Sunrise Special Services Foundation: ‘Caring never ends’
Many years ago, I left Lake County to return to my roots in the Midwest. Though I was away, I never lost my love of Lake County and its people. I am very involved as a volunteer and serve on multiple boards here in Indiana. About 10 years ago, I was part of a Sunrise program, “Reach Out” partnering on a grant with Lake County Tribal Health. I was a RN Diabetic Educator and taught a healthier lifestyle to people of color, elderly and faith-based communities in Lake County. Today, years later, the impact of empowering communities still exists. “Reach Out” never died out, and clients changed their lifestyles, and helped their next generation on that path too. I spoke in Washington, DC about the impact that “Reach Out” had on the community it served. We found leaders among the people, and they passed the new ways to their communities. Other communities in other states developed the same type of programs and the scope widened.
Annie Barnes kept in touch with me through the years, as she watched for opportunities to help people in Lake County. About a year ago, she called me and asked me to be on the Sunrise board. I reminded her I was more than 2000 miles away. With Covid times we did learn about Zoom and how to handle meetings from a distance. Annie explained that there were many unhoused and it was getting colder. They needed another board member for Sunrise Services. I happened to have experience with the homeless since I helped to start a Homeless Shelter for women and children who were dealing with addiction issue and abuse in Indiana. I had always admired Annie for her willingness to help others who were less fortunate. I agreed to be on the board and have been the Secretary for about nine months.
The warming shelter was up and running within three days. No one else had stepped up to take charge of opening one. A grant sustained the shelter for a time and that grant ended this week. Last month the Shelter grant was awarded to another agency. The agency that was awarded the grant will be taking over the Shelter as soon as they are prepared. As the time ends for Sunrise to manage the Shelter, I would like to highlight a few things that residents have shared. Several are as follows: An elderly couple became homeless in 2018. She is disabled and in a wheelchair. He lost his job and they have been living in their car. Sunrise helped them secure housing. A man in his late 60s, has not been able to find housing with his social security. He thanked Sunrise for helping him work part time at the shelter and: “living with grace”. Another lost her business, her home, and her car in the Mendocino fire. She lived “on the streets” for three years until she came to the Shelter.
Touching lives in a positive manner doesn’t just end. Time moves on; people can and do learn healthier ways, and new ways are passed on. Sunrise has never been a big corporation, just a small organization that cares for people who needed someone during challenging times. Our hope is that others want better for our communities, partner and make Lake County a safe home treasured by many.
—MaryAnn Soll, Sunrise Special Services Foundation Board Secretary
‘I want to work with you’
My name is Ray Buenaventura. I am your newly appointed Chief Public Defender. I was appointed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 19, 2023, and began serving Oct. 16, 2023.
My background includes over 30 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer, with more than 100 jury trials, ranging from minor infractions to murder cases with special circumstances (i.e. death penalty-eligible cases). I am a Certified Criminal Law Specialist and have taught Evidence, Election Law and Legal Research and Writing. I also created the first Youth Court Program in Santa Clara County. I am additionally on the Board of Trustees of the California State Bar Association, and have served on the Criminal Law Advisory Commission and the Attorney Discipline Committee.
As your Public Defender, it is my responsibility to establish a premier indigent defense program in Lake County. My goal is to ensure every Lake County defendant receives a professional and appropriate defense. I will devote my energy to promoting the public interest through innovative programs that can truly make a difference. I will work to build an effective and transformative Public Defender Office everyone can rely on.
I cannot do it alone. Community-focused, holistic Public Defense matters, and I want to work with you.
People should get the services they need to be successful; when they do, they are less likely to offend in the future. Building relationships, promoting engagement from every Lake County community, is essential to effectively supporting people that become involved with the criminal justice system.
I write this letter to extend an invitation to anyone and everyone willing to meet with me.
I am particularly interested in meeting people involved in rehabilitation programs, mental and behavioral health-focused organizations, youth groups, veterans, Lake County’s seven Sovereign Tribal Nations, seniors, homeless shelters, food distribution centers, mentorship group, and vocational training programs.
Please feel free to contact me at ray.buenaventura@lakecountyca.gov, or (707) 263-0133.
Working together, we can change the course of people’s lives. Will you join me?
—Ray Buenaventura, Lake County Public Defender
