Grant Recipients & Stories

With the help of a grant from the Lincoln Community Foundation, Assistance League of Greater Placer is able to expand its “Operation School Bell” program which provides vouchers to help buy new school clothing for children in need. The program began in 1992 and serves public school children in need ranging from Head Start through 12th grade within the Greater Placer communities. Special shopping days are set up and a parent or guardian and one of their wonderful volunteers help the children pick out appropriate school clothing.

“For many of our kids, this is the first time they have been able to choose their own new clothing for school. It is heart-warming to watch the almost instant change in their self-confidence as they shop! This improved self-image carries over into classroom behavior and academic performance.” – Anne Thompson, Grants Committee, Assistance League of Greater Placer

www.assistanceleague.org

Boy Scout Troop 185 was founded in Lincoln, CA in 2003. It is part of the Golden Empire – Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a member of the Discovery District, which covers most of Placer County. Our mission is to instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetimes, to take leadership roles as adults and to reach their full potential. Those values are based on character, citizenship, personal fitness, and are found in the Scout Oath and Law. We accomplish our mission in partnership with our chartered organization – Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Foundation – and chosen, well-trained leaders. We offer young people responsible fun and adventure, much of it through hiking and camping. We instill life values in young people and help them develop ethical character. We train young people in citizenship, service and leadership. We serve the Lincoln, CA community and family with quality values and have done several service projects for groups such as the Salt Mine, Fruitvale School and Mount Pleasant Hall.

2019 GRANT RECIPIENT

From July 4 to July 14, 2019, Troop 185 attended High Adventure Camp at Northern Tier, located in Atikokan, Ontario, Canada. The Troop was given a LCF mini-grant so that two members of the adult Troop leadership could receive training in Wilderness First Aid, which was required for attendance at the camp.

2015 GRANT RECIPIENT

“Boy Scout Troop 185 of Lincoln, CA wishes to thank the Lincoln Community Foundation for its donation which is being used to buy new camping equipment. Hiking and camping are integral activities of the Troop. The camping equipment will not just be used by current Scouts, but by future Scouts.” – Lori Spiva Janssen, Troop 185

“Thank You Lincoln Community Foundation for Your Support!”
– Joy Smith, President

fieldhaven.com

First Street School Helping Students began because I watched a boy who was a funny, smart, fantastic kid in elementary school begin making bad choices in middle school. He ended up in and out of Juvenile Hall and was living in a group home by the time he was in 10th grade. I started working with the City of Lincoln that year to help get scholarships for kids to participate in after school and summer recreation programs. My hope was that their participation in extracurricular activities would help keep them from making bad choices. With the help of grant funds from the Lincoln Community Foundation many students have been able to participate in youth sports as well as various activities and day camps.

The first group of students who I began helping were in the 3rd and 4th grade, and are now in 9th and 10th grade. Students in this group excitedly report their success, such as making the basketball team at Glen Edwards Middle School or how well their soccer team did this year at Glen Edwards. The opportunity to play sports and be part of a team has given them confidence and a sense of belonging that I believe has helped them make good choices and mature into responsible young adults.

“With the help of grant funds…many students have been able to participate in youth sports as well as various activities and day camps.”
– Misty Lacey, First Street School Helping Students

2015 GRANT RECIPIENT

A Lincoln Community Foundation grant helped the Friends of the Lincoln Library buy children’s books, including those for the Summer Reading Program, which included the event “Kids Reading to Therapy Dogs.” This gives children a chance to improve their literacy skills with the Lend a Heart Lend a Hand Animal Assisted Therapy.

“It was a heart-warming part of the Twelve Bridges Library’s summer-long program.” – Friends of the Lincoln Library

The Lincoln Leadership Class of 2018 was inspired to organize the building of a dog park within McBean Park. Their goal was to provide a safe place for families with large and small dogs to congregate in a controlled environment. The dog park also serves to further beautify and enhance McBean Park and encourage walkers.

The project took six months from inspiration to completion and the ribbon cutting ceremony took place on May 20, 2018.

“Thank you to the Lincoln Community Foundation and to all of the donors for your kindness and generosity!” – Lincoln Leadership Class of 2018

Cake Decorating, Sugar Work, is offered at Glen Edwards Middle School. It’s an after school extracurricular activity which teaches students how to decorate cakes and cupcakes using fondant. Beginners and advanced students meet once a week on Mondays and Tuesdays.

This year they have been focusing on giving to the community by making toppers for fundraising activities, such as the Art Gallery Student exhibits, LHS Trap Shooting and the LCF Bingo Fundraiser.

The program is funded by grants and does not cost the student any money. Sruti Vadgama, the sugar work instructor, says: “I wanted to offer an opportunity to students where they can learn a skill and later on they can be passionate about and may use it as a potential source of income. I didn’t want any financial restrictions to be an obstacle hence it’s a non-profit, grant-funded after school activity.”

