Assemblymember Cervantes Honors Starting Over, Inc.

(SACRAMENTO) — Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona) has selected Corona-based nonprofit, Starting Over, Inc. as the 60th Assembly District’s 2020 Nonprofit of the Year.

Established in 2004, Starting Over, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that addresses homelessness and recidivism by providing transitional housing and wrap-around re-entry services to low-income men, women, and children, while effectively fostering self-reliance, leadership, civic engagement, and economic development. In addition to its core services, Starting Over contributes to uplifting our communities through their annual Building A Beloved Corona Resource Fair, Riverside All of Us or None Backpack Giveaway, Turkey Giveaway, and much more.

“Starting Over, Inc. serves as an invaluable asset to our region and has been a tremendous resource to our homeless and system impacted population seeking a second chance to advance towards a brighter future for themselves and their families,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “Through the nonprofit’s mission to serve our region’s most vulnerable populations by offering holistic reentry services, it is not only working to address the pressing issues of homelessness and recidivism, but also demonstrating that all people have equal value and deserve to live with dignity, even in their darkest times. It is resources such as these that contribute to the vitality of our communities, and for that, I am proud to honor Starting Over, Inc. as the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year for the 60^th Assembly District.”

“At least 75% of Starting Over, Inc. staff is formerly incarcerated or system impacted, and our continued service to our beloved community is only possible because of the hard work and support of our staff, board members, volunteers, partners, and funders. Thank you! We are honored to have Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes recognize us as Nonprofit of the Year and validate the positive contribution and impact justice-involved people make in our community when provided the tools and support to start over. We are looking forward to the next year of continuing our advocacy for investment in alternatives to incarceration and community-led programs. Well-resourced communities are the safest ones,” comments Vonya Quarles, Co-founder and Executive Director of Starting Over, Inc.

“Nonprofits are often hidden in plain sight,” explains Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits). “With one in every 14 California jobs being at a nonprofit, honoring a California Nonprofit of the Year shows that elected officials recognize and celebrate the good work they see nonprofits doing in their districts. We urge everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.”

This is the fifth year of the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative, and with nonprofits doing more than ever to help their communities weather the COVID-19 crisis, their work deserves to celebrated. Our partner in celebrating the 2020 Nonprofits of the Year is CalNonprofits, a statewide alliance of over 10,000 organizations, representing and promoting California’s growing nonprofit sector and working to bring the full power of nonprofits to strengthening communities.

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Sabrina Cervantes is a mother who proudly represents the 60th District of the California State Assembly, which encompasses the cities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, a portion of Riverside, and the unincorporated communities of Coronita, El Cerrito, and Home Gardens. Cervantes serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy.