Rebekah Children's Services, NonProfit of the Year
Rebekah Children’s Services’ mission is to see the community
flourish by building pathways to hope, happiness and well-being.
They offer a number of programs to help their clients such as
a foster care program through which 14 children were adopted
into loving homes. They operate a Family Resource Center
where they teach parenting classes and literacy programs. With
the creation of Kneaded Bakery in 2012, about 50 apprentices
have moved into higher paying fulltime employment or have
transitioned into higher education following the completion of
apprenticeships. They also operate a Non-Public School where
students annually benefit from the differentiated instruction,
therapeutic support and small class sizes.
Cafe 152 Bread Company,
Small Business
of the Year
Cafe 152 Bread Company
owners, Bruce and Audrey Haller
have contributed to organizations such
San Jose Conservation Core; Rebekah’s Children
Services’ Kneaded Bakery; Sobrato High School’s FFA Ag
Boosters; Miller Red Barn, Gilroy Demonstration Garden and the Gilroy
Chamber’s Business and Education Committee’s Rock-the-Mock, along with other
student related organizations. They believe that it is important to provide for children and
educational programs. They believe it is important to give back to your community and help people
and organizations strive to be successful in all they do.
Joyce Duarte,
Firmann B. Voorhies Volunteer of the Year
Joyce Duarte has been a volunteer with the Chamber of Commerce for more
than 26 years. She has served on the Ambassador Committee for the entire
time. You can often see her at the monthly After-Hours Mixers and Chamber
breakfasts checking people in, selling raffle tickets, and doing whatever it
takes to create a successful event. She is seen at most ribbon cuttings as well.
She always assists at the annual Garlic Festival helping to check-in volunteers
and directing them to the appropriate beer booth to work their designated
shifts. Joyce believes it’s important to give back to the community because
there are so many people who need help. Joyce is the owner of Joyce’s Col-
lectibles which is located inside Collective Past Antiques. She has been in the
antique business for 30 years. When asked who inspires her most, she said,
“All the volunteers before me especially Erwin and Barbara Boggs.”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
APRIL/MAY 2018
Michael Kong,
Susan Valenta Youth
Leadership Award
Michael is currently a senior at Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy
Early College Academy and his greatest passion in
life is improving the lives of others. Whether that
is helping others with homework, inspiring them
through his music, listening to their troubles, or
praying with them, he tries to make time to pay
it forward to his friends and family as much as he
can. Michael says, “Serving others fills my life with
endless purpose as I know I will never run out of
people to help.
Michael’s advice to others is, don’t make life
more complicated than it needs to be; simplify
your tasks into small steps, and you’ll see that
you can break down your mountain of aspirations
into smaller, less intimidating steps. Michael says,
“As you take care of each small task, keep a
positive mindset and don’t allow a small setback
to stunt your progress.”
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