Community Volunteer Awards
2023 Honoree
Bishop Parnell Lovelace Jr.,
Center of Praise Ministries
Distinguished Service by a Faith Organization
Center of Praise Ministries
One of the many lessons learned in Alice in Wonderland is that you need to be open to the impossible.
With that in mind, consider how the City of Rancho Cordova took a giant leap forward in services to youth on Nov. 3 when the Rancho Cordova Youth Center held its grand opening, fulfilling what many longtime Rancho Cordova observers would have dismissed as just that -- impossible.
Indeed, that momentous occasion would not have been possible without an impossibly generous contribution by Center of Praise Ministries.
Bishop Parnell Lovelace Jr. and the congregation of Center of Praise occupied a 9,000 square foot building on 1.75 acres at 10455 Investment Circle as a place of worship for eight years before moving to a new location in midtown Sacramento. After that, the property was pretty much unused for years. That is, until Bishop Lovelace saw an opportunity to convert it into something purposeful -- and grabbed it.
Partnering with the City of Rancho Cordova and law enforcement, Center of Praise essentially donated the property to the city to create a place where the impossible happens. The City invested more than $8 million to help it become reality.
And here is the result: PLAY VIDEO
Bishop Lovelace said it best: “This is community at its best.”
To Center of Praise:
- For living your faith by walking the talk;
- For loving our children by giving them a place to shine;
- For unselfishly being open to the impossible;
- For helping our community create our first ever Rancho Cordova Youth Center;
We honor you as our Distinguished Service by a Faith Organization.
