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ABOUT RPF

On September 21, 2014, Robby Poblete was killed by gun violence in broad daylight at a busy intersection in Vallejo, Ca. He was 23 years old. At the time he was killed, Robby was working at a biotech company where he was also learning how to weld…Read More »
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GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM

Our mission is to get unwanted guns out of circulation through annual gun buyback programs, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands, and transforming them into instruments of hope and opportunity through our arts and vocational programs...Read More »
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ART OF PEACE

The Foundation will partner with law enforcement agencies, local artists and organizations to repurpose the metal from the melted guns as material for art. The artists’ creations will be displayed in an annual exhibit called “The Art of Peace,” and then…Read More »
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WORK IN PROGRESS

The Robby Poblete Foundation is working with local unions, workforce development agencies and county offices of education to help raise awareness about opportunities in skilled trades among high school and adult school students. RPF is…Read More »

Get to know more about our foundation

GET INVOLVED

donate

The Robby Poblete Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, Federal Tax ID 82-0740692. Your donation to the  foundation is tax-deductible. You can help us implement our programs by donating via PayPal here. You can also donate to “TheRPFoundation” using Venmo. 

volunteer

RPF has numerous volunteer opportunities, which you can find on our Volunteer Program page

share your ideas

Our foundation is aimed at creating safer communities by getting unwanted guns off the streets and transforming them into weapons of hope and opportunity through art and vocational skills. If you have any ideas, please send them our way! 

spead the word

Please share the link to this website on your social media platforms, “liking” our Facebook page and raising awareness about our cause.

LATEST EVENTS

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Help Our Cause

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals of reducing gun violence and increasing opportunities in our communities.
Please join us and Be the Change.

DONATE NOW

GALLERY

California State Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Assembly District 14

“The Robby Poblete Foundation is taking an extraordinary stand against gun violence in the East Bay area by taking unwanted guns off the streets, transforming them into instruments of hope and peace through its arts program, and providing vocational opportunities to underserved populations. I was honored to present a resolution to The Robby Poblete Foundation’s executive director, Pati Navalta, in recognition of the foundation’s successful efforts to improve our community.”

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA 5th District)

“The Robby Poblete Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness on efforts to prevent gun violence through art, gun buybacks, and vocational training are truly exceptional and are making a difference in our community.”

Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O’Malley

“Gun violence plagues our communities. The Art of Peace focuses a spotlight on the ongoing efforts to end this crisis. The program also provides a unique teaching platform to inspire and educate our youth not only in the art of metal work but also in a new way to approach and discuss violence and crime. The Robby Poblete Foundation’s groundbreaking work successfully creates a path to reimagine instruments of violence into objects of beauty and grace.”

Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou

“I truly admire Pati.  To have gone through such a tragedy and experience so much pain and ultimately channel that experience into such a selfless cause to help others is remarkable.  I am grateful Pati allows us to assist in her good work.”

Carmen Slack, President, Solano County Arts Council

“We are honored to partner with Pati and The Robby Poblete Foundation. Pati’s story is a testament to passion, love, hope, and change. Her strength in the face of adversity has ignited a flame in the community. This flame of knowledge, transformation, confidence, and motivation to take action has caught on and will never go out. On behalf of Solano County Arts Council, I want to thank RPF for all that they do. On a personal level, I know that the time I spend working with the foundation will be cherished forever and I will never forget the impact Pati and the foundation have had on my life.”

Karen Sheehy -- Superior Court of California, County of Solano, Parole Reentry Court Program

“The Robby Poblete Foundation is an invaluable organization which seeks to empower the lives of formerly incarcerated men and women with skills that lead to livable wage jobs and careers.  The founder, Pati Navalta, takes a grass-roots approach to building the self-esteem of high-risk, high-needs folks by providing them with a vision of hope that leads to dreams made possible.  She is a true testament of how forgiveness of others can lead to empowerment of self.”

Mayor Bob Sampayan, City of Vallejo

“The Robby Poblete Foundation has been instrumental in raising the awareness of gun violence by removing unwanted firearms off our streets and turning these instruments of destruction into graceful symbols of peace.  The Art of Peace Project takes these unwanted firearms and through the art and beauty of metal work, shapes them into sculptures that symbolizes peace and healing as well as memorializing the victims. Thank you to the Robby Poblete Foundation and their Executive Director, Pati Poblete for making our community a safer place.”

LATEST NEWS

Jun72020

Poblete Foundation finds different way to help save lives

News

Pati Navalta, executive director of the Robby Poblete Foundation, packs personal protective equipment into a large envelope at her home in Fairfield, Thursday, June 4, 2020. The Robby Poblete Foundation is sending bundles of personal protective equipment to essential workers and those who are part of the foundation’s vocational program. Their support for needs related…

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May302020

RPF Kit: Buy One, We’ll Donate Two

News

In an effort to continue our support for essential workers, we are offering a RPF merchandise bundle. RPF-branded drawstring bag; two cloth masks with RPF logo; RPF waist pack; adjustable hat; “Be the Change” RPF wristband; and hand sanitizer. $50. Purchase one and we will donate two COVID-19 safety kits to essential workers. Order Now

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May292020

Poblete Foundation turns attention to essential workers

News

Pati Navalta had the process down as the founder and leader of the Robby Poblete Foundation. Gun Buy-Back. Art of Peace. Vocational training. Ah, but that rabid, life-changing rascal COVID-19. And “planning for the future” was tossed into the kitchen sink disposal. “We couldn’t have our Gun Buy-Back for Solano County because we always plan…

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RPF is awarded California Nonprofit of the Year

The Robby Poblete Foundation was selected as a 2018 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Tim Grayson. Pati Navalta Poblete, Executive Director of The Robby Poblete Foundation, accepted the award in Sacramento on June 5, 2018, along with other nonprofit leaders honored by their state senators and assemblymembers during a celebration luncheon as part of California Nonprofits Day.