Building Community as the Seasons Change
We are decidedly into the fall season, and teasing winter. This is my favorite time of year - fall leaves, baked goods, back-to-school beginnings, and winter greens! - but it can make our outdoor-based programming a challenge with cold and rainy days! This is partly why our woodshed programming addition is so important: proving youth with hands-on creative outlets that increase their self-confidence and skills portfolio, even in inclement weather. They have made garden tools, including planting boxes, soil sifters, and tables, as well as basic cutting boards for their families. Youth reentering the community need basic furniture, so we are planning for lumber and timing requirements for these projects. A wet start to the season means a head start on these projects!
Youth participant utilizes the planer to start a cutting board while project staff observes.
California College Corps - Capacity for All!
We are in year 4 of our participation in the State's College Corps program, began during the pandemic as a way to build community capacity AND support college students financially and with community and workforce connections. We participate through Shasta College, who administers the program for several dozen students. This year we're hosting four volunteers, who contribute 10 hours a week through onsite work with youth and on the farm, as well as programmatic support functions. In return they receive a State-funded monthly stipend and an education award in June.
You'll be hearing more about these really wonderful, interesting people and their dedication to healthy, capacity-building youth programming - with the possibility of a volunteer-hosted newsletter in coming months!
New Fiscal Sponsor! New Fundraising Tools!
We are thrilled to be the newest member of the Inquiring Systems, Inc. family, benefitting from their half-century of nonprofit experience as a new fiscally-sponsored program.
Take a look around our page - including the video produced by our fabulous project partner, Shasta County Probations! - and consider making a monthly contribution to sustain our work!