Hello Everyone! Happy Spring.

I invite you to stop by to see what’s up at the Welcome Center. If you know of consumers who need support in gaining and/or maintaining independence, social activities, or desire to make an impact in their community through advocacy, encourage them to stop by. Everyone is WELCOME!

Please check out the attached calendar and groups/activities list both at the Welcome Center and in the community. We are attempting to create a comprehensive list so if you know of activities or groups to include-please let me know.

Highlights for March were the preparations for several of our participants to be in the upcoming Consumer Art Show in Sacramento April 15th/16th. We even have a band that will be performing!

We just received a picture from one of our regular participants who was homeless and staying at the Gathering Inn. He was able to reconnect with family back east and was the best man in his brother’s recommitment ceremony. What a joy to see him all decked out and smiling. He is working and rebuilding relationships. We are proud to have been a step on his path to recovery.

Click here for the April Calendar.
Click here for the schedule of Support Groups and Classes.

Cyndy Bigbee, BSW

Program Supervisor
Welcome Center, Navigators, Community Services Block Grant
Placer County Adult System of Care
(530) 889-7229

Welcome Center March News

I apologize for the delay in sending out this month’s calendar. February was busy and quick!

The Welcome Center is moving along at a great speed to accomplish the goals set for it and its mission statement and vision. We have seen increased participant driven activity and growth in community involvement in groups and activities.

The Welcome Center community decided to reinvest the profits from the Christmas Bazaar. For Valentines Day participants baked and sold cookie grams. Thee events was totally consumer driven. Volunteers secured a kitchen to bake, developed the shopping list, prepared dough and baked all one day, decorating the next. They created flyers and took preorders, selling over 300 cookie grams. The result was a profit of $110, more than doubling their funds. This participant driven activity has been a goal for some time.

At the next meeting they discussed how to use the funds. An idea came up to approach Placer County Transit to see if they would match bus tickets. The idea was if participants take $50 of the money earned, Placer County Transit would match us providing 100 tickets. The Welcome Center could provide a service to the community to those who could not afford the bus passes at the regular rate. This would not increase the funds, but would also not cost anything. Then if someone was starting a new job etc. and needed a little help the Welcome Center could make some accommodations. The participants received a positive response from Placer County Transit and have secured the tickets. These activities have blended the community at large with participants of the Welcome Center.

Staff is available by appointment on most days 8-12 to opening to accommodate special needs. Someone may work and not be able to access our resources during business hours or not be ready yet to deal with the level of action when we are open.

Groups and activities are ongoing and dynamic. See attached list for current schedule.

Newest Groups:

¨     Grief and Loss is back Wed 10:30-12 Open to anyone, ongoing

¨     Listening Well Support Group: Friday 2-3 For anyone who has attended or would like to know more.