Volunteers in Probation Annual Golf Tournament is Friday
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Some of our County probation officers spend their free time ... helping probationers.
For Maritza Rodriguez, Volunteers in Probation—or V.I.P—means a chance to change lives in a way that’s different from when she’s on the clock.
“For me, it’s really thinking outside the box, not looking at it through justice system, but seeing the other side of it, as a community member helping,” Rodriguez, a senior probation officer, said.
And, of course, a nonprofit can be a lot of fun too. This Friday, V.I.P’s annual golf tournament and fundraiser promises a good time for a great cause.
The 17th annual tournament will begin at noon at the Carlton Oaks Golf Course in San Diego. The $115 entry fee includes the Polynesian-themed tournament, 18 holes, a cart lunch and a dinner banquet. Golf goes until 5 p.m. and is followed by dinner and a silent auction.
Rodriguez says teams of four can register, or, if you don’t play golf or don’t have the day off, you can attend the dinner and auction for $26. It’s all open to anyone, so feel free to spread the word.
The tournament is V.I.P’s major fundraiser, and the money raised pays for items or services that help people, generally probationers, make positive change in their lives. V.I.P helps with things that public funds and other community resources don’t cover, for example, bus passes so probationers without transportation can attend job training. V.I.P funds scholarships for juvenile probationers on the path to college. It helps impoverished families of at-risk adults and juveniles with emergency needs, so that a person trying to make positive changes isn’t set back by financial troubles at home.
Rodriguez says V.I.P is a flexible funding source that embraces creative approaches to changing lives. Recently, a boxing program in Pacific Beach that serves former gang members and at-risk youth and adults lost grant funding and was on the brink of closing its doors. After evaluating the program, V.I.P offered temporary assistance to help the gym stay open while it secures a new grant.
V.I.P’s members are active and retired probation officers and community members who are passionate about helping former criminals ready to move forward and contribute to their families and community.
“Although people do make mistakes, there’s always a chance for improvement, there’s always a chance to make that happen,” said Rodriguez.
To sign up for the golf tournament or learn more about Volunteers in Probation, visit http://www.volunteersinprobation.org/.