Exposures

I Care: A voice for kids at the Courage House

2013-05-19T02:15:33Z

Sixteen-year-old Jordyn Jones barely breaks a sweat as she works in the garden with residents of Courage House, a home for young victims of sex trafficking supported by the Christian-based nonprofit Courage Worldwide. The girls joke around and Jordyn fits right in, but her life couldn't be more separate. Many of the girls living there are runaways from abusive families. Jones comes from a loving family with deep Christian roots.
She and her family have been volunteering at Courage House for three years. They recently opened their home to a resident who turned 18, past the home's age limit.
Last year, Jones spent two weeks volunteering at Courage House in Tanzania. "I know God has called me to be a voice for kids," she said. "My heart is with kids and the issue of sex trafficking breaks my heart."

I Care: Providing spiritual care

2013-05-11T22:49:08Z

The fragrance of fresh flowers fills the air in the meditation center as nurses arrive to have their hands blessed by Rev. Arthur Lillicropp, an Episcopal priest. As manager of Spiritual Care Services at Kaiser Permanente in South Sacramento, he comforts the sick and dying, counsels grieving families, and reassures staff.
Lillicropp has also been on the other side of the hospital bed. In 1990, he had corneal transplant surgery after living in blindness for seven years. He said he lost hope when told his body was rejecting the transplant, but a woman he thought was a nurse came to him, held his hand and said God was with him.
"That was the conduit through which God's compassion came into my heart ... ," he said, "and I said, 'I want to do this.' I want to sit at someone's bedside and say, 'God has your heart, it's going to be OK.'

I Care: A passion for service

2013-05-03T18:40:56Z

It's 7:00 am and a laughing group of fifth and sixth graders is boisterously learning how to fly handmade helicopters. Retired Navy helicopter pilot Lou Fifer is at the helm, teaching the children properties of flight in a before-school Aerospace Connections in Education class funded by the Civil Air Patrol. Fifer, who dedicates himself to service in many areas, leads an extensive program of 100 volunteer tutors at Thomas Edison Language Institute, a Title 1 school. Each day he gives his undivided attention to struggling students, and one by one they begin to grow, knowing that they are valued. He is both strict and kind, sometimes wearing his flight suit to class as inspiration.
"This is a passion with me," Fifer says. "I have five successful children and I demand excellence. I like seeing the kids mature and get the concepts."

]]> Fifer developed the tutoring program here six years ago with a focus on tutoring reading and math. Each student is classified as being in categories of green, yellow or red, with green being students performing at or above grade level, the yellow students being almost to grade level, and the red students being 1-1 Â½ years below grade level. The tutors work individually with students in the yellow category, which frees up teachers to work with the students in the red category without risking the yellow students falling behind. Having tutors in the classroom "changes the dynamic on how teachers work," Fifer says.
Since the tutoring program began the school has seen roughly an 80 point increase in API scores.
Teacher Stephanie Jones, who has had Fifer tutoring in her classroom for 5 years, says that the children will argue over who gets to work with him. "He's a successful adult who comes in and pays attention to their work," she says. "The relationship is what leads to improved academics."

Fifer spent 22 years leading a distinguished career as a Navy pilot. He used to fly an SH-3 Sea King, an antisubmarine helicopter. He was a warfare aircraft commander and flight leader, a tactical nuclear weapons delivery pilot and a combat search and rescue pilot. He's a veteran of every war that the United States has been in, from the Vietnam War until his retirement in 1994.
"I've been given over a half million dollars in scholarships so I believe it's my civic duty to give back," Fifer says. "Everything I do is public service."
Besides running the tutoring program Fifer is a commander in the Civil Air Patrol. He leads a cadet program, which is like "an aviation related boy scout troop." He helps with search and rescue and he teaches the ACE program at the school. He's also a member of the National Headquarters Surrogate Predator Squadron. With that program he regularyly travels to Las Vegas to assist in military training by flying an airplane in a manner that looks and acts like a predator drone.
He is also just shy of donating 100 gallons of plasma to BloodSource and he plays the trombone for the Sacramento Symphonic Winds, a community band.
"I have been given such a wonderful life. I have a passion to give back," Fifer says. "Every day I feel refreshed, useful and self-fulfilled."

