East Bay Leadership Council Praises Volunteers in Concord

The East Bay Leadership Council bestowed Deborah Jansen with the “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year” award on Thursday at a breakfast reception in Concord, California.

Jansen directs the Academic Excellence program at the Community Youth Center in Concord, California, which provides tutoring for students who live in low socioeconomic conditions. The goal of the organization's program is to provide a stable, supportive, and safe environment in which students can enhance their academic abilities, according to the CYC's website.  

Her job is a full-time management position that enhances the lives of more than 120 students a day, according to Molly Walker, spokesperson for the Contra Costa Tri-Valley Philanthropy Awards Breakfast. Walker said the CYC does not compensate Jansen for her work; she does it on a volunteer basis.

Jansen is credited with raising more than $64,000 for the organization in the past four years and bringing structure to the center’s tutoring rooms.

More than 400 people attended the event that took place at the Hilton Concord Hotel on Thursday, where 13 businesses and non-profit organizations were also lauded for their philanthropic initiatives. 

The East Bay Leadership Council, formerly known as the Contra Costa Council, is a private sector organization that focuses on advocating for public policy changes that improve the quality of life in the East Bay.  

For more about the organization, visit this website.