North Coast Opportunities was selected as Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Mike McGuire.
North Coast Opportunities Inc. (NCO) was recognized as the Nonprofit of the Year at the State Capital on June 6, 2018. Local legislators celebrated California Nonprofits Day, an annual event which honors the excellence of individual nonprofits. NCO was selected by Mike McGuire as an exceptional nonprofit organization within his district. Executive Director Patty Bruder and NCO Board Chair Ross Walker joined Senator McGuire during a special ceremony on Wednesday.
In a press release, McGuire is quoted saying, “For 50 years, NCO has delivered positive change to countless lives and they have been tirelessly working on behalf of the 2000 families in Lake and Mendocino counties who lost their homes to the Jerusalem, Valley, Clayton, and Redwood Complex Fires. NCO has an incredible history of service to the community, and we are honored to recognize NCO and their team as the North Coast’s Nonprofit of the year.”
This year marks NCO’s 50th anniversary. NCO is the community action agency that supports Lake and Mendocino Counties as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte and Solano Counties. NCO is one of a thousand community action agencies throughout the nation helping people achieve self sufficiency while responding to community needs. Established in 1968 as part of President Johnson’s War on Poverty, NCO maintains the mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people. Offering a safety net of emergency assistance, childcare and development, volunteerism, food-sustainability, food security, nutrition, physical activity, leadership training and caregiver support, NCO employs approximately 250 people and has an annual budget of approximately $15 million.
Most recently NCO served as a critical link for fire survivors. While the devastating wildfires still burned through Lake and Mendocino Counties, NCO began providing financial assistance through relief funds donated from various sources. NCO was also a founding partner to the Mendocino-ROC (Rebuilding our Community) Resource Room which assists fire survivors throughout the rebuilding process while providing case management services.
“NCO invests in people through community action,” says Bruder. “We are humbled and grateful to receive this honor from Senator McGuire and I’m proud of our team who work tirelessly to serve our communities.”
As part of their 50th anniversary celebration, NCO is hosting a large, family-friendly event at Todd Grove Park in Ukiah on August 25, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend this free event which promises children’s activities, family games, a variety of food vendors, an “NCO History Walk,” and more. Senator McGuire will also be attending in support. Learn more about NCO, or the 50th Anniversary Class Reunion Picnic at www.ncoinc.org or by calling 707-467-3200.
[This archive item was originally published on Monday, June 11, 2018]