Do you know someone who is passionate about serving the community? Please email your suggestions for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com

I Care: Helping victims of crime

2013-04-28T00:21:18Z

Sitting at a booth outside the Capitol, Bill Spahn pleasantly fields questions from the public on behalf of the Crime Victims Assistance Network Foundation (iCan). Spahn, who retired from a career in various aspects of computers and networking, discovered the volunteer opportunity while searching Craigslist in 2011. After intensive training, Spahn was counseling crime victims and making presentations to law enforcement and parole boards. He noticed that iCan needed help generating reports for its financial backers. Using his programming skills he created spreadsheets that make compiling the mountains of data each quarter a breeze. iCan is run by three dedicated individuals, including Margie Cueva, at bottom left. "Helping them be successful is what I enjoy," Spahn says. "It's nice to be able to use my skills to help them use their skills."

]]> The iCan Foundation is a Sacramento based organization with the mission to "support, educate and empower those impacted by crime." They serve those who are the direct victim of crimes such as stalking, rape or violence and those effected by the crime like family members or witnesses to the crime.
Spahn does not have a personal connection to wanting to help crime victims. He originally saw volunteering with iCan as a way to help victims and also an opportunity to learn more about the subject. "I get to grow with it too," he says. "It's a totally new world to me." Through the training he learned how to perform peer counseling with victims and it helped him be there for his neighbors and friends who need comfort.
He's also become versed on laws effecting victims of crime. At events such as the National Crime Victims Awareness Week's March on the Capitol (shown in photographs) Spahn supports the legislative angle of the organization and helps raise awareness to the cause.

Spahn has brought his own expertise to The iCan Foundation through the creation of the spreadsheets. "I can give them some tools to help run the business so they can devote their time to what the business is supposed to do. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping them," he says.
iCan Foundation volunteer coordinator, Margie Cueva, says that before the spreadsheets were created they had to keep track of information on about 300 victims served per year and about 12,000 pieces of literature distributed each year by hand. The spreadsheets allow them to easily do things such as calculate their outreach efforts accurately and log the demographics of those served. "The funders are impressed with the data collection and productivity. We provide more numbers than they ask for," Cueva says. "It helps show funders what we're doing and what we're capable of."
"Bill is so dedicated," Cueva says. "I can always count on hom to be there."

To learn more about The iCan Foundation visit www.ican-foundation.org.

To suggest someone to appear in the I Care photo column please email Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Service with respect and honor

2013-04-22T23:43:41Z

Under a gray-blue sky streaked with pale yellow, Wilkie Liang lowers an American Flag in front of the Hall of Justice on Freeport Boulevard. He quietly walks through an empty parking lot before sunset. He reverently folds the flag into a triangle and places it securely in a drawer. Liang takes on many duties as a Volunteer in Police Service. His most sentimental contribution is making sure the flag flies on weekends and holidays, when the police and fire headquarters are closed.
Liang is a Vietnam veteran who served with the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He's known men who died in war. "You could say it's a personal thing," Liang says. "There's a purpose and a meaning behind raising and lowering the flag. It's because of respect and honor for the veterans. It's remembering them for their sacrifice."

]]> Liang retired from the State of California Department of Justice in 2004. He served with the state for 42 years and in the Air Force Reserves for 33 years. In 2005 he began volunteering the Sacramento Police Department Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS). Since then he has served in a long list of activities. He volunteers at DUI checkpoints, represents the Police Department at a variety of events such as runs to benefit charity and parades, participates in fundraisers, helps with finger-printing kids, mans the public counter at the Hall of Justice and much more. He has also helped patrol the community, assisting people in need and reporting crime that he observes. "We're eyes and ears," he said. Just the extra presence of police volunteers can be a deterrent for crime.
For Liang, volunteering with VIPS was a natural choice because of his military background. The environment of the Police Department and chain of command is familiar to him. "It a way of making a difference and giving back to the community," Liang says.

