Carmichael, Ca. – There’s no doubt that moving can be a difficult event for anyone, but for a senior those difficulties escalate. A move for seniors usually involves downsizing which means deciding what to do with possessions that have accumulated over many years. Physically, most seniors are unable to do the actual lifting and moving. Many feel emotionally traumatized by having to leave the place they’ve called home for decades and that is often compounded by the fear of letting strangers handle their treasured household goods. The good news for seniors in the greater Sacramento region is found in a moving company designed just for them – The Eskaton Moving Connection. More than just a

About one year ago, Erv Bradley heard about Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) from a longtime SFBFS volunteer. Since retirement, Erv had been looking for a place to serve where he might be able to use his Spanish speaking skills. His wife’s friend, a volunteer in the Adult Education program at SFBFS, suggested the program to Erv, and he’s been volunteering ever since. Erv has found that the program allows him to help a wide variety of adult students, several of whom are learning English, but the majority who are studying for their GED exam or taking community college courses and need additional help. He admires the students who have made the time in their often busy and diffi

MAAP, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization case in the United States Bankruptcy Court. “For over 30 years, MAAP has been a strong contributor in this community through the management of essential social service programs in alcohol and chemical dependency, mental health, and HIV/AIDS,” said Lorraine Rinker, MAAP’s recently appointed President and CEO. “MAAP and its Board of Directors believe this organization is valuable to the community we serve,” said Rinker. “Going through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process is the best way we can save this organization and remain a vital contributor of social services to the underserved population in Northern C

From October to December 2009, volunteers contributed over 13,800 hours of service at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS). One of the top contributors during the busy winter season was volunteer Chris Suter. “He worked basically as an un-paid staff member for two weeks,” says Genevieve Deignan, Director of the Saca Community Learning Center (Saca CLC). She is referring to the last two weeks of December, when the Saca CLC collects donated gifts from the community and matches them to families in need through the annual Adopt-a-Family program. Chris organized the distribution of gifts to over 200 families who participate in programs at SFBFS. Chris volunteered every day for the las

  According to Jewish tradition, the highest form of tzedakah, or charity, is to donate to a community fund, or kupah. Whether your donation is in the form of community service hours, survival materials or a monetary donation, it all helps to strengthen and build our community at large.   The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region, and their overseas beneficiaries, work with a broad set of national and international institutes that span the world to provide relief, rescue, and reconstruction. The federation system is dedicated to inspiring community members to secure the financial and human resources necessary to achieve the mission of caring for those in need, without discrimination

The Sacramento Press at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services' 2009 Run to Feed the Hungry  we and had the pleasure of meeting thousands of run participants that morning. Whether it was to support SFBFS, get exercise, spend time with loved ones, or a combination of all of those reasons, here are some of them.  We asked visitors that stopped by our booth to let us know, why did you Run to Feed the Hungry? Nikki Carlson, Sacramento "We participated as a way to feel like we gave something back to those who go without during the holidays in our community. It's a small gesture, but it ends up making a big difference! And It made us feel great the whole day!" Darcy Smith, Sacramento "To run

Three local non-profit organizations were featured in a Sacramento Social Media Club panel on Tuesday evening hosted by the Sacramento State College of Continuing Education. The panel included Celia Cortez, Projects and Event Manager for the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Jordan Blair, Board Member for River City Food Bank; and Jon Benorden, Program Coordinator for the Center for AIDS Research, Education and Service (CARES). Lesley Miller, Media Director for 3Fold Communication, also sat on the panel. Moderator Josh Morgan, principal at Morgan/Dorado and program director for the Sacramento Social Media Club, focused the discussion on how non-profits are using social media to educ

The spotlight is on Sacramento at the 'Best of' party hosted by Sacramento Magazine, Thursday at the Convention Center. The winners from the "best of" categories will show what they've got while attendees can try out the best products, services, and entertainment that Sacramento has to offer. The winner for best candy store, Sees Candy and the winner for best regional winery Bogel Vineyards will be a couple of the participating vendors at the party. The winners from the eight categories will be showing attendees what they've got, allowing them to sample products, services and entertainment - the best Sacramento has to offer. Some of this year's winners include , Best New Fun Spot, MIX D

Some say God is everywhere but last month, we discovered that social media is everywhere too—even in our churches! On October 20, 2009, the Sacramento Social Media Club held a panel discussion on the use of social media by local churches. The event, “Pray for Social Media”, was hosted by The Sacramento Press, and was moderated by Jeff Marmins of Social Media Path and partnership director for the Sacramento Social Media Club. Panelists included Josh Trevino from the Parish Council of St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville; Robert Mees, Director of Evangelism at Sierra Baptist Church in Pioneer in Amador County and CJ Alvarado, Director of Communications and Technology at Bayside Church

On November 18-19, 2009, Cosumnes River College will host the second-annual SHAREfair.  This event highlights community service and philanthropy.  On the 18th, students have the opportunity to hear from non-profit and social service leaders to learn about the benefits of giving time, money, and talent to local efforts. On the 19th, as part of the fair, students will get information from local organizations seeking enthusiastic and intelligent volunteers (or employees)  for long-term, short-term, or permanent assignments.   Also, SHAREfair organizers will conduct campus-wide drives for canned foods, clothing, hygiene items/toiletries, and school supplies to deliver to local groups. The C

