO RECEIVE 2023 SPECIAL EVENT
SUPPORT GRANTS AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE GRANT CONTRACTS WITH RECIPIENTS
Subsequent to preparation of this staff report, staff received a total of f ifty-eight letters (many of which are duplicates sent to all of City Council and the City Manager) requesting additional funding and/or support of Body Brain Train. Additionally , seven e-mails were directed to the City Manager’s Office. Duplications have been removed.
____________________________________
Linda Swan
Assistant City Manager
Prepared by: Heidi DiNardo, Management Analyst
Attachments:
Letter from Nikki Lian
Letter from Gabby Sifuentes
Letter from Carolyn Duncan
Letter from Steve Benkovic
Letter from Allison Rummell
Letter from Debbie Jew
Email from Cathy Rummell
Email from Frank Tomlinson II
Email from Jennifer Allen
Email from Leon Roth
Email from Scott Tilley
Email from Bernardo L.
Email from Joanne Frazier
SUPPLEMENTAL
AGENDA ITEM NO.
9A
Nikki Lian
Re: Request to lncrease Funding for Body Brain Train Through Events Grant Dear Mayor Thomas,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday.
My name is Nikki Lian and I am the co-owner and founder of Body Brain Train. We are a 50Lc3 non- profit organization that is dedicated to bringing fitness and wellness to the community here in Simi Valley.
Currently we offer 4 classes donation-based per week out of our small facility here in Simi (we don't turn anyone away). We also teach at the senior center, and work with senior living facilities such as Varenita, Sunrise Senior Living and Vista. Our mission is to get seniors to balance their health-physically, socially and mentally. We also work with a lot of folks with Parkinson's Disease, and we will be starting our support group out of our space this February. We also run "senior socials" every other month.
Recently we applied for funding for an event in Simi Valley. l'm not sure if I misunderstood who is entitled to this funding, or if it was a miscommunication between my grant application and the purpose of the grant. I approached it as it being an opportunity for a non-profit to get funding to put on a fundraiser, so we can continue to operate and grow. lt's something we desperately need, just to give us a kickstart to bigger fundraising. The committee dismissed our application, and proceeded to give funding to bigger causes such as Kiwanis, the Simi Chamber, and the Rotary Club.
I personally support many of these causes as well. I believe everyone that was there that night all do tremendous things for our community. I was perplexed because all of these events these big organizations put on already make a good amount of money and have been running for years. These events such as the street fair and Round Up will go on with or without this funding, and they will be successful.
I had some of my members demand to speak that night, which the committee graciously decided to let us do. I had some of my members speak, volunteers, adult children whose parents use our program, and it helped us get 51000.
We are so very grateful for that, but l'm asking you to increase our funding, help us kickstart what could be a game-changer for this program.
lf you have any questions on our program, please feel to reach out. lf you would like to come to any of our classes to observe what we do, you are more than welcome to.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year, and I look forward to your consideration this coming Monday at the City Council meeting.
si
Nikki Lia
Body Brain Train
Gabby Sifuentes
Body Brain Train
SimiValley, CA 93065
Dear Mayor Thomas,
As a leader in our community, you understand the need the seniors in Simi Valley experience, as sometimes they get overlooked, we are trying to change that, as a matter of fact, that's our mission Our non-profit organization Body Brain Train, is actively working in bringing wellness and fitness programs to the seniors in different assisted living facilities as well as offering classes at our own facility located here, in the city of Simi Valley. We have seen the progress in our many seniors and not just them but also the members that suffer from a neurological disorder. This year we will offer a support group as well and socials for our senior members. Support groups are important as they offer an outlet for them to socialize and talk about different challenges they might been going through.
But our efforts to offer our classes to as many seniors as possible won't reach the maximum effectiveness unless we have the backing of our entire community.
That's why l'm writing to you
We applied for a grant to put an event together. Such an event will help us fundraise and keep our program growing, which is critical for us to continue offering to the senior in the Simi Valley Community We witness how the funds the City for such grant went to different organizations, l'm aware they are also doing their part. We do not offer concerts, or fireworks or street fairs, we don't have the funds to do anything of that magnitude to entertain the Simi Valley residents that enjoy such one day events, What we offer is long lasting benefits to our seniors, where they have physical trainers that are certified and care about their wellbeing, they also have a safe place to take the many classes we offer, going from physical to cognitive exercises, a place where they can thrive and socialize with other seniors. That also applies to our member with Parkinson's, they exercise in place with trainers that now their needs. l'm writing to you to ask you to revise where the funds are going and to reconsider the amount the committee is suggesting which is SL,000, and believe me when I say we are grateful for such amoun! but we need a bit more for the event we are planning, This event will help us gather enough money to our program grow, and also to continue to fundraise. Please, help us help more seniors. Our goal is to reach as many seniors as we can, but currently there are only two of us, that mission is a bit impossible.
