Born and raised in Southeast San Diego, Lauryn Gabriel is a proud first-generation college graduate who says she values the opportunity to give back to the community that shaped her. She also volunteers on the marketing committee for the Young Nonprofit Network in San Diego. Having overcome two knee replacements and countless other challenges, Gabriel attributes her success to her faith, her family’s unwavering support, and her work giving back, particularly with Girls on the Run.
Girls on the Run San Diego is part of a global movement that helps third- to eighth-grade girls build their confidence and navigate life’s challenges through physical activity and social-emotional lessons. GOTRSD’s inclusive and research-based curriculum fosters healthy physical and mental habits, with trained volunteer coaches guiding the girls. As a program volunteer, Gabriel works directly with youth to develop skills that will last beyond their time in the program.
Photo Credit: Eze Photography
What made you want to work for this organization?
Last year, I underwent a total knee replacement on my left knee, marking a significant step toward regaining my mobility. Overcoming the mental and physical challenges of transitioning from being fully able-bodied to using a wheelchair was incredibly tough. I promised myself that by the end of my recovery, I would find a role that not only aligned with the woman I am becoming but also allowed me to impact my community and give back to the city that has given me so much.
In August 2023, while applying to numerous roles at a coffee shop, one opportunity stood out: Girls on the Run San Diego. This role offered the chance to work directly with girls in my community and extend the program to underserved areas that could greatly benefit from it. The organization’s core values resonated deeply with me, particularly: embracing our differences and finding strength in our connectedness, nurturing our physical, emotional, and spiritual health, leading with an open heart, and assuming positive intent. These values perfectly aligned with my personal journey and aspirations.
Moreover, this job came into my life during a time of profound personal healing. The same week I had my first interview for this role, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my goddaughter, Caloni, who was just 8 years old. Despite the challenge, something drew me to this position. Every day I clock in, I keep her in mind—not only because she would have loved a program like this, but also because I saw so many of our core values reflected in her even at a young age. This role has been a source of healing and motivation for me, driving me to continue pouring into the lives of girls her age and beyond.
What do your job duties entail?
In my role, I have the opportunity to coordinate programming and outreach, as well as manage our social media accounts. This past spring, I was responsible for programming in the Escondido Unified School District, acting as the point of contact for 21 sites. This involved ensuring coaches were properly trained for the season and thoroughly understood the curriculum. Additionally, managing our social media became a passion of mine, as it allowed me to showcase the joy and impact this program has on our girls.
One of the key aspects that drew me to this role is the flexibility to learn and grow. This is particularly evident in the outreach portion of my responsibilities. My peers and board members often hear me emphasize the importance of community, which is at the heart of my work. Understanding the communities we currently serve and those we aim to reach in the future is crucial. My job involves figuring out how to introduce our Girls on the Run and Heart and Sole to new sites while focusing on how to best support them in implementing it.
Essentially, my role bridges gaps in various areas, whether it’s entering new spaces, forging new connections, or nurturing existing relationships to ensure our longevity. The multifaceted nature of this job brings me immense joy. While the title “Program Coordinator” can encompass many responsibilities, at Girls on the Run San Diego, it represents a unique blend of flexibility, community engagement, and the sheer excitement of seeing our girls complete their 5k.
The brightness that emanates from our council is not just due to our company colors but also our core values. This role has allowed me to create lasting experiences for the girls we serve and healing experiences for myself. I truly enjoy the work I do and the meaningful impact it has on our community.
Courtesy of Girls on the Run San Diego
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while at GOTRSD?
I have two experiences that stand out to me. My favorite experience thus far has been completing our NCT (National Coach Training) to train the next generation of coaches. This training was held in Charlotte, NC, and I attended alongside our Program Operations Manager, Izabel. We both started at Girls on the Run a few weeks apart and have been inseparable since. This experience was particularly meaningful because it was the first time in a long while that I truly heard my own voice. Over the past four years, I have faced numerous challenges that many might not have overcome, but through faith and perseverance, I found my voice again at this training.