– Sruti Vadgama (Mrs.V), Sugar Work Instructor

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), is a place where Moms can come and share the joys and challenges of motherhood with other Moms. Because of the generous grants from the Lincoln Community Foundation, we have been able to provide scholarships to many Moms within the Lincoln Community & enable them to join MOPS at no cost. Many of our MOPS members are single Moms & Military Moms who are shouldering the responsibility of parenthood during a long deployment and MOPS has been a much-needed place for them to have a break, get some adult conversation and be encouraged to be the best Mom they can be!

We are so grateful for the support from the LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION!! – MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)

The Fish n’ Kids Fishing Derby is an annual event held on Labor Day in Lincoln, serving the children (ages 7 to 12) of Lincoln and their families. It is a morning of learning the catch & release method of fishing with mentors, photographs with their catch, T-shirts, pizza lunch, ice cream & prizes. All activities are free of charge, thanks to the volunteers, grant money from the Lincoln Community Foundation and cash and goods donations.
Boy holding up a fish

“A special moment for many of us is the sincere thanks we get from many of the parents who are astounded that the event is FREE to all. One single Mom was in disbelief and, by the way, very grateful that a mentor was by her side helping with baiting hooks & releasing the catch for her two youngsters.” – The Big M Fishery and The Fish n’ Kids Fishing Derby

IN ONE SHORT HOUR, WHOLE STORY

On any given day at the Lighthouse, sometimes within as little time as an hour, lives are transformed. On one particular day this past December, three…what we like to refer to as “mini-miracles”…occurred in one short hour. First, a new client walked in our offices in desperate need of help. Her and her husband had both lost their jobs and had just received an eviction notice. She did not know specifically what to ask for, only that she needed help with housing and food. She had two children, and while waiting to see a case manager to assist her with her needs, our receptionist and a therapist offered Christmas assistance as well. Due to the many wonderful community donations we received, Lighthouse staff members were able to help this mom create a Christmas for her children just days before the holiday. She cried tears of joy as she picked out cars and trucks that she knew her children would love. As she thanked the staff she stated, “We were not planning to have a Christmas!” In the end, she left that day not only with Christmas presents, but with vital information on how to obtain needed food and housing assistance, diapers for her children, as well as a great deal of hope for the future.

A few minutes later, a past client whom we had not seen in a while walked into Lighthouse. The receptionist remembered him as having received therapeutic counseling services and past Christmas assistance. The man presented her with four candy bars and stated, “I want you to know how much you have helped me this last year, I don’t have much to offer, but I wanted to say thank you. Happy Holidays!” Our clients rarely forget the impact of the services they receive at Lighthouse, nor do we forget the faces or the stories of the people we serve. As if this were not enough testimony to illustrate how Lighthouse changes lives, another past client walked in the door moments later. She had an appointment to meet with her case manager to receive a new car seat for her newborn. Our car seat program offers no-cost car seats to families in need so that no child will ever have to ride in a car unsafely. After working with her case manager, the woman insisted on making a $1.00 donation, which she stated was all she could afford at the time. While there is no charge for any services received at the Lighthouse, it appeared important for this client to be able to donate this simple dollar. With tears of gratitude in her eyes, she left Lighthouse knowing her infant would be secured safely each car ride. One less thing to worry about for this new mom, who was soon headed back to work.

Sometimes seemingly small acts of kindness and hope add up to changed lives in miraculous ways… all in about an hour.

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES

Working as a psychotherapist has many rewards as well as challenges. Some clients come in desperately seeking help but are unwilling or unable to make changes to their life in order to create a new experience. On the other hand, most clients finish therapy stating that they feel much better about life and express sincere gratitude to the therapist for his/her assistance; and in turn, the therapist will clarify that really the client has truly done all the hard work. That being said, a psychotherapist rarely is presented with hand-written documented evidence expressing the client’s life-changing experience.

Below is a story of a client who offered this very thing; we will call her Jane (not her real name). Jane stated in therapy that she was suicidal after experiencing dramatic changes in her life that she admittedly created by her own choices. She further stated that she carried a suicide note in her wallet, had everything planned out, and that she has gone as far as to “almost” carry out her plan. Knowing this, each week she entered into a verbal agreement with me to not commit suicide. Six months after she began therapy, she felt ready for discharge, stating that her life had changed and she was no longer suicidal. During her discharge appointment, Jane brought in a her journal sharing her writing just before her therapy sessions began.

I’ll let her give you the details…

“Oh my dear God! What have I done!!!??? I am now fully aware and appalled at what I have done to my life, as I have known it, for the past 55+ years. It will never be the same.

Due to my actions, I have lost sooooo much!!!!! My beautiful home in an elite community, all my savings, my driving privileges, my car, a life-long friend who I thought would NEVER leave my side, and my perfect credit rating. I am now $95,000 in debt and will have to file bankruptcy. I don’t even have enough money left to file! Bill collectors call daily. I am facing jail time and restitution fees. OMG, I hurt another human being!!!!!! My own Dad and Mom have washed their hands of me ☹.

That pretty much says it all. They are right. I get it. No more family gatherings, birthdays, holidays, etc…. Phone calls aren’t even returned. I OWE them desperately. They devoted their lives to raise us. I gave up an incredