Sacramento County Community Service & Support Digest

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.

The first brick was installed, inscribed with the name of area Vietnam vet Oscar O’con; more to come at this memorial honoring both living and deceased veterans.

On Sept. 17, Folsom’s largest day of volunteerism mobilizes residents of all ages to complete projects throughout the city that make a positive, lasting impact.

Instead of two office locations—one group of buildings in Oak Park and another in North Sacramento—Sacramento Food Bank is consolidating all its operations up north. As part of the move, the food bank wants to support other organizations rather than run all services.

Activist Berry Accius wages campaigns against violence on multiple fronts.

The Rancho Cordova Athletic Association pays tribute to the longtime leader and youth sports champion who passed away Wednesday, July 27.

These pandemic-related programs may have been able to reverse a trend that has been incredibly detrimental to Black families during past recessions, like in the Great Recession.

For those living in wildfire-ravaged regions, help might be on the way. Covered California recently announced an application window for victims of wildfires, as well as those who live in fire-prone regions, to apply for assistance.

Shine is a community development program designed to improve and revitalize neighborhoods in the Sacramento region.

Local horse rescue Hope for Horses (H4H) celebrated its successful move to a new location after three months marked by uncertainty about the group’s future.

LGBTQ foster youth in California have a greater likelihood of being undereducated, unemployed and becoming homeless compared to their heterosexual peers. But the future doesn’t have to look like this.

Pharmacist Vanessa Grenyion, who with husband Kevin Grenyion own HealthQuest, a medical supply store, was honored by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce.

Sacramento will join millions around the globe in marking Earth Day on April 23. Local activities include the kickoff of the Florin Road Community Beautification Project.

Sacramento Poor People’s Campaign leaders are planning to attend a mass march held June 18 in Washington, D.C., and they are raising funds to take 10 to 15 low-wage workers with them.