Liang is also concerned about the budget cuts that the Police Department has suffered and wants to help alleviate their workload. According to Police spokesman Officer Doug Morse, from 2008 to 2012 the police budget has been reduced by 31 percent. In that time there has been a 19 percent reduction in sworn staff and 44 percent reduction in civilian staff. "This is why volunteers are so important," Morse says. Volunteers help keep important community programs running. "They keep officers on the streets to perform their assigned duties."
"Law enforcement is a job you do because it's in your heart and you believe in it," Morse says. "(Liang) is very passionate about being a part of the Sac PD family, just like all the volunteers are."
Liang has volunteered 772 hours to VIPS. His extensive contribution has earned him the recognition as the Volunteer of the Year. The award will be presented to him during a luncheon and ceremony on May 23rd.

Do you know someone who has volunteered significant time and effort to a cause? Please email your suggestions for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Feature Photography, Renee C. Byer

2013-04-15T18:46:48Z

I Care: Fighting AIDS by engaging with youth

2013-04-14T01:52:45Z

Having worked tirelessly for weeks, Ericka Dennis is on stage for only a moment to welcome guests to a dance contest aimed at attracting young people to get tested for HIV at Center for Aids Research and Education in midtown. An emcee dressed in drag introduces dance teams that energize the audience. Meanwhile, the mission of testing 1,000 youths within a year is being carried out by a team of youth peer educators led by Dennis, the youth program coordinator.
Dennis began fundraising for CARES when she was a sophomore in high school, which inspired her to later pursue a career in public health. "The numbers are rising," Dennis said about the infection rate in youths. "There's a lack of information and a lack of access." She faces the problem boldly. "There's so many types of ways to stop it, and the youth is the key."

]]> As a teenager Dennis was at home sick one day when she discovered that World Aids Day was upcoming. As a member of student government she proposed that her school do a fundraiser for it. The student president declined but she saw that as a challenge. She decided to host a "fun run," a mapped out run around the school where students were sponsored. Through lunch money, nickels and dimes, she raised $900 during the three years she coordinated the event. "I barely knew how to pronounce it," Dennis said about the disease. "I had no personal connection. It was something I felt was right."
CARES accepted her donations and attended her fun runs to support her efforts.
Dennis remembers that she only had one health education class in high school and it did not educate her well. On her own she researched the subject of HIV and AIDS. By her senior year she was well-versed on the subject, had changed her behaviors and got tested as needed.

As Youth Program Coordinator Dennis does outreach to area schools to speak on the topic of safe sex. The program seeks to test youth between the ages of 13 and 24, with special attention to youth who are African American, Hispanic or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). The numbers of new infections in those populations are rising quickly, especially in youth, Dennis says. There are many roadblocks to youth in minority populations. "It's lack of knowledge, poverty, cultural background," she says. LGBT youth face special challenges as they attempt to navigate safe sex while still discovering their own sexual identity. Health education classes that focus on heterosexual relationships and pregnancy-prevention do not teach LGBT youth information specific to their needs. CARES presents a friendly face that encourages open discussion on whatever sexual health concerns that people face.

The CARES Youth Program, and this dance competition is funded by a grant from Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Program. It included multiple dance groups competing for prizes, graffiti artists doing live art and had food from Drewski's Hot Rod Kitchen. "We meet them where they're at," Dennis says. She's worked hard to make the program more personal and believes that they are succeeding. "We want to break down those walls. We're making progress."

Do you know someone who dedicates themselves passionately to helping people in our community? Please email your suggestions for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Shooting hoops to help others

2013-04-03T22:05:35Z

Jason Wada, 18, spends his spring break sweating in the sun to put up a basketball hoop and paint lines on the asphalt at the Salvation Army's transitional living center near I-80 and Watt Avenue. For hours, he and his father, Felix, toil over a 52-page manual as they assemble the hoop. Residents, who once were homeless, curiously watch from afar.
Wada has played basketball since age 5, using a hoop his father set up for him at home. He has coached youngsters in the Asian community and played ball for McClatchy High School's team. For his senior project, he organized a "shoot-a-thon," raising $350 to buy the hoop and paint.
He gets the hoop up, hangs the net and smiles. "I would like to envision a dad teaching his little kid to play and all kids of all ages enjoying it together," he says. A father going to his apartment with his child calls out: "Thank you."

