Learn about plans to address homelessness in our community from a panel of experts at a free public forum from 7 to 8 p.m. March 29 in the Oak View Room of the Walnut Creek Library, 1644 N. Broadway in Walnut Creek. Panelists will take questions from attendees moderated through Q&A cards available upon entry. Space is limited. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/ e/walnut-creek-community-forum -on-homelessness-tickets-42644 971257.
Speakers and panelists will include Walnut Creek Homeless Community Task Force members Walnut Creek Mayor Justin Wedel; Donna Colombo, Executive Director, Trinity Center; Lt. Sean Conley, Walnut Creek Police Department; Margo Ernst, Housing Program Manager, City of Walnut Creek; Michael Fischer, Program Manager, Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE); and Jaime Jenett, Continuum of Care Planning and Policy Manager, Contra Costa Health Services.
The Walnut Creek Homeless Community Task Force identifies concerns and seeks short and long-term solutions to the causes of homelessness. Results are shared with Walnut Creek City staff and City Council, and community organizations and businesses who hope to find compassionate and realistic solutions.
Rotarians to help Trinity Center: Trinity Center is a non-residential program serving homeless and working poor adult men and women in Walnut Creek and Central Contra Costa County, and is moving from 1860 Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek, to a temporary location at 1271 S. California Blvd. in Walnut Creek. A generous $10,000 grant by the Rotary Club of Walnut Creek Sunrise will be used for relocation expenses and tenant improvements at the temporary location. “Rotary is honored to donate to such a worthy cause as Trinity Center,” said Richard Callaway, president of Rotary Club of Walnut Creek Sunrise.
The Trinity Center site will be transformed into “St. Paul’s Commons,” designed by Pyatok Architects, expected to open late 2019, with Trinity Center on the first floor and 44 low-income units on upper floors.
“Trinity Center is very grateful to have the support of our local Rotary clubs,” says Donna Colombo, executive director of Trinity Center. “We are so blessed for the generous grant from Sunrise Rotary, which comes at a time when we desperately need funds to move into our temporary location and continue to provide services without interruption to our members or disruption to our neighbors.”
Additional donations are needed to defray moving and operating costs. To make a donation, visit https://donatenow.networ kforgood.org/helpingthosewitho utahome. Visit TrinityCenterWC.org for more information. Trinity Center offers basic human services including food, breakfast and lunch; showers and laundry; mail and telephone access; clothing; referral services; and help with benefit applications.
Larkey splash: The renovation of Larkey Swim Center in Walnut Creek is completed and will feature a mural designed by artist Rachel Rodi, at the Walnut Creek Aquanuts’s Synchronized Swimming Club “Celebration of Champions” event May 12, 2771 Buena Vista in Walnut Creek. Tiles will be created with help from local teens at the Walnut Creek Ceramics Studio the weekend of March 22 and March 23, sponsored by generous donations raised by the Larkey Splash campaign. What a tremendous gift to Walnut Creek swimmers! Visit http://www.walnut-creek.org and click the department tag for Aquatics to learn of swim schedules, classes and other events. Visit aquanuts.org for information on competitive synchronized swimming classes and events.
Lafayette layette donations: Pleasant Hill-Martinez American Association of University Women branch members recently collected new baby clothing and gifts at their annual Layette Shower, to be delivered to new mothers through the Hillcrest Congregational Church in Pleasant Hill Social Service Program. Hillcrest Church member volunteers create complete layettes for boys and girls from donations. These layettes are picked up by Contra Costa Health Services public health nurses, who deliver them to new moms when visiting to assess their needs and the health and needs of the baby after they return from the hospital.
AAUW is a national organization, which advances the equity for all women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. The Pleasant Hill-Martinez branch also gives college scholarships, and Tech Trek camp awards for middle school girls to learn more about STEM educational careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Visit www.aauw-pleasanthill-martinez.org.
Home share: Concord senior citizens living alone on a fixed income may need help around the house, extra income to pay for basic necessities, or just a little companionship. Home Match San Francisco is a joint program of Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Service, and Episcopal Senior Communities, funded by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. Senior homeowners are matched with roommates who need affordable housing in order to remain in the area for their jobs as teachers or non-profit employees.
