Daily Business Report-Jan. 23, 2020

Rendering of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa.

Officials break ground on 400-plus

affordable apartments in San Diego

The pending construction of more than 400 affordable rental apartments— including 270 units specifically to address homelessness—was celebrated at a groundbreaking Tuesday as a source of hope for the community and the individuals and families who will call the new development home.

“There are two ways we can look at the challenge of the unsheltered. We can have a fear-based culture where we fear it, or we can be inspired by the hope of what is possible with a little bit of support—and that really is what this project is about,” said San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who also serves on the Governor’s Council of Regional Homeless Advisors and as Vice Chair of the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless.

A collaboration among the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), Father Joe’s Villages, Chelsea Investment Corporation and additional partners, the development will be known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa in honor of Mother Teresa. It will include a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments that will remain affordable for 55 years for San Diegans with low income or experiencing homelessness.

“This is going to be a beacon of hope for so many individuals,” San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said. “This is going to be a game-changer on the streets of our downtown and the entire city. It doesn’t happen without everybody coming together.”

In addition to providing affordable rental homes with supportive services, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa is an example of a development that is a valuable addition to its surrounding community.

Father Joe’s Villages is developing Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa in partnership with Chelsea Investment Corporation as part of Father Joe’s Villages’ “Turning the Key” initiative to add 2,000 units of affordable housing dedicated to people overcoming homelessness.

The development will include 1,000 square feet of community rooms on each of the residential floors, eight community kitchens, laundry facilities, and bicycle parking. Recreational activities, fitness, and multipurpose rooms, outdoor gathering areas, a dog run area, and a community garden will also be available at the property.

Construction of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa is anticipated to be completed in two years.

The location of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa at the corner of 14th and Commercial Streets is the former site of the city of San Diego’s Bridge Shelter for Single Women and Families with Children, which is now located at the San Diego Concourse, including portions of Golden Hall building.

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Cuyamaca College Powwow celebrates

Native American history and culture

Native American history and culture will be celebrated when tribes from throughout the West congregate at Cuyamaca College’s 6th Annual Powwow on Saturday, Feb. 1. Up to 2,500 people from throughout the region are expected to attend the free event that is open to the public.

The powwow begins at 9:30 a.m. with a traditional blessing, followed by the Ashaa Takook Bird Singers at 10 a.m., gourd dancing at 11 a.m. and Grand Entry at noon. The celebration continues until 8 p.m. and vendors will be selling Native American arts and crafts, fry bread and Indian tacos. Admission is free.

“The Cuyamaca College Powwow has been vital in dispelling any misconceptions or misinterpretations about Native American history and culture,” said Michael Ryan, president of the Cuyamaca College Native American Student Alliance that is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Student Affairs Office, Equity Engagement and the Associated Student Government. “We’re here to bring a better understanding about the culture and community in a setting that everyone can enjoy.”

Cuyamaca College is situated on 165 acres in the heart of Rancho San Diego and the powwow takes place on an expansive lawn in front of the Communication Arts Center. The lawn is just on the other side of a campus road from several student parking areas, and parking is free. Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway.

Randy Edmonds, from the Kiowa and Caddo nations of Oklahoma, will serve as master of ceremonies. Victor Chavez, who was born on the Isleta Pueblo Reservation in El Paso, Texas, is the arena director. Among the numerous other participants are Nate Logan, head man; Sequoia Salas-Galvan; head woman; Ivan Sam, head gourd dancer; and Richard DeCrane, staff carrier. The Green River Singers comprise the Host Northern Drum and Hale & Co. from the Diné (Navajo) Nation is the Host Southern Drum.

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SDSU online eduction master’s program

rates high in national rankings

San Diego State University’s online master’s degree program in education is among the top ten in the nation, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

The College of Education Master of Arts program, which prepares future elementary and secondary school teachers and educational administrators, is ranked No. 8 in the publication’s 2020 report on best online programs, up from No. 25 in the previous year’s list.

Released Jan. 14, the rankings weigh such factors as the opportunities students have to interact with their instructors and classmates and the extent to which they stay enrolled toward the completion of their degrees.

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USD Nonprofit Institute hosts 16th

Nonprofit Governance Symposium

The Nonprofit Institute (NPI) in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego hosts its 16th annual Nonprofit Governance Symposium — “Governance 2020: To Infinity and Beyond — Launching the Next Decade of Governance.”

The  two-day symposium takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. The sold-out event will bring more than 400 nonprofit board professionals together.

This year, the conference looks at current trends in governance and philanthropy, best practices from the field, and at the next 10 years in nonprofit governance.

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  Michael C. Rogers joins

Balestreri Potocki & Holmes

Michael C. Rogers has been named a member of the law firm Balestreri Potocki & Holmes in Downtown San Diego.

Rogers received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and has been practicing law for over 20 years. His practice is concentrated on business litigation and employment law, specifically in the automotive and transportation arena.

Rogers’ clientele includes automobile dealership groups, single point dealerships, independent dealerships and affiliated businesses such as finance companies, flooring lenders, automobile service centers, and surety bonding companies. In addition to his automotive law specialty, Rogers handles general litigation and business transactions for a variety of clients.

“We are pleased to welcome Mike as a member,” said Thomas Balestreri, managing shareholder of the firm. “His knowledge and legal expertise have become an invaluable asset to the firm and its clients.”

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Christine Cornejo joins Lavine,

Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg

Lavine, Lofgren, Morris & Engelberg announces that Christine Cornejo has joined the firm as a client accounting services manager.

Cornejo has more than 20 years of experience providing accounting services to a wide range of industries, including asset management, manufacturing and distribution, non-profit and e-commerce. She specializes in driving efficiencies around accounting processes, developing business continuity plans and implementing accounting systems.

Prior to joining LLME, Cornejo served as senior vice president of accounting for a large private equity firm. She has also held controller positions for a variety of businesses and industries over the course her career.

Cornejo received her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in economics/finance from Cal State Northridge and has a California CPA license.