Thank you in advance for your time and generous support.
Sincerely,
Gabby Sifuentes
Owner and co-founde
Carolyn Duncan
SimiValley, CA 93063
December 30,2022
Dear Mayor Fred D. Thomas,
lN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR: BODY BRAIN TRAIN
Thank you for the opportunity to request that the City Council consider increasing the suggested preliminary award of 51,000 of Special Event Support monies made by the Special Event Support Review Committee on December L4,2022, to the 501 @(3) nonprofit organization Body Brain Train (BBT). Body Brain Train provides free fitness and wellness programs that serye the senior community ages 65+ specializing in seniors with neurological disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. BBT conducts activities at the BBT Community Center and activities are also brought to the Simi Valley Senior Center. City Event Support funds will enable the organization to use this grant to leverage funds through fund raising events so the organization can continue to bring their program to seniors in the City's supported Senior Center and ultimately expand the health, wellness, and social program activities into assisted living residential care, and care and rehabilitation centers for those who are aging in place and unable to participate in activities available to seniors at the Simi Valley Senior Center.
I understand that the City Council's preference is that these funds be used locally within Simi Valley, and they would be, and that the Council's preference would be to allocate funds that would serve to fund events with greater community/public benefits. This also would be done as an on-going and expanding nonprofit organization, Body Brain Train would be able to recruit, train and certify facilitators, purchase activity equipment and would be outreaching and serving an underserved population; seniors with disabilities and seniors with mobility issues who are unable to access services for which they must travel to a specific site. As this program expands it will be meeting the impending challenge of an increase in a population aged 60 years and over which, based on the California Department of Finance (DOF) population projections is expected to grow more than three times as fast as the total population. The basis of the DOF population projection series is the most recent decennial census of population, which as of 2016 is the April L,2OtO, population count of 37,253,956 for California
The population over age 60 will have an overall increase of 166 percent during the period from 2010 to 2060. More than half the counties will have over a 100 percent increase in this age group.
Twenty-four of these counties will have growth rates of over L50 percent. The influence of the 60 a nd over age group on California is expected to emerge most strongly between 2010 to 2030.
The population over age 85 will increase at even a faster rate than those over 60 years of age, having an overall increase of 489 percent during the period from 2010 to 2060. Of the State's 58 counties, 55 will have increases of more than L50 percent, 45 will have increases of more than 200 percent, andwill have over a 300number of
older. Counties can expect to experience even higher growth rates after 202A.ln particular, the influence of the 85 and over age group on California will emerge most strongly between 2030 to 2040 as the first of the baby boomers reach 85 years of age. Based on this data Ventura County is oroiected to exrience an increase in this aseohic of ALL.8Lo/" Tha nk you for you r consideration to increase the fu nd ing fo r this in novative a nd needed progra m.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Duncan
Steve Benkovic
SimiValley, CA 93065
The Honorable
Fred D Thomas
Mayor of Simi Valley
Dear Mayor Thomas,
On Jan 9th, you will be awarding event grants to organizations in need. One of the groups requesting financial assistance with their fund raiser is BODYoBRAINoTRAIN, a small non-profit that is making big changes in the lives of Simi Valley seniors, including myself.
Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Ever since the first visit to my neurologist, he has stressed that exercise will be an important part of my treatment, even more so than the medication he prescribes. lt was my wife who found Body.gpslnrTrain, the program aimed at seniors 55+ and those with neurological disorders like Parkinson's. lt has been over 3 years since I began my exercise program with the instructors at Bodyoglain.Train and the results have surprised me. I rarely need help getting up or getting dressed. Even those around me have noticed an improvement in the way I am able to move. I credit the program with the improvement in my movement and, as a result, an improvement in my quality of life.
Although I can make it to the Bodyo916in.Train facilities, there are many who cannot. To help those people, the program takes its engaging program directly to the residents at senior living facilities. The participants are led through exercises that stimulate both their bodies and minds.
The instructors help over 100 seniors every month but with close to 20,000 seniors living in Simi Valley, the program is eager to expand. That is the goal of the poker tournament they would like to host and they need your help. By allocating funds to Bodyogpain.Train, they will be able to host the tournament which would then raise the money necessary to hire additional trainers and buy the equipment they need to help our city's senior population.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I hope you consider helping this very worthwhile program.
