“ I have had the great opportunity to work in different positions and areas from working with the rape crisis center , and then had the opportunity to work in and for all of our prevention programs and developing and managing those ,” DeSilva said .
The crisis hotline that opened in 1981 is still open – 24 hours a day , 365 days a year . DeSilva earned a Master ’ s Degree from the University of San Francisco in public administration / nonprofit organization management in the late 1980s – spending four hours every Wednesday in the classroom over eighteen months .
DeSilva has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill for the past 13 years . When she was invited to join , she said she thought it would be a good move for the agency because the Rotarians have always been loyal supporters .
“ I didn ’ t expect how immediately drawn in I would be personally by both the work our club does locally and the work we are involved in international programs ,” she said .
Service Above Self is the Rotary Club ’ s mission and DeSilva said that members – many of whom have become her friends - live by those words .
“ It ’ s really a remarkable network . It ’ s a global network for people who don ’ t just care about the real world community but also for each other .”
She said she is constantly inspired by the creativity and dedication of her fellow Rotarians and speaks with pride about their support of programs – from building schools and showers in orphanages in poor third world countries to giving a dictionary to every third grader in the Morgan Hill School District .
“ In this day and age everything is so computer based . It ’ s so wonderful to see that the kids are excited by working with books and getting information from a book . And it ’ s their book , they get to take it home ,” DeSilva said .
DeSilva said when she is looking to unwind she heads to Martin Ranch Winery . An official greeter for the Gilroy winery for the past 6 ½ years , DeSilva said she appreciates their phenomenal wine and beautiful setting .
“ Any stress I may be feeling just melts away when I go out there ,” she said .
Lisa also enjoys laughing with friends and spending time with her two daughters . Her oldest daughter lives in Santa Clara and her younger daughter is a senior at Chico State University .
She also loves listening to live music and dancing - and in the rare quiet moment , reading a good book .
“ I feel very fortunate that I would have ended up in Morgan Hill … It was just the perfect place to end up ,” DeSilva said . “ It ’ s been a great place to raise my girls . I ’ ve had phenomenal opportunities with my career . And being able to live and work in the same community is a real gift .”
She said she appreciates not only the area ’ s great hiking , community theater , and wineries , but also the personal connections she has made in the community .
“ It ’ s so nice to be in a community that knows each other and where there are different groups that support pockets of need . There ’ s a very strong identity and community identity here . It ’ s the perfect place for me ,” DeSilva said .
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