Leadership
A Letter from SBCS President/CEO:
Dear Friends,
As SBCS has progressed and grown over the past 36 years, one thing has remained the same, our commitment for children, youth and families in the communities of South Bay. Our approach has always been to build on the strengths of the community and the vitality of the people who live here.
When working with the community, we must integrate a system of support for families and children that will help them live in a healthy and safe environment. America's youngster's should awaken each morning in homes free of child abuse and neglect; attend schools free of drugs, gangs, and, after school, they should be able to play in parks that are safe and return to households that provide a nurturing, supportive, and loving atmosphere. Families should be able to secure safe, affordable housing, live in communities where they can grow and their presence is valued.
We must fortify and preserve families; In particular, we must help them provide their children with the foundation necessary for healthy growth and development. Strong children and strong families make a strong community.
SBCS is not only composed of staff and board members. It is made-up of a large portion of the community – donors, volunteers, youth and family advocates, concerned citizens and elected officials who believe in the organization's mission and values. With this cooperation and support, South Bay is building a sound future for all generations to share. In responding to the needs of the community, the agency has grown and expanded from a volunteer guided agency to a major employer in South Bay with more than 225 staff members and 20 sub-contractors that employ close to 100 individuals who work directly with our agency. The basis of our agency continues to stem from a youth focused stance but has come to extend it's services to reach entire families and the challenges they face.
South Bay Community Services standard is based on its core value of being community –owned and responsive that guides us in our daily work. The strengths that drive the agency and staff are creativity, honesty, passion and responsibility, resulting in high-quality services.
With much appreciation,
Kathryn Lembo
President/CEO
The SBCS Board of Directors:
Dave Rowlands
Chair
Former Chula Vista City Manager
Nancy Kerwin
Vice Chair
Chula Vista Elementary School District
Maria Guasp
Past Chair
American Institutes for Research
Ceanne Guerra
Treasurer
Cox Communications
Fran Muncey
Secretary
The Galley at the Marina, Owner
David Bejarano
Chula Vista Chief of Police
Sue Belmonte
San Diego Daily TranscriptMichael Carey
Community Advocate
Rev. Robert Dominguez
Christian Center of National City
Mary Kaestner
Community Advocate
Charles Moore
Community Advocate
John Nelson
Chula Vista Elementary School District
Shirley Horton
Former CA Assemblywoman
South Bay Community Services Directors:
- Kathryn Lembo, President/CEO
- Dina Chavez, Associate Director for Quality Assurance
- Pam Wright, Associate Director of Clinical Services
- Elizabeth Iniguez, Chief Financial Officer
- Valerie Brew, Child Well Being Department Director
- Patricia E. Chavez, Community Relations Director
- Don Hunter, Family Wellness and Self Sufficiency Director
- Mauricio Torre, Youth Services Department Director
- Ismena Valdez, Human Resources Director