)ffiAm'
To whom it may concern,
Happy New Year! Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. My name is Allison Rummell and in addition to volunteering for Body Brain Train, I am studying to be a Physician Assistant. ln our studies, we are reminded of the importance of exercise for wellness and health, especially for older adults.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Seryices and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion have found "Older adults who don't get physicat activity are more likely to fall or develop a disability- Reoular activity is especially important for older adults with physical or colnitive health problems Evidence shows that physical activity is linked to befter health and may be effective in delaying cognitive impairment." ln response, they created the data-driven national objective to improve health and well-being of seniors by increasing the proportion of older adults with physical or cognitive health problems who get physical activity. Body Brain Train helps at a community level to reach that goal, and can continue to reach more and more older adults who are at risk.
Additionally, many elderly people suffer from loneliness, social isolation, and depression. The welcoming, supportive community at Body Brain Train actively combats the loneliness faced by this community. The scheduled classes contribute to giving purpose to the seniors as they have a variety of stimulating activities to look forward to in an inclusive environment, also contributing to improving their mental health.
On a personal level, I have seen Body Brain Train change the lives of the amazing, inspiring participants, including my own grandmother. lt is an honor to see the mental and physical health of the people involved improve with each class. The outreach of Body Brain Train is incredible and yet just beginning. With the health of the senior community and our national health goats in mind, I implore you to please grant Body Brain Train with funding to continue to grow and continue to improve the livelihood of seniors in our community.
Thank you for your consideration
Allison Rummell
Dear Mayor Thomas,
I'm writing in support of BODY BRAIN TRAIN.
Body Brain Train is committed to the Parkinson's community. My name is Debbie Jew. I have had Parkinson's for over 16 years. I was diagnosed at 45. The Parkinson's community needs Body, Brain, Train. Nobody knows what a person with Parkinson's goes through on a daily basis. The classes at Body, Brain, Train challenge me to help me with my posture, balance and gait. Nikki pushes me really hard so that I can control my symptoms. Nikki and all of her staff know that boxing is a high-intensity exercise that is important for preventing injury and minimizing other possible risks. With Parkinson's I need a team on this journey. Nikki and Gabby are a big part of my team.
Body, Brain, Train is providing their us facility for a Parkinson's support group. We really need this support group to support each other outside of class. We need the camaraderie of the class. We have to exercise every day to slow the progression of the disease. We didn't ask to be in this Parkinson's club.
Please increase the funding for Body Brain Train through the Event Grant so that Body, Brain, Train can do a fundraising event to raise money to continue to support the Parkinson's com m unity.
Thank You For Your Time
Sincerely,
Debbie iew
Sue Klepper
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Cathy Rummell
Wednesday, lanuary 04, 2023 7:04 AM
City Mgr
Body Brain Train Funding
CAUTION:This emailoriginated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Manager Gabler,
I have had the opportunity to watch Nikki Lian and Gabby Sifuentes work with seniors and members with Parkison's disease and other neurological issues such as seizures. lt takes people that are extremely patient and caring to do this Let alone, it is rare when people do it as well.as these two do! About a year ago, Nikki and Gabby launched Body Brain Train. lt took some arm twisting to get my 80 year old mother to go to their first class. She had a knee replacement surgery less than two months prior, did not like to exercise, had just come out of a tough financial situation and was not eager to socialize or try something new. The good news is, she gave it a chance. She began going 3 times a week. She looked forward to seeing the other people in the class, gained confidence in her balance, improved stamina and strength, and heroutlookon life became so much more positive.
The fact that Body Brain Train is donation based, it opened the door for her to go, given her fixed income Body Brain Train is just getting started. The time Nikkiand Gabby invest in visiting senior homes, having training sessions, and social functions for the seniors show their determination to help the senior communities. Any financial assistance the City can provide will be an investment in the SimiValley community. Most cities do have something like Body Brain Train available for their senior and neurologically challenged citizens. Supporting this group will help to set SimiValley apart as the strong community we call home.
Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincere ly,
Cathy Rummell
Sue Klepper
From:
Sent:
To:
Frank Tomlinson
Wednesday, January 04, 2023 10:48 AM
Mayor Thomas; Mayor Pro Tem Judge; Council Member Cavanaugh; Council Member Litster; Council Member Rhodes; City Mgr
RE: lncrease Event Grant Funding For BODY BRAIN TRAIN
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Subject:
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To Whom lt May Concern,
On December 14 many in our community showed up to give support for Nikki and Gabby as they try to build a non-profit, Body Brain Train (BBT) that serves the seniors in the Simi Valley community. This night was a wonderful reflection of the growing support for BBT; while there were many worthy organizations represented that evening, only BBT had folks in attendance to speak on their behalf and I am honored to have been one of the many voices.
