On December 2, 2016, Tipping Point Community hosted its 10th Annual Awards Breakfast in honor of standout community partners and individuals committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in the Bay Area. It was a morning of reflection — on the uncertainty many feel in the wake of the recent election, and the unifying force we become when we work together for the betterment of our community.

“Amidst all this change, we must demonstrate our values will remain, and I have no better source of hope and optimism than from our honorees here today.” Daniel Lurie, CEO + Founder

Adrienne Kimball received the Community Hero Award for her work at Rubicon Programs, a Tipping Point grantee since 2005, that focuses on transforming individual lives and improving Bay Area communities through jobs, housing and healthcare. Kimball was first introduced to Rubicon because many of her family members sought services at the organization. For seven years, she worked as the organization’s executive assistant, while today, she serves as its culture manager, helping to elevate the voice of the staff and preserve the team’s core values. “It takes a certain mindset to stay in poverty. It’s the mindset that you’re not worth it. That the solutions being offered don’t work, and the solutions that do work aren’t for you,” said Kimball. “Shifting that mindset is how we make progress.”

Bank of America has announced Rubicon Programs as one of two 2016 Neighborhood Builders for the San Francisco-East Bay region. Rubicon, along with Compass Family Services in San Francisco, are being recognized for their work in reducing homelessness and poverty, which in turn supports the sustainable growth of the San Francisco Bay Area economy. Through Neighborhood Builders, Bank of America provides nonprofits with a unique combination of leadership development, $200,000 in flexible funding, a network of peer organizations across the U.S. and the opportunity to access capital in order to expand their impact in the San Francisco Bay Area community.

“We recognize the critical role that nonprofits play in combating homelessness and poverty, creating economic progress in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Thong Nguyen, Bank of America market president for the San Francisco-East Bay. “Through our Neighborhood Builders program, we connect outstanding organizations, like Rubicon Programs and Compass Family Services, to the funding and resources they need to scale their impact and help our community thrive.”

Rubicon Programs breaks the cycle of poverty in the East Bay by empowering its participants to develop economic mobility. "We are delighted to be selected by Bank of America for the Neighborhood Builders award,” said Jane Fischberg, CEO of Rubicon Programs. “It is an honor to be included in the company of our peers whose work we value and admire who have been past recipients. This award also brings recognition to the potential that we see in the people and neighborhoods that we serve."

Neighborhood Builders is a signature demonstration of the bank’s work to address issues fundamental to economic mobility in order to build thriving communities and illustrates how strong cross-sector partnerships and local community leaders can play a meaningful role in positioning communities for success. The awardees are selected by a local market selection committee with representation by local community leaders from diverse sectors.