As this role is my first significant professional position, I initially experienced imposter syndrome, unable to believe where I had ended up after all I had been through. The training provided ample opportunities for speaking, networking, and learning, which empowered me and reaffirmed my commitment to the work I do. By the end of the training, women from councils across the country were approaching me, commending my eloquence and expressing their excitement for the future work at our council. This trip allowed me to embrace the differences in the room and find strength in our connectedness. It was the first time in four years that I felt truly seen for who I am, beyond my physical challenges and the post-graduate phase of self-discovery.
My second most memorable experience occurred during a site visit as the Liaison for Escondido Unified School District. I had developed a strong relationship with a coach via email and was eager to visit her site, Del Dios Academy of Visual and Performing Arts. Although I had to reschedule the visit due to physical therapy for my second total knee replacement, it turned out to be a profoundly memorable day.
Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I was accustomed to a sense of belonging within my community. When I arrived at Del Dios Academy, a young Black girl saw me and her face instantly lit up. In that moment, I knew what her smile meant—she felt a sense of belonging. Throughout the visit, she would glance at me, unsure about approaching me, which I understood as I had once been a sixth grader too. Eventually, I had the chance to talk with her, as well as with other girls on the team. She mentioned that she did not enjoy middle school due to the challenges of being historically underrepresented and facing unkind peers. I reminded her of the power of being a Black woman and encouraged her to embrace her identity, despite the challenges she might face in spaces where she may not be respected or accepted.
This site visit reinforced my purpose in this role. While my goal is to connect and build relationships within the broader community, I also aim to be a representation for young Black girls in our community who participate in this program. I am where I am today because of the Black women and men who poured into me growing up and continue to support me. There have been many times when I did not feel safe until I saw someone who looked like me. Both of these experiences have been deeply impactful, as they have allowed me to find my voice and use it to inspire and support others.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced is making meaningful change at a slow pace. Since starting this role, I’ve felt a greater purpose in my heart, but refining exactly what that purpose is has been a journey. Girls on The Run and Heart and Sole have been a transformative agent for many girls, but what about our historically underrepresented communities? What about our Black communities with limited access to resources or funding? Each season, we open a window for schools to be eligible for funding to reduce program costs, enabling more participation.
However, the reality is that, despite our best efforts, we can’t financially support every site. Over the past year, we as an organization have explored numerous ways to secure funding to support these schools and make our program more equitable and accessible to the communities that need us most. Growing up in Southeast San Diego, I attended Nye Elementary and O’Farrell Community School. I know firsthand that these students could benefit from our program, but not if they can’t afford it.
That’s why Girls on the Run San Diego firmly believes that every girl deserves to participate in our program and offers several types of financial assistance to anyone who needs it. All participants and their families will have access to discount codes for financial assistance. I’ve been balancing the goal of expanding our reach while welcoming back sites that were once part of our community before Covid-19. We may be a small team, but we are mighty in our resolve.
In my quest to discover my purpose and navigate the challenges of effecting change, I’ve yearned to provide young Black girls with opportunities I didn’t have. Systemically, I have encountered numerous barriers in this role. I’ve questioned why I was chosen for the challenge of change and whether my efforts truly contribute to this generation. At times, it has felt overwhelming to be just one person striving to create the change I envision.
One constant in this process has been the importance of community. Systemically, I feel that Black women in this organization lack the proper communication channels and agency, and representation in both the staff and board. Connecting with many educated Black women who share my commitment to increasing reach and accessibility for Black girls has been invaluable. I’ve learned that sometimes, I need to take a leap of faith, even if the results are slow to manifest.
We have had numerous discussions on using intentionality in the curriculum to support a culturally responsive and inclusive programming effort by both our team and coaches. We’ve faced multiple resistance and a continued journey of learning how to be responsive to communities of color which we redefine as “not yet.” Despite these obstacles, this role has shown me the challenges of being a successful young Black professional. There are numerous systemic barriers we must overcome to grow in the communities where we are most needed.
From these challenges, I have learned that challenges provoke change. There is always a better way to do something, and finding the right solution takes time. Challenge comes when change is moving in the right direction. The word “challenge” contains “change,” reminding me that perseverance is key. I must long for change, regardless of how hard it gets or how long it takes. The goal is to implement incremental changes now so that one day, the change will be evident across our organization. I am here on an assignment and have embraced the challenges that come my way.
