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Spreading Smiles: sbcs’ 2011 Holiday Giving Program Each year hundreds of families receiving services at South Bay Community Services participate in our holiday program – help us spread smiles!
Spreading Smiles:
SBCS’ 2011 Holiday Giving Program
Each year hundreds of families receiving services at South Bay Community Services participate in our holiday program – help us spread smiles!
Holiday Meals
From holiday canned food drives to donations of complete turkey dinners, all food donations are much appreciated during the holiday season.
• Thanksgiving donations can be delivered through Monday, November 21, 2011.
• Holiday meals can be delivered between Monday, December 5, 2011 and Friday, December 16, 2011.
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Adopt a Family
South Bay Community Services Holiday Giving Program lets you “adopt” a struggling family or child in need for the holidays and assist them with some of their wishes and/or needs. Wish lists are available now!
Unwrapped Holiday Gifts
Families are in need of blankets, linens, jackets, shoes and pajamas in various sizes. Toys, of course, are also accepted, as are gift cards and/or monetary donations. Donations can be dropped off any time through Friday, December 16, 2011.
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Hope for Former Foster Youth
33% – the percentage of foster youth who experience homelessness within 18 months of exiting the foster care system
70 % – the percentage of the current prison population that has been through the foster care system
50% – the amount of foster youth that remain unemployed within a year and a half of leaving the foster care system
84% – the percentage of foster youth who become a parent before they turn 20
Numerous placements, lack of reliable role-models, and a life of inconsistency have all conspired to result in the startling foster youth statistics listed above.
Seeing the need, South Bay Community Services has been a pioneer in creating opportunities and support systems for these youth. We couldn’t do this, however without the help of our dedicated partners and supporters, including the long-time foster youth champion Fran Muncey.
Fran’s on-going dedication to foster youth in need made the naming of SBCS’ newest transitional housing site an easy choice. On October 27th, 2011, San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, various community funders and supporters, and Fran Muncey herself, cut the ribbon to officially open Muncey Manor.
As the fifth housing development for transitioning youth, Muncey Manor will be the home for 11 young people exiting the foster care system and moving towards a life of self-sufficiency.
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Solar project helps families
In addition to making South Bay Community Services a more “green” organization, the recent solar installations will translate to savings directly affecting low-income families living at various SBCS properties.
With funding from the MASH (Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing) Program, the city of Imperial Beach, and a partnership with Everyday Energy Inc., South Bay Community Services has installed solar energy systems at four separate agency properties.
The properties to receive this upgrade include our emergency shelter, as well as some of our low-income housing developments.
At each of these sites, between 76% and 80% of the energy produced will go directly to the resident’s electrical costs, and the remaining energy will be used to offset the cost of exterior lighting and laundry facilities on site.
With some innovation, partnership, and a little bit of sunshine, we’ve brightened the lives of numerous South Bay families.
Thank you to all of our partners.
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Food For Fitness
SBCS is teaming up with The Chula Vista Public Library this holiday season to impact local hunger. In exchange for non-perishable canned food items, libraries will be forgiving fines! The program is available at both the Civic Center and South Chula Vista Branches.
Program runs from November 21st – December 23rd
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Little Sprouts
The students of Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool learned the joy of getting their hands dirty with the women of Altrusa International of Chula Vista.
After successfully applying for a grant on behalf of the school, Altrusa members, along with Mi Escuelita staff, organized a two-day educational adventure.
Day one included a composting lesson, complete with worms, by David DiDonato. The students learned the importance of soil and the role that creepy crawlies play in making sure our plants grow strong!
Day two started with story time, where the children were treated to a story about how plants grow…and then the fun really began! Each student had a turn digging, planting and watering seeds and seedlings, with the help of Altrusa members, Chula Vista Youth Action Council members, Astra Club members and Girl Scouts.
The day ended with a “garden salad” lunch provided by Sprouts Farmers Market and Michael Meacham.
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Be part of the Action
Volunteer Opportunity
On January 27, 2011 from 4 am to 8 am, the Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) will have their annual Point-in-Time Count.
South Bay Community Services is looking for volunteers to participate in helping identify and survey homeless for this Point-in-Time Count.
Last year our results documented 1,081 homeless persons.
TO VOLUNTEER contact Raquel Palaci at rpalaci@csbcs.org or call 619 420-3620.
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Thank You
• St. Germaine Children’s Charity: For your wildly successful Mi Escuelita volunteer extravaganza!
• New Hope Church: For your Faith in Action day of service and your on-going dedication to volunteerism
• St. John’s Episcopal Church: For your overwhelmingly generous food drive, including your very successful Thanksgiving food collection!
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Success Story Grand Jury
South Bay Community Services is proud to be one of an elite group of agencies spotlighted in a San Diego County Grand Jury report published earlier this year.
The report, entitled “Civic Successes: Public Service at its Best” recognized 13 agencies in various fields, and specifically praises SBCS, along with six other partner agencies, for work done within the County’s juvenile homeless assistance network.
Specific praise was given for extraordinary communication,
cooperation, and dedication.
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