Home Match interviews, accepts applications, performs background screening, and offers assistance with the housing agreements for all parties involved. Mediation and referral services are also available as needed. The goal is expand housing options for low- and moderate-income people who live, work, or attend school in San Francisco by maximizing existing housing stock in the East Bay. The program may also enable seniors to remain in their homes and age in place with extra income and companionship.
The program has begun in Concord, and is expected to be offered in other communities later this year. Home Match Contra Costa Director Max Moy-Borgen, may be contacted for more information at mmoy-borgen@jtm-esc.org, or call 925-451-9890. Visit the headquarters website at homematchsf.org, email info@homematchsf.org or call 415-351-1000.
Concord Rotary: Concord Rotarians recently offered their expertise at the Mount Diablo High School campus as business professionals, counselors and mentors to visit with students in the school’s International Hospitality and Tourism Academy (IHTA).
Rotarians seek “to provide guidance and tools that will help students successfully transition from the classroom to the workplace,” and offered practical, effective techniques to create a resume and prepare for a job interview with confidence. Rotarian volunteers provided students with one-on-one and group role play to help them reach there potential as they lave high school to pursue their careers.
Support children: Join the Contra Costa County District Attorneys’ Association at the “Partners for Justice” fundraiser to support Community Violence Solutions, 5 – 8 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Lafayette Park Hotel, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd in Lafayette. $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Enjoy great drinks and snacks, raffle prizes and a silent auction in support programs for families and children in need.
CVS programs receiving support will include the Children’s Interview Center in Martinez, where children allegedly victimized by sexual abuse have a safe and comfortable setting to tell their story, the 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline that provides assistance and support to victims, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team.
Purchase tickets at http://www.contracostaprosecut ors.com/6thannualpartnersforju stice or call 925-957-2224 for more information.
Community Violence Solutions (CVS) is dedicated to working in partnership with the community to end sexual assault and family violence through prevention, crisis services, and treatment in Contra Costa and Marin Counties. Community Violence Solutions is a non-profit agency that relies on your financial donations and that depends on the efforts of dozens of community volunteers. Visit https://cvsolutions.org to learn how you can help.
Grant Applications: The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation will accept applications for Community Grants through April 2 from public and nonprofit organizations in Pleasant Hill. Any recreational, cultural or educational program that serves the residents of Pleasant Hill may apply at www.PHCommunityFoundation.org, or email info@PHCommunityFoundation.org .
Grants Allocation Chair, Betty Geishirt Cantrell said, “The Foundation is again very proud to be able to provide this opportunity to organizations in our community that enrich the lives of the residents of Pleasant Hill through cultural, educational and recreational activities.”
Neighbors and newcomers: Walnut Creek Area Neighbors and Newcomers Club members have assembled and donated more than 1,300 Easter baskets filled with small toys and treats for families in need through the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, located at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Concord in 16 years.
Outreach Committee volunteers Liz Pratt, Carol Bonfiglio, Kandace Frediani, Laurel Smith, Joan Mangiaracina, Ann Smith, Marge Gordon, Laurie Colton, Lucy Blenio, Marian Kass, Sue Fordon, Gloria Cabral, Linda Hughes, Sheila Mohrman, Vera Braswell, Sheila Shain, Francine Ruotolo , Dora Melendrez, Mary Ditkof and Linda Theuriet also support projects for Bay Area Crisis Nursery, Child Protective Services, The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, Trinity Center, and other charitable organizations.
The Walnut Creek Neighbors and Newcomers Club is a friendly, active women’s organization with over 100 members, and is open to all female residents of Diablo Valley. For membership information, visit www.wcannc.org.
Laughter is the Best Medicine: Comedian Will Durst will share his wit and humor with guests at the Walnut Creek Garden Club luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, at=Grow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville. $45. Last call for tickets, Margaret Stewart at 925-253-8599. Will Durst is a popular local writer, syndicated columnist, television personality and comedian.