Growing past Today - Spring Forward Planning Zoom

Contact: David Shepard
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10
Feb
2023
Orangevale
Feb 10, 2023 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Zoom
CA
United States of America

Zoom Meeting Link - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82767120952?pwd=Y0J1T2ZBLzJCQmVCakhQN2l4b3lnUT09

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Notes from Last meeting

 

All Concerned

 
Thank you for participating in the second Spring Forward planning meeting. Here’s a recap of the introductions, details, discussions, and action items. 
 
Attendees 
David Shepard - Orangevale Rotary Club President and parent of a Christian Brothers alumni 
Jackie Simon - Christian Brothers High School Lasallian Parent Ambassador and parent of a Christian Brothers student.
Emily Shepard - Christian Brothers Alumni 
Suzann Gostovich (me) - Growing Past Today Founder and Director.    
 
Spring Forward Event Objective
 
The purpose of Spring Forward is to offer students essential items such as food, clothes, hygiene products, books, activities and other acts of kindness that provide the child with a sense of dignity and belonging and help the student overcome the obstacles of today. 
 
Date, Time, and Location  
 
Jacki Simon reported that Christian Brothers High School agreed to host “Spring Forward” at the High School from 11:00-2:00.She also reported that Christian Brothers parents and students will volunteer at the event and host a laundry center (35 laundry bags with detergent).
 
  • Date: April 22, 2023 from 11:00-2:00
  • Location:   Christian Brothers High School. 
  • Participants/Invitees: Past and present Hope Neighborhood Learning Center students and their immediate family members. Most, if not all, of the learning students were or are unhoused as defined by the McKinney Vento Act.  We anticipate 75-100 kids and caretakers. If I recall there are 25 past and present HopeNLC students. The estimate of 75-100 is based 25 plus known sibling groups and anticipated attendance on the day of the event.
 
Spring Forward Event Centers 
 
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to visit different centers/ stations where they may receive items such as clothes, shoes, food, books, and hygiene products. The goal is to have a different community partner host each  enter which includes donating the items, setting up a table or distribution area, and distributing the designated item(s) directly to the kids during the event. For example, Orangevale Rotary is donating and distributing new shoes to the students.On the day of the event, Orangevale Rotarians will set up the shoe center and fit the kids with new shoes. GoldenLoversSac agreed to provide dog food. Golden Lovers Sac volunteers will collect /donate dog food in advance of the event, set up a table or display at the event, and distribute dog food to kids with four-legged friends. FreeBooks for Kids has agreed to set up a center/station to allow kids to select their own books. In short, each partner would be responsible for collecting the designated item(s), setting up a center on the day of the event, and distributing the item(s) to the kids and their siblings during the event.  If partners provide donations and can’t make the event, Growing Past Today and possibly Christian Brothers volunteers will set up the center and distribute the items. Our preference is for the partners to attend the event so the kids can connect and interact with our partners. 
 
Growing Past Today received confirmation and tentative commitments for following centers:
 
  • Clothes - Live58 Church El Dorado  (clothes for students and siblings)
  • Shoes - Orangevale Rotary (shoes for students and siblings)
  • Hygiene Products - Growing Past Today (hygiene bags for students and siblings; separate bags with lice treatment products will be provided to the parents upon their request)
  • Books - Free Books for Kids  We also discussed additional participants including Sac Library and the Literacy Project.  The local library Colonial Heights might be an option too. (Scope of distribution pending. I imagine we’ll have books for the parents too.) 
  • Laundry Items - Christian Brothers (request pending) (a laundry soap and bags for the parents)
  • Dog Food and Supplies - NorCalGoldenLoversSac with support from Logoff Brewing as a collection site. Spring Forward is the same day as the SPCA Doggy Dash. NorCalGoldenLoversSac volunteers probably won’t be available on the day of the event; GPT and CB volunteers are needed on the day of the event to distribute the dog food. 
 
Growing Past Today still needs partners for the following centers:
  • Food Bags - Each bag will include the same or similar items: Cereal, Kid Friendly Breakfast Bars, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Crackers, Cup of Noddles, and the donors/sponsors favorite childhood snack (Twinkie, Fruit Rollup, Beef Jerky, Chips).  
  • Linens - It would be great to add a “linen” center for kids to pick up a new pillow and pillow case. It would be a hoot and a learning opportunity for the kids to put a pillowcase on their new pillows. If we get additional sponsors we can add a blanket. 
  • Onsite meal or snack 
 
General Discussion and Action Items 
 
We discussed the possibility of a sit down full service meal and entertainment. A snack in lieu of a meal is okay. Christian Brothers students will likely provide the entertainment and activities - athletes and cheerleaders. 
 
We also discussed potential locations inside Christian Brothers including the cafeteria, quad, and gym. Jackie and Suzann will meet at Christian Brothers for an onsite assessment and discuss the facilities report/form. 
 
Action Items:
  • Julie and Suzann will conduct a site visit at Christian Brothers. 
  • Suzann will invite Colonial Heights Library to participate in the event. 
  • Suzann will continue to obtain shoes sizes for Orangevale Rotary. (Recommended styles provided off line - Vans, Converse, Adidas) 
  • Suzann will circle back with other partners to advise them of the date, time and location of the event. Thank you Christian Brothers for agreeing to host the event.
  • David will send introductory emails to Rotary Clubs and copy Suzann. After Davis sends the introductory emails, Suzann will follow up with the different clubs.
  • David will schedule the next Zoom meetings for February 10, and February 24, at 3:30. Additional meeting participants may be added. 
 
To avoid duplicating efforts and for your situational awareness, since our last meeting, Jackie secured 100 pairs of socks (50 kids/50 adults). I requested an estimate from Epicurean, the catering company that provides lunches at Christian Brothers.  
 
 
Thank you,
Suzann Gostovich 
Growing Past Today 
916-342-4401