Loaves and Fishes should not be relocated in downtown Concord
November 6, 2007
Hooray for the news that the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen program, currently operating out of St. Michaels next to Baldwin Park, will soon close once organizers find another location. Some of the volunteers claim that because many of the program’s “clients” live nearby the soup kitchen should be located somewhere in downtown Concord.
This is a ridiculous suggestion.
The program is by all accounts disruptive and overrun by the detritus and anti-social behavior of the chronic homeless that the City of Concord and other enablers have foisted on homeowners and residents of downtown Concord for years beyond the acceptable use of the program. Now the consequences of this blind-eye policy have proliferated and spill into surrounding neighborhoods including squatters taking over vacant buildings in downtown Concord (2173 Mt Diablo Street), just steps away Todos Santos Park. First a free lunch…now free housing!
The City should stop pestering residents about RV parking and clean up the homeless mess in downtown Concord before it gets out of control. I don’t see the do-gooder neighbors around St. Bonnies or on St Francis across from Concord Park where Helen Allen used to live clamoring to have Loaves and Fishes move in so their neighborhoods can be trashed. Similarly, downtown can no longer afford to be Concord’s dumping ground.
CASA volunteer orientation, Nov 14
October 30, 2007
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Contra Costa County willl hold an orientation seminar for potential Central County volunteers on Wednesday, November 14, 2007; 6:30 – 8:00 PM at CASA’s office located at 2020 N. Broadway Suite 204, in Walnut Creek.
For 25 years, volunteers trained by CASA of Contra Costa County have advocated for the needs of hundreds of children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
CASA needs volunteers to help provide its unique and desperately needed advocacy services to these vulnerable children. After the training that we provide, CASA volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Court. They spend time with the child and they meet with teachers, therapists and others to assess the child’s situation and needs. They are uniquely able to advise the court and speak up for the children they serve. CASA volunteers show up when they say they will; they model caring consistency; they keep their promises to children who have lost trust in adults and lost hope in their lives. Read more
Contra Costa Jewish Book Festival, Oct 30 thru Nov 15
October 29, 2007
See the web site for the 19th Annual Contra Costa Jewish Book and Art Festival for full event listing including time, place and ticket info. To purchase advance tickets, email Marilyn or call 510-839-2900 ext. 256.
Housing Resource Fair, Nov 10
October 29, 2007
The Mt Diablo Housing Opportunity Center will offer a housing fair, November 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the cafeteria of Diablo Valley College, located at 321 Golf Club Road in Pleasant Hill. Agency representatives from City of Concord, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, Consumer Credit Counseling, Wells Fargo, and BWC Mortgage Services will be on hand. Main stage presentation topics will include: senior housing, foreclosure, first time buyer programs, improving credit scores, renter and landlord rights, followed by a Q&A with a panel. For more information contact the MtDHOC web site or call 866-469-0133.
Religious freedom under fire in Congress
October 25, 2007
The Coalition to Preserve Religious Freedom has issued and ENDA Alert as the House of Representatives will soon vote on HR 3685, The Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), which does not adequately protect the employment practices of faith-based organizations.
Most faith-based organizations would be exempt. However, faith-based schools (k-12 and higher education) are included in the exemption only if they are controlled by a church or denomination or are dedicated to propagating religion. K-12 schools and liberal arts higher education would thus be exempt only if they are controlled by a religious body. But many religious schools, colleges, and universities are themselves religious–they aren’t religious because they are controlled by some other religious organization. Read more
Boy Scouts go door to door for Food Bank, Nov 17
October 18, 2007
Local ares Boy Scouts will go door to door on November 17th in both Contra Costa and Solano Counties to collect canned food for the Food Bank during the Scouting For Food food drive. Don’t forget to leave out your donation of nonperishable and non-breakable food that morning! For more information on any of these events, call the Special Events Coordinator at (925) 771-1310 or E-Mail: rbaptiste@foodbankccs.org.
November seminars for Contra Costa County nonprofits and CBOs
October 18, 2007
Communications Strategy, 11/7
Learn the basics of creating a communications strategy for your nonprofit with Sarah Moore. Wednesday, November 7th, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Location tbd. Check for more info at The CBO Center.
Finance for Executive Directors
Learn how to Assess Financial Health, Fiscal Systems and Staffing with Jean Bell, on Friday, November 9th, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., in Hayward. Register online with CompassPoint
Earned Income for nonprofits, 11/14
Learn if Earned income is right for your organization on Wednesday, November 14th, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at Delta 2000, located on 301 West 10th Street Ste.2, in Antioch, CA 94509 Fee:$45.00
Visit the CBO Center for more info or to register.
How will the next election effect children and families?
October 16, 2007
The Contra Costa County Local Planning Council for Childcare and Development presents its 4th annual “Young Children’s Issues Forum” on Saturday, October 27 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Mt Diablo Universalist Church at 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek.
Admission is free. Topics will cover childcare and childcare wages, preschool, nutrition, and before- and after-school programs. Local and state representatives will be featured speakers. For more information contact REuth Fernandez at 925-942-3413.
Senate Democratic hopefuls Canciamilla and DeSaulnier to debate, Oct 19
October 13, 2007
Former Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla (11th District) and Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier (11th District), two of the declared candidates for the the Democrat Party nomination for election to the District 7 Senate seat now held by Sen. Tom Torlakson, will appear in a debate on October 19 sponsored by The Lamorinda Democratic Club. Because voter registration in the district comprising most of Contra Costa County is drawn to heavily favor Democrats, the winner of the June 2008 Primary will likely win the seat in the November general election.
The debate will take place at the Orinda Community Church, 10 Irwin Way, and starts at 8:00 p.m. after a half-hour business meeting of the Club. Admission is $5; bring a dessert to share. For more information call 925-210-7337 or visit www.lamorindademoclub.com for more information.
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