We’re all big enthusiasts of new beginnings here at Saint John’s and the new year gives us just that, a new beginning. It’s been a challenging year for all of us (to say the least), but we are looking forward to a bright and hopeful 2021 with you by our side. Together, we have provided more women and children the opportunity for a new beginning — a life filled with endless possibilities. As we begin the new year, we want to thank you for your ongoing support of Saint John’s. Your generosity has made a tremendous difference in the lives of formerly homeless women and children working hard for a new life and a new beginning. |
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Dwayne's Blog
RED DOOR desserts
Distance Learning in the New Year!
Modular Homes
Party for Change 2021
2020 3rd and 4th Quarter Grant Report
Red Door Reflections
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Dwayne's Blog - Poverty and Childhood |
This month’s blog is written by the son of one of our staff members, Jessica. Jessica and her son Dwayne were residents at Saint John’s when Dwayne was just a young boy. Today, Jessica is employed at Saint John’s full-time as a Client Services Coordinator and Dwayne is a student at Sierra College. As I’m sure you’ll see in the blog, Dwayne captures the struggles that he and his mom experienced as well as the power that comes from truly breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence and forging a new life.
Poverty and Childhood by Dwayne Simmons
My name is Dwayne Amos Simmons. I was born on December 19, 2001 to a single mother. For the first four years of my life my mom and I struggled to find a safe place to sleep. We did not have any money; we barely had enough to eat. My mom did not have a lot of family in the area or many people she could go to for help. We were living out of motel rooms in different areas around Los Angeles.
It wasn’t until much later that my mom told me that the reason for the constant moving was because she was trying to get away from my biological father. He was abusive and did not care to be a father. One night he found us and physically hurt her. After that we went to stay at a safe house. The staff there told us about a shelter in Sacramento that helped women and children. We relocated to Sacramento from Los Angeles and got accepted into this shelter...
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We have some new beginnings of our own coming in 2021:
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Brittany, a current client, putting a batch of Snowball Cookies in the oven |
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January box - Chocolate Espresso Pie Bars, Snowball Cookies, Signature Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies |
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Ellie, a current client, preps a batch of cookies |
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Our Red Door Desserts Club begins this month with our January subscription box featuring Chocolate Espresso Pie Bars, Wedding Cookies and our Signature Salted Chocolate Chunk cookies. With RED DOOR desserts, women at Saint John’s continue their hands-on employment training and learn to not only bake beautiful and delicious cookies and desserts, but also learn order management, supply chain elements, packaging and shipping. Click here to learn more about how you can enjoy delicious desserts made from scratch and with love, while supporting our program.
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Distance Learning in the New Year! |
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Our kids are back in the classroom for the beginning of a new semester of distance learning. Children continue to grow and flourish in a nurturing and supportive classroom environment spanning 10 grade levels. Although students may experience many challenges with distance learning, flexibility and focus are the key to success! Students are logging in and attending class daily and working to the best of their ability with the support of dedicated staff. The education of our kids is a top priority for all of us at Saint John’s because breaking the homeless cycle one family at a time does not end with helping women alone.
In 2021 we will continue our work in creating and strengthening programs that advance supportive services including healthy whole child development, parent/child relationships and educational partnerships.
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Showing off an impressive piece of art work! |
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On-Site Modular Housing Coming to Saint John's! |
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Thanks to the City of Sacramento, HomeAid Sacramento, Project Home Key and Roebbelen Construction, we are building 11 new modular homes on campus to create interim housing and support services for families before they transition to permanent housing.
Please stay tuned. More information coming soon!
OUR NEEDS – Help us furnish our new tiny homes! We are in need of the following items to help provide a warm welcome to families in need:
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SAVE THE DATE - Party for Change |
Party for Change, presented by Allstate Insurance and hosted by the Sacramento Jet Center, is scheduled for May 15, 2021 in person, conditions permitting. This elegant black tie soiree will feature fabulous cuisine and wine, music by Las Vegas DJ E-Noc, dance and aerialist performances by the Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre, a fantastic live auction and more! Visit our website here for more info.
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Today is the perfect day for a new beginning.
With your tax-deductible gift today, you will provide a family at Saint John’s, not only safe shelter, but an opportunity for a new beginning.
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2020 3rd and 4th Quarter Grant Report |
We are incredibly grateful to the following community partners who have awarded Saint John’s a financial commitment to support the women and children of our program on their journeys to creating Real Change. With much appreciation, we thank you!
Albertson’s: $2,500
American River Bank: $5,000
Ann Land & Bertha Henschel Memorial Fund: $8,000
Kaiser Foundation: $25,000
Kroger Foundation: $5,000
Miller Family Foundation: $12,780
Serving USA: $50,000
SETA/CARES Act: $65,008
UPS Foundation: $12,000
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Every day we get a new beginning.
At Saint John’s we are delighted to celebrate our new beginnings – on-site modular homes and RED DOOR desserts which offers both vocational training and indulgent delights! And, most importantly, the new beginnings we see and experience through the women and children we serve are the most gratifying of all.
I will say it again and again - I am truly grateful and privileged to serve as the CEO of Saint John’s Program for Real Change, and witness the growth and transformation of the women and children our program serves, every single day. The extremely qualified staff works around-the-clock tirelessly and your generous and continued support creates life changing outcomes. We couldn’t do what we do at Saint John’s without you. Thank you.
We look forward to another day and year of new beginnings at Saint John’s with you by our side.
In gratitude,
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For more information, please contact info@saintjohnsprogram.org.
Saint John's Program for Real Change
Nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
Tax ID: 68-0132934
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