Announcements:
Norbert/Vanessa AUCTION FOR EDUCATION
Norbert submitted a check from the Auction in the amount a little over $44,000. The club did around $63,000 with $19,000 to go to educational services for the San Ramon Rotary Club. After some discussion regarding Norbert’s clothing selections for presentation, Vanessa thanked the Rotary Club for being the largest donor to the SRVEF with a special thanks to Norbert.
Norbert also gave the news that the Art and Wind Festival will not be taking place in 2021.
Colette GRANT “BALANCE BOXES”
Emily Lu, a high school student, is the recipient of a grant from the Rotary Foundation for youth led project “Balance Box”, an educational/fun box sent to low-income communities based in the Bay area. This organization has Sent boxes to children in shelters or organizations that work with disadvantaged kids. Included in the boxes are books, games and related educational materials.
Gary CAL HIGH VOCATIONAL DAY
Gary announced the successful completion of a Vocational Zoom Day with the Cal High Interact Club. He thanked Rotarians who were able to talk about their vocations and inform high school young adults about opportunities within those careers. There were 9-10 Rotarians and 25-26 Interact kids that were able to participate in two vocational sessions.
Cheri CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Cheri is working with Children’s Hospital Fund a Need May 6-9 live event that will kick off an on-line auction and shopping spree. Go to Rowen Branch web site www.rowanbranch.org for more information. They are seeking funding for spirometry equipment at a cost of $10,000 each.
Colette ROTARACT
Saturday East Bay Rotaract and Danville/Sycamore Rotary Club had a Saturday picnic making cards for Seniors with a great attendance. There will be another April event. Chris noted the great enthusiasm of the Rotaract members.
Chris SOCK DRIVE
Chris announced the opportunity to deliver socks for the homeless with a competition with other clubs. Chris says “sock it to them” with Colette, our most-fiercest competitor taking the lead in this project.
Vera LAZAREX CANCER FOUNDATION RUN
The Lazarex Foundation will be holding fundraising activity (to walk, run, cycle, swim) on April 24, 2021. Let’s ensure that the cancer patients can continue to afford to get to their treatments and ease the financial burden of the out-of-pocket costs for travel to clinical trials for Lasarex patients. For more information check out the web site. https://lazarex544k.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTAxOTAx
GOOD TIMES, GOOD NEWS, RECOGNITIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There was no time for good news and recognitions today.
PROGRAM: TRINITY CENTER, VICTORIA BRISKIN, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Karen McNamara introduced our speaker. Karen met Victoria Briskin on a mutual project. Traditionally SR Rotary has hosted a lunch for homeless at the Trinity Center. Our own Horace Crawford has been an advocate for the Trinity Center for many years.
The mission of the Trinity Center is to be the doorway to opportunity for homeless and working poor people. Trinity provides care through supported access to services and resources. Their core values are diverse but notably they include empowerment, respect, collaboration, partnership and caring.
Victoria quoted the following to reflect on Trinity’s values: "Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow" - Meldody Beatie
Trinity reaches almost 1000 individuals for a population with physical disabilities (33%), mental health illness (38%), domestic violence (26%) and alcohol abuse (16%). Approximately 35% have a chronic illness. Trinity provides for the essential needs of this population including meals ( 14,749), showers (6,029), laundry loads (1,740), clothing items (22,070) and food pantry items (11,637)
Trinity Center was established in 2012 and expanded the first Winter Overnight Evening Program in 2015. In 2018, they broke ground for a new facility which is now open for homeless citizens in a new location.
St Paul’s Commons (the new facility) provides 44 affordable housing units. Trinity Center provides daily needs of shelter, food, telephone access. What sets Trinity apart is an advocacy plan enabling a personalized assessment and assistance to create an action wellness plan focused on housing first. Trinity is expanding its program to focus on homeless prevention and support transition for Youth, age 18-25 who are struggling with poverty. Trinity also provides certified substance use counselors to enable referrals to detox programs and sober-living environments.
Overnight participants must be active Trinity Center Members and follow structured guidelines to keep a safe community. The overnight program offers an evening meal and overnight accommodations with access to restrooms and continued case management during vulnerable winter months. John Muir assists through funded pantries as Trinity seeks to provide housing first with supportive services. Overnight programs have particularly helped females over 55 years old during the winter months.
Housing First with supportive services. Refer mental health services with assistance to 1000 of the 2600 homeless.
Outcomes
Housing: 213 visits/day with vulnerability assessments, 117 housing navigator referrals, 173 housing applications, 215 shelter placements.
Benefits: 151 social security referrals, 90 cal fresh referrals, 25, unemployment resources, 36 veteran assistance referrals and 134 DMV ID vouchers.
Health: 362 Medical and Dental assistance, 127 mental health assistance, 34 domestic violence support and 91 health insurance benefits
Alcohol and other Drugs: 163 individuals served, 202 individual hours, 92 residential referrals, 84 detox referrals and 255 members attending recovery group
Service Referrals are varied and vast-ranging from a county core team (211) to providing legal, financial, wellness plans, employment services, behavioral management, transportation, housing resources and referrals to the health district.
COVID Response – There was a 40% increase in housing and food insecurity. Trinity was forced to close its volunteer program since March 2020 but stayed open and becoming the only shelter that has remained opened during the pandemic. Concord (closed), Richmond (severely limited services), Walnut Creek.
Yesterday, Grand Opening with Loaves and Fishes helping with beta project for an ongoing lunch program.
Questions:
How can we arrange a tour of the center? Schedule an appointment (no drop-ins)
How do you get referrals? Mouth to mouth is the primary method. Members and friends. The real caseload is developed through the 211 county Core group going out to homeless camps.
Do you work with Rotarcare? No. They do make referrals to Kaiser and John Muir for such things as vaccine shots.
What are your sources of income? One third from government through county, one third from foundations/corporations, one third from individual donors. Victoria noted that funding diversity provides sustainability.
Karen McNamara indicated that there will be multiple ways to support this worthy cause through a direct donation site, goods and services drop off, and perhaps a connection with the Interact Club. Gary Sloan will follow-up with the Interact Board.
Raffle Results: There was record breaking participation in this week’s raffle. Geoff Disch wins the blue marble. Geoff’s selection this week was very appropriate since he is involved with Loaves and Fishes who are partnering with Trinity Center.
Next meeting greeter is Mike Thelen on April 1st (April Fools)
Next Week’s Program: Russel Watts, Contra Costa County Treasurer – Tax Collector regarding “COVID Financial Impact & Uncertainties Ahead”
Respectfully submitted
Gary Sloan
A faithful scribe
