IN THIS ISSUE
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
We're heading into a new fiscal year with a challenge on our hands - keeping our robust food, shelter and housing programs intact while tackling budget cuts, which are just one painful result of today's economy. Look for future messages about the importance of these programs, which affect your neighbors in Napa, Lake and Sonoma Counties.
Larry R. Lakes, Executive Director
SONOMA County Programs
The Family Support Center (FSC) is improving! New senior program director, Chuck Fernandez, comes to us with deep experience in health care, non-profits, and with a Master's in Organizational Psychology. He has a fresh perspective, creativity, and big heart. We have remodeled the Children's Playroom, installed a new Discovery Room and Learning Center...expanded Coach 2 Career...
and more.
Recent activities
Remodeling the Children's Playroom: a volunteer, herself a client at Sam Jones shelter, created and painted wall murals with lively jungle scenes
New "Children's Discovery Room" added computer stations and inspirational murals and messages encouraging children to dream big about their futures
Learning Center: our new Learning Center has four computers for job searches during the day, and learning games for kids after school. The new summer "book club" spotlights kid classics like Hardy Boys to foster a love of reading and maintain skills
New weekly yoga class helps parents improve their physical health and relieve stress. It is taught by a 20-year yoga instructor, who was once homeless.
Expansion of Coach 2 Career program includes computers for resume creation, job search, and email access for competitive employment-seeking. Staff mentors are always available to proof-read and act as sounding-boards. Recently, staff role-played as prospective employers and held a mock job fair for clients. Organized feedback helped clients feel more confident moving forward to real job interviews.
Did you know?
- As the largest family shelter in the North Bay, the only facility providing emergency shelter to families in Sonoma County, FSC provided 111,000 free meals and 30,000 bed-nights of shelter to nearly 900 individuals (50% children) last year
- Residents have weekly access to free, on-site health care and almost daily access to workshops on housing, life skills, and employment issues and more
- Volunteers donated over 20,000 hours
- Children in our program were able to play, draw, and heal through our 250+ specialized youth activities.
LAKE County Programs
Rural Food is seeing increasing needs every month. And year over year, Lake County programs saw an increase of 1100 clients, mostly through Rural Food.
In May, our nine Kelseyville volunteers distributed 92 boxes to 320 people - in April we assisted 287 people. The Hunger Task Force gardens (13 sites) are starting to yield food for the hungry, some distributed through Rural Food (see photo).
Rural Food was recently awarded $12,831.00 from Lake County FEMA.
Upcoming events
Women's Accessories Luncheon, July 17 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Middletown, 11:30 AM - 1:30PM, a benefit for our programs. All invited to attend. For tickets call 987-8139; cost is $20.00pp including lunch of Chicken Caesar salad, rolls, and dessert.
Community Information Meeting: Learn how you may qualify for financial assistance for rent, utilities or other qualified expenses. July 28, 11:30 AM at St. Mary Immacuate Church, 801 No. Main Street, Lakeport. (See qualifying information for HHLC program)
NAPA County Programs
Rainbow House in May provided safe, stable housing for 10 households with 13 children. It is amazing to watch these young women learn to be mothers and heads of household, all while changing many life-habits and earning degrees or income.
Renee earned an achievement certificate in April for successfully managing all of those issues - parenting, new life-skills, school and work!
Maria came to Napa to find "The American Dream" but what she found was a battered women's shelter. She speaks little English and is currently enrolled in English classes at the Napa Adult Education. Despite these barriers, she found employment in May, and her 18 month-old daughter is now enrolled in a structured day-care center.
You'll be noticing a great deal of changes to our transitional properties on Jefferson Street, Napa, thanks to a state grant. Home Base building will be lifted to add a new foundation before significant remodeling in every room. All the common areas in Rainbow House will be upgraded.
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Using grant funds from State of California Emergency Housing Assistance Program /Capital Development, the Home Base building will be lifted well above ground level to raise the ceiling of the lowest level and become ADA compliant. We're adding new living space since we moved our administrative offices to Hayes Street. When complete, Home Base will accommodate six households. Rainbow House will see dramatic improvements as well, especially kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas.
Smoke Out! Our interior spaces have long been smoke free, but now the grounds of our Jefferson Street properties will also become smoke-free. Residents have begun Smoking Cessation Classes.
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