Alumni Team Up to Help Keep

the FaithWorks World Spinning

For years, FaithWorks has gone to bat for a portion of the local allotment of CDBG Funds (Community Block Development Grant). In March, Director Crystal, Senior Case Manager Melissa and single mom Jasmine (All Francis Court Alumni) presented at The City of Redding for the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) who is in charge of ranking the grant applications.

This was a heartfelt collaboration as all three women partially attribute their family's sucess to the fact that they once faced homelessness and obtained a safe place to live at Francis Court. All three moms share similar yet different stories of rocky pasts and bright futures.

The presentation was short but efficient in depicting the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes at Francis Court and The House of Cornelius. Both programs are transitional housing and have a plethora of onsite services with the goal of helping people rebuild their lives.

CDAC members rated and ranked each proposal according to the following general criteria: • Need and Justification • Project Effectiveness • Cost Effectiveness/Budget • Experience and Past Performance. This $25,000 ask is instrumental in keeping the FaithWorks world spinning. Decisions should be announced soon.

Below are flyers presented to the CDAC.

In 2021, with funding from the Shasta County ACEs Resilience and Hope Fund, of The Community Foundation of the North State, FaithWorks was able to launch our first ever onsite youth program. With targeted, evidence based & evidence informed approaches, our youth advocate meets with children and parents to help reduce current stressors while providing the space to heal from past trauma.

What are ACEs?

Adverse Childhood Experiences are an accumulation of 10 childhood traumatic experiences and the associated toxic stress that is strongly associated with brain and NeuroSystems changes during development. 

ACES's are often generational cycles that go hand in hand with homelessness. Studies show that Shasta County has ACE scores double the state average and an alarming rate of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases. This is problematic because of the many negative correlations associated with high ACE's and the long-term effects of abuse and neglect.

How are we treating ACEs?

We have revived our social services programming to provide more supportive opportunities for our clients, youth and parents. We have partnered with local mental health professionals to screen our residents for ACEs and help ensure connection to appropriate mental health services when needed. We provide education for parents on resiliency and Protective Factors in both group and individual settings. By the end of April, 100% of our direct services staff will be trained to provide Triple P Positive Parenting, a curriculum proven to increase parental confidence and reduce challenging behaviors in children.

 In March, staff completed the "Becoming ACEs Aware" training and are working on incorporating the strategies into everyday situations.

Additionally, youth curriculums are being utilized to help our kids learn how to identify and manage emotions, identify and build on strengths while learning to make good choices. Through interactive and supportive contacts, we are preventing ACE's and rebuilding lives one day at at time!

Thank you to all of you who have reached out and donated or volunteered for our upcoming Easter Celebration! We look forward to creating memories and traditions at this epic event!

We welcomed a brand-new family in March

This beautiful family was reunified after obtaining housing at Francis Court. Upon arrival mom found a beautifully decorated apartment thanks to apartment sponsors from Sacred Heart in Anderson.

Please keep this family in your prayers as they transition.

Thank you, Sacred Heart, for helping us rebuild lives!!

-Another Opportunity to Serve-

FaithWorks will have a booth at the upcoming PHC

We are currently collecting donations and taking volunteers for this event. We will be providing general hygiene kits, feminine hygiene kits, dog food, socks, and prayer for local homeless. Many agencies will be in attendance providing resources and we will be there providing smiles and support. If you are able to donate or volunteer, please call the office at 530-242-1121 or use our PayPal donation link at the end of the newsletter.

We thank you in advance!

We appreciate your ongoing support and prayers.