ALTADENA, Calif., March 14, 2025—Five Acres celebrated its 137th Annual Meeting and Board Celebration on March 12 at its historic main campus in Altadena, recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations for their commitment to children and families. The evening also marked the introduction of two distinguished new board members dedicated to advancing the nonprofit’s mission of promoting safety, well-being, and permanency for every child.
“If we had to think of a symbol for the past 137 years, and in particular in the past year and the past few months, it would be the heart. Heart for our clients, heart for our staff, heart for our community and heart for our mission,” said Chris Selak, Five Acres board chair. “So with that, welcome to our theme of “Wear Your Heart” in all we do. And why? Because our work here at Five Acres is driven by a heartfelt commitment to ensuring every child has the safety, well-being, and permanency they deserve.”
The theme “Wear Your Heart” is also the name of the campaign in partnership with California’s United Mental Health Promoters program to reach historically underserved populations by enhancing our capacity to serve more children at risk and strengthen families. Additional partners include Kidspace, YMCA, Ellie Mental Health, to include just a few, and several who were in attendance, too.
The board celebration recognized the following awardees for their outstanding contributions:
Five Acres Hero Award – Five Acres Director of Facilities Jake Cashill: For working around the clock to save the building during the Eaton Fires, repairing the damage from the windstorms, and ensuring the organization was safe for the return of the children in the Residential program and the staff.
Special Service to Children Award – For Goodness Cakes, represented by Jo Pessin, the Los Angeles County Chapter Lead: For bringing joy to children by providing personalized birthday cakes and treats, offering a sense of celebration, belonging, and care to those in need.
Person of the Year – Kirsten L. Hansen: For exceptional leadership, unwavering support, and dedicated service as a long-time advocate, board member as the vice chair of administration, and champion of Five Acres’ mission.
Volunteers of the Year – Nicole Rasic and Trish Gonzales: For their extraordinary volunteerism, dedication to Five Acres events, and tireless efforts to engage their families, friends, and community in supporting vulnerable children.
Outstanding Support Award – Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA): For their instrumental role in tirelessly advocating for child welfare services, ensuring the continuation of foster care programs during a critical insurance crisis.
Dorothy Cook Lifetime Achievement Award – Grace Russak, senior vice president at Northern Trust: For 17 years of dedicated board service, financial leadership, and extensive network of key connections that has strengthened Five Acres’ capacity to serve children and families.
As part of its continued commitment to strong diverse leadership, Five Acres proudly welcomed two new board members. Erica Adler, executive vice president of Business Strategy and Operations at Paramount Global, is a dedicated Five Acres supporter and in her second year as a gala co-chair. Wendy Wu, a former federal prosecutor, is managing director and the head of Nardello & Co.’s Digital Investigations and Cyber Risk practice. Nationally recognized expert in digital investigations and cybersecurity, contributing her expertise to Five Acres’ IT Committee.
“Over the past 137 years, you and those before you have helped transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and families. And today happens to be our official Five Acres Day celebrating 137 years supporting children and families! Five Acres Day was made official in 2018 by LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger,” said Selak.
To learn more about Five Acres and how to become involved, visit 5acres.org.
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About Five Acres
Since 1888, Five Acres has protected the most vulnerable members of our community: children. Serving nearly 7,000 children and family members annually across six counties, Five Acres now strives for permanency—a permanent, loving home—for all children in their care. The three pillars of safety, well-being and permanency provide the framework for its programs and guide the steps as the agency develops even more effective means of caring for children and families in crisis.
Contact: Marisol Barrios Perez, MSPA, APR
626-491-3594 or Marisolperez@5acres.org