We are currently working on securing funding and developing fundraising methods with the team to make our program more accessible to girls throughout San Diego County. This pursuit of change has challenged me to grow in unexpected ways and to use the voice that this role has helped me find. As the only Black woman on our staff, the challenges I face do not instill fear but inspire change. I am dedicated to sending out the challenge of change so that we can grow as a council, remain vigilant in our work, and continue to advocate for our community. I strive to be a representation for future Black professionals and express gratitude to my ancestors who embraced the change that comes with challenges.
The question remains: What change is being held back by this challenge? How can I take the first step towards that change?
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
Take the leap of faith and do it. I have a younger sister, and with our ten-year age gap, I understand how different our perspectives can be. Volunteering with Girls on the Run San Diego is healing in many ways. Our GOTRSD community is incredibly special, with a passion that extends beyond the board and staff to our dedicated volunteers. There is a unique joy that permeates in this space, especially when we all share the same gratitude for our core values in order to create a better future for the next generation.
I have had the honor of connecting with many amazing volunteers and often hold space for them to share what led them to GOTRSD and what keeps them involved. Many express the sentiment of wishing they could have experienced this program as a child or being the representation for young girls that they needed when they were younger. Volunteering often heals the inner child, which is profoundly meaningful to me.
This is a wonderful space to volunteer if you’re new to my hometown and seeking community, or if you want to contribute to the lasting experiences the girls are part of. One core value to keep in mind is to lead with an open heart and assume positive intent. When you come into this space, leave your fears behind and allow yourself to be fully present. Lead with an open heart because, although we are working with the next generation of doctors, lawyers, educators, and changemakers, these girls inspire us with their wisdom, courage, vulnerability, curiosity, and desire for a better world.
Get in contact with our San Diego council, and we will welcome you into our community with open arms. Give us a follow on Instagram @gotrsd and feel free to visit our website gotrsd.org.
Jackie is a long-time freelance journalist covering cannabis, food/restaurants, travel, labor, wine, spirits, arts & culture, design, and other topics. Her work has been selected twice for Best American Travel Writing, and she has won a variety of national and local awards for her writing and reporting.
Seniors today face challenges that were unimaginable to previous generations, and some turn to nonprofit organizations to bridge the gap. Serving Seniors helps low-income older adults with housing assistance, social services, and more. The nonprofit provides 1.5 million meals and coordinated services to 13,265 older adults each year, the majority living on less than $1,125 per month.
Dedicated volunteers, like Fred Davis, help make this important work possible. Since roughly 2008, Davis has spent six days a week at the Serving Seniors Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center serves as a liaison to help clients access much-needed resources. Here, he shares what keeps him coming back day after day.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What made you want to get involved with Serving Seniors?
I have a community outreach ministry and my grandson and I were on the streets downtown handing out sack lunches, water, hygiene products, clothes and shoes, and things like that and I noticed that most of the people I met appeared to be seniors. So the next logical step for me was to find a senior group that I could work with. I heard about Serving Seniors, and I made a few phone calls. No one really responded to me, so I showed up. They opened the door for me and now they can’t get rid of me. I found a home. I’ve met some really good people over the years. And as it turned out, I’ve been here longer than most of them. I’ve been here at the West Center ever since the doors opened. And matter of fact, I was the one who gave Gary and Mary West an award for their generous donation that made it possible to open up this center.
What do your volunteer duties entail?
I’m in ministry, but I don’t want that to be the highlight of what I do. It’s not just a passion for serving people, it’s a calling. I like the idea of giving and serving people and trying to meet their needs. So I counsel, I oversee the serving of the lunches, and I work with the head of the volunteer group. I’m involved in different activities. Matter of fact, this coming Saturday, I’m going to take a group of seniors out sailing. I also helped start the Civic Engagement Group. It was a group of us, and there are about three members that are left from when we originally started it. Now Serving Seniors is taking it over, and my role is to work with them. I also took it a little bit further and ended up joining Aging and Independent Services and sat on that advisory board for a number of years. That led to me being elected to the California Senior Legislature. So I’ve been advocating for seniors for a very long time. They’re a vulnerable group. They worked hard and don’t always get the respect that they deserve.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
What do you like best about volunteering at Serving Seniors?
