Yolo County Community Service & Support Digest

Deborah Bautista Zavala, trustee of the Woodland Joint Unified School District, was honored with the Champion Estrella Award by the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Davis' Progress Ranch Treatment Services for Children received this year’s Yolo County Nonprofit of the Year Award for its excellence in mental health care and commitment to serving some of California’s most vulnerable children and youth. The organization provides mental health services to boys ages 6 through 13.

All but two California counties are delaying their implementation of a new law that makes it easier for a court to place someone in involuntary confinement if they can’t care for their own medical needs or personal safety.

Organizers of Sacramento County’s next Point-In-Time Count say they need at least 500 volunteers to help survey the region’s homeless population in January. Survey results are used to determine state and federal funding for homeless services.

The program provides free loans of hiking boots to youths, allowing them to trade up as they grow. Donation bins will be at REI stores through Jan. 5.

Yolo County has made a strategic move within its leadership team as Dr. Tico Zendejas transitions from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to take on the pivotal role of branch director for the Service Centers Branch of the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency.

The California Faculty Association is seeking a 12 percent pay increase, while university officials counter with 5 percent in each of the next three years.

In 2020, the state agreed to a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed too many students were not learning to read. As part of that agreement, the state spent over $50 million on 75 schools with the lowest reading scores.

San Diego-area nonprofits and faith organizations struggle to provide for tens of thousands of migrants border agents have released on San Diego streets.

Volunteers continue operations of historic Food Not Bombs chapter in Davis.

The 40 Acre Conservation League has recently acquired hundreds of acres of land in Placer County, 70 miles northeast of Sacramento—a significant step toward making outdoor experiences more inclusive.

One thousand more Yolo County children will receive a free book every month from birth through age five from United Way California Capital Region, which manages the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Yolo County.

After hearing their school compared negatively to other area schools, Woodland High School students Ava Pedroia and Karen Canchola decided to take the initiative to do something about it.

The 5,300-square-foot facility provides the organization with cooking space, cool storage and a warehouse that will double its production capacity from 800 to 1,700 meals daily in combination with its existing Woodland-based kitchen.

On Nov. 6, Yolo Community Foundation recognized five Winters residents for their efforts to benefit the overall community.

Yolo County Supervisor Angel Barajas, along with the Dunnigan Fire Association, has organized this toy distribution for the children of Dunnigan, Yolo and Zamora since 2021. Last year, over 100 children received a toy.

The Yolo County Library’s Adult & Family Literacy program, Yolo Reads, is seeking tutors for English-speaking adult learners in need.

After hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new administrative office in downtown Woodland earlier this year, Meals on Wheels Yolo County will hold another grand opening celebration for its Winters Senior Nutrition Center.

Local nonprofit group All Leaders Must Serve hosted its seventh annual fundraiser at the ALMS Club House and Training Center, serving both dinner and inspiration. The event theme was Changing the Trajectory of Young People.

The Yolo Community Foundation has announced the outstanding recipients of the 2023 Yolo Philanthropy Awards—a group of 32 individuals and organizations has been recognized by local nonprofits.

State law requires community colleges to spend at least half their general fund on instructors. But administrators say they want more flexibility to pay for the growing need for student services.

The Woodland City Council honored Woodland Host Lions for its 100 years of service to the community through several efforts, including its literacy program.

In honor of “Extra Mile Day” on Nov. 1, a day meant to recognize people fueling positive change in the community, the Woodland City Council recognized Bridge’s accomplishments through a mayoral proclamation.

The Cherry Tea Collective—a club of artists, writers, photographers and other creatives—publishes a zine related to a specific charity organization. This year’s choice is Sacramento Loaves and Fishes.

Tiny homes are increasingly California cities’ shelter option of choice — but how far they go in solving homelessness is a contentious question.

After years of planning a broadband system to bridge California’s digital divide, officials deprioritized some low-income areas due to unexpected costs. Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s committed to funding the entire network, but advocates are skeptical.

Despite an influx of money to counter learning loss during the pandemic, English language arts and math test scores remain low.

The Winters Youth Day committee launched its annual contest for the 2024 Youth Day theme.

With the growing use of AI, campus officials are trying to set clear guidelines for college application essays.

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

In an attempt to show its appreciation to the county’s farmworkers—migrant or not—the city of Woodland partnered with Brown Issues to hold the 2nd Annual Yolo Growers and Farmworkers Festival.

The CPUC is considering a rule that would gut the payments that solar panels on apartment buildings receive, and many housing groups are blazing mad about it.