COMPASSION IN THE COMMUNITY
Our Compassion in the Community Award (modeled after the MacArthur Genius Fellowships) recognizes local, volunteer based organizations who give to the community in selfless ways. The nominations are anonymous, and our board recognizes one organization each quarter with a $5,000 award.
Do you know a Contra Costa County, volunteer based organization that is small but mighty, and worthy of recognition? If so, we want to hear about it! Click here to submit information.
Bay Point Community All-N-One is a non-profit organization helping people who cannot meet their most basic needs, when they need help the most. Through volunteer outreach, events and partner services they provide food, clothing and low or no cost medical, financial, religious, mental health and youth counseling services. In April 2012, four charity organizations combined to become who they are today, Bay Point Community All-N-One. Since the merger, their volunteers have worked with thousands in need of a helping hand in life.
On November 3, we met with nine members of the Board (one via zoom) and each shared their personal story of what led them to Bay Point All-n-One. Their experiences, passion and dedication to the community were both inspirational and humbling. This group truly embodies the spirit of the Compassion in the Community award - volunteers who selflessly give to make the community a better place to live.
Under the direction of Founder and President, Delano Johnson, the organization currently provides weekly services each Tuesday from 11:00am to 1:30pm at West Pittsburg Community Church (204 Bailey Road in Bay Point). The volunteers believe helping those in their community, especially the underserved, makes life better for everyone in the community.
We are so grateful for the time we spent with this amazing group of warm and compassionate people. Thank you, Bay Point All-n-One for all you do!
To learn more about or donate to Bay Point All-n-One, please click here.
Founded and operated by Ricka Davis-Sheard, S.H.A.R.E. Community brings mobile showers and toilets to the street to help their unhoused neighbors rekindle self-confidence, restore hope, and unlock opportunities that come along with being clean. Their mission is to share hope, abundance, resources and encouragement with members of the community and the organizations who serve them by creating ways for people to work together toward positive change.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8am and 1pm, Ricka and the volunteers greet their community with warm smiles and open arms as they are checked in and scheduled a time for a 15-minute shower. All guests are provided with hygiene products, and though their partnership with White Pony Express, they also receive new socks and undergarments, clean clothing, and shoes (if available). Additionally, each guest receives breakfast. The mobile shower unit is thoroughly cleaned between each guest and they can typically provide 25 hot showers per day. To date, they have provide over 2,000 showers!
S.H.A.R.E. Community also parters with Contra Costa County H3 Medical Team and HealthRIGHT 360 to provide medical services and prescriptions, relapse prevention, and mental health courses. Their strategic partnerships are key in fulfilling their mission to work together towards positive change.
Thank you, S.H.A.R.E. Community for the
incredible work you are doing with love
and compassion.
To learn more about or donate to
S.H.A.R.E. Community, please click here.
Guitars Not Guns, Inc. provides guitars and lessons to foster kids, at risk youth and other deserving children in a classroom setting with qualified teachers. No child is turned away for lack of funds. They "loan" guitars and guitar accessories to their students that they use to practice and carefully maintain for eight weeks. The students and their guardians sign a lease contract for the equipment to teach the students to take care of possessions. For some it may be the only possession they have ever owned.
The students are not told this but, upon successful completion of the first level of classes, the guitars and accessories will be given to them to keep at no cost. The final class is a party to celebrate completion of the eight week program. The students play and they bring in accomplished musicians, some that are their age, to motivate them to further study with us and independently.
For some, it is the first time they have been exposed to live music.
To learn more about Guitars Not Guns, click here
Diaper need is real -- It impacts the physical, mental, and economic well-being of parents and children. One in three US moms report suffering from diaper need, and 40,000 Contra Costa children are living in poverty.
Many parents are forced to leave their children in soiled diapers much longer than is healthy. A monthly supply of diapers for one child is approximately $75, which for some can mean choosing between diapers and food.
Sweet Beginnings Diaper Bank supports families in need with clean diapers, wipes, and feminine hygiene products.
"We truly believe in 'It Takes a Village' and that our community is our responsibility. Every child deserves a 'Sweet Beginning.'"
The organization distributes approximately 15,000 diapers a month and is 100% volunteer run, including Lisa Sweet who started the program, and still actively works as a Pediatric RN.
Watch the video below as we surprise Lisa and the volunteers with a $5,000 donation!
