Saturday, February 5, 2011

Chamberee A Great Event in Redding, CA

What an enjoyable night at the annual Redding Chamber of Commerce Awards function, Chamberee. Held at the Win River Casino Grand Ballroom, the room was filled with community supporters to recognize the outstanding volunteers and businesses in Redding. This was the 10th Chamberee that I have attended, and this one was as enjoyable as one could ask. The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Dick Green, the former and long term manager of our own Channel 7, KRCR, as the Citizen of the Year. This award was long overdue, as Dick has been a key member of our community since the 1960′s.

Also recognized were the many past recipients, along with the volunteers that have spent endless hours on behalf of the Chamber. And, these things do not just happen, and hats off to Frank Strazzarino and his entire staff at the Redding Chamber of Commerce for their great planning, aided by the very competent staff at Win River, to make this great annual event happen.

Well done, and certainly well enjoyed, by the hundreds in attendance. On to greater things, now, led by the Redding Chamber.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance Program

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance program, a cooperative effort to address the needs of the Anderson and Cottonwood communities. Filled with volunteers working on food boxes, and a whole list of other projects including a "Dress and be cool" clothing program for students. Very impressive in this United Way funded agency. Thanks for the great job

www.norcalunitedway.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Shasta Symphony and Chorus to Perform

For those of you that enjoy Classical Music, tonight at Shasta College, the Shasta College Community Orchestra, the Shasta Symphony, and Shasta Chorale join together under Dr. Liz Waterbury to perform the Schubert Mass This is a magnificent work, and very well performed. With noted soloists, this is a wonderful presentation. Starts tonight at 7:30 PM; tickets at the door or on the Shasta College website. Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

People of Progress in Redding...part of the United Way

People of Progress…addressing community needs and part of the United WayEdit
By ronlargent Leave a Comment
Categories: Uncategorized
We are so fortunate to have so many good programs addressing the basic needs of food and housing in Redding, Shasta County, and Northern California. One of these organizations is People of Progress, under the able direction of Melinda Brown. Here is some background on this agency….one of 33 in the United Way of Northern California.

Mission Statement

To strengthen individuals, families and our community with special emphasis on issues that affect low income people.

People of Progress began in 1974 as a food co-op. The first social service program we offered was child care soon followed by a small grant for an education program to increase understanding of and usage of food stamps in three northern counties. One early program was a community farm in French Gulch which led to our two community gardens now in Redding. Our programs have evolved and expanded as we are now one of the major foodbanks and emergency assistance programs in our area. In addition to our own programs, P.O.P. has always been very active in a variety of community issues and opportunities always advocating for healthy thriving inclusive communities for everyone — not just those with comfortable incomes. We have formed collaboratives and committees that specifically and successfully addressed a number of issues resulting in successful programs or program modifications in local government and in other agencies.

OUR GOAL is to serve our community by helping to build individual and community stability and responsibility. Annually, we help over 10% of the entire population of Redding alone who need immediate emergency assistance.

For 30 years we have been devoted to providing food, clothing, shelter, transportation, prescriptions, etc. to people in need. We will serve over 14,000 people this year with over 170,000 meals, 4,000 motel shelter nights, and help over 150 households retain/obtain housing or keep their utilities on. We work closely with other organizations and agencies to link clients with additional programs and services.

We generate much of our funding from our two Thrift Stores. Two state and two federal grants provide funds to purchase food, motel vouchers and rent assistance. A Shasta County CSBG grant and a City of Redding CDBG grant provide partial operation funding for this program. We pick up food donations daily from Food 4 Less. Generous donations from individuals, businesses and churches help support our program and we’re a United Way member agency.

For additional information, you can visit their website at www.peopleofprogress.org

You can learn more about the United Way at www.norcalunitedway.org or www.liveunited.org or call us at 530-241-7521, or e-mail me at ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Tuesday, at the United Way hosting of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, many of the agencies that are supported by the United Way of Northern California were present to talk about their programs. One of the agencies deals with youth issues in our community, and here is some information on that agency:

Youth Violence Prevention Council
of Shasta County
The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Youth Violence Prevention Council and the United Way

Tuesday, at the United Way hosting of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, many of the agencies that are supported by the United Way of Northern California were present to talk about their programs. One of the agencies deals with youth issues in our community, and here is some information on that agency:

Youth Violence Prevention Council
of Shasta County

The Youth Violence Prevention Council of Shasta County (YVPC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to prevent youth violence and promote a safe and healthy community. Our Youth Violence Prevention Council Executive Board is comprised of top-flight leaders from a broad cross-section of the business, law enforcement, government, faith, and education sectors of Shasta County.
History
The problem of gang and youth violence rose to national prominence in the 1980’s and found its way to Redding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. According to the Redding Police Department, Redding had 20 violent youth gang-related felonies in 1994. This spurred a county-wide effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. Lead by aggressive law enforcement, cooperation from the schools and community-based organizations and agencies, Redding and Shasta County were able to gain the upper hand.
In response to the youth gang issues in our county, the Youth Violence Prevention Council was created in 1996 and became an integral part of the effort to rid our communities of youth gangs. The thrust of the Youth Violence Prevention Council involves the coordination of primary education on youth issues and youth advocacy, all aimed at keeping our county youth gang free and safe for all citizens, young and older alike.
More information can be obtained on their website www.yvpc.org
The YVPC is one of the 33 agencies served by the United Way of Northern California, and one of the 58 programs funded through United Way in the 8 northern counties of California. Information on the United Way can be seen at www.norcalunitedway.org or at www.liveunited.org

For local information call 530-241-7521 or e-mail ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

Friday, November 26, 2010

Golden Umbrella in Redding, CA

As part of the United Way of Northern California, Golden Umbrella addresses needs in the community, and they are focused on the needs of our Senior Community. They are doing a great job…and the following is an excerpt from their web page www.goldenumbrella.org

Health, Nutrition, and Our Daily Meals
The health of the Shasta County Senior was of prime concern to us. It was one of the problems to which the advocates gave their close attention.

We had retired registered nurses who volunteered to take blood pressures. In the Fiscal Year 77/78 they took 900 blood pressures. When the first flu shots were first available the Shasta County Health Nurses came to the Golden Umbrella and 297 shots were given.

The Golden Umbrella helped the Nutrition Program get started in Shasta County and also helped it expand. The Nutrition Program under Title VII of the Older American Act is a state funded program under the California Department on Aging. The Golden Umbrella participated in the Nutrition Program from March 1974 to January 1975 until Mercy Hospital became the grantee and sponsor.

I guess you can say Our Daily Meals started on May 17, 1970 when we had the Center Grand Opening. It expanded after the years of the Nutrition Program and had served 9,938 meals in 1978.

This was from their “history page”, and kind of gives us an idea of how they started. Today, Golden Umbrella is a major player in the north state as we address the fact that the senior population is growing each day. The United Way is proud to be associated with this fine organization serving the needs of our community.

www.norcalunitedway.org

www.liveunited.org

ronlargent@norcalunitedway.org

530-241-7521