Holiday FUN(draiser) in Downtown Richmond Thursday, Dec. 7
Sparring Expo holiday event to help fight human trafficking in Contra Costa County
Feet First Foundation and Toys for Tots presents Sparring Expo, a holiday event on Saturday December 16th, 2017.
Hosted by Sean Sharkey and Christian Sharkey, the event will raise funds to help at-risk youth in Contra Costa County in the fight against human trafficking – saving lives one by one.
Sponsored by Urban Barber College, Toys for Tots by U.S. Marines, Fightkore Gym, & Feet First Foundation
Special Guests include Pro Fighters Angel Cordon and Tino Avila plus a Special Guest.
Doors Open at 5:00-7:30 pm. Live Boxing Expedition with local fighters follows a Holiday Reception 7:30-9:00 pm. The event will include small plate appetizers and drinks
at 816 Main Street in Martinez.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth. Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and get 1/2 off ticket, and are available here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feet-first-foundation-and-toys-for-tots-present-sparring-expo-tickets-39945407790
For more information about Feet First Foundation, visit their website or Facebook page.
Marsh Creek Detention Facility holds show of over 1,500 Christmas toys made by inmates
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Marsh-Creek-DF-Toy-Show-2-1024x683.jpg)
Some of the Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates proudly display toys they made for children in the county. Photos by CCCSheriff
County’s collaborative program celebrates its 26th year of bringing joy to local at-risk children
By Jonathan Lance, Communications Specialist, Contra Costa County Office of Education
For the 26th straight year, a number of representatives from Contra Costa County non-profit agencies were on hand today for the annual Marsh Creek Detention Facility’s Toy Show to fulfill their at-risk children’s Christmas wish lists. The representatives were able to choose from numerous newly handcrafted toys and bicycles refurbished by the facility’s inmates. These gifts will then be given to the children who are being served by these agencies during the upcoming holidays.
All of the attendees were absolutely awestruck when walking into the Detention Center’s wood shop, which had been turned into an elaborate, colorful Santa’s Workshop. Coordinated by Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) teacher Paul Turner and with the help of some of his students, their beautiful bicycles and toys were on display among Holiday decorations. Joining the non-profit-agency representatives were Contra Costa County’s Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata and Sheriff David Livingston, as well as numerous representatives from both agencies to celebrate this longtime partnership that benefits the community.
Both Superintendent Sakata and Sheriff Livingston spoke to the large gathering about the extremely successful partnership of the Contra Costa County Office of Education’s (CCCOE) accredited shop classes being taught in a Contra Costa County Jail. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful agency collaboration that creates such value to our county,” said Superintendent Sakata. “With this project, these adult students will certainly bring a brighter Holiday Season to many children throughout our community.”
Sheriff Livingston agreed about the long-standing successful partnership during his morning welcome, and thanked the many representatives with the CCCOE and the Sheriff’s Office. “This outstanding event always officially kicks off the holidays for me,” said Sheriff Livingston. During his offer of gratitude to a number of attendees, he added a special message, addressing the inmates, who were also present at the event and had recently been working on the toys and bikes, “I want to thank you gentlemen and those before you that have been working diligently on this year-long program. You’ll bring a lot of joy to our community’s kids with your woodshop skills”
Contra Costa County non-profit organizations participating in this special event included: Bay Area Housing District, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Brighter Beginnings, Contra Costa County Independent Living Skills Program, El Cerrito Rotary, Friends of Oakley, Pittsburg Police Department, Shelter Inc., The Salvation Army-Antioch Corps, Shepherd’s Gate, La Casa, and VESTIA, Inc.
This year, these organizations were able to choose from more than 1,500 handcrafted toys and 90 bicycles refurbished by inmates from the facility. These toys and bikes are being donated to children served by these organizations for the upcoming holidays. A dedicated group of Marsh Creek Detention Facility inmates have been working on this project for the past year. They have been extremely busy fixing up used bikes to look and ride like brand new, and crafting colorful and beautiful wooden toys, such as, motorcycle rocking chairs, spinning carousels, cars, doll houses, baby cradles, toy tractors, train sets, and more. All of the toy makers and/or bike mechanics are students in the Contra Costa Adult School, an accredited school directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), located within the jail facility.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
During the 2016-17 school year, over 3,000 adult inmates (throughout the three Contra Costa detention facilities) were enrolled in classes ranging from academic programs, including basic literacy and GED or HiSET high school equivalency preparation, to vocational programs, including woodshop, construction, and state-of-the-art computer training. By the end of the school year, 37 student-inmate(s) received their high school equivalency certificate (Hi SET) and 29 received a high school diploma. In addition, there were 328 students who demonstrated learning gains in reading or math, and 317 students earned a certificate of completion in computer applications. Another course directed by the CCCOE is the DEUCE Program (Deciding, Educating, Understanding, Counseling, and Evaluation). These three-part classes (90 days) focus on substance abuse prevention. Last year, 78 students completed at least one of the three phases, and 350 students graduated from DEUCE. The parenting class teaches vital parenting skills to women and men, with 140 certificates issued last school year through the COPE: Counseling Options and Parent Education or Parenting Inside/Out programs. Three years ago, the CCCOE opened a new re-entry class at the West County Detention Facility. The re-entry class offers workforce readiness, career exploration, soft skills workshops, and a nine-week cognitive-behavior-change program called Transitions. Currently, 218 inmates are enrolled in the re-entry course. These classes help to provide education and skills needed for successful transition back into the community.
