Finding a road through a rapidly shifting landscape.

Dear Friends,

It feels as though tectonic shifts are reshaping the nonprofit landscape in Sonoma Valley. Among the most alarming are sweeping federal budget cuts that threaten essential food and health care programs—basic human needs that should never be up for debate.

At the same time, immigrant communities are facing intensified hostility. Billions of federal dollars have been allocated to build detention centers and fund militarized operations targeting both documented and undocumented individuals. As these resources fuel a machinery of fear and displacement, our most vulnerable neighbors are left even more exposed and unprotected.

In the face of these unsettling developments, I want to offer heartfelt thanks to those of you who continue to stand with our community. Your compassion and generosity provide hope and sustenance to those left behind by shifting national priorities.

But I find myself asking: What does this mean for a small, all-volunteer organization like FISH?  When the winds of change become seismic upheavals, how do we respond?

My answer, for now, is this: we hold our course. Thanks to unwavering community support and the dedication of 167 incredible volunteers, FISH continues to offer essential services—food, transportation, clothing, rent and utility assistance, medical support, and more. With courage and commitment, we stand alongside our neighbors.

During the wildfires we held our course and continued to provide all of our services.  During the  pandemic we made adjustments and were able to provide all of our services.  Now we face the dismantling of the government-provided safety net and we will hold our course and provide all of our services. I’m deeply grateful that FISH remains a strong, compassionate presence in Sonoma Valley—a vital nonprofit that helps carry our community through.

Let us take heart and have courage. We are needed—now more than ever.

- Sandy

In the first six months of 2025 FISH has played a critical role in the local safety net, providing the following to our Sonoma Valley neighbors.

976 households have picked up food at our pantry

277 homebound households have received food deliveries

518 individuals received rides to medical appointments - most were out of town rides

184 individuals have received 1-4 items of medical equipment

169 families have received utility assistance

163 families have received rental assistance

18 individuals, mostly seniors,  have receive assistance for dental work

11 homeless individuals have received financial assistance for critical needs

11 individuals have received financial assistance with one-time extraordinary expenses

1500 families have received clothing 

Uncounted but essential are the many hours of work to provide these services, including thousands of texts and phone calls for our dispatchers and coordinators.  Well done, FISH volunteers!

On June 17th FISH was the featured nonprofit at the Tuesday night Farmers Market on the Plaza. FISH opened the Market, provided a thumbnail sketch of FISH services and introduced the music makers of the evening.  FISH also had the prime spot across from the City Hall for its information table.  One of the many highlights was Anne Shapiro with her FISH & chips dinner at our FISH table.  A hearty thanks to Anne, Maria Campbell, Jody Leeds, and Mary Washburn for their help and to all the FISH volunteers and community members who stopped by. 

To better serve our community, FISH has a new office at 18360 Sonoma Highway (the Sonoma Immigrant Services building). FISH volunteers are on site Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to help local residents in applying for our Rent and Utility assistance programs and to answer general questions. Assistance is available in English or Spanish.

We welcome our newest FISH Board member, Ryan Marek. Ryan will also be serving as FISH Treasurer. From left to right; board members Charlotte Ruffner, Maria Lounibos, Nadine Yenni, Tom Haeuser, Phyllis Anderson, Ryan Marek and Joanne Brown.

After two decades of dedicated volunteer service, Linda Alwitt has decided it’s time to retire. If it was the first Monday of the month, you could count on Linda to be at the helm—dispatching and answering FISH calls with grace and efficiency.

Linda also served for years as our grant writer and liaison to TechSoup, generously sharing her expertise and time. In 2012, she was one of four key individuals who led the first  upgrade of the FISH website. She also played an important role on the planning committee for our 45th Anniversary Celebration.

A visionary contributor, Linda helped shape our strategic plan, FISH at 50, setting a course for the organization’s future. Hats off to Linda for her many significant contributions. Her impact on FISH is lasting and deeply appreciated.

Denise Lacompagna joined FISH in 2012, bringing a wealth of talent and a generous heart to her volunteer work. For years, she lovingly crafted baby quilts and assembled beautiful, thoughtfully curated layette bundles for new families. After taking time away to focus on her health, Denise returned to FISH as a dispatcher—a role well suited to her background in social work and her compassionate nature. We will deeply miss Denise’s quiet dedication, her kind and gentle spirit, and the many lives she touched through her service.

We also note with sadness the passing of Linda Stevens, who served as FISH’s Dispatch Coordinator for many years and worked tirelessly during the 2017 fires. In addition to her dedication to FISH, Linda was a devoted volunteer at Sonoma Arts Live (SAL), where she was a passionate supporter of musical theater.

Her commitment to community service extended throughout Sonoma Valley —Linda served as Volunteer Coordinator at Pet’s Lifeline before joining Vintage House, where she worked for nine years as their Volunteer Coordinator. A lifelong advocate for both human and animal welfare, Linda’s family included countless adopted dogs and cats.

Though generally quiet, Linda’s interests and talents were wide-ranging. She inherited a remarkable art collection from her father and continued to build on it throughout her life. She loved music and dancing—especially jazz—and for years was a familiar face on the local dance circuit.

In January 2021, Linda experienced a life-changing medical event. Beverly Koepplin stepped in to take over Linda’s vast FISH responsibilities, and together with her sister, Karen Fegan, continued to support Linda with weekly shopping trips and frequent wellness checks.

Linda leaves behind a legacy of kindness, community knowledge, and a deep appreciation for people. Her love, laughter, and generous spirit touched many and will be remembered with gratitude.

Thank you for supporting FISH as we navigate the road ahead.