My personal story with BBT began through my exposure at a Chamber of Commerce event held at the facility in November of this year. The testimonials I listened to that day moved me to start bringing my elderly parents ages 84 & 76 once a week to workout with Nikki and Gabby.
My father on December 7,2021 had just finished his final treatment for stage 4 cancer. During his treatment he had become too frail to drive so we kept his car at our home. After four months without his car we decided he was well enough to drive once again, returning his car to the parking lot of their apartment building on December 10,2021. That cold night my dad wanted to drive across the street from their apartment building to get some food, on his way to the car a coyote grabbed his small dog. ln an effort to help his dog, dad tripped off the curb into the parking lot, hitting his head on the vehicle next to his, knocking him unconscious. lnside the apartment my mom had fallen asleep, so at 7 AM the next day I was awakened by her phone call that my dad never came back after leaving the night prior.
Itold herto call 911 and I quickly drove there, finding him on the ground where he had spent 10 hours in 40 degree temperatures. Paramedics arrived shortly after me, taking him to the hospital. The result of that fall and his weakness from the cancer treatment took him nearly a year to recover cognitive function; early on in the process he often slept 20+ hours daily.
After so many months of inactivity, both my mom and dad had become very unstable, leading to a lot of inactivity and other unhealthy life choices.
Enter BBT - After introducing them to the program that Nikki and Gabby have put together for the senior community it has become the highlight of their week. Beyond the physical and mental help they are getting, their emotional well being is flourishing in the community that has been created. My mom & dad now look forward to adding days they attend. For this to happen BBT need the support of the larger community through fundraisers since they don't have the kind of regular support or membership that many of the other organizations asking for these funds have in place. While I am an active member of some of the other organizations I ask that you show the maximum financial support for BBT as they try to grow this model and expand their services...it is well worth the investment. 1 Sincerely,
Frank Tomlinson ll
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2 Sue Klepper
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Wednesday, January 04,2023 9:03 AM
lncrease Event Grant Funding For BODY BRAIN TRAIN
CALJ'l'lON: This ernail originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links ol'open attachments unless you recognize the sendel and know the content is safe.
To Whom ft Moy Concern - Simi Volley City Council Members My nome is Jennifer Allen ond f hove known Nikki Lion for mony years, octuolly, f met her six months aftq her gym opened in our city. She hos olwoys gone obove ond beyond for this community in oll oreosl
Body Broin Troin, her new nonprofit,serving our senior community ond those with Pqrkinson's qnd other disobilities is q huge osset to Simi Volley qnd should be granted funding so more people are able to be positively impoctedl
f hove been on octive volunteer for this progrom since July 2022 ond f cqn obsolutely ottest to the dromqtic improvements f hqve seenfirsthond with the seniors we work withl Physicolly, f hove wqtched individuqls come in with limited mobility, strength ond conf id ence, ond over lhese post months fhe improvement is dromotic. Emotionolly,Ihejoy on thesepeople's facesostheyknowtheyare improvingisomozingl f could cireoneindividuol whohodtrouble simply picking up something off the f loor o month qgo, ond during on exercise, as early qs lost week he hod developed the mobility ond strategies to moke thot simple tosk hoppenl Oh boy, the smiles! The f eeling of occomplishment ond HOPE wos so owe inspiring! Body Broin Troin con spreod that f eeling to so mony people in our community. Body Broin Troin con moke such on impoct on the physicol ond emotionol well-being for so mony! They should 6e able to do so with help f rom you.
Seniors ore kickboxing, doing moving meditotion with swords, colled Jungshin, strength troining workouts, the list goes on.
This progrom is so importont to our senior community f or their heolth, physicolly ond mentolly, no longer should our older community be relegoted to their rocking choirs ond knitting. We have I
on opportunity to qdd more QUALIW to their lives. T urge you to mqke the correct decision in funding Body Broin Troin, let Ihem moke the positive differenceinpeople's life thot they obsolutely cqnl The senior demographic in Simi Vqlley is not getfing smoller, it's growing! Let's lake care of them!
Aging is not o loss of youth, but o new opportunity for strength & optimum heolthlll Thonk you for your time.
