(Vallejo, CA) – Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson (D-Concord) honored the work of the Robby Poblete Foundation to fight the problem of gun violence that is ravaging our communities.
“The Robby Poblete Foundation is taking an extraordinary stand against gun violence in the East Bay area by taking guns off the streets and preventing them from falling into the wrong hands,” said Assemblymember Grayson. “That is why I am proud to honor the Robby Poblete Foundation as the Nonprofit of the Year for the 14th Assembly District for its successful efforts to improve our community.”
Bay Area journalist Pati Navalta Poblete founded the Robby Poblete Foundation and named it in honor of her son, Robby, who was killed by gun violence in Vallejo in 2014 at the age of 23 during what police suspect was a robbery. In less than two years, the foundation has helped take more than 225 unwanted firearms off the streets through gun buyback programs and also is working on a pilot program to promote in-demand vocational skills training to help economically disadvantaged youths avoid the streets and find career opportunities.
“When I created this foundation, my hope was to honor my son through service and advocacy. My goal was to reduce gun violence through gun buybacks, then transform those weapons into instruments of hope and education through art,” said Pati Poblete, executive director of the Robby Poblete Foundation. “I never imagined that we would be honored as the Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Grayson, but we humbly accept it in honor of all the people who have lost their lives to gun violence, and all of our youth who deserve to live in safe communities filled with opportunities.”
Assemblymember Grayson presented the Nonprofit of the Year award during yesterday’s “Art of Peace” unveiling ceremony in Vallejo, which featured artwork crafted from firearms that the foundation had collected through its gun buyback programs. Next month, the California Legislature will invite all award winners to the inaugural California Nonprofits Day on June 6, at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Nearly one hundred nonprofit organizations from around the state have been selected by their respective legislators as “Nonprofits of the Year.”
Tim Grayson represents the 14th Assembly District that includes the communities of Benicia, Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Pittsburg and Walnut Creek. For more information please visit the Assemblymember’s website, www.assembly.ca.gov/a14.