Sacramento County Community Service & Support Digest

Frustration runs deep among medical cannabis patients and advocates who say the commercial market created by Proposition 64 in 2016 isn’t meeting their needs.

A Citrus Heights-based meal preparation company is working with a local nonprofit to provide culinary training to students and youths with disabilities.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will spend $4.5 million on free legal services for undocumented workers involved in state investigations of wage theft or other labor violations. The lawyers can help with their immigration cases.

Rhoads Schoolhouse, a one-room school structure in Elk Grove Regional Park, is gradually undergoing repairs following vandalism this spring. The school is part of a living history program to introduce children to educational life in the 1890s.

California health officials say granting the licenses prevents the eviction of hundreds of residents from their homes and provides oversight provisions, including a two-year monitoring period.

The Observer is observing Pride month with “Black PRIDE,” a series telling the stories of and identifying the critical issues for Black LGBTQIA+ folk in the Sacramento area.

The spending change would prioritize housing for homeless people, which children's mental health advocates fear will cut their funding.

The professor emeritus of government and ethnic studies at Sacramento State is being remembered for his many contributions to the university and the wider community. He passed away June 3 at age 82.

Single Mom Strong, headquartered in Citrus Heights, this year is pairing volunteer men with children of single mothers in a program that is re-starting after being on hold during the pandemic.

Sacramento is unveiling new public artwork this summer, featuring everything from bright murals to fresh tree groves. The nonprofit Sacramento Tree Foundation is leading one project that will plant groves of cherry blossom trees at Robert T. Matsui Park.

Sacramento County and Galt Joint Union High School District took some time on May 10 to recognize some hardworking young people within the district who are making the transition from school to employment while overcoming disabilities.

The Fair Oaks Library is closed for renovations until mid-June. It’s the first major upgrade of the building since 1976, and improvements will include fresh paint, new carpet, and upgraded computer stations.

The Fair Oaks Thursday Women's Club once again held their sold-out fashion show, which raised money for 14 students to receive $1,200 scholarships for college. More than 250 guests were in attendance.

Lisa Bates has been the CEO of Sacramento Steps Forward since 2019. The nonprofit organization is “responsible for leading efforts around coordinating a response to ending homelessness.”

Volunteers with the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden in Citrus Heights remember fellow gardener Jim Thornton as one who helped build up the community, both physically and in spirit.

To combat the barriers to attending the high school dance, some of Sacramento’s local organizations and schools are attempting to reframe the experience by reducing costs and allowing for self-expression.

California Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen is hosting a grand opening at her district office on April 30. Attendees living within District 10 can learn about how Nguyen's field staff can help navigate various legal issues, and there will also be children's activities on hand.

Sacramento State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, which provides accessibility to potentially millions of dollars in grants. While its Latino population has grown 38%, some students are saying the school does not live up to its self-appointed standards.

With more and more residents voicing concern about Galt's homeless population, a new Mobile Crisis Team has been formed to deal with mental health situations. A Sacramento County social worker and Galt police officer recently shared recent developments.

The Folsom Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of new Board Chair Steve Heard, effective April 1. Heard has been an active member of the chamber for more than a decade, serving on several committees and as vice chair for the past two years.

The Big Day of Service is back and happening in Fair Oaks and Orangevale on May 6. With over 50 community service projects scheduled, there are opportunties for individuals of all ages and abilities to participate and help give their community a boost.

The City of Citrus Heights Beautification Crew recently worked hard to clean up areas of the city, as they've done regularly since forming in January. The crew currently consists of two people and hopes to grow.

Rancho Cordova’s minority-owned and small businesses were equipped to stay competitive and succeed through the MBARK program, which recently wrapped up its first participating group.

California State Parks invites individuals to “Live the Parks Life” as rangers or lifeguards in the nation’s largest state park system. Through June 10, individuals can apply for the State Park Peace Officer Cadet exams.

With the blessing of the Board of Supervisors, a portion of the Dry Creek Parkway will be renamed in honor of community leader Robert (Bob) Bastian.

At the facility, established by the Small Business Administration and California Small Business Development Center, owners can receive assistance from SBA representatives one-on-one, free of charge.

Betty Williams, the longest-serving president in Sacramento NAACP history, has turned her passion for equality into a lifetime labor of love.

The Rancho Cordova Youth Center, which opened Nov. 4, is the first local center to provide a safe haven for year-round youth programs and show young people that the community cares about their success.

Protestors gather outside Front Street Shelter on Nov. 6 to spotlight what they call overly high rates of euthanasia and substandard conditions at the shelter. Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby calls for an audit.

Mayor Donald Terry says “this dream has come true” as he dedicates the 9,000-square-foot building. It will be operated by the the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento.

The service group has participated in many projects, from helping local schools to volunteering at National Night Out.

More than 3,200 student fellows during the 2022-2023 academic year will receive up to $10,000 for completing a year of community service. The College Corps program helps students graduate on time with less debt while benefiting the community.