I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

I went into this thinking I knew the American Red Cross—fires and floods, they're there. Disasters? Yep. All over it. What I didn't know is what you're going to hear in this episode and that is what happens the rest of the time. This legacy organization has its mark on our communities in ways I never thought. Jacquelyn Clites, who leads the 26-county Gold Country region, opened my eyes to how local and round-the-clock their work is: most days it’s not headline disasters, it’s home fires—meeting immediate needs with shelter, food, medicines, and even disaster mental-health and spiritual care. Beyond that, they supply a huge share of the nation’s blood and train our neighbors in CPR and lifeguarding, while quietly supporting military families through emergency communications and reuniting loved ones separated by crisis.

Here at home, a small team and a lot of volunteers power it all—often alongside partners like Sac Metro Fire and SMUD. The simplest way to help: give blood, volunteer your time, or donate funds. You can learn more from their website HERE.

For more information:

www.facebook.com/ARCGoldCountry

https://www.linkedin.com/company/arcgoldcountry

Phone: 916-993-7070_

CHAPTER SUMMARIES

(00:00) The Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides global disaster relief, including mental health and spiritual support, with a focus on the California Gold Country region.

(13:31) Community Collaboration and Partnerships
Community partnerships, media collaborations, and innovative programs enhance resilience and safety in disaster preparedness.

(19:07) Funding and Budgeting for Disaster Relief
Our humanitarian efforts are supported by donors, not government funding. Monetary donations are preferred over material goods. Our team and volunteers are crucial, as well as partnerships with other organizations.

(30:06) Community Engagement for Disaster Relief
Community involvement, volunteering, financial contributions, and strong leadership inspire meaningful contributions to the Red Cross mission.

(36:17) Humanity, Harmony, and Hope
The Red Cross empowers local communities with 90% volunteers and 90 cents per dollar towards mission, while emphasizing self-care and personal dedication.

(44:06) American Red Cross Impact
American Red Cross's critical role in responding to emergencies, collaboration with organizations, and impact on community resilience.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

Growing up in a single-parent household, Michael Lynch found his way to higher education through football. A tragic loss to gun violence transformed his perspective, driving him to uplift his community. Set against the backdrop of financial struggles, Alejandro Galicia Cervantes' journey from street vending to academic passion began with an encounter with Michael and the IYT program, sparking a love for education. Their stories remind us of the power of mentorship and opportunity in shaping lives. Together, they illustrate how adversity can be a powerful catalyst for change.

Education is more than just a path to personal success; it's a vital tool for uplifting entire communities. By fostering a college-to-community pipeline, "Improve Your Tomorrow" is reshaping futures for young men of color. With powerful stories like Moses' dream of becoming an Army officer and Rogel's mentorship journey, we showcase how support systems can break generational cycles and open doors to new possibilities. This episode underlines the importance of parental involvement and community engagement in educational success, highlighting initiatives that create culturally affirming environments for families.

Despite funding challenges, organizations like IYT remain steadfast in their mission to support young men of color. With impressive graduation rates and college attendance figures, they continue to harness the power of education, mentorship, and internships to drive change. Alejandro's personal journey from high school struggles to graduating from UC Davis epitomizes the influence of a supportive community. "Improve Your Tomorrow" celebrates the relentless dedication of those working to break barriers and build brighter futures for the next generation.

To learn more about the organization visit the website HERE.

Chapter Timestamps

(00:00) Overcoming Adversity Through Education and Mentorship
(07:47) Building a College and Community Pipeline
(13:21) Guiding Youth Towards Success Through Mentorship
(20:41) Enhancing Parental Engagement in Education
(29:11) Empowering Youth Through Education and Opportunity
(35:48) Empowering Young People Through Mentorship
(44:59) Balancing Work, Family, and Leisure
(49:40) Supporting Improve Your Tomorrow Through Engagement

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

Join me, Jeff Holden, as I speak with Peter Pemberton and Christina Kitchen as they discuss the vast range of services provided by the Salvation Army. Peter, recently promoted to Major and transferred to Sacramento, shares the organization's commitment to evolving and meeting modern needs while retaining its core religious and social mission. Christina, who has been with the organization for nearly 18 years, starting as a client, talks about the impactful programs in Sacramento, from emergency shelters to workforce development. The conversation highlights individual success stories, collaboration with local partners like SMUD, PG&E and the Sacramento Food Bank, and the importance of donor support. This episode is a deep dive into the tangible difference the Salvation Army is making in communities, offering hope and practical assistance to those in need as they work toward the elimination of substance abuse, homelessness and unemployment.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Guests
00:24 Peter's Background and Transition
01:12 Overview of the Salvation Army
04:08 Core Programs and Services
05:38 Workforce Development and Emergency Shelter
07:09 Transitional Housing Programs
11:06 Faith-Based Approach and Community Collaboration
17:53 Funding the Mission: Streams and Challenges
18:46 Deferred Maintenance and Construction Training
19:40 Navigating Funding Restrictions
21:18 Dreaming Big: Vision for the Future
28:04 Success Stories: Transforming Lives
35:21 How to Get Involved and Support

To learn more about the services and support you can find at The Salvation Army, visit their website HERE.

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.