Community Resource Center (CRC) recently announced the finalists for the inaugural 2026 CRC Community Impact Awards, honoring individuals, youth, groups and organizations who demonstrate exceptional compassion, commitment and action in supporting neighbors facing hunger, homelessness and domestic violence across North Coast San Diego, according to a news release.
Finalists and community members will be celebrated on Friday, March 6, at a special luncheon event at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club in Solana Beach. Winners will be announced during the event.
Finalists were selected across the following award categories:Compassion in Action Award (Individual and Group/Organization), recognizing exceptional commitment through direct service, outreach, advocacy or innovative approaches.
Youth Changemaker Award, honoring a young leader under age 21 making a meaningful difference through leadership, service and action.
Excellence in Leadership Award, recognizing the executive of a partner, nonprofit or for-profit organization for their leadership, collaboration and efforts to create solutions.
CRC CARES Award, recognizing work that embodies CRC’s values of compassion, acceptance, resilience, empathy and success.
2026 CRC Community Impact Awards Finalists
Compassion in Action Award – Individual:•Lee Auerbach, Board Member and Team Leader, Encinitas Fill-A-Belly•Richard Hostetter, Founder, Feeding All God’s Children•Dr. Ana Serrano, Director, God’s Heart Ministry: Las Valientes•Jordan Verdin, Founder, Humanity Showers
Compassion in Action Award – Group:•BOOST Program, Encinitas•Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank•Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Encinitas•The Woman’s Club of Carlsbad
Youth Changemaker Award Finalists:•Zachary Rees•Lucas Schalch•Sebastian Trumbore
Excellence in Leadership Award:•Alicia Kitagawa, Executive Director, Life Science Cares San Diego
CRC CARES Award Honorees:•Dottie Fortman•TaylorMade Golf Company
This year’s luncheon theme, “Compassion in Action,” highlights the people and organizations whose leadership and service are strengthening the local community and helping ensure neighbors in need are seen, supported and connected to care.
The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Ken Druck, bestselling author and resilience expert, who will share an uplifting message about turning compassion into action. A Del Mar resident, Druck is the author of several books, including “How We Go On: Self-Compassion, Courage, and Gratitude on the Path Forward.” After losing his daughter in a tragic accident, he dedicated his life to helping people navigate grief and resilience.
“For more than four decades, this community has come together to support neighbors facing hardship and make CRC’s work possible,” said John Van Cleef, CEO of Community Resource Center, in the news release. “The CRC Community Impact Awards are a time for us to recognize and celebrate the changemakers who make North Coast San Diego stronger. We invite the community to join us on March 6 as we celebrate what compassion looks like in action.”
Tickets are available now through Feb. 17. Learn more and purchase tickets at crcncc.org/awards.