REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (November 15, 2023) – The South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB), a leader in workforce innovation and development, presented Beach Cities Health District with its inaugural Wayne Spencer Community Service Award at its 28th Annual Awards Ceremony last week.
More than 500 elected officials, civic leaders, business representatives, workforce partners and award honorees joined with the SBWIB for the ceremony, held November 9 at the Torrance Marriott.
The SBWIB honored the health district for " BCHD’s outstanding service to the South Bay for the past 25 years and its initiative to become part of the allcove network of integrated youth mental health centers throughout California," according to SBWIB Executive Director Jan Vogel, who presented the award.
“BCHD has a long history of serving the community and I am pleased to receive this honor on behalf of our current and former team members who have worked so hard to positively impact Beach Cities residents,” said Tom Bakaly, Chief Executive Officer for BCHD. “I thank the South Bay Workforce Investment Board for this honor, and for recognizing the important work being done at BCHD and now with allcove Beach Cities.”
allcove Beach Cities, which opened in November 2022, offers services in mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, family support and supported education and employment for young people ages 12 to 25 with mild to moderate needs in the South Bay. allcove Beach Cities is a safe place for youth that reduces stigma, embraces mental wellness and increases community connection. The center is located at the Beach Cities Health Center at 514 N. Prospect Ave., 4th floor, in Redondo Beach.
Wayne Spencer served as Chairman of the Board of the SBWIB for more than 20 years, a consummate leader whose enthusiasm inspired members to give their best to achieve the goals of the organization, according to the SBWIB website. Spencer also served on the Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, of which he was a past board chairman, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Inglewood where he served on the board of directors and was a past president. He passed away March 12.
Since 1981, the South Bay Workforce Investment Board has served eleven cities located in southwest Los Angeles County, including Hawthorne, Inglewood, Gardena, Carson, Lawndale, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Torrance and Lomita. The board is comprised of 51 members representing business, labor, education, economic development, the One-Stop partners and other local workforce system stakeholders.
The South Bay Workforce Investment Board has been a leader in workforce innovation and has received national awards for its workforce development activities for employment and business services in Los Angeles County and throughout Southern California. The SBWIB has also been recognized for being one of the highest-performing Workforce Investment Boards in the state of California.
Media Contact: Dan Smith, BCHD, dan.smith@bchd.org or 310-374-3426, ext. 8165
