Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

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Brentwood: Presentation at Bristow Middle School following gun violence threats

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Opportunity for public to speak Wednesday, Nov. 29th

In the wake of a recent gun violence threat at Bristow Middle School in Brentwood, Digital4Good has taken a proactive stance to address the issue head-on by organizing an educational initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting a safer environment for students.

On Wednesday, November 29th, Kim Karr, the visionary behind Digital4Good formerly #ICANHELP, will be speaking at Bristow to engage with students, faculty, and the community at

large. The focus of Karr’s presentation will be on fostering understanding, and open dialogue, and providing valuable information about recognizing and responding to potential threats.

Digital4Good has been a support to schools for 10 years in dealing with social media education and Bristow was one of the first rooted schools to use the #ICANHELP programs. Mental health plays a crucial role in the goals surrounding the non-profit and continues to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming forum.

This critical event aims to empower students and the community with knowledge and resources to prevent, identify, and report potential threats of gun violence. Digital4Good believes that education is a powerful tool in creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone.

The event will include 3 student presentations, staff training and a parent night by Kim Karr, followed by an open forum for questions and discussion. Digital4Good encourages parents, community members, and local media to attend and participate in this important conversation.

Details of the event:

Time: 6-7 pm

Location: Bristow Middle School, 855 Minnesota Avenue, Brentwood

Virtual option will be available

Digital4Good remains committed to fostering safer communities through education, awareness, and community engagement. For more information about the organization and its initiatives, please visit www.icanhelp.net or contact Kim Karr at kim@icanhelp.com.

About Digital4Good

Digital4Good is a non-profit dedicated to educating and empowering students and educators to promote good use of technology, make a positive impact within communities, and help them to become inspirational digital citizens to prevent cyberbullying and other types of abuse.

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area celebrates 10-year anniversary of Batkid wish

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Batkid Miles Scott with Batman, Mayor Ed Lee, police chief and fire chief in 2013 and with family, today. Source: Make-A-Wish

Miles Scott, whose transformational wish was granted in 2013, thrives today at age 15.

Ten years ago, the world watched in awe as a then-five-year-old Miles Scott transformed into Batkid and saved the city of San Francisco, thanks to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and the support and participation of many local partners and friends. Today, at age 15, Miles remains cancer free and enjoys teen life in his small town near the Oregon border.

After fighting his own heroic battle with leukemia since he was a year old, Miles visits his oncologist once a year, and has been in remission from leukemia for the past 10 years. Miles lives with his parents, Nick and Natalie; his younger brother Clayton (who was dressed as Robin on the day of his wish); and his youngest brother, Ben, who was born after his wish.

“To this day, Miles’ wish resonates in our collective consciousness as proof of the power of one child’s wish to transform an entire community and bring hope and joy that lasts a lifetime,” said Betsy Biern, CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. “Additionally, Make-A-Wish saw a marked increase in referrals following this wish, meaning more children with critical illnesses received life-changing wishes thanks to Batkid. And that’s truly heroic!”

Having once suited up to save the city, Miles now suits up to play football at his high school, where he enjoys the comradery of his teammates and coaches. For his wish, he was driven around in the Batmobile, and he now drives a tractor when helping out on the family farm. Miles no longer fits in the Batkid costume, but his brother Ben wore it last Halloween.

When asked what he might want to say to his fans out there, Miles said: “I’m doing amazing. I would love to just say like ‘yeah, I’m fine.’” Reflecting on his battle with cancer and his wish experience, he said: “I feel normal, but every time I think about it, it’s like, ‘Wow, that actually happened.’”

In the past few years, Natalie has become a volunteer wish granter for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and helps grant wishes for children who need them in Siskiyou County. “For Miles’ wish, I feel like it was the ending of a chapter in our family, so that we could move on and continue,” said Natalie. “I just wanted to be able to help other kids and their families have some sort of positive ending to their story or to start their new beginning.”

Source: Make-A-Wish

About Miles’ Wish to be Batkid

On November 15, 2023, with the help of the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments, the San Francisco Giants, and countless others, San Francisco transformed into Gotham for the day and thousands of people crowded the streets to cheer Miles on as he battled villains, thwarted crime, freed San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal and earned a key to the city. The San Francisco Chronicle produced a special edition of the newspaper that day, with a full front-page takeover dedicated to the wish and then-President Obama sent his very first Vine video message to Batkid with words of encouragement. The wish also inspired a full-length Warner Bros. documentary, Batkid Begins.

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1984, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area has granted more than 9,000 wishes in its territory from Monterey County to the Oregon border, contributing to the more than 360,000 wishes granted throughout the United States and its territories. With 58 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information and to get involved, visit wish.org/greaterbay.

 

 

YES Nature to Neighborhoods to host 2nd Annual Rich City Kickback in Richmond Nov. 4

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Unites Richmond for community wellness, mental health advocacy

By Sabrina Schaefer, Development & Communications Coordinator, YES Nature to Neighborhoods

On Saturday November 4th, Richmond-based nonprofit YES Nature to Neighborhoods (YES) will host the second-annual Rich City Kickback at the Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall. In addition to YES, local organizations including Urban Tilth, The Watershed Project, Young Women’s Freedom Center, and Alcohol Marijuana Prescription Drug (AMPD) Coalition, will lead hands-on healing and wellness activities at the event. Young adults from YES’s Teaching Racial Environmental Empowerment Series (TREES) program will call on City of Richmond officials to invest in adult mental health by creating safe spaces that empower residents with alternate coping strategies to substance use. Residents of all ages are invited to enjoy the featured wellness and art activities and musical entertainment. This event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Young adults from YES Nature to Neighborhoods’ TREES program; City of Richmond Mayor, Eduardo Martinez (attending)

WHY: The rate of substance use condition among young adults age 18 to 25 is nearly double that of older adults and more than three times that of younger teens. Young adults from the TREES program are advocating for increased access to government-funded mental and emotional health supports as a means to decrease substance use among their age group.

WHEN: 1:00 – 4:00PM, Saturday November 4th, 2023

WHERE: Richmond Recreation Complex Social Hall, 3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • Social Media:

○ www.instagram.com/trees_program/?hl=en

○ www.instagram.com/yesn2n

○ www.facebook.com/YESNaturetoNeighborhoods/

Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year

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Due Oct. 23

Student and adult humanitarians to be recognized at 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony in January

Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Humanitarians of the Year to be recognized during the 46th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony.

The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is Monday, Oct. 23.

The event will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16. In the spirit of Dr. King’s work, this year’s theme is “Beloved Community.”

The Board of Supervisors plans to recognize two individuals, (1) a community member and (2) a student leader, whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event.

Nominate a community member and/or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents, and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to the community, and personal integrity.

To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration, visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website.

 

Kick-off for Homes for Our Troops custom home in Byron Oct. 7

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Benefiting Byron Marine

By Office of District 3 Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis

Please join Homes for Our Troops to kick off the building of a specially adapted custom home for Marine Sgt. Kyle Garcia in Byron.

Homes for Our Troops is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted, custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9/11 Veterans.

They are building a home in Byron for Marine Sgt. Kyle Garcia. He joined the Marines shortly after high school, serving two tours in Iraq in 2007 and 2009. He deployed a third time to Afghanistan in 2011, as a scout sniper with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Then, on Nov. 7, 2011, Sgt. Garcia was on a foot patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). He immediately lost his left leg in the blast and sustained severe damage to his right leg. If you would like to learn more about him, please visit this link: https://www.hfotusa.org/kgarcia/

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: Check-in begins at 9:30 am. Event begins at 10:00 am.

Location: Delta Community Presbyterian Church. 1900 Willow Lake Road, Discovery Bay

Ceremony will be followed by a light lunch and an opportunity to meet Sgt. Garcia.

