September 28, 2006

Almaden Valley Networking Group aims to provide community support

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

By promoting business growth while creating a safety net for needy families, Almaden Valley Networking Group (AVNG) strives to build strong communities. While its AlmadenNet division provides a network for business owners, its Helping Hands division pools resources to assist families in need.

The Almaden Valley Networking Group was co-founded by three philanthropic-minded business professionals: Farah Bani-Taba, broker and owner of Castle View Realty; Susan Babaoghli, sales and marketing executive with Home Loans America; and Sue Datta, owner of Holikow, an international retail business based in Almaden.

The theme of AVNG is connection, whether through networking businesses or bringing aid to families. The founders of AVNG believe that this alliance is a great way for their members to increase their businesses while building a better and safer community.

Their mission is to achieve successful development for all of their members and to make a collective effort to network and unite together to help those in need. Their services reach out to families seeking housing, young adults searching for job training, teens seeking guidance and seniors requiring services. 

Current members of AlmadenNet, the business arm of AVNG, include Amato’s Pizza (which will provide not only a meeting site for the organization, but also provide food for a youth homeless shelter in Morgan Hill), Almaden dentist Dr. Stephen Rottjakob and Almaden Valley Counseling Service. In addition to monthly meetings, upcoming AVNG events include a Halloween Bash, Luxury Home tours, Casino Night and Food & Wine Tasting. Their kick-off party and meeting will be held on October 7 at 7 p.m. at Bani-Taba’s home.

Through partnering with organizations such as Sacred Heart, Gardner Family Health Network, Community Solutions for Domestic Violence and Job Corps Programs, the charitable side of AVNG, Almaden Helping Hands, will provide families in need with a diverse pool of resources and services donated by the business community.

“With continued budget cuts at the federal, state, and local levels, these non-profit organizations are under increasing pressure to provide quality support for the needy,” says Babaoghli. “Farah Bani-Taba has worked hard to form an association with these organizations, channeling their needs to AVNG’s resource pool.”

Although only formed three months ago, Almaden Helping Hands has already helped one family in need, providing monetary assistance to pay for two weeks of babysitting for a family struggling with emotional and financial crisis. Both the Gardner Family Health Network and the recipient family were very grateful for this help.

Inspired by the concept of Extreme Home Makeover, in which the community comes together to help a family, AVNG was the brainchild of Bani-Taba, who wished to connect businesses in Almaden Valley with those in need. They were determined to form a membership of professionals who cared about the community and could provide immediate assistance to individuals and families. “Although people help at Christmas, help is needed year-round,” says Bani-Taba. “In our network we have a plumber, lawyer, realtor and restaurant owner; each one can provide services to a family or homeless shelter, making a difference.”

After speaking with various organizations, AVNG realized that due to budget cuts and paperwork, there was a delay in families receiving aid. Knowing that time can be of the essence, they vowed to change that, and in one case, came to the immediate aid of a suicidal mother burdened by financial concerns.

“Our goal is to get as many business owners involved in this network as possible, giving back to the community,” says Bani-Taba. “A lot of people want to help but don’t know how, or they would like to give to a specific family. They can contact us and we will connect them.”

The three businesswomen, who have been friends for more than 10 years, first met through AVYSL soccer, which Bani-Taba’s husband coached. Sue Datta, like the other partners, is involved in the community and local schools. Datta created Web sites for SJUSD schools and Babaoghli owned Suzy’s Gifts in Almaden Center, which closed in June and will reopen in a few months as a Home Loans America mortgage office.

“We are so gifted in this community,” says Babaoghli, “and it’s important for people to understand what they can do.” Datta agrees. “There are so many things needed and so many easy ways to help,” she says, “like providing a toaster for the youth center.”

The three philanthropic-minded women are determined to make a difference in their community and help as many families as possible. “We don’t want to turn any family away,” says Bani-Taba, “and the more members we have, the more we can help, growing businesses and making a stronger community.”

For more information, visit AVNG online at: www.almadennet.org or Email AVNG at: info@almadennet.org.