]]> The "shoot-a-thon" was held at McClatchy High School on March 1st. Wada organized 20 friends to shoot 100 sponsored free throws. Those that made it in the basket were sponsored per shot that they made. "I wanted to focus on helping the less fortunate," Wada said about his senior project.
After raising the money Wada contacted The Salvation Army wanting to make a donation. Ava Simpson, who works in community relations and coordinates volunteers for the organization said that they had just been talking about wanting to put up a basketball hoop for the E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Center. It was a serendipitous meeting of need and effort. They all decided that putting a basketball hoop up was a perfect use of the money given how it was raised.
"It restores my faith in the next generation," said Simpson. "They experience how good it feels (to do community service) and that will stay with them."

The E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Center has 34 units available to house homeless families. They are referred here from shelters or substance abuse programs. Residents can stay here from six months to two years to get on their feet.
Lawrence Stringer, a resident toting his 2-year-old daughter looks forward to teaching her how to play basketball and getting the exercise himself. "It could be a bonding thing," he said, excitedly watching the hoop get assembled. "It's good that there are people in the world that are willing to take the time out of their day to help other people."

Do you know someone who should be profiled in the I Care column for their efforts to help others? Please email your suggestions to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Collecting shoes for Sacramento soles

2013-03-31T02:32:56Z

Christina Preston chirps cheerful greetings to employees at Girl Scouts Heart of Central California as she navigates a large box of donated shoes to her car. She is the founder of the grassroots Shoes4Sacramento, which collects shoes for a growing number of local causes, including Homeless Connect and Kops N Kids.
Preston, a native Sacramentan who grew up in humble circumstances, was a shy child who thought the future would take her somewhere else. Now she's firmly rooted here. She finds rewards in providing the needy with something so simple yet so important, and inspiring others to do the same.
"I feel more connected," Preston says. "It's strengthening my identity as a person to be a part of a community."
To donate new or gently used shoes, visit shoes4sacramento.com.

]]> Preston began collecting shoes in 2010 to send to international disaster relief efforts. Then it dawned on her. Did people in Sacramento need shoes? She asked around and found that there was a very real need for them. "Why am I sending shoes internationally when there's a local need." She began making posters and networking with people to collect shoes. She brought 500 pairs of shoes to Homeless Connect in 2010. People were in line for them before they were even laid out and the shoes were gone in less than two hours. "There were people in wheelchairs with torn shoes, people looking for shoes for job interviews, women who needed heels for jobs." Every kind of shoe was needed, even flip-flops were needed for the homeless to use while showering at shelters. Thus began her mission.
Preston started with Homeless Connect. Now she is in the midst of collecting shoes for Kops N Kids, a summer mentoring program for low-income children. The program targets kids at risk for gang involvement. Volunteer police and fire personnel play sports with the kids and teach them about leadership, drug and gun avoidance. In the past some kids would show up to the camp without proper footwear, so Preston is partnering with Kops N Kids to provide each child with a pair of shoes. They need 300-400 pairs of shoes; "anything kids can run jump and play in," she said. She is attempting to reach that goal by May 15.
Boys and mens shoes are the hardest for her to collect because men tend to wear their shoes until they are unusable, whereas women will discard barely used shoes once they become unfashionable or no longer to their liking. Cletes, sneakers, tennis shoes. All of these in particular will help the Kops N Kids program. The rest will go to her other causes.

Preston has networked extensively through various outlets throughout Sacramento, especially with the Girl Scouts. She partnered with them to create a Shoes4Sacramento girl scout patch which girls could earn when they donate 10 pairs of shoes. She speaks at troop meetings when asked. She is also collaborating with Mothers Against Drunk Driving on a project.
Above, two friends unload bags of shoes they collected from the Roseville Moose Lodge. "I feel like I'm the middle man," says Preston who is grateful for all the help. "It's not just me. I'm just putting the parts together." She enjoys inspiring others to participate. "I don't think a lot of people feel empowered that they can do anything. I think helping others generally makes people happy."
Preston has a bright future ahead. She will be pursuing a master's degree in community development in the fall with the goal of working in non-profit development.

