💖 Lead with Heart • Align with Purpose • Inspire Hope 💖
June 2026 • With Gratitude for a Year of Service & Connection ✨
A Year-End Note of Gratitude 💖
Dear Rotary Family & Friends,
As we close this Rotary year, I just want to take a moment to say thank you.
Serving as President of the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness has been such a meaningful experience. When I first said yes to this role, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t completely sure I was ready. But I cared deeply about this club, our mission, and the people we serve. And sometimes we grow into leadership by simply saying yes, showing up, and doing the best we can with heart.
This year stretched me, challenged me, humbled me, and filled my heart in ways I honestly did not expect.
It was not always easy, and it definitely was not perfect. But it was real, heartfelt, and deeply meaningful.
What I am most grateful for is that we kept showing up. We kept trying. We kept connecting. And we kept finding meaningful ways to bring mental health, wellness, service, and community together.
As a young, cause-based virtual club, we continued to grow our voice and visibility beyond Zoom. We showed up locally, across the district, and alongside Rotary and community partners who believe, like we do, that mental health matters.
Thank you for trusting me with this role and allowing me to serve as your President. I am so grateful for this club and for the people who make it what it is.💖
A Look Back at Our Year 🎥
As we close the 2025–2026 Rotary year, I invite you to take a few minutes to look back on a meaningful year of mental health, wellness, service, and connection.
From community partnerships and district grants to global service, youth leadership, scholarships, peacebuilding, and the recognition of our first satellite club, this year reflected the heart of Rotary and the mission of our club.
It is hard to fit a whole year into a few minutes, but I hope this video brings back good memories and reminds us of the many ways we showed up together.
Another special highlight as we close this Rotary year was receiving recognition from Rotary International for the creation of our first satellite club.
This is such an exciting milestone for the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness and a beautiful reflection of how our club continues to grow, reach more people, and create new ways to connect through service.
A special thank you to Charter President Dr. Bella Shaar and Judy Verduzco for their leadership and dedication in helping bring this satellite club to life, and to District Governor Alex Parajon for his support and encouragement along the way.
May Highlights: Service, Partnership &
Community Impact 🤝
May was such a full and meaningful month for our club, filled with service, partnership, community connection, and a few beautiful moments that reminded us why this work matters.
Healing Hearts & Minds Community Experience
Our Healing Hearts & Minds: Community Mental Health & Wellness Experience brought together families, Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, community partners, and local organizations for a day centered on mental health, wellness, joy, and connection.
We are especially grateful to Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Sunset for partnering with us through the District Community Grant, Richstone Family Center for welcoming us and hosting the event, and all of the clubs, volunteers, and community partners who helped bring the day to life.
One especially meaningful part of the day was the reading circle honoring Rotarian Larry Bender, lovingly led by his daughter, Lan Ngo. It was a beautiful reminder of how service, storytelling, and connection can continue someone’s legacy in such a heartfelt way.
We were also honored to receive recognition from Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s office, affirming the importance of mental health and wellness in our communities.
Behavioral Health Workforce Pathways Scholarship
Our club also launched the Healing Hearts & Minds Behavioral Health Workforce Pathways Scholarship, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Los Angeles, supporting students pursuing careers in behavioral health.
This was such a meaningful way to invest in the next generation of mental health and wellness professionals, and a beautiful reminder that service can create impact not only in the moment, but for years to come.
Walking Together for Mental Health 💚
Our club also continued to support mental health awareness through NAMIWalks Los Angeles County, with Rotarians participating both on land and in a special way during the District Conference cruise.
It was inspiring to see Rotarians across the district come together in support of mental health education, advocacy, and hope. Moments like this remind me that our club’s mission reaches beyond our meetings and shows up in the way we walk, serve, share, and stand alongside our community.
Cruise Fellowship & Club Growth 🚢
During the District Conference cruise, we also had a very special Rotary moment as Past District Governor Michael Kesti was welcomed into the Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness.
Michael served as District Governor for Rotary International District 6990, covering Southeastern Florida and Grand Bahama Island, in 2022–2023.
It was a meaningful reminder that even as a virtual, cause-based club, our connections continue to grow in very real and personal ways. We are grateful to welcome Michael into our club family and excited for the experience, heart, and Rotary spirit he brings.
Continuing Service Beyond Our Club 💫
One of the things this year reminded me of is how much I love connection — bringing people together, building relationships across clubs, and seeing what becomes possible when we collaborate around something meaningful.
Through district-wide service, cross-club activities, and community events, I had the opportunity to connect more deeply with Rotarians across District 5280. Those moments were such a gift and reminded me that Rotary service does not stop at the walls of one club.
That part of the year has been especially meaningful because it creates a natural bridge into my next Rotary role as District 5280 Co-Senior Assistant Governor for Community Service, serving alongside Christy Pinto of the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills.
I am excited to keep learning, connecting clubs, supporting service projects, and helping create opportunities that bring people together with purpose and heart.
With Gratitude and a Warm Welcome to Sam 🙏
As I close this President year, I want to share my heartfelt thanks to our board, officers, members, speakers, partners, and friends of our club who helped make this year possible.
A very special thank you to our past presidents and fellow founding leaders who helped build the foundation we continue to grow from. Your guidance, encouragement, and love for this club have meant so much to me.
As we look ahead, I am so happy to welcome Sanem “Sam” Alkan as our incoming President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.
Sam brings a strategic mind, global perspective, and a strong commitment to helping our club continue to grow with purpose. I am grateful to pass the baton to her and excited to support her as she leads in a way that is true to who she is. Please join me in congratulating Sam and giving her a warm welcome as she steps into this role.
Thank you again for being part of this year and part of this club. It has been an honor to serve as President, and I am so grateful for the memories, lessons, friendships, and moments of service we shared together.
As this chapter comes to a close, I do so with a full heart and so much hope for what is ahead. I am excited to continue supporting our club, cheering on Sam and our incoming leadership, and staying connected through the service and mission that brought us together.
With love & gratitude 💖 Grace Leung President, 2025-2026 Charter Member Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness
