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 or more organizations each quarter.
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.
Established in 2020, Family Harvest Farm, a program of John Muir Land Trust, provides employment opportunities, job skills, and career development to transition age youth with experience in the foster care system in Pittsburg, CA. Volunteers collaborate with youth apprentices in an outdoor setting, engaging in no-till farming practices that minimize soil disturbance, promote biodiversity, and decrease reliance on chemical fertilizers. The farm's 3.5-acre site is dedicated to regenerative and organic farming practices and providing fresh produce for underserved communities.
Committed to sustainability, Family Harvest Farm repurposes vacant urban land to enhance quality of life while utilizing farming practices that reduce carbon emissions. The farm extends its impact by hosting workshops for school groups and the general public on nutrition and environmental education. Through direct sales, CSA boxes, and donations to those in need, Family Harvest Farm ensures that affordable, high-quality produce reaches and enriches the wider community.
On November 17, 2023 we had the pleasure of visiting Family Harvest Farms and witnessing the apprentices in action. We were amazed at the incredible knowledge and vast experience of the volunteers and master gardeners who oversee this project with a loving heart.
To learn more about or to donate to Family Harvest Farm visit https://jmlt.org/our-places/family-harvest-farm/
Bike Concord, located in Concord, California, is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting safe, convenient, and enjoyable bicycling within the community. Founded in 2014 through a collaborative effort between Concord residents and Bike East Bay, a regional bicycle advocacy organization covering Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Bike Concord has since become an independent entity with its own projects, leaders and online presence. Nonetheless, they maintain a strong partnership with Bike East Bay. Comprising entirely of dedicated volunteer residents who juggle day jobs and family commitments, Bike Concord invests their time and energy into advancing their mission. Their unwavering determination is driven by the goal of making bicycling a mainstream transportation option in Concord and Central Contra Costa.
The organization's work spans across various areas. They offer a free bike repair tent at the Todos Santos Farmers' Market, engaging with the City of Concord to advocate for bike-friendly transportation decisions. Additionally, they organize bike-centered social events for the public and provide education and resources to equip bicycle users with the knowledge to ensure safety for themselves and others on the road.
Bike Concord is an inclusive community that welcomes anyone from Concord who shares a genuine desire to contribute to a bike-friendly future. If you possess such goodwill and enthusiasm, they invite you to connect with them at the Bike Tent or attend one of
their many community events to become part of the movement towards a more bicycle-friendly Concord.
CCRHF presented Bike Concord with our Compassion in the Community award, recognizing their outstanding commitment to the Concord community. It was a great privilege for us to have the opportunity to meet and present this well-deserved award and donation to "Smitty" Ardrey and the dedicated volunteers of Bike Concord. Their selfless contributions and unwavering dedication have made a significant positive impact on the Concord community.
To learn more about Bike Concord or to donate, please visit: https://bikeconcord.wordpress.com
HealTheory is an East County, youth-led, non-profit organization committed to empowering young individuals to make a difference in their communities through health focused advocacy and service. HealTheory started in 2020 as Project Honor, a group that recognized healthcare heroes in California. Their remarkable efforts resulted in the accumulation of more than 9,000 messages of gratitude and support for frontline workers during the pandemic. Additionally, their thoughtful provision of snacks and gift care packages brought much-needed positivity and encouragement to those tirelessly serving on the front lines.
Today, HealTheory has evolved and expanded its mission. Through projects like health and hygiene packaging, first aid kits, menstrual kits for the homeless, and hunger advocacy, they are actively addressing critical needs and making a tangible difference in the lives of East County residents and beyond.
On May 15, 2023, CCRHF representatives met with Executive Director, Zain Memon, and four members of the HealTheory team, to present our Compassion in the Community award. This recognition serves as a testament to the power of young individuals to effect positive change. By empowering youth to become advocates for health and wellness, they are shaping a future generation that values community well-being and works to create a ripple effect of positive change.
For more information about HealTheory or to donate, visit their site www.healtheory.org
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!