35th Annual Holiday Parade and Winter Wine Walk in Downtown Brentwood, Saturday, Nov. 18
Over 450 student athletes participate in East County Special Olympics soccer event
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A few students from the Krey Special Education Elementary School in Brentwood. Photos by Jonathan Lance, CCCOE
By Jonathan Lance, Communications Specialist, Contra Costa County Office of Education
On Thursday, October 26, 459 student athletes hit the football field at Liberty High School for the annual Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program Soccer Events. The student athletes’ ages ranged from kindergarten to transition students (ages 18-22), with 271 males and 188 females.
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Marissa-Bronte-Nathan-300x225.jpg)
CCCOE Liberty Special Education Transition School teacher Marissa Arata, and two of her students, Bronte and Nathan.
Throughout the busy morning and early afternoon, the student athletes took part in soccer skills drills or tournament play, or both. The day was filled with plenty of determination, encouragement, and celebration in achievement – plus a lot of smiles.
Sherri Roberti, Contra Costa County Office of Education’s (CCCOE) Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program coordinator and special education teacher, said, “We would like to thank Liberty High School’s teacher, Summer Rodriguez, who always does a fabulous job of helping to organize her Leadership Students, who serve as event volunteers.” Roberti continues, “Summer and her students worked tirelessly throughout the entire day. She and Liberty High School graciously hosts two events per year, [soccer and track] and do a wonderful job with both!”
The event’s East County participating special education classes came from the following schools: Krey, Los Medanos, and Turner elementary schools; Hillview, Martin Luther King, Edna Hill, O’Hara Park, Park, and Rancho Medanos middle schools; Antioch, Deer Valley, Freedom, Heritage, Liberty, and Pittsburg high schools; and Deer Valley, Gateway Program, Heritage, and Liberty transition schools.
The Special Olympics Northern California Schools Partnership Program is a unique education program in K-12 schools. It unifies students with and without disabilities through sports and whole-school involvement activities that provide them with the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to create and sustain school communities that promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect for all students.
Warrior Images to host Veterans Day Celebration in Concord Nov. 11
Tall ship Lady Washington returns to Antioch Tuesday, Oct. 31
vessel will dock at Antioch City Marina through Nov. 6
Few are familiar with the term “tall ship”, but the Washington-based nonprofit Grays Harbor Historical Seaport is on a mission to change that. Their historic sailing ships, the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, travel the west coast year-round introducing the public to maritime history.
“Some people imagine a modern ship, or a Navy cutter,” says Executive Director Brandi Bednarik. ‘Pirate ship’ comes pretty close, but it leaves out the truth of why ships like these sailed-mostly for trade, exploration, and in military action. Our mission is to share this history with the American public.”
From October 31st to November 6th, the Lady Washington will dock in Antioch City Marina (5 Marina Plaza, foot of L Street, Antioch). Dockside visitors can expect to tour the vessel and talk with the crew, while sailing passengers will experience the crew in action and the ship under wind power. The vessel’s public program schedule is as follows:
October 31 (Tuesday)
ARRIVAL in Antioch
November 1 (Wednesday)
Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)
November 2 (Thursday)
Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)
November 3 (Friday)
Tours: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. ($5 donation)
November 4 (Saturday)
Tours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($5 donation)
Adventure Sail: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($42-$49)
November 5 (Sunday)
Tours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($5 donation)
Adventure Sail: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($42-$49)
November 6 (Monday)
Passage: Antioch to Monterey
Est. Trip Time: 26 hours
Aside from the rare opportunity to see a historic sailing vessel in action, a point of interest is often the crew themselves. The Lady Washington typically has a crew of 10-14, from paid officers to volunteer deckhands to participants in our two-week maritime training program. Some sail for the fun of it, others to learn the job skills of the maritime industry. The nonprofit recently announced a new job skills training program, Sea School, which will launch in 2018.
Launched in 1989 as part of Washington State’s centennial, the wooden-hulled Lady Washington has appeared in several motion pictures and TV shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, and Once Upon A Time.
If you’re ready to run away to sea, a full schedule of events, tickets, and volunteering information can be found on the organization’s website, www.historicalseaport.org. For the seasickness-prone but curious, free walk-aboard tours never leave the dock.
The vessel will be docked at Antioch City Marina, 5 Marina Plaza at the foot of L Street in Antioch.
Please call (800) 200-5239 for directions. For tickets visit: http://www.historicalseaport.org/public-tours-sails/sailing-schedule/antioch-california/
Support efforts to fight human trafficking in Contra Costa County at Pillars of Hope fundraiser, Nov. 11
Contra Costa Fire District open house Saturday, Oct. 14
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