How Lives are Changed
Maintaining Senior Independence:
Since 1998, Mr. Simon* and his walker slowly climb our steps between
the fifth and tenth of almost every month. He is ninety-two years
young, earns $720 Social Security income and lives in a rented room
off I Street. His Social Security income almost provides for his
basic necessities, but he needs our services to fill the gap, remain
in his own home, and maintain his independence, his most prized
possession.
Helping Families in Crisis:
Imagine being thirty-seven-years old, the married mother of two
sets of twins-a fourteen-year-old set and another set of four-month-old
infants. Shortly after the birth of the infants, this mother was
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Her husband works at a temporary
job, earning $1400 per month of which they spend $575 in rent. Unable
to return to her job, Crystal* has applied for disability. In the
interim, she must attend to the immediate needs of her newly enlarged
family and her medical bills. She turns to us once a month for nutritious
food for her family. Crystal and her family are in crisis and River
City Community Services helps them with basic necessities.
Keeping Families Together in Their Homes:
Louise* works two security officer jobs to support her five children.
In May, one job cut her hours, and she found herself $200 short
for the $600 rent due on the first of June. She had no family or
resources to make up the difference. River City Community Services
was able to help through our rental assistance voucher program.
Our rental assistance enabled a working mother and her children
remain in their home of three years.
*To respect the dignity of our clients, their
real names have not been used
Operations
RCCS has employed staff since
1981. Presently we have Executive Director and Program Manager,
both who work part-time. In addition to the paid staff, volunteer
staff donated 8,958 hours to the organization in 2003. We are
open daily from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. each day at 1322 27th Street.
Our services are fundamentally and primarily to provide a three
day nutritionally balanced supply of food to individuals, and
families. Service is categorized so that clients who cannot cook
receive nutritionally similar items as those who are able to cook.
New client applications are approaching one half of our service
population. Clients are eligible for service on a monthly basis.
Additionally, RCCS is able to provide emergency shelter vouchers
and rental assistance on a limited basis. Other services include
referrals to community resources, special nutritional needs as
we are able, and non food items such as diapers, baby formula,
and personal hygiene items. We strive to identify ways to assist
persons toward self sufficiency, and see this particular area
as an opportunity for further development.
For 2006, River City Community served:
24,074
clients:
15,712
adults
8,362
children
· We provided the equivalent of 371,027 meals to 11,641
separate households.
· We provided 64 families (180 people) 495 nights lodging
with motel vouchers (averaging 3 nights of
shelter per family).
· Rental Assistance was provided to 51 families.
· SMUD utility assistance was provided to 4 seniors.
· We received food donations totaling 255,000 pounds.
· Volunteers donated 11, 056 hours of service.
Fighting Today's
Problems
Addressing Hunger and Malnutrition River City Community
Services (RCCS) is the only Sacramento food outreach program that
counsels clients on proper nutrition and provides a balanced diet.
Our three-day supply of nutritional food includes protein and
recipes on food preparation.
Clients with special needs like diabetes and HIV receive tailored
food packages. Emergency personal hygiene items such as soap and
dental care products are also provided. Families with infants
receive baby food, baby care products and diapers.
Preventing the Cycle of Homelessness
RCCS emergency housing program helps families to remain in their
homes and provides safe haven for homeless families. Rental assistance
covers partial rent for families facing emergencies. Emergency shelter
through motel vouchers allows families on the street a chance to
stay together, rest and shower until more permanent housing can
be arranged.
Reducing Social Isolation
Our trained volunteer staff encourages client self-reliance through
referrals to job training, education and family support resources.
Volunteers employ active listening when meeting with clients.
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