Respectfully,
t/",t,r,f"n 4//",t
2 Sue Klepper
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
\Leon Roth
Wednesday, January 04, 2023 1 1:05 AM
'Nikki Lian'
RE: lncrease Event Grant Funding For BODY BRAIN TRAIN
CAUTION:This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
City Council Members,
My name is Leon Roth, and I am 57 years old. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease recently and have been dealing with the symptoms for over a year. Walking and many normal functions of my life have become more difficult. Being athletic my whole life, it was extremely difficult to accept that my motor skills were deteriorating. I felt depressed and a burden to my family. Fortunately, I was blessed to find Body Brain Train and lstarted attending classes fourtimes a week. Nikki, Gabby and the volunteer instructors have put together programs that connect thinking to certain movements. These movements are simple to an average person without a movement disorder, but to someone with Parkinson's Disease, they are difficult. ln a few short months, I have improved my walking, overall strength, flexibility, and slightly improving the speed of performing tasks. More importantly, my mental health has improved, and I don't feel as frustrated with certain movements. lt is also great to share experiences with people who are dealing with similar symptoms aslam. Manyoftheexercisesandbraingamesarehelpingmesignificantlyandhasbecomeavital partofmy life. Now I am much more energized and more positive about my situation and future. Body Brain Train has been a game changer. I am so thankfulto allthe instructors and volunteers. They are truly amazing people. Since I have been part of this program, lnever realized how many people have this disease. Programs like this need funding to get the word out.
Since Body Brain Train is a nonprofit organization, any funds that could help with events is greatly needed. Please increase ourfunding so we put on our event and continue to raise funds forthis program. Your help is invaluably appreciated.
Thank you,
Leon Roth
1 Sue Klepper
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Scott Tilley
Thursday, January 05, 2023'12:31 PM
Nikki Lian
Re: increasing Event Grant Funding for BODY BRAIN TRAIN CAUTION:This emailoriginated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good afternoon Mayor and City Council Members and Congratulations on your recent electionsll My name is Scott Tilley and the reason for my email is to urge you to consider an increase in the Event grant funding for BODY BRAIN TRAIN.
Mywife and I moved into SimiValley in December of 1979 and we both enjoy living here tremendously. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease a number of years ago.
When I was diagnosed, my doctor told me that besides the standard medications, the best and only thing that would help slow the progression was exercise.
A short time before COVID happened,
lwas introduced to CKO kickboxing and their Neuro-Boxing classes which eventually led to the creation of Body Brain Train. I imagine (unfortunately) that you all are familiar with Parkinson's so you may be aware that we have good days and bad days.
With the help of the owners, Nikki Lian and GabbySifuentes I have had many more great days lam proud to say.
I would love to educate you about Nikki and Gabby and my successful results but I have already gone on too long.
Thanl< you all for your time and thank you all for your consideration in this matter.
Scott Tilley
Ps.
Mr. Mayor, I am proud to say that I retired from LAPD-Motor Transport Division
Sue K
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Wednesday, January 04,2023 4:59 PM
City Mgr
Funds for Body Brain Train
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
January 2,2023
Dear,
Mayor Fred D Thomas
Mayor ProTem Mike
Judge
Council Members
Deedee Cavanaugh
Elaine P Lister
Rocky Rhodes
City Manager Brian Gable
Please support Simi Valley's unique non profit program Body, Brain, Train with their needs to raise funds .
My name is Bernardo L. I was diagnosed with Pdrkinson for about 12 years. Some of my symptoms include body rigidity with pain, slowness, issues with balance and speech. Sometimes my medicine doesn't work and it becomes a challenge for me walk and dress myself.
This program is trying to make things better in life for me and the other participants that also have Parkinson's. ln the short time l've been in the program, I went from punching the boxing bag seated to standing. Also, I feel like I belong to a community filled with instructors that are knowledgeable and welcoming.
I feel lucky to participate in this program.
Please support this necessary program that is helping people like me with neurologicalconditions.
Thank you
Bernardo L. Sent from my iPhone
Sue Klepper
\From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Tuesday, January 03,2023 9:08 AM
City Mgr
Body Brain Train Funding
CIAtJ'l'lON: This email originated from outside of the organizalion. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear City Manager Gabler,
I would like to call your attention to a nonprofit with a big heart. Body Brain Train is offered to seniors several times per week at no charge. Participants include stoke victims, Parkinson's patients, as well as all other seniors. Seniors are guided at their own pace by very qualified instructors.
I was recovering from knee replacement surgery when I discovered Body Brain Train. Not only did they help me gain mobility in my left knee, they also helped me to prepare for my right knee replacement surgery. I definitely noticed increased strength in both knees because of Body Brain Train. At Body Brain Train, participants are suffounded by an extremely supportive community.
Body Brain Train helps many people and there is absolutely no charge, whatsoever. Please strongly consider a generous donation for a fundraiser to help continue this extremely valuable service to the setrior community.
Sincerely,
.Toanne Frazier