For the past 18 years, Sacramento Child Advocates (SCA) has been providing representation for every child entering our dependency court system in Sacramento County.  Currently, we represent 4700 children within the dependency system and we never turn down any child brought before the court.  SCA was established in Sacramento to be their “voice”, their personal advocate with a very determined mission.  SCA does this through a unique model of using both attorneys and social workers.  Foster youth who are represented in this manner truly have a partner in designing their future, someone they can trust, someone that is always looking out for their best interests.  When a child is removed from

The "Fun Run" is well known to the people of Sacramento.  Each year, nearly a hundred local organizations put on a 5K event in the hopes of raising funds and awareness of their wonderful programs.  Well, InAlliance has decided to take the "Fun Run" to a whole new level with the addition of poker! On Saturday, October 10, 2009, InAlliance will host the Gold Rush Poker Run & Walk on the El Dorado Trail in Placerville.  The 10K, 5K and 1 mile courses will take participants on a tour of the Sierra Nevada Foothills during the most beautiful time of year.  Along the way, participants will collect playing cards to form poker hands worth raffle tickets at the finish line party.  Prizes include li

The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce will hold its 3rd Annual Installation Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento. Guy Farris, co-host of News 10’s popular TV magazine program, Sacramento & Co., will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The evening will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and live auction with auctioneer David Sobon of Maximum Benefit Auctions at 6:30 p.m. Auction offerings will include fine wine and dining packages, exotic travel and other luxury items. All proceeds from the dinner and auction will benefit the Rainbow Chamber Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting programs for at-risk youth and other causes. The evenin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sara Hanson Public Relations Specialist shanson@sierraadoption.org 916.368.5114 ext. 237 fax: 916.368.5157 Nonprofit Known for Transforming the Lives of Children in Foster Care, Makes a Transformation of Its Own June 18, 2009 – Sacramento, CA - For 25 years, Sierra Adoption Services has transformed the lives of children in foster care by building and nurturing permanent families. During that time, over 2,000 children and youth have found the love, acceptance and security of a permanent home – a forever family. As of July 1, 2009, the agency’s name will change to Sierra Forever Families. The new name represents the culmination of many years of hard work b

Hoards of people walked and pedaled up to North B Street Saturday morning. Volunteers were more than ready for them, tools in hand, prepared to repair their bikes as part of Cycle 4 Hope’s monthly “Homeless Outreach Day.” Founded by Shawn Holiday in 2008, Cycles 4 Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides free bike repairs for the homeless. It operates entirely on donated bicycle materials and the help of volunteers. “The number one thing that I have learned is that a bicycle helps a homeless person not feel homeless," Holiday said. "It gives them the opportunity to be at par with everyone else. It helps them forget the bad situation they are in.” After Holiday spent a morning down

Announcing the opening of  Le Soleil. Le Soleil is a life, career and spiritual training ground for progressive adults looking to enhance their personal and professional lives, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.    Le Soleil is the brain child of Rebecca Echevarria. Rebecca is an ordained minister in both the Christian and Buddhist traditions and our lead consultant (life coach). She has studied religion, philosphy and leadership extensively. This background enables her to work with Executives, Soccer Moms, and everything in between. She has written books on escaping the cult mentality, parenting and dealing with adversity. Her core beliefs are that each in

Imagine, for a moment, our city without traffic: Families safe to walk through downtown, cross the street, take their time to look at historic buildings and storefront window displays. No cars in sight. Bikes, skaters, and runners in the middle of the street and people out to play and have a great time. This is how Sacramento could look thanks to a local bicycle advocacy group, Bikeramento, which wants to create a more bike-able Sacramento. They have already secured the first Sunday of every month for Sac Sunday Streets, an event which closes Capitol Avenue to traffic between 18th and 28th streets, to take place every month from May to September from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The idea is this: ta

Sacramento has produced a number of world class athletes - Dusty Baker, Bill Cartwright, Debbie Meyer, and of course Mayor Kevin Johnson to name a few. But what's to be said about young athletes who have talent, but not the means to be successful? A group of seven successful Sacramento athletes, including former NFL players Gio Carmazzi and Alex Van Dyke are now back in Sacramento to help steward underprivileged high school athletes to succeed not only in sports but also in life. Their organization, Game Plan Academy (GPA), will be holding an eight-week camp on Sundays from March 15 through May 10 at Hiram Johnson High School. It will focus on recruiting from schools with low Academic Pe

Fresh Producers is the brainchild of Rabbi David Wechsler Azen.  Last week I had the opportunity to interview him about this project.  His mission was to get  "kids to eat better" especially in neighborhoods where fresh, healthy food is not always available or accessible.  Unique was his solution to use students to do the marketing and management thus giving them hands on, real life business experience.  His workforce also includes peer trainers. A central organization was established to do the ordering and financial transactions.  Along with Rabbi David, the central organization includes  Steve Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, who is retired from HP with 28 years of experience in globa