A group of college friends conceived of an idea based on a passion: produce concerts that give back to the community. Formed in 1999, Concerts 4 Charity (C4C) obtained official 501(c)3 nonprofit status in 2002, and has since expanded from its humble beginnings in Worcester, Massachusetts to several locations across the country, following the initial founders as they dispersed after graduating. Along with Worcester, chapters are now present in Portland, Maine; Ashland, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Sacramento, California. The Sacramento Chapter, run by founding member Clay Nutting, focuses on causes he is devoted to: music, arts education, and supporting the local music community.

This Saturday marks the 2nd year of the colorful and energetic Brazilian Carnaval celebration. Behind the scenes of this celebration is the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento, a local non-profit organization striving to assist at-risk children and bring the community together through culture, education, and social justice. At the time of the Center’s founding in 2010 there were about 4,000 Brazilians living in the Sacramento area, yet, Executive Director Saara Burga says, “Brazilians had to constantly travel great distances in order to stay in touch with social life, entertainment, translation services, documentation, and their Brazilian Culture.” Seeing a need for these

NorCal AIDS Cycle, the Sacramento-based four-day, 330-mile HIV/AIDS cycling fundraiser, will mark the 23rd annual World AIDS Day by waiving the $75 registration fee for cyclists or crew volunteers who sign up on December 1. To qualify for the free registration, simply visit norcalaidscycle.org on Dec. 1, click on Register Now, and enter code CURE. Ride organizers hope the opportunity to register free will inspire cyclists and volunteer crew members to sign up, get a jump on training and help the event exceed last year’s record-breaking success. The 2012 NorCal AIDS Cycle will be held May 17-20. With nearly 100 cyclists, NorCal AIDS Cycle (NCAC) had its most successful year in 2011, rais

“There are homeless women and children on the streets of Sacramento, and that’s just wrong. Plain and simple,” said Kathleen Barreto, a Women’s Empowerment graduate, at the organization’s ninth annual gala on Thursday night. The gala was held at The Grand, 1215 J st. It was a celebration of independence with a live auction, a silent auction and a raffle. The goal was to raise $90,000 for funding the organization. Women’s Empowerment is a job readiness program for homeless women. They are given the skills and the confidence necessary to get a job, maintain a healthy lifestyle and regain a home for themselves and their children. “Our job is to find jobs for them,” said Lisa Culp, executiv

Sacramento County’s budget woes are prompting county and city staffers and local groups to consider establishing a new nonprofit organization to address homelessness. A new agency could lift some of the county’s burden to manage regional homelessness efforts, according to a recently released report from the county’s Department of Human Assistance. After February 2011, DHA will not have enough funding to continue its homelessness program, according to the department’s report. The county is running low on general fund dollars for the program, said Derrick Lim, a manager with the city’s Neighborhood Services division who is working on the issue at the city level. “That’s why the situation

The official launch of the grassroots organization the WE Movement - which connects people in need with those who can help them - was announced Tuesday morning at The Citizen Hotel in Sacramento.   The WE Movement was formed in March as a community-based outreach effort. Its goal is to help people with any type of need establish contact with those who can provide it.    Nonpolitical and nonpartisan, the motto is: “Offer What You Can. We Will Do the Rest.”    “The core of the WE movement is to help coordinate benefits in the areas of health care, financial services, housing, legal guidance, youth programs and education in a way that takes individual contributions and matches them with

The 23rd Annual Christmas Party Extravaganza benefiting Diogenes Youth Services is made possible by generous contributions from the following sponsors and partners. Event Sponsors brought to you by Sacramento Press Gold Donation Level: Hefner Stark & Marios Scott Gregory Scott Mullan Baird Wealth Management Sevey, Donahue and Talcott Personal Injury Attorneys Finish Line Mel Rapton Honda Silver Donation Level: Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks Porter-Scott Culinary Contributions: Railbridge Cellars Tuli Zocalo Hot Italian Kru   All proceeds from this event go to Diogenes Youth Services. For more than 40 years, Diogenes Youth Services has cared for runaway, homeless and

Sister’s United, Inc., Recently Opens The “House of Esther.” Sister’s United, Inc., a local non-profit corporation recently held their grand opening for the “House of Esther” on Friday, October 2, 2009. Many of the attendees marveled at the beauty of the home located at 3334 4th Avenue, in the heart of Oak Park. The House of Esther is the first of many from Sister’s United, Inc., opening in the Sacramento Community, and is more than Board & Care Housing; this home offers upscale living and beautiful décor. Those entering this home participate in a unique Empowerment Program purposefully designed to transform lives, and build strong affective leaders. The unique program focuses on holisti