The All In SJC newsletter is about communicating actions, ideas, policy,
research and stories about people who have been impacted by homelessness.
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‘Tis the Season to Give Back
All In SJC December Edition
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Written by Jessica Nguyen |
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What comes to mind when you envision the holiday season? Brightly decorated fir trees? Warm family gatherings? Jolly Christmas tunes playing from every speaker? For many in San Joaquin County, the holidays are also a time to spread love, cheer, and hope to the unsheltered and disadvantaged in our community. Take for instance the warm Thanksgiving meals served to those in need at St. Mary’s Dining Hall, the assortment of toys collected and distributed by Toys for Tots, and the wonderful opportunity to Adopt-A-Family for the holidays through Women’s Center Youth and Family Services. These are just a few of the numerous examples of organizations comprised of caring staff and volunteers who work throughout the holiday season to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy a little holiday magic. In this December Edition of All In, we feature an article about Gerald, an unsheltered Stockton resident who shares his thoughts about this time of the year. Then, we spotlight the Catalyst Program and share an inspiring story about a Catalyst participant. Last but not least, we highlight some of the spirited efforts made across San Joaquin County to spread holiday cheer while also including some volunteer opportunities. As the year comes to a close, we’d like to thank you for reading All In SJC. Happy Holidays!
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Organization & Individual Highlights |
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GERALD LOGUE
"The holiday season, often marked by cheerful festivities and family gatherings, can be particularly difficult on those experiencing homelessness. Not only do the dropping temperatures create a harsh climate for the unsheltered, but this time of year can also be challenging on their mental health, as many may not have loved ones to celebrate the holidays with..."
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THE CATALYST:
Empowering Homeless Youths in Their Transition to Adulthood
"The transition from childhood to adulthood can already be a stressful and complicated process; however, these difficulties are heightened for homeless youths who have reached transitional age..."
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HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES |
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In December, temperatures drop, twinkling lights are strung on buildings and lampposts, trees are adorned with decorations, cheerful tunes play in the air, and the mood is merry. Against the dazzling backdrop of jolly festivities in San Joaquin County, one of the most anticipated parts of the holidays is giving back to those who need it most. Across our community, multiple organizations work tirelessly to gather donations, organize drives, and coordinate events to ensure that everyone can enjoy some holiday cheer. In this article, we'd like to take a moment to recognize these efforts and highlight some volunteer opportunities throughout this holiday season. |
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Toys for Tots — Barbies, Legos, plushies, — little else excites kids on Christmas as much as the gifts under the tree! This year, Toys for Tots celebrates their 75th Anniversary and continues doing what it does best: collecting thousands of toys and distributing them throughout San Joaquin County to ensure as many children get to enjoy Christmas as possible. By partnering with local organizations, they’re able to expand their reach across the county and put toys into as many hands as possible. Last year, they successfully collected over 5,500 toys for nearly 5,000 children! Although the application period for giving and receiving gifts may have ended for this year, you can bet they’ll be back next year as strong as ever! Prepare for next year by clicking the link below and bookmarking the page!
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Stockton Shelter for the Homeless Wishlist —
We often make lists of what we want during the holidays — a new car! The newest iPhone! A vacation! Though sometimes, life is unpredictable and people who fall on hard times may instead wish for basic necessities for every day life, like clothing and toiletries. The Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, which offers shelter and addresses the needs of our homeless population, has a wishlist full of hygiene products, laundry and cleaning supplies, bedroom necessities and more. The low-barrier shelter relies on the generosity of the community in order to provide these necessities and more to the hundreds of people that walk through the shelter’s doors every day. To view the wishlist and to donate, please visit the link below.
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Gospel Center Rescue Mission’s (GCRM) Toy, Coat and Sock Drive — Is one of your favorite part of the holidays seeing the gleeful smiles on kids’ faces as they unwrap their gifts? Us too! The Gospel Center Rescue Mission is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to give to the Mission Kids now until December 18th. You can drop off your donations at SASS! Public Relations in Lincoln Center, where they will be delivered to GCRM.
