We Ran, We Walked, We Rolled, all in support of Jodi House!¶

On May 6th, Jodi House hosted its 9th Annual Run, Walk & Roll event, raising awareness for brain injury survivors. The event was a huge success, with hundreds of community members participating! American Riviera Bank was not only proud to once again be a sponsor, but excited to participate and activate body and mind in support of this important organization.  

Brain injuries can happen to anyone and have a profound impact on both the survivor and their loved ones. Jodi House was founded in 1982 by the Wustman family, after their daughter Jodi was hit by a drunk driver and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the lack of local resources available for patients and their families, the Wustmans created a network of rehabilitative services that became Jodi House.  

Today, Jodi House is a beacon of hope and healing for TBI survivors and their families in the Santa Barbara community, providing programming, case management, resources, and support services.

 The annual Run, Walk & Roll event is a chance for community members to come together and raise awareness while also getting some exercise and having fun. This year's event took place at Chase Palm Park and featured participants of all ages, including survivors and their families.  

ARB Senior Vice President, Andrew Chung, serves on the Jodi House Board of Trustees. He and ARB staff including: Brandon Vallin, Matt Limon, Sandra Gallo, Sasi Luangprasert, Fernanda Hernandez, Alex Torres, and Brian Turbey all participated in this year’s event.  

To find out about future Jodi House events, or learn how to support its initiatives, visit https://www.jodihouse.org/. 

Ladies Get Loud Event¶

CALM, the organization for Child Abuse Listening and Mediation, has emerged as a trailblazer in its field, dedicated to developing a comprehensive range of trauma-informed programs and evidence-based services to prevent and treat child abuse. CALM has established itself as a pillar of support, promoting healing and empowering families. One of CALM's distinguishing features is its accessibility, offering services in both English and Spanish, to ensure inclusivity. In an effort to reach those in need, CALM operates on a sliding scale or provides services free of charge when necessary, steadfastly adhering to the principle that no one should be turned away due to financial constraints. Serving as the sole nonprofit organization in Santa Barbara County specializing in the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma, CALM continues to make significant strides in creating a safe and nurturing environment for children and families alike. 

On April 27th, ARB staff joined the CALM community in northern Santa Barbara County, on the rooftop lounge of Toyota of Santa Maria, to commemorate a decade of the Ladies Get Loud For CALM luncheon. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and generosity, as $100,000 was raised for children and families in Santa Maria. The event was truly unforgettable, not only for the remarkable 10-year milestone but also for the funds raised to provide crucial services for those in need.  

The American Riviera Bank team was there in full force and we were so proud to get LOUD in support of such an amazing community organization, along with over 220 guests! From the Bank, Alyssa Shaprio, Community Relations Specialist, Renee Howard, SBA Manager, Laurel Sykes, Chief Risk Officer, Sandra Gallo, Product Manager, Kindell Rucobo, Branch Service Specialist,  and Marian Lavagnino, Banking Relationship Officer were in attendance.  

This luncheon continues to serve as a testament to the collective strength and commitment of our community, showcasing the tremendous impact we can achieve when we come together for a meaningful cause. 

EPIC Impact Society¶

With a shared belief in the power of diverse perspectives, Epic understands that creativity and the discovery of new insights thrive at the intersection of different ideas and experiences. Through their various programs and initiatives, the Epic Impact Society promotes experiential learning, community engagement, and creative problem-solving. Their vision is to empower individuals to embrace their full potential and drive meaningful change in their professional, personal, and social spheres. Founder Dr. Steve Ralph emphasizes the importance of cross-pollination at EPIC, stating that it creates a unique environment for unlocking ingenuity. Through their unwavering dedication, the Epic Impact Society continues to pave the way for transformative change, empowering individuals to harness their creativity and make a positive impact on the world. 

Epic's annual summit offers a unique and immersive opportunity for attendees to engage in experiential learning, foster ingenuity, and connect with a vibrant community.Through a carefully curated program, participants actively participate in transformative learning experiences that cultivate creative leadership skills necessary for navigating our increasingly complex world. The event brings together a diverse range of dynamic experts from various fields, engaging in interactive sessions, and learning from keynote speakers and focused panel discussions.  Uncharted Possibilities is not only an experience that inspires and celebrates ingenuity, but it has also gained recognition in various industry rankings for its exceptional impact and value. 

In late April, ARB staff, Brandon Vallin, Assistant Vice President and Banking Relationship Officer, and Matthew Limon, Client Relationship Manager, attended its 2023 summit, Uncharted Possibilities, an extraordinary gathering that aimed to ignite professional, personal, and social innovation. Both Brandon and Matthew found the weekend to be impactful and inspirational. Brandon exclaimed, “I have to reiterate the impact of the presenter, Tez! His story was absolutely moving and inspirational!”Tez Steinberg, the Summit’s keynote speaker, recently achieved an extraordinary feat: a solo row across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii. Tez completed the daunting 2,669-mile journey in 71 days, relying solely on his own oars to propel him forward. 

Tez's primary motivation for undertaking this incredible challenge was to shed light on the vulnerable beauty of the world's oceans, which are facing a huge threat from plastic pollution. However, his mission extended beyond raising awareness. Tez also aimed to raise funds for scholarships to support the United World Colleges, a global network of high schools committed to using education as a catalyst for unity among people, nations, and cultures, fostering peace and a sustainable future. 

Throughout his journey, Tez not only confronted physical exertion and harsh weather conditions but also dealt with the profound isolation of being alone in a small boat amidst the vastness of the ocean. He emphasizes that his success relied on maintaining the right perspective and breaking down monumental challenges into manageable tasks—a lesson that resonated deeply with both Brandon and Matthew as they reflected on their own professional and personal endeavors.  

The 2023 EPIC International Summit provided a platform for professionals across industries to gather, learn, and collaborate in pursuit of creative excellence and innovative solutions. The engaging and collaborative weekend left Matthew and Brandon - as well as all attendees - feeling empowered to think differently, challenge conventions, and foster a culture of innovation.