SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Olivia Chan Foundation hosted its Third Annual Brewing Hope at Movement Brewing on Saturday, April 18 in Rancho Cordova, bringing together a powerful community united by one mission: to support grieving children and families.

Reina and Mel Chan, Olivia’s parents, told the attendees, “Last year, we were honored to receive the Nonprofit of Distinction Award from Mayor Kevin McCarty. To be seen and recognized like that is something we don’t take for granted. It was humbling, and a reminder that this work matters, and that people are starting to notice the need for more grief support in our community.”

“Out of more than 15,000 eligible nonprofits, OCF was chosen as one of just 30 organizations making a profound difference in the lives of others across our region. This recognition reflected the collective love, dedication and support from our board, volunteers, donors, community partners and every family we’ve served,” Reina Chan said.

She added, “This award is more than recognition; it’s a validation of the mission we’ve been building since the heartbreaking loss of Olivia."

Mel Chan emphasized, “Every dollar raised supports the Olivia Chan Foundation’s mission to provide safe, peer-based support spaces for children, teens and families navigating grief.”

“Brewing Hope,” according to the Chans, “is more than an event; it’s a reminder that healing happens in community.”  Because of this incredible support, families navigating loss are finding connection, healing and hope.

The evening featured inspiring speakers, live performances, dinner and a lively silent auction and raffle supported by generous local donors and businesses. 

There were 40 donors, 14 raffle prizes and 18 silent auction items. Brewing Hope used a 52-card deck for a 50/50 cash raffle, which was won by Dennis Devenport. Accepting the $520 prize, Devenport announced he wanted to donate the whole prize to the Olivia Chan Foundation.

Performers included Peter Kett, who has been playing the guitar for over 56 years; Nic Chan, a high school junior who started playing the guitar four years ago; and Ava Mari Cabatic, a high school freshman who has volunteered with the Olivia Chan Foundation since its inception and sings in the NP3 Choir.

They were followed by Juliette Leong, who has performed in over 200 concerts.  The program said, “Juliette Leong is a 9-year-old violinist, artist, mathlete, teacher, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is enrolled in college courses. Juliette is the youngest soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall.” 

This fall she will be enrolled in the Davidson Academy, which is a third type of public school located in Reno, Nevada. It is not a charter school and is called a “university school for profoundly gifted pupils” created by the Nevada State Legislature in 2005.

Speakers Colby Bell, Rachel Cruz and Stephanie Tom shared powerful perspectives on resilience, community and the importance of showing up for one another.

This year marked the introduction of two inaugural awards recognizing outstanding community support.

Stephanie Tom, deputy treasurer for the State Treasurer’s Office, presented Certificates of Acknowledgement in Community Leadership and Dedication to Uplift the Community to Pastor Dan Wallbert and Greenhaven Neighborhood Church for providing a safe, welcoming space for the foundation’s earliest support programs: helping bring families together when it mattered most.

This award was presented to the Optimist Club of Sacramento for its continued support since the foundation’s earliest days through funding, advocacy and community connection.

In her speech, Reina Chan said, “A heartfelt thank you to our main sponsors: Greenhaven Neighborhood Church, Movement Brewing Co., New York Life, RED Consulting and My Sister’s House.”

She also said, “A special thanks to EJPix Studios for photographing the event.” 

In this moving conversation, Reina and Mel Chan spoke candidly about the profound loss of their daughter, Olivia, and how her legacy inspired the founding of the Olivia Chan Foundation. 

What began as a response to unimaginable grief has grown into a community-driven effort to support children and families navigating loss through healing programs, support groups and the dream of building Sacramento’s first grief center.

Reina Chan added, “After discovering the Dougy Center, Mel and I flew to Portland to get trained. They’re an amazing organization and have been a huge support for us.”

Reina and Mel Chan’s goal is to bring the Dougy Center model to Sacramento by training all team members and volunteers in its approach. Mel Chan said it would be “a physical place that children and families can visit, where we can implement all these programs free of charge for the community.”

The Dougy Center is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, that offers support groups and services for grieving children and young adults. Its peer-support model made it the first program of its kind in the United States. The organization serves approximately 400 children and 250 adults from the Portland metropolitan area each month, free of charge.

Reina Chan also reported, “We raised $25,000 that night, and every dollar goes back into the community, sustaining our programs and bringing us one step closer to opening a grief center.”