Happy New Year!   I hope you enjoyed the holidays and your 2019 is off to a great start!

Our newsletter this month includes an update on our holiday celebrations, a new program we are piloting and more.

On behalf of all of us at Saint John's, but especially the mothers and children... thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,
Michele Steeb, CEO

 

Holly Jolly Christmas!

Thanks to literally hundreds of our generous community partners and volunteers, our moms and kids had the most wonderful December ever! From holiday light tours and hot chocolate, to the Singing Christmas Tree, to delicious holiday meals, to 'in pajama' movie nights for our children, to limousine rides, to toy and diaper drives, to Santa visits including a visit on Christmas morning, we couldn't have done it all without YOU! From the bottom of our hearts, and on behalf of the up to 270 women and children we serve every day, thank you for being there, by our sides, every step of the way.
 
We are also incredibly grateful to the 61 donors who adopted 113 families, as well as to the many elves who helped us in wrapping all of these gifts!

Continue supporting the women and children at Saint John's! 

Saint John's Launches Medical Assistant Pilot Program 

Highlands Community Charter School, authorized by Twin Rivers Unified School District, provides on-site high school education for Saint John's clients.  Through this curriculum, students are given a new opportunity to earn a high school diploma and receive technical job training.  Fifty-three percent of Saint John's clients have not yet earned a high school diploma upon entry to our program.  Through our partnership with Highlands, our women are able to work toward their GED or high school diploma, as well as enroll in the other CTE programs offered at Highlands such as cosmetology, computer technician, child care, or truck driving.

In partnership with Highlands Community Charter School and Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, Saint John's launched a pilot program this month for medical office administration training, with two clients, Celeste A. and Allison C., participating in the vocational career training initiative.  The five-month program will provide instruction in Microsoft Office essentials, typing, medical law and ethics, and medical terminology with the goal of developing the technical skills and knowledge of HIPPA and the medical field to become a medical assistant.

A Gastronomic THANK YOU...

...to all of our community partners who made December a banner month for us at Plates Café and Catering! All told, we catered 43 holiday events in addition to hosting regular patrons and holiday celebration groups at our restaurants:


From small, intimate gatherings to several large events including Wilton Rancheria's Annual Christmas dinner for 700, a tenant appreciation breakfast for Rubicon Partners for 650, a mashed potato-tini bar for 175 for DCA Partners and a dinner for BFBA, LLP (Brown, Fink, Boyce, Astle), our mixing bowls and oven mitts had nary a moment's downtime! Among others for whom we catered holiday parties are:


Plates Cafe and Catering and Plates Midtown are home to two of our three social enterprises, which provide our clients with critical job readiness and employment training. Each mom in training completes 450 hours through 12 workstations. Clients graduate from the Employment Training Program once they have completed the required hours , and have secured and maintained employment for a minimum of 30 days.

"Our moms in training really executed well over the busy holiday season," comments Nicole Cox, assistant catering manager. "We are training some real Rock Stars over here.... many of whom are just about ready to begin job search!"

Call Plates to cater your next event!

At your place or ours, great service, incredible food, a meaningful cause. You will enjoy professional service and meals made from scratch using the freshest local and seasonal ingredients.

By using Plates to cater your event, you are providing vital training opportunities for our women who are working hard to become self-sustaining, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence. For more information, please contact our
Catering Manager, Erin Landreth, at [email protected] or at 916-381-2233.

F ebruary Guest Chef Dinner Announcement: Seasons of Love

Our February Guest Chef Dinner, "Seasons of Love," will take place on Thursday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. at Plates Cafe. Our very special guest chefs will be our own Saint John's graduates who have gone on to successful careers in the restaurant industry! 

As we celebrate them and what they have gone on to do in their lives, you will also hear from them how important your support and love has been in helping them to turn their lives around. Don't miss this very special Seasons of Love event!

Purchase your tickets here


Thank you 
Statehouse at the Capitol!

With California's agricultural industry playing a major role in the state's economy, the focus of Statehouse at the Capitol, located in our State Capitol, is on food and beverage options that reflect the very best of what California has to offer. Featuring fresh California cuisine, the organization operates an eatery, a grab-and-go café, a coffee shop and a full-service catering business.

Through our partnership with this popular downtown destination, Statehouse has hired three of our clients including Wendy T. and Tammy G., both of whom have been with Statehouse for more than a year, and more recently, Josephine M., who was hired this past fall.

"We are dedicated to providing affordable fresh, quality food and exceptional customer service to everyone that works or visits the State Capitol. Our partnership with Saint John's has allowed us to work with a great group of women who enrich our team daily by showing up with a positive attitude, who are reliable, can take direction and have become apart of our work family."
-Jenn Crabbé,  Owner and Manager of  Statehouse  at the Capitol

   
Statehouse at the Capitol gives equal opportunity a whole new meaning. Not only have they partnered with Saint John's, but they also work with DDSO (Development Disabilities Service Organization), so their employees include adults with learning disabilities as well as our courageous women who have taken the leap to overcome homelessness, poverty and abuse.
 
We are so very grateful to Statehouse at the Capitol for serving as one of our employment partners, and for all of their support of the women and children we serve at Saint John's!
 
For more information on becoming an employment partner, or to inquire about hiring one of our awesome Volunteer Learners, please contact Karen O'Hara at 916-453-1482 or at [email protected].
 



  • Diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6) and Wipes
  • Twin Bed-in-a-Bag Sets
  • Gift Cards (Walmart, Target, Safeway)
  • New or refurbished computers
  • Flash Drives
  • Office Chairs

T o make a donation, or to find out more, please contact our Director of Development, Sasha Wirth at [email protected]

Volunteer

 

Join the Circle

 

Donate Money or Goods

 

Dine with us
Today is the perfect day for a new beginning.  Together, we will give more women and children the opportunity to start a new life - a life filled with hope, joy and endless opportunities. With your  gift  today, you will provide a family at Saint John's not only a safe home, but also a hand up through an educational program that empowers mothers to provide for themselves and their families.

For more information, please contact  [email protected]

Saint John's Program for Real Change
Nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
Tax ID: 68-0132934