Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Lime Foundation
Today’s speaker was Letitia Hanke, a dynamic and inspiring business owner who has used her self-made success to create jobs and opportunities for young people. She is the CEO of ARS Roofing & Gutters and the founder and leader of the Lime Foundation, which operates the NextGen Trades Academy offering hands-on job preparation courses in the skilled trades and life skills. The motivation for the Lime Foundation was Hanke’s, and her son Emil’s, experiences with racial discrimination and bullying in their youth (“Lime” is Emil spelled backwards.).
Call to Order. President Doug Williams and called the meeting to order at 7:30 am.
Pledge of Allegiance. Chris Landwehr led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Inspiration. Mitch Granhi inspired us with lyrics from the Beatles:
There's nothin' you can know that isn't known
Nothin' you can see that isn't shown
There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
and “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”
Our President’s Thought. Did I make a difference in somebody’s life? What Wrongs did I Right, What Hurts did I Heal?
Song. Maureen Merrill, with the assistance of Heather Cullen, led us in singing “This Land is Your Land, this Land is my Land” with a reminder of the indigenous residents of the land we now occupy.
Visiting Rotarians. District Governor Tom Boylan, a member in good standing of our Club, visited our meeting today.
Guests. There were many visitors today, including Grace Curtin, Vice Principal of Windsor High School; Maya Bowen, an 11th grader at Windsor High School; Ava Gonzales, a senior at Windsor High School, and her parents, Jennifer Wall and Mike Gonzales; Pete Stefanisko, a teacher at Windsor High School; Lilian Padilla, a senior at Windsor High School, and several of her family members; and Connie Joseph, a neighbor of Maureen Merrill.
Thank you from Sandi and Wally Krutz. President Doug read a heartfelt thank you message from Sandi and Wally Krutz for meals, cards, calls, and even plants from Club members as they deal with Sandi’s recent health issues. We all value the Rotary support system.
Windsor History Fact. The median home price in Windsor increased 12.7% from 2013 to 2014, and continues to rise.
Club Calendar.
April 27 Tour of Windsor Water Treatment Plant
(JB requested sign-ups)
April 30 Fifth Tuesday; No Meeting
May 4 Club Retreat
May 7 Club Meeting:Teacher Appreciation Day
May 11 Arundo Donax Removal
May 14 Club Meeting: Transcendence Theater
May 20 Board Meeting
June 4 Club Meeting: Law Enforcement Appreciation
June 17 Board Meeting
Student of the Year Vineyard Academy. Daniel Myers introduced Windsor High School teacher Chris Mitts, who introduced Ava Gonzales, the Student of the Year of the Vineyard Academy. Ava is a senior at Windsor High School. She has been actively involved in public service and has earned 6 Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, each representing over 100 hours of community service Ava spoke highly of her father, Michael Gonzales, a retired firefighter, who inspired her with his mantra “Be smart, Be kind, and Be a Leader.” The Club congratulated Ava on her honor, presented her with an award, and wished her well.
Student of the Year Arete Media. Daniel then introduced 30-year Windsor High School Teacher Pete Stefanisko, who introduced Lilian Padilla, the Student of the Year of the Arete Media Core. Lilian reported on her digital media projects including editing videos and working in photoshop. She plans to continue her education by studying early childhood education and she is excited about her future. The Club congratulated Lilian on her honor, presented her with an award, and wished her well.
Presentation to the Wellness Center. Monica McCabe presented Grace Curtin and Maya Bowen with a large check symbolizing the Club’s contribution of $10,000 for the development of the Wellness Center at Windsor High School. The funds were raised by the Club’s An Evening in Seville fundraiser.
Club Projects and Activities. President Elect Barbara McChesney briefly reported progress on Club projects including the Environmental Challenge to reduce use of one-way plastics, the upcoming retreat and Arundo Donax removal project, and the Interact Club’s installation of a Peace Pole and garden.
Scholarships Committee. Michael Juric reported we have received 18 “regular” and 9 “alternative” applications for Rotary scholarships. The scholarships committee will review the applications and interview applicants.
Speaker. Maureen Merrill introduced our speaker, Letitia Hanke, the CEO of ARS Roofing & Gutters and the founder and leader of the Lime Foundation. Letitia grew up in Lake County where she was one of the few black children in her school. She experienced isolation, bullying, and shame. A teacher met with her during lunch time and taught her to play the trumpet. Letitia enjoyed music and played trumpet in the high school band when she was 8 years old! She later took up piano and was active in performing arts, gaining self-confidence. She attended Sonoma State University and studied music. At age 20, she went to work for a roofing company as the receptionist and worked her way up over a period of 8 years to be office manager. In 2004, she got her contractor’s license and started her own roofing business, which currently has 24 full-time, year-round employees. In 2014, her business received from Governor Gavin Newsom the Small Business of the Year Award in California.
Letitia created and runs the Lime Foundation, which now has 3 programs:
- A senior activities program;
- The Turner Arts Initiative (an anti-bullying program);
- A roofing and construction jobs program called the Next Gen Trades Academy,
Involving 24 different trades for at risk youth and life skills courses in stress management, financial literacy, and job placement.
She is also active in seeking more females to enter the trades.
On the completion of the 18-month trades program, graduates receive tools, many of which are donated by the 198 construction trade mentors in the program. Next Gen Trades classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings and are open to persons between 16 and 24 years of age. Next Gen coordinates job placements with CTE for high school seniors. The cost of the 18-month program is $3150 for Zoom sessions and $3850 for in-person sessions. Donors or sponsors frequently sponsor a student in the program or donate tools. There are many success stories of graduates of the program who have gone on to form their own businesses and hire recent graduates of the program.
Club members’ questions signaled a desire to support the Lime Foundation in some manner. Stay tuned.
Following Letitia Hanke’s presentation, Maureen Merrill presented her with a memento notebook and the Club’s thanks for her inspiring presentation.
District 5130 Conference. District Governor Tom Boylan popped up to remind us of the District 5130 Social on May 17th followed by the all-day District Conference on May 18th. More information will be forthcoming.
Thank You. President Doug thanked by name our speaker, guests, set-up crew, and administrative folks.
Next Week. WE ARE DARK! There is no meeting on April 30th.
