Kimberly Keyes comment-49856 2011-04-27T20:24:37Z 2011-04-27T20:24:37Z They are a private company receiving public benefit. I guess I am not as disturbed by that considering all the other private companies that get more than free parking from the public. Kimberly Keyes 2011-04-27T20:24:37Z Kimberly Keyes comment-49840 2011-04-27T05:44:11Z 2011-04-27T05:44:11Z I figured out the solution: Sell your car and use public transportation. Zipcar is available for convenience and their cars can park anywhere in Sacramento for FREE. Save money on parking and gas. Ahhhh, the power of critical pedagogy. Kimberly Keyes 2011-04-27T05:44:11Z Kimberly Keyes comment-49794 2011-04-26T22:05:44Z 2011-04-26T22:05:44Z Good points made by all. I understand where the writer is coming from, but I am not sure if there is a clear or viable solution in sight. Some of you are comparing Sac to SF, LA, or NY, three cities that are completely unlike the rest of the country. We could also compare Sac to Yuma, Arizona or Ft. Bragg, Calif. Ask the residents of those cities if they are willing to pay for parking. What do you think they would say? I think the supply and demand argument might be the most reasonable. But who knows? I am no expert on city management like many of you. Kimberly Keyes 2011-04-26T22:05:44Z Kimberly Keyes comment-28705 2010-06-01T04:53:32Z 2010-06-01T04:53:32Z Thoughtful, objective commentary is always better than emotionally charged, aggressive comments. Kimberly Keyes 2010-06-01T04:53:32Z Kimberly Keyes comment-26056 2010-05-01T17:26:35Z 2010-05-01T17:26:35Z Great article :) Kimberly Keyes 2010-05-01T17:26:35Z Kimberly Keyes comment-15776 2009-10-18T07:18:53Z 2009-10-18T07:18:53Z I don't think tuition increase is exactly the issue. I think the issue is that tuition was increased and the administration does not appear to be handling the money correctly. Faculty are being laid off and classes are overcrowded. I do not mind investing in my education, but the money needs to be used appropriately. There are students that may not be involved in their eduction and may not being paying for it, but for those of us who are, the last minute increase was very difficult. Sal: I am not sure why you think Sac State is a "pay what you get for" school because there are some great professors. Dr. Zuckerman, Dr. Lasher, Dr. Stoner, Professor Maviglio, and Professor Howard are just a few of the great instructors from the Coms department at Sac State. Also, the Communications Master's program is actually very well known and respected in the academic world. Kimberly Keyes 2009-10-18T07:18:53Z Kimberly Keyes comment-15585 2009-10-15T03:09:05Z 2009-10-15T03:09:05Z I am not sure if it is very noble to boast about the things you do for others. I think those things should be done and not said. So I will say that I make small gestures when I can. The gestures usually revolve around food. Two weeks ago I was driving through Taco Bell by Sac State and their was a homeless man sitting by the drive thru and I bought him something to eat and gave it to him on my way out. I have only done what I can. Some would say it is not much and others would say it is too much. Many people don't agree with giving the homeless anything. I am involved and have been involved in various non profits as a volunteer and as an employee for over 10 years and so I think there is value in helping those less fortunate or poor in spirit. My mother has been an advocate for over 20 years and there is a certain amount of compassion she has instilled in me. Not to mention that I have experienced being very poor and not having a home. What kept my mother and I from not living on the streets was our family. We did in fact receive a house from Habit for Humanity though. I think when you have been in the position to struggle and feel hopelessness, you can appreciate what a helping hand or a smile can do. Kimberly Keyes 2009-10-15T03:09:05Z Kimberly Keyes comment-15582 2009-10-15T02:41:53Z 2009-10-15T02:41:53Z No, compassion is not a smile. Compassion is an emotion and a smile is a facial expression. I think both are helpful and useful when interacting with others. Kimberly Keyes 2009-10-15T02:41:53Z Kimberly Keyes comment-15579 2009-10-15T00:47:45Z 2009-10-15T00:47:45Z Alicia, thank you for writing this article. Though some of us may be unable to help the homeless for personal or financial reasons, we all can provide some compassion. A smile can go a long way. As an American, I would hate to think that our only answer to someone experiencing a crisis like being homeless is, "Hey, here's the services, use them or don't." I like to think Americans are more noble and kind than that. Call me a romantic if you will. Kimberly Keyes 2009-10-15T00:47:45Z Kimberly Keyes comment-12361 2009-08-20T19:52:32Z 2009-08-20T19:52:32Z I appreciate your information and I understand you have strong opinions on the subject. I have worked with and volunteered for non-profits for over ten years, and I have my own opinions. They are focused less on the donators and more on the receivers-the teens to be clear. River Oak Center may or may not have funds available for computers. Regardless if they do, the teens did not have computers available to them before the DIY center opened. When I spoke to a counselor, who worked with the teens daily, she told me that their prior program had “nothing like this.” SO basically, if the donators had decided to donate to the Boys and Girls Club instead of the DIY center, the teens from River Oak would still be without computers and supplies. As far as River Oak versus Boy and Girls Club, both organizations have a purpose and both organizations are making a difference in at least one child or teen. AND It is important to remember that people that lack integrity can be found in corporations AND non-profits and people with integrity can also be found in both. As someone who is financially unable to donate money and youth centers, I personally do not feel comfortable criticizing those that are able and CHOOSE to do so. In fact the argument criticizing the wealthy is tiresome. To sum it up, I am sure that you are more informed on the politics of Sacramento than I and I am okay with that. In fact the discussion seems like something you are very familiar with and have probably debated in the past. I am more concerned with the benefits the teens received because of the center. Even if the center is or is not available to outside clients, there are ATLEAST forty teens who will enjoy it and I think that is significant. They probably do too. Kimberly Keyes 2009-08-20T19:52:32Z Kimberly Keyes comment-12328 2009-08-20T02:28:21Z 2009-08-20T02:28:21Z The River Oak Center for Children was a non profit organization already established before the "Do It Yourself" teen center was donated. I questioned one of the counselors, Martha Pree about the activities that were available before the center was donated. Pree said that they had occasional outings and some sports, but "nothing like this." It would seem intuitive that smaller centers like the River Oak Center need more financial help than large organizations like the Boys and Girls club. If the computers donated to River Oak had been donated to another organization like the Boys and Girls Club, the teens that utilize River Oak Center would still be without computers. On a side note, there are at least two Wells Fargo employees on the Board of Directors for Sacramento's local Boys and Girls Club. Also, Wells Fargo has a history of making Forbes' List for 100 Most Charitable Companies. I am not going to further debate the motivation of the donators because it is irrelevant to the teens and children that are benefiting from the center. Kimberly Keyes 2009-08-20T02:28:21Z Kimberly Keyes comment-12327 2009-08-20T01:55:21Z 2009-08-20T01:55:21Z As the writer of this story I can answer a few of the questions. The center is located near Madison Avenue and more detailed information can be found through internet research. The River Oak Center for Children is a program that has residential clients as well as outside clients, so I choose to leave the exact location out of my article. The center has a residential capacity of forty beds and they are nearly full. The residential teens will be utilizing the program frequently. I do not have an exact number on outside clients that will be utilizing the program. The specific programs offered through the center are art, fashion, music, and sports. They also offer computer programs that focus on reading, literacy, and finance. The probation office is directly involved with River Oak Center providing counseling, one on one support, and rehabilitation for teens that have been involved in the criminal court. As a new journalist, I appreciate your questions. Kimberly Keyes 2009-08-20T01:55:21Z