SBCS Celebrates Major Milestone with their new office building

SBCS, formerly South Bay Community Services, marked a significant milestone on July 30 with a “topping off” ceremony for its new 61,000-square-foot facility. This event celebrated the completion of the steel framework, with the final beam being signed by attendees before being placed. The new Center, expected to be completed by May 2025, is being constructed by San Diego General Contractor Dempsey Construction and designed by Tucker Sadler Architects.

Key Takeaways

• The SBCS Community Impact Center will serve over 10,000 additional families annually, focusing on empowerment and long-term stability.
• The 61,000-square-foot facility will provide comprehensive support services for domestic violence, trauma, food insecurity, and housing instability.
• Key features include a community engagement center, family visitation center, counseling offices, and training rooms to enhance service accessibility.
• The project is primarily funded through agency reserves and private contributions, aiming to raise $9 to $10 million for completion.
• Individuals and organizations can get involved through donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, and volunteering opportunities.

A lot of you had asked about this building and what it was going to be. I created a short video a few weeks back about the SBCS project. I will be creating more videos on the project so stay tuned.

Generous Support from Cox Communications

During the ceremony, Cox Communications presented SBCS with a $100,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. This grant will support the new community engagement center, offering critical services for families and individuals in crisis, such as domestic violence and trauma support, food and housing insecurity assistance, employment help, and educational resources.

A Return to SBCS Roots

Located at 318 Fourth Ave., where SBCS first began over 50 years ago, the new facility will serve as the central hub for all SBCS services. The Center for Impact will allow SBCS to expand its outreach, providing essential services to over 10,000 additional families, children, and youth annually.

Chula Vista Mayor John McCann expressed his support, stating, “SBCS’s new Center for Impact is a testament to our community’s dedication to supporting one another. We are proud to see this project well on its way to completion and look forward to the tremendous benefits it will bring to the South Bay’s residents.”

Expanding Services Across the County

SBCS President and CEO Kathryn Lembo highlighted the organization’s growth beyond South Bay, expanding countywide due to their effective work and strong funding partnerships. “We partner with youth agencies in different parts of the county to ensure families have access to a full range of services,” Lembo said.

The new building, purchased at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will consolidate services currently spread across five aging buildings in South County. “We have staff working out of garages right now,” Lembo noted. “This new central hub will allow us to serve more people and provide a welcoming space for residents to receive support and connect meaningfully with one another.”

Community Engagement and Wellness Center

The new facility’s ground floor will house a community engagement and wellness center and a family visitation center. The top three floors will feature meeting spaces, counseling offices, children’s mental health services, and other essential services SBCS provides.

“We’re proud of how beautiful and purposeful this building will be,” Lembo said. “It will increase our visibility among families in crisis and provide a much-needed space for all our operations.”

Funding and Future Goals

The center’s construction cost is $26 million, and the total cost, including permits, fees, and legal costs, is $34 million. Lembo emphasized that no government money is being used for this project. Instead, funding comes from new market tax credits, agency reserves, and a $9 million construction loan.

“We’ve received significant donations, including $500,000 from David and Annie Malcolm and $2 million from the Price Foundation,” Lembo shared. With about $2.4 million raised so far, SBCS continues to seek support for its capital campaign.

Chanelle Hawken, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Cox Communications, stated, “Cox has been a proud supporter of SBCS for over 15 years. This generous $100,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation will help SBCS reach even more families and individuals who need their services.”

To learn more or get involved in the SBCS capital campaign, visit their website at sbcssandiego.org.