On June 7, California's annual Nonprofits Day ceremony was held on the South Lawn of the State Capitol. The ceremony salutes nonprofits that do so much to improve our communities and enhance our lives. This year, 113 nonprofits from throughout California were honored.

I was very pleased to recognize the Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC), based in Alpine, as the 75th Assembly District's Nonprofit of the Year for 2023. SIHC serves seven local tribes in southeast San Diego County, including Barona, Campo, Ewiiaapaayp, Jamul, La Posta, Manzanita and Viejas. SHIC began as a satellite of the Indian Health Council in Pauma Valley, incorporated as a nonprofit, public benefit corporation in November 1982 and later moved to its present location on the Barona Reservation. SIHC provides culturally sensitive, high-quality medical care, dental care, behavioral health and social services, while respecting the traditions of the Native American population it serves. SIHC also operates the first Native American Boys & Girls Club in California.

The California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) a statewide organization that advocates for nonprofits and the communities they serve, organizes Nonprofits Day in Sacramento. I'm happy to report that this session a package of bills supported by CalNonprofits is sailing through the Legislature. The bill package will streamline application and reporting requirements for small grants, require the state to provide nonprofit partners the full costs of delivering contracted services, and move more administrative processes online, among other reforms. More details on this important legislation are available at https://calnonprofits.org/equity-initiative.

For more information about the services SIHC provides for our region, please visit Southern Indian Health Council at https://sihc.org/.

It's an honor to recognize and support nonprofit organizations like SIHC. They are part of the very fabric of our state – the well-being of thousands depends on their continued success.

Marie Waldron

– State Assemblymember, 75th District