The people—this is my target group right here. I don’t have to walk the streets like my grandson and I did anymore; they’re right here. I’m here every day at the West Center but Sunday.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge is not being able to help someone who really needs the help. But we try to find a way. I reach out to different organizations, faith-based organizations or other nonprofits, sometimes with success and a lot of times without success. There are quite a few people that are in need who are hardworking people, dedicated people who still want to provide for themselves and their family, and they’re just caught in that void.
Courtesy of Serving Seniors
Can you describe your favorite or most memorable experience while volunteering?
I was handing out clothes; I usually have a sock drive and I gave a homeless person a pair of socks. As they peeled their filthy socks off their feet, this person cried. You don’t know how important these little things are that we take for granted. It was really touching.
Any advice for someone considering volunteering as a way to give back?
A lot of people use the term giving back, but I just say giving. When you say ‘giving back,’ that means you’re trying to repay something and you’re taking credit. But giving is a passion. It’s something that you do from your heart, not out of obligation.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
More than 6,000 ice cream lovers devoured tasty treats at this year’s Scoop Ice Cream Festival for a great cause. The event on June 28 launched an ongoing partnership with Feeding San Diego and raised $60,000, or enough to provide 120,000 meals to San Diegans facing hunger.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Raise money for cancer research while you work out at the Curebound Cancer Challenge. Fundraisers will cycle along the San Diego coastline, run a 10K on the UC San Diego campus, and participate in group spin, yoga, and strength classes.
August 1: Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night
Patrons of the Prado will channel 1950s Havana at this year’s Masterpiece Gala. Club Masterpiece: One Haute Havana Night will raise money for Balboa Park cultural institutions and will include a special honor for philanthropists Joan and Irwin Jacobs.
August 3: CaddyHack Golf Festival
Golfers will tee off to support Boys to Men Mentoring at the CaddyHack Golf Festival. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the charity golf tournament will include golf, music, food, and fun at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club.
August 7: Music By Eras Fundraiser for TERI Campus of Life
Acclaimed San Diego musicians will join together to support TERI’s programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Music By Eras performance at TERI’s Bornemann Theatre will feature artists Whitney Shay, Jesse Ray Smith, Lauren Leigh, and Will Stucky.
August 8: 80th Annual Jewel Ball
Las Patronas will recreate the magic of Venice at its 80th annual Jewel Ball. Las Patronas has spent the entire year preparing for the event, as well as raising money to support nonprofit organizations across San Diego County.
August 14: Shelter to Soldier Be the Light Gala
Help Shelter to Soldier train rescue dogs to be psychiatric service animals for local veterans at the 14th annual Be the Light Gala aboard the USS Midway Museum. The gala will include silent and live auctions, dinner, dessert, and appearances by canine ambassadors and veteran recipients.
August 15: Haute with Heart Fashion Show
St. Madeline Sophie’s Center will celebrate its “hidden diamonds” at its 48th annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show. The lively event at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will include a pre-luncheon reception, live music, a live auction, a stunning fashion show, and surprise entertainment to benefit the nonprofit’s programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
August 15: Symphony at Salk’s Concert Under the Stars
The Bacon Brothers will perform with the San Diego Symphony at this year’s Concert Under the Stars. Now in its 30th year, Symphony at Salk supports research in areas such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, wellness, and agriculture.
August 22: SummerFest Gala 2026
La Jolla Music Society supporters will enjoy an evening of exclusive performances at its SummerFest Gala 2026. The event at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will raise money for La Jolla Music Society’s artistic, learning, and engagement programs.
August 28: 2026 Alpha Project Golf Tournament
Tee off to help San Diegans facing homelessness at Alpha Project’s 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic. The four-person scramble at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort and Spa will support the Alpha Project’s housing, employment, recovery, and support services.
August 29: Relay for Life of San Diego
Walkers will join forces to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who lost their fight at the annual Relay for Life of San Diego. The 24-hour relay at Liberty Station NTC Park is part of a global network of similar events that raise money for the American Cancer Society.
