Leadership Stockton, a program of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, has announced the graduation of the Class of 2019 and the completion of their yearlong A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (A Child’s Healing Is Ending Violence Eternally) Project at the Women’s Center Youth & Family Services Greenhouse. This project was a great example for the community to show what a group of people can get accomplished when they work together. The Class of 2019 was recognized for their great work Thursday, June 13 at the Leadership Stockton Class of 2019 Graduation Dinner.

Among the members of the class was Ronee Van Dyk, of the local CT Brayton & Sons Inc.

The Class of 2019 chose to renovate the Women’s Center - Youth & Family Services Greenhouse Building, with the mission of remodeling the interior to provide a safe, comfortable and modern environment for the children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence in San Joaquin County. The Greenhouse is the children’s counseling center for children living at DAWN House (a domestic violence emergency shelter) in Stockton. It creates a safe place for children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence to let go of the fear, guilt, and responsibility they feel and allows them to just be kids. These young victims learn that the violence is not their fault, while they create safety plans and role-play scenarios, so they can practice what to do in case of an emergency.

With the partnership and support of the Women’s Center - Youth & Family Services, Leadership Alumni and donors, the class raised over $37,000 and received over $40,000 of donated in kind products and services.

Also included in the Leadership Stockton Class of 2019 were: Arin Adolph, Family Resource and Referral Center; Felicia Caballero, Balance Staffing; Jen Cano, Kaiser Permanente; Matt Council, Blue Shield of California; Chinse Daniels, The Hopes and Dreams Foundation; Krista Fiser, Women’s Center-Youth & Family Services; Erica Frey, Colliers International; Lesli Jones, San Joaquin County WorkNet; Will Mar, Gary J. Long Jewelers; Wes Martin, WCW General Contracting; Frank Mehrer Jr., San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office; Victoria Moreno; Robert Oakes, San Joaquin County Bar Association; Marianne Prieto, Children’s Museum of Stockton; Anthony Reynoso, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office; Mike Roman, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office; Satinder Singh, San Joaquin County Office of Education; Patti Stechman, Health Plan of San Joaquin; Corie Stewart, GEM Mortgage; Sarah Taft, Community Medical Centers; Josh Vigil; Terence West, San Joaquin County; Karen Wong, Dameron Hospital and Danielle Zoller, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about the Leadership Stockton Program visit www.leadershipstockton.com.

The scope of the ‘A.C.H.I.E.V.E.’ project included: abatement of asbestos contaminated drywall, demolition of walls and a surprise concrete shower basin; reframing of compromised floor members and dry rot; re-plumbed sanitary sewer and water lines; rework of lighting and electrical throughout the space; tape, texture and wall patch; paint entire interior and new flooring throughout. Much of the work was donated, including a donation from CT Brayton and Sons Inc. framing a new ADA accessible restroom, storage and kitchen.

Also featured is new decor, accent furniture, and art, and the front area of the Green House will have improvements to the sitting area and planters.