You can also donate clothing items that you may already have at home — do you have gently used coats hanging in your closet or gently used socks hidden in your drawers that you no longer wear? As temperatures drop, the need for warm clothing rises — spread the warmth this season by bringing these items to drop boxes in Lincoln Center for GCRM’s Coat and Sock drive. For more information, visit the link below.
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WCYFS: Adopt A Family For the Holidays — Homeless youth and families who have fled from abuse and are shaken by trauma can find this time of the year to be especially difficult. The Women’s Center Youth and Family Services, which serves as a safe haven for some of the most vulnerable in our community, offers the incredible opportunity to Adopt-A-Family this holiday season. Through the spirit of giving, you can help bring joy and hope into the individuals, families, and youth that come though their doors every day by registering to adopt a family. This year, adopted families will receive gift cards in lieu of wishlist items. Learn more by clicking the link below.
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Volunteering at the Emergency Food Bank —
The Emergency Food Bank is committed to ensuring that no one is without food! Year round, they operate a daily food pantry and coordinate events such as RTD Stuff the Bus, their Annual Run Against Hunger, and Holiday Meal Giveaways to fight against hunger in our community. Their packed schedule of events and daily services means they are always in need of — and welcome — volunteers! The next upcoming event is the Christmas Meal Giveaway, where the Emergency Food Bank will provide the components for families to create a nutritious holiday meal. To learn more about the event and volunteering, visit the link below.
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Parents By Choice: Sponsor A Youth for the
Holidays — Throughout the holiday season, there are Christmas trees wrapped with twinkling lights and adorned with ornaments of all colors, shapes and sizes… but have you seen a festive tree decorated in Christmas wishes? This year, you can drop by the Courthouse Plaza, where Parents By Choice have set up Christmas trees decorated with Christmas wishes from all of their foster youth! Sponsor a youth by taking a paper ornament (or a few!), purchasing a new gift, and bringing it back to the Plaza unwrapped. If you have questions, you can send them an email by clicking the button below.
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These success of these organizations wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support and care from the community. Whether you’ve personally donated, volunteered, shared their social media posts on your own page to spread the word about donations or drives, or are planning to, we thank you for your time, efforts, and generosity. Happy Holidays!
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Resources & Service Spotlights |
211 San Joaquin Call Center 2021 Annual Report is available! |
211 provides expert, caring help — No matter the situation, the specialists at 211 listen, identify underlying problems, and connect people in need with resources and services in their community that strengthen their lives. |
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- Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution ratifying, pursuant to Tracy Municipal Code Section 2.20.180(b)(1), various procurement contracts for goods and general services executed by the City Manager to implement interim housing solutions to address the declared shelter crisis.
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- Access Center
- After a several month community engagement process, on October 6, 2021, City Council approved the development of the Access Center and location at 710 N. Sacramento Street in Lodi.
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- Senator Eggman secures extra $1 million to aid building of homeless navigation center at Stockton Shelter for the Homeless.
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- The Clean City Initiative provides several free community recycling events and city-wide clean-up events throughout the year, mitigating illegal dumping and removing thousands of tons of trash each year.
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- Manteca is actively supported by regional nonprofit agencies like Hope Ministries, Interfaith Ministries, LOVE, Inc., and partnerships with county agencies and the City such as the Manteca Police Department. Future plans for an interim shelter for the homeless are in process.
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Kristen Birtwhistle
United Way of San Joaquin County
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Alex McBride
United Way of San Joaquin County
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Rebecca Ray
Family Resource & Referral Center
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All In SJC is Sponsored by |
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All In Project SJC Editorial Board:
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Betty Wilson
Business Council
Dana Sovinec
Mayor of Stockton’s Office
Jennifer Rhyne
City of Lodi
Joan Singson
San Joaquin County Clinics
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Hilary Crowley
San Joaquin County
Kayce Rane
San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office
Marie Sanchez
Kaiser Permanente
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Tammy Shaff
Dignity Health
Toni McNeil
Faith in the Valley
San Joaquin
Zuleima Flores-Abid
United Way of SJC
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