August 29: A Night United: Illuminating the Way
United Way of San Diego County will host its A Night United: Illuminating the Way gala at Eve, an event destination on San Diego Bay. The elegant evening will benefit UWSD’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities across the region.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Kelly H. Harfouche, founder of KQ Aesthetic Society, knows firsthand that cosmetic treatments like fillers, neurotoxins, and microneedling, can not only enhance a person’s appearance and restore confidence, they have the power to truly change a person’s life. An expert injector has the ability to tailor treatments to each individual patient’s anatomy and goals for personalized results. Harfouche, a board-certified nurse practitioner, has spent nearly a decade perfecting her craft as an aesthetic injector and integrating her multifaceted artistic skills with precision patient care. Her commitment to continual education and training, plus a passion for helping people look—and feel—their best, set KQ Aesthetic Society apart in a sea of local medspas.
For many people considering nonsurgical treatments, the intent is to look refreshed and refined. KQ Aesthetic Society’s philosophy eschews a cookie cutter approach that bases treatments around units, instead working to understand each person’s unique goals, then curating a treatment plan to fit that vision. Harfouche focuses on “inclusive luxury,” the belief that everyone deserves access to aesthetic treatments, respective of budget restrictions. She develops long-standing trusted relationships with her patients, and works with each one to achieve their aesthetic objectives and address the underlying causes of their concerns.
“For me, forming an honest and open relationship with every patient who walks through the door is essential. This means understanding them on a deeper level and meeting them where they are to define and achieve their individual goals,” she says.
Drawing on her artistic background, which inspired her transition into medical aesthetics, Harfouche sees each client as a “unique canvas.” Rather than relying on standardized procedures, the practitioner’s distinctive approach combines her profound understanding of the physiological and anatomical changes associated with aging with an unwavering commitment to ongoing education about the newest products and their mechanisms of action. Her goal is to make each patient feel beautiful in their own skin and to embrace their individuality.
She has also pioneered a way to combine her talent for aesthetic artistry with her philanthropic nature. Harfouche is one of only a handful of providers using dermal fillers to treat patients with lip asymmetry and scarring resulting from cleft lip surgery. Patients travel from around the country for this transformative treatment, noting increased confidence and a restored identity. She hopes to eventually launch a training program to help fill the void in this space.
“My passion has always been connecting with people and giving back in any capacity that I can,” she says. In the rapidly advancing landscape of aesthetic medicine, you can place your confidence in Harfouche and KQ Aesthetic Society to deliver exceptional care. To learn more or book a consultation, please visit kqaestheticsociety.com.
Divorce, adjusting to single motherhood or coparenting, and the unexpected adjustments that come with it can turn even the most put-together woman’s life upside down. For many, these shifts trigger a profound loss of identity as that chapter of life officially comes to an end.
While Elena Barbour was navigating a divorce and raising two young children, other women in her circle shared similar experiences—one, a high-powered attorney, said divorce was the hardest thing she’d ever gone through. Barbour realized that women like them who’d gone through divorce, separation, or trauma needed support, but unless they qualified for low-income assistance or could pay top dollar for private services, there weren’t a lot of options. That led to the creation of the Luma Initiative, a nonprofit organization that aims to connect women with the practical resources needed to rebuild after a major life transition. The organization is currently developing its programming and plans to open to its first (already full) three-month cohort of women this fall.
“I consider myself a very strong, competent woman, but what I went through shook me,” Barbour says. “[There were] all these things that I did not expect, and that a lot of people looking from the outside couldn’t see necessarily. It was hard to relate. And I found that after coming out of this divorce, I needed to reshift my community a little bit because the challenges and the life stage of where I was compared to where they were now was just so different—even though I was surrounded by people, I felt very alone.
Courtesy of Luma Initiative
“So [we’re] trying to create that sense of community in this place for women to be like, ‘All these women are going through something similar and when I talk with them, I don’t feel so alone and I can let go of some of the negative feelings I’m feeling, and I can […] start to rebuild.’”