Event volunteers needed! For more information or to get involved, please contact Jocelyn Phipps, Community Engagement Director at jphipps@hfotusa.org or 508-789-3501

 

Bethel Island Health & Safety Fair Oct. 7

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Presented by Supervisor Diane Burgis, East Bay Senior Coalition & Bethel Island Municipal Advisory Council.

All are welcome to the Bethel Island Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, October 7. More than 30 service providers and agencies will be providing screenings, referrals and information for children, adults, veterans, people with disabilities and seniors.

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Scout Hall & Community Park, 3090 Ranch Lane, Bethel Island

Refreshments & Free Raffle!

For more information contact: Mark Whitlock at 925-351-3759

Volunteers needed for Stand Down on the Delta in Antioch Sept. 8-11

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Delta Veterans Group to serve homeless and other military veterans, members of the public

By J.R. Wilson, Founder/ President, Delta Veterans Group

The next Stand Down on the Delta will be held in September 8-11, 2023, at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) located in Antioch, CA presented by Delta Veterans Group (DVG).

DVG was proud to bring the first homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless veteran “Stand Down on the Delta” of its kind to Contra Costa County in September 2015. Stand Down on the Delta was a four-day, three-night event in which veterans were provided full medical treatments, court and legal services, DMV, chaplain services, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment and a myriad of other community services. During the event, veterans were also provided with clothing, meals, showers, sleeping tents, live entertainment and a safe place to “stand down” for the duration.

We will do the same for our veterans, this year as well.

Volunteers are needed to help serve our military veterans because VETERANS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND VETERANS SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES!

Most services on Saturday, Sept. 9 will be open to the general public. You do not need to be a veteran to receive services that day.

Veterans and volunteers can register and obtain more information by visiting www.deltaveteransgroup.org.

Delta Veterans Group is comprised of both veteran and civilian volunteers who wish to serve veterans in their community. We strive to bring our veterans the four pillars of success – Housing, Employment, Health and Education – one which will not work without the other three. Through the four pillars of success as a veteran myself, I was able to find peace and balance in my life, and a chance to bring about positive changes for veterans in our community. Our goal is simple – to bring together all of the Veteran Service Organizations in our communities and champion support for our nation’s finest men and women veterans.

Delta Veterans Group 501(c)3 was founded in Contra Costa County in 2012 by Army veteran J.R. Wilson, DVG has now grown to provide services to surrounding Northern California areas including Alameda, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco, and Solano counties.

12th Annual Delta Harvest Run September 10

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Half marathon, 10K, 5k and 1-mile Family Fun Run fundraiser benefiting Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation

By Patti Shaner Runners and Volunteers are needed to participate in the 12th Annual Delta Harvest Run. 100% of the net proceeds goes to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. The DRCSF is a non-profit organization run by local Realtors and affiliates.  Since its establishment in 2005, the DRCSF has been offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors at each of the high schools from Pittsburg to Discovery Bay.  It is estimated that the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in high school scholarships since its inception.  In addition to scholarships, the Foundation consistently donates money to local food banks, Community Chests, Homeless Shelters, Elderly Make A Wish, and other charitable organizations in East Contra Costa County. The Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5k and a 1 Mile Family Fun Run. The DHR begins and ends at the beautiful City Park in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets. The flat route meanders thru the tree lined city streets and on the peaceful and scenic Marsh Creek trail. The run is facilitated by a professional race and timing company.  All participants will receive a finishers metal, a custom performance-shirt, a swag bag and snacks at the finish line. Back by popular demand the runners will receive a token for a free beer, an ice cream or a coffee. The DHR will also award age group metals as well as overall male and female trophies. The half marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., with a prerace warm-up lead by a professional instructor prior to race time.  The awards ceremony will take place at The City Park immediately following the race. For more information about the run or to registration as a runner or a volunteer go to the website at www.deltaharvestrun.com. You can also call the race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614. Applications for scholarships will be available at each of the high school career centers by early December. Interested seniors can also call Tonia at the Delta Associate of Realtors at (925) 757-8283 to receive an application. The Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation is proud to support our community.