Gratitude and Growth: Reflecting on Community Resource Center's 45 Years of Service

By John Van Cleef , CEO of Community Resource Center

November 26, 2024

Today, November 26th, marks a significant milestone: 45 years of Community Resource Center serving North County San Diego.

On this day in 1979, a small but passionate group of individuals came together with a vision to make our community a more compassionate and supportive place. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into an organization that now reaches over 7,200 neighbors annually, with offices in Encinitas, San Marcos and Carlsbad.?

As we enter this season of gratitude, I am filled with appreciation for the many people who have made this journey possible: our volunteers, donors, staff and partners. Your generosity and belief in our mission have allowed us to create pathways to healthy food, stable homes and safe relationships for so many of our neighbors in need.??

Our journey over the past 45 years is not just a story of growth—it’s a testament to the power of community. Neighbors helping neighbors. Supporters stepping up to share their time, resources, and compassion for others.?

We are especially grateful for the partnership and trust of our community, which empowers us to provide essential services and support to neighbors in need. This year, CRC was honored to receive recognition as Large Nonprofit of the Year in the 2024 Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards by the San Diego Business Journal and as Nonprofit Partner of the Year by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce . And in these same awards, I was honored to receive personal recognition as the Large Nonprofit Executive of the Year.?These awards are a testament to the collective impact of our incredible community and a reminder of what’s possible when we come together with compassion and a shared purpose.?

Looking to the future, I am inspired by what we can achieve together. Together, we can build a future where every neighbor has the resources they need to live with dignity and hope.??

LEARN MORE ABOUT CRC'S 45 YEARS OF SERVICE