Luma Initiative’s program will include licensed therapist-guided support groups, and support via financial literacy advisors, life coaches who specialize in career building, and family law attorneys, plus therapeutic yoga at sister business Luma Yoga. They’ll also work with other nonprofit organizations as needed to create a “one-stop, well-rounded, holistic approach to supporting women who are going through this really big transition of life,” Barbour explains.
Barbour says Luma Yoga Studio in Little Italy will serve as Luma Initiative’s physical base, transforming into a familiar community-centered home away from home where women can feel safe. She leaned into yoga and the breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness that often come with the practice to get through tough times, and carries those tools with her “off the mat.” She hopes that other women will find that same sense of nervous system regulation. She emphasizes that Luma Initiative and Luma Yoga work as an ecosystem that provides both wellness and tangible support.
“The goal with Luma Initiative will be to help these women come back to themselves and their identity through community, and use community as a platform to rebuild,” she says.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
Prom is a rite of passage for high schoolers, but a flashy new dress can cost hundreds of dollars. The Princess Project helps girls cut costs while promoting fashion sustainability. The nonprofit collects new and gently used formal dresses and accessories throughout the year, then when prom season rolls around, launches pop-up boutiques where girls can shop for their dream dress at no cost. The only criteria is they have to be a high school student who’s going to prom.
The Princess Project started in San Francisco in 2002 with a small dress drive. The movement grew exponentially over the years, and expanded to San Diego in 2008. Today, it’s headquartered at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon and has chapters in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Sonoma.
“We really want to celebrate teens, make them feel good about themselves, and save them some money because it costs a lot to go to prom. This is one way that we can help alleviate the cost,” says Karen Martin-Spellerberg, corporate board chairman and head of the San Diego chapter. “There’s no financial requirement to come get a dress with us because we are all about everybody being equal and having the same opportunity.”
The experience is more than just picking out a dress, says Martin-Spellerberg. The Princess Project works to create a bubble of inclusiveness and confidence, where all shapes and sizes are celebrated, and all comments are positive.
Courtesy of the Princess Project
In the months leading up to prom season, teens can book an hour-long appointment at the Parkway Plaza location to try on dresses and accessories, which they get to keep. Volunteers act as personal shoppers, curating an experience unique to each kid. This year, the Princess Projects also brought dresses to eight library branches throughout San Diego County to reach girls who couldn’t make it to the main event.
Because the Princess Project relies on donations, they often do not receive enough dresses in “fringe sizes” (00-2 and 14 and up), so they hold fundraising events to purchase new dresses in those specific sizes to maintain an inclusive range. Its signature $5 Dress Sale Fundraiser event will take place on May 30-31 at Parkway Plaza, where non-prom dresses (cocktail, casual, business) donated throughout the year are sold for a minimum $5 donation per dress. All proceeds from this fundraiser are used to purchase the understocked sizes.
“We’ve got dress drop off sites throughout San Diego County and people sometimes will donate dresses that are non-prom—sometimes they’re cocktail, casual, summer, business. So, what happens is when we are done with the season, we flip our dress store and we put out all of the non-prom dresses,” says Martin-Spellerberg. “People can come shop and get as many dresses as they want and 100 percent of the proceeds go toward us purchasing dresses in the sizes we don’t have enough of.”
The Princess Project also relies heavily on volunteers, including teen ambassadors, the latter who meet monthly, help organize the store, work outreach tables, and host a fashion show to help spread the word to their fellow students that the dresses are premium-quality and “ready to wear, beautiful and amazing.”
“It’s all about kindness and making kids feel good about themselves,” says Martin-Spellerberg.
Sarah Sapeda is San Diego Magazine’s Custom Content Editor. In her 15 years in San Diego journalism, she has covered charitable events, health care, education, crime, current events, and more.
AVRP Studios’ tradition for Design Excellence and Innovation began in 1976 with Doug Austin, FAIA, in Solana Beach, California. The firm has since grown to complete major projects throughout the United States and Canada. We think of ourselves as a family and we care deeply about people. We want to inspire, help make their lives richer and more complete through our efforts. We believe that architecture is one of the most important art forms because of the impact it can have on the lives of those it touches. We’re delighted to have been recognized with over 150 awards for design excellence.
703 16th Street, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92101 | 619-704-2700 | avrpstudios.com