To donate shoes visit www.shoes4sacramento.com. To suggest a community hero to appear in the I Care column please email Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Healing through play

2013-03-22T23:50:05Z

Cheerful music plays softly in the background of the sunny playroom at Sutter Children's Center, Sacramento. "Do you have a good memory, Edgar?" Child Life Program volunteer Susan Rumberg asks. Edgar McKnight, 11, who is tired of being hospitalized, replies with a confident "Yes!" Rumberg laughs, and challenges him and his brother to a game of Memory Match. The feeling of confinement fades as they play a boisterous game.
The time Rumberg spends here is "a sacred commitment," she says. Her even temperament is soothing. Her sense of humor is invigorating. She heals through comfort and entertainment. "The goal of a Child Life Specialist is to make the environment as normal as possible," she says. "They are facing many challenges. A child needs to be a child, have the opportunity to play, interact with their peers and do what they do at home."

]]> Rumberg began volunteering at Sutter in 2006 during an internship for her schooling to become a certified Child Life Specialist. After her internship she became employed at the UC Davis Mind Institute working with children and families. She loved the Sutter environment so much she continues to volunteer here part time. Formerly she worked in public television broadcasting, but after volunteering in a pediatric hostpital in the early 2000s something resonated with her and she became a "mid-life career changer," she said. "Volunteering was a nice antedote to dealing with things and papers," she said. "I like dealing with people better."
Below she brings toys to the room where 2-year-old Diana Martinez is staying, surrounded by her family. She's seen this family before. "It's sometimes hard not to get attached to the families," she said.

March is Child Life Month and Sutter is joining hospitals around the country to honor the people who bring brightness to children facing a dark time in their lives.
Rumberg believes that such interaction can help a child heal. After a surgery or other traumatic medical proceedure a child might be so down that they do not want to leave their room or try to walk, but with toys in the playroom or therapy dogs to look forward to a child has an incentive to get out of bed. "It's a natural goal for healing," Rumberg said. "It's getting them into a bright active environment."
She enjoys showing children the closet full of toys and games, below. "It's so much fun to see their eyes get so big because it's like a toy store," she said.

There is great variety is Rumberg's volunteer work here. She works with children ages 0-18 years old. She might be in the playroom playing games or doing arts and crafts, helping with homework, or visiting children in their rooms. "To me I hope I contribute something as a volunteer," she said. "But when I walk away I come away with a lot more, a sense of satisfaction. It gives you a chance to reflect on your own life."
Rumberg is also a grandmother of three young children. "If they were ever in the hospital I would like them to be where there are volunteers that care as much about them as I care about these kids."

Do you know someone who dedicates themselves whole-heartedly to a cause? Please email your suggestion for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Sharing a passion for music

2013-03-18T00:14:25Z

The tinkling of instruments softens. A clarinet sets the intonation. The audience hushes as the silver-haired conductor, Les Lehr, enters. He commands an elegant presence in the Crowne Plaza ballroom, where the Sacramento Symphonic Winds is about to perform. Soon the audience will be taken on a musical journey crafted by Lehr and played out by the volunteer winds and percussion band.
Lehr, who spent 40 years teaching music in schools, has been the musical director and conductor for this band for 15 years. Its purpose is to give people a place to play their instruments and to bring high-quality music to the community. They also support area high school music programs by playing with students and repairing instruments.
"Music is a passion for all of these people," Lehr says. "Music has enriched their lives beyond measure."

]]> The Sacramento Symphonic Winds emphasizes classic music, however they also embrace more modern styles. The January 17th concert included a symphony from "The Lord of the Rings" and "Abbey Road: A Symphonic Portrait," by Ira Hearshen which is a collection of songs by the Beatles. The audience gave a standing ovation to the classic and widely recognized "Fantaisie Brillante sur des airs de Carmen" which showcased the sweet beautiful music of local flutist, Marquette Kuper.
A small fee is charged to attend the concerts which helps cover their expenses. The band wants to encourage children to attend so they make admittance free for them. "The evidence of what music does for children and brain development is just immense," says Lehr.

Every Tuesday the band members meet to practice at Del Campo High School. They come from every walk of life, Lehr says, including students, housewives, doctors, attorneys and engineers. Fifty-eight members played to in today's concert.

Lehr is the current vice president of the Sacramento Valley Sympohnic Band Association and has been involved with the organization since 1983. To his knowledge it is the largest oranization of its kind in the United States. The association has 8 member bands, including Sacramento Symphonic Winds. Recently the Sacramento Symphonic Winds was selected to play for the Association of Concert Bands convention, which will take place in April in San Ramon. More than 25 bands applied and they were one of eight that were chosen.

