From the San Diego Union-Tribune
By James Hebert

When Divine Ngabire thinks back on her first impressions of the United States, one image in particular seems to stick with her:

“The beautiful lights,” she says, recalling that moment three years ago when she arrived as a refugee from Mozambique. “I came here at nighttime, and we passed through downtown, and it was so beautiful.”

In her time at Crawford High in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood, Divine has cast more than a little illumination of her own. The senior serves as a translator for other students on campus, sings at campus events (“We Are the World” is a favorite) and is starting a new-arrivals club with some friends to help other refugees get settled in.

“That’s her nature — she helps out,” says Kathryn Cloward, a San Diego singer-songwriter who has come to know Divine well over the past month or so.

“She’s an amazing human being. But we wouldn’t know this if we didn’t get to hear her story.”

And telling that story — or singing it, actually — is just what Cloward plans to do. The musician is one of 12 San Diego artist-mentors who are partnering with Crawford students in Intrepid Theatre Co.’s innovative new project “Exiled Voices: The Refugee Art Experience.”

The idea behind the one-of-a-kind initiative, launched with SAY San Diego Crawford Community Connection, is for the artists — painters, poets, choreographers, actors and more — to first soak in all they can about the refugees and their journeys, literal and otherwise.

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From The San Diego Union-Tribune
by Bryce Miller

Round after round, Bob Steber showed up – as Swiss-watch steady as the bordering Pacific.

Since the moment the tournament now known as the Farmers Insurance Open blasted its first tee shot at Torrey Pines Golf Course in 1968, Steber has been there.

He found the paint-peeling rocket John Daly ricocheted off the stands on No. 18 under a small table at a merchandise tent. He stood sentry over Phil Mickelson’s ball as a national TV audience watched Lefty mop up a playoff win in 2001. He hovered just eight feet away as Craig Stadler infamously kneeled on a towel under a tree in 1987, leading to a disqualification unlike any other.

The 80-year-old volunteer will walk onto the course one more time, later this month, as part of the 1,000 living, breathing cogs that keep a tournament like the Farmers Insurance Open chugging.

Then Steber will step away from the event that began as the San Diego Open at the San Diego Country Club in 1952. He caddied at the tournament that year, by the way.

Steber is both walking historian and part of the history itself at the PGA Tour stop.

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CAST A VOTE FOR BOB & SAY SAN DIEGO

Chula Vista’s Bob Steber has volunteered at the Farmers Insurance Open each year since it moved to Torrey Pines Golf Course in 1968. As part of The Century Club’s Champions for Youth campaign, Bob is competing in the PGA Tour’s Volunteer Challenge. His charity of choice? SAY San Diego! If Bob collects the most votes by 11 a.m. on January 28, SAY will receive $10,000 in Steber’s name.

Vote for Bob & SAY San Diego today!

from Voice of San Diego
By Sarah Beauchemin

One of the most rewarding aspects of the holiday season is the increased attention and care that’s given to our communities, especially to those in need.

That’s why The O’Farrell Charter School is dedicated to giving back to the community – and to its families – in many ways.

“During the holiday season, reaching out and giving to others helps our students understand they’re part of a larger community,” said Anne Mathews, The O’Farrell Charter School’s principal. “They recognize that their acts of kindness help others.”

There are numerous ways in which OCS students can get involved with helping their community, from participating in the holiday canned food drive to buddying up with younger classmates to make gifts for family members.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Whisknladle Hospitality Hosts “A Day of Giving” to Meet Urgent Human Needs!

SAY San Diego Named Beneficiary for November 15 Giving Event!

San Diego CA (October 24, 2016)—To kick off the holiday season, the well-known hometown San Diego restaurant group Whisknladle Hospitality is donating a day of earnings to 45-year-old hometown youth, family, and community service nonprofit SAY San Diego. 2016 marks the second year of the Whisknladle drive for SAY San Diego. In 2015, Whisknladle raised nearly $10,000 for SAY at the “Day of Giving” event. Arturo Kassel, Partner & Chief Executive Officer was delighted by the results in 2015 and hopes 2016 is an even bigger fundraiser for SAY. “We’re pleased and honored to be working once again with SAY San Diego for this year’s Day of Giving fundraiser. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us at Whisknladle Hospitality to give back to the community and support an organization that’s doing such incredible things in our community. There are a lot of families in San Diego County that benefit from the many services provided by SAY and we’re happy to help with their efforts in any way we can.”

UC San Diego Health

In an effort to put the brakes on sobering statistics related to teenagers driving under the influence, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine will join forces with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) to reduce alcohol-impaired driving among San Diego youth ages 15 to 20…

…To further support teens in making the right choice about drinking and driving, SDPD and Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego will collaborate with UC San Diego School of Medicine to deliver sober driving education at local high schools and implement a social media campaign focusing on prevention and intervention strategies.

For Immediate Release

Strengthening Local Military Households: The 6^th Annual San Diego Military Family Collaborative Conference

SAN DIEGO, CA (September 16, 2016)—The San Diego Military Family Collaborate will host its 6^th Annual SDMFC Conference at the Liberty Station Conference Center on Friday, October 14, 2016. More than 250 Military spouse leaders, Command leadership, and family service professionals from across San Diego are expected to attend.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

In some ways, the students Nicholas Griffin tutors as a volunteer with SAY San Diego’s Reflections day treatment program are a challenging bunch. Some of them have mental-health or substance-abuse issues. Others are dealing with serious family problems. All of them are on probation.

They are also just kids, teenagers who need some help navigating the choppy waters of geometry, grammar and growing up. Griffin has been there, and he can do that.

The San Diego Union-Tribune

By Lisa Deaderick
Contact Reporter

There are times when carving out some time to play like a kid are important, and Brent Doud is someone who believes in having more fun. As one of the creators of Ladder Golf, a lawn game sold through his company Tosso.com, he’s in the business of getting people to play all sorts of games. Next month, he’s teaming up with local nonprofit, SAY San Diego, to fill their annual fundraiser with fun in the form of giant lawn games.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SAN DIEGO, Liberty Station (May 16, 2016) – SAY San Diego is proud to announce Tosso.com as the official game sponsor for its annual lawn game fundraiser, Play 4 SAY – Thursday, July 21^st from 5pm – 7:30pm.

“We are thrilled to have Tosso.com as our partner and official game sponsor! Tosso.com and its founding CEO, Brent Doud, truly embody the spirit of Play 4 SAY – they are inventive, promote healthy outdoor fun, and while they have global reach, they’re also committed to helping urgent needs right here at home.” said SAY San Diego’s CEO Nancy Gannon Hornberger