House of Hope Foundation to honor Melanie Poturica with Spirit of Service Award

House of Hope Foundation will present Melanie Poturica with its 2026 Spirit of Service Award on Sept. 13 in Torrance, recognizing nearly two decades of board leadership and advocacy for women in recovery. The award will be given during the nonprofit’s annual Talent Show Fundraiser, which also supports its residential treatment work in the South Bay.

Why it matters: - The award recognizes nearly two decades of leadership tied to women’s recovery services in the South Bay. - Poturica’s work helped guide House of Hope through leadership transitions, growth in real estate holdings and Drug-Medi-Cal expansion. - The honor also underscores the nonprofit’s role as a long-running provider of residential substance abuse treatment for women.

What happened: - House of Hope Foundation will present Melanie Poturica with its 2026 Spirit of Service Award on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. - The presentation will take place during House of Hope’s annual Talent Show Fundraiser at the James R. Armstrong Theater in Torrance, California. - The award is sponsored this year by the Ron Florance Charitable Fund. - The foundation said the award recognizes people whose dedication has affected House of Hope and the wider region.

The details: - Poturica served as House of Hope Board President from 2019 to 2025. - Her connection to the foundation spans nearly 20 years. - During her presidency, House of Hope navigated executive leadership changes and expanded its real estate holdings. - Poturica is currently Board Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Archer School for Girls in Brentwood. - She has also been a lay leader at The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates for more than two decades. - Her church service included two terms as Moderator and leadership of pastoral search committees. - Poturica spent 15 years as managing partner at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a labor and employment law firm. - House of Hope said Newsweek ranked the foundation No. 29 among the top 440 addiction treatment centers in the United States. - The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13. - The courtyard opens at 1 p.m. - Theater doors, concessions and the photo booth open at 1:30 p.m. - The theater address is 3330 Civic Center Dr, Torrance, CA 90503. - Parking will be free in the adjacent theater lot, with front pull-around drop-off available. - Attire is listed as Sunday afternoon social, business casual or theater attire. - Tickets and information are available online at houseofhopesp.org.

Between the lines: - Poturica’s recognition reflects a mix of professional governance, church leadership and personal advocacy rooted in her family’s experience with alcoholism. - Her daughter, Mari Poturica, said her mother leads by serving without seeking credit. - House of Hope is using the fundraiser to spotlight both the award and the organization’s recovery mission. - The honor also signals the value of board leadership in sustaining nonprofit treatment programs over time.

What's next: - House of Hope will host the Talent Show Fundraiser and award presentation on Sept. 13. - The event will raise visibility for the foundation’s women-focused treatment and recovery services. - Poturica will be recognized publicly alongside the organization’s broader community supporters.

The bottom line: - House of Hope is honoring a long-serving board leader whose work helped strengthen women’s recovery services across the South Bay.