To learn more about the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association visit http://www.svsba.org/

Do you know someone who has dedicated themselves tirelessly to a cause? Please email your suggestions for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Fighting fires for 36 years

2013-03-10T01:29:08Z

The sparkling silver tank of the Metro Fire water tender holds 2,800 gallons, and when it's sent to a fire Terry Barnes will almost always be sitting in the driver's seat. For 36 years, Barnes, 72, has dedicated himself to Elverta's all-volunteer Station 116. The retired heavy equipment mechanic lives half a mile away and keeps his pager on 24/7. He'll rush to drive the water tender to every fire that his pager alerts him to. Actions speak volumes for this man of few words. Each day he comes to the station to clean or work on the engines. He's stayed steadfast in his post as neighbors and other firefighters have come and gone. Still, he feels connected to those he serves. "I take pride in living in the community and working in the department and helping as much as I can," he says. "It keeps my mind going because you never know what's going to happen next."

]]> In 1976 Barnes was spending time at a friends house when his friend said "C-mon you're going to a fire with me." That friend had been trying to get Barnes to join the volunteer fire department for months. After he helped haul hoses and spray water on a grass fire he was told that he was now on the fire department. "I still enjoy it," he says.
One of the memories forever seared in his mind is the day his brand new helmet was burned up, melted from the heat of a structure fire he was attending to in a single family home.
Though he originally joined without training he has recieved an abundance of training over the years. Below he attends a two hour training on what's in the different medical equipment bags that he could be called upon to assist with. He attends three training sessions each month that cover a variety of topics.

Barnes is part of a core of 3 long-time volunteer firefighters in Elverta which also include Dennis Berry, who's been there 34 years and Jess Burwell who's served for 39 years. The station seems steeped with history and pride in one's community. The volunteers will also attend community events to spread awareness on what they do. They often drive a 1923 fire engine named "Old Betsy" in community parades.
"If I wasn't working for the fire department I don't know what I'd be doing," he said. This is Barnes' idea of a fulfilling retirement.

Do you know a volunteer who stands out? Please send your suggestions to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.

I Care: Giving back to the neighborhood

2013-03-03T00:40:23Z

Multiple hands of neighbors unite to spread soil around a newly planted valley oak in William Curtis Park. Jogging or biking passersby cheer and ask about the 16 new trees added lovingly to their park. Partnering with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, more than 20 volunteers from the Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association spent Saturday morning planting, among them John Mathews, center. Since 1985 he has lived in Curtis Park, in the home his grandparents bought in 1945. Mathews joined the association board eight years ago; to represent neighborhood concerns about the Curtis Park Village development that will some day add hundreds of people to the area. "There's a great sense of community here," he said. "I feel like I'm a better person for volunteering all these years. There's a sense of satisfaction I get from giving back to the community."

]]> Mathews says that their neigborhood association is very active and has been since the 1970s when the group joined to save the Sierra II school, which they still run. They have multiple committees to address various needs. Mathews is the co-chair for the Neighborhood Concerns Committee for example, which addresses the development project and this tree planting. The sub-division being planned is located on a former rail yard where toxic dumping took place. Heritage oak trees had to be removed because of the toxic soil. Saturday's planting was part of the developer's contribution to replace the trees that had to be cut down. The neighborhood association formed a tree committee to identify the best spots for the new oak trees to be planted. This park was chosen because it had suffered the loss of other trees to disease. They strategicly identified locations for the trees where the trees could thrive but open space could be maintained for sports and other activities.

Soon the neighborhood association plans to adopt William Curtis Park and will take on general clean up and maintenance. The city has less funding to carry out such tasks so the neighborhood is stepping up to fill in the gaps. Besides the outward charm of this area it's the people that make Mathews love living and volunteering here the most.

I Care: Clown-care to feed the soul

2013-02-22T18:31:17Z

The activity room is dim at Sky Park Gardens Assisted Living in South Sacramento until an orange-clad clown named Sammie sweeps in as sweet as the sunshine. Quietly, compassionately she seeks a connection with each senior or disabled person in the room. She is goofy, she laughs, she plays with them. She sings "Let Me Call you Sweetheart," looking deep into the teary eyes of a tired soul.
"Would you like to dance," she asks Andrew Robertson, right, who is hesitant at first but can't resist her coaxing. Suzanna Hoye is a professional clown with part of her business being "clown care" for seniors. As the economy faltered some facilities could no longer afford to hire her, but Hoye still comes. "How many people are lonely and need that connection?" she says. "It's feeding my soul to be so close to people and the extra attention is so important."

]]> Hoye was trained as a clown in the Netherlands, in a different style than the boistrous over-the-top clowning style that is typical in the United States. Her makeup is simple and cheerful, and only takes five minutes to apply. She says she's not a circus clown that does tricks. "I cannot juggle and I hate balloons," she says. Her main tool is her ukelele. One could hardly be afraid of such a gentle, approachable clown.
"If you respect people's boundaries you will win them over," Hoye says. "You disarm people that way because they know you are safe."

Hoye is sensitive to the moods of those around her and adapts her clowning to the individuals she encounters. "I go with whatever they come up with. I try to have them be the ones in control of what's going to happen," she says. "I empower them to be the director. They feel seen in that moment."
Employing her magic in this way Hoye has heard seniors who hadn't spoken in years speak in full sentences and seen people with alzheimers or dementia regain their memory - if even for a second.

Hoye's training began in 1999. She then went on tour with Patch Adams in Russia and discovered the benefit clowning can have for seniors. Returning to the Netherlands she worked full time performing in homes for the elderly for 8 years. Now, living in the U.S. she splits her clowning between clown care and other clowning activities. For more information on Sammie the clown please visit http://www.facebook.com/WayOfTheClown.

Do you know someone who gives of themselves to help others? Please send suggestions for the I Care column to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com

I Care: Teen does little things to make a big difference

2013-02-16T23:51:25Z

One by one women from many walks of life line up to receive a warm breakfast served with an even warmer smile at Wellspring Women's Center in Oak Park. "Do you want some eggs?" 14-year-old Isabella Powers asks. "How are you today?" she inquires with a sweet youthful eagerness that charms the guests.
Powers began volunteering here when she was 9. When she sees a problem she moves into action. She is starting a campaign at school to collect used forks, spoons and mugs for the center, which is running short. For her 10th birthday she asked for school supplies for the children at Wellspring. Seeing people's appreciation is her present, she says. "We're here to help others. You can't make this world a better place by just focusing on yourself. It's the ripple effect. You're making and impact, then other people do the same."

]]> Isabella was in fourth grade when she first started volunteering at Wellspring in the kid's corner, where she would read to and play with children who would come with their mothers. Her father, Patrick Powers, has been volunteering for Wellspring for 20 years. He would attend meetings and Isabella would tag along with him and do homework during his meetings.
"She's gotten more mature," Powers said about his daughter. "She knows she can make a difference." Through bake sales and lemonade stands Isabella and her friends raised money for victims of the Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Japan. For valentines day one year she gave out flourescent lightbulbs to her classmates to help save the environment.
"It doesn't have to be grandiose," Isabella said about her volunteering. "You can do something small. Little things count."
For Isabella all of these little things are adding up. For her efforts she will be the 2013 recipient of the Violet Richardson Award for Soroptomist International of Greater Sacramento. The award will be presented to her during a luncheon in March.

Cheerful and bright Isabella exudes confidence and openness to others. Volunteering has taught her well. She's seen people who come from less fortunate backgrounds than herself and she's become more grateful for what she has. "Not everybody's perfect," she says. "I feel more fortunate. I am more appreciative of my family than I would be."
A freshman at St. Francis High School she studies hard in advanced placement classes, participates in service and leadership activities and plays sports. She tries to get her classmates interested in volunteering as well. Most are too hesitant to join her.
Annie Hassid, the volunteer coordinator at Wellspring Women's Center loves to see young people volunteer. "She's a real sweet girl, super hard working," Hassid said. "She brings an extra spark in the volunteer program."

Do you know an extra special volunteer who should be profiled in the I Care column? Please send your suggestions to Autumn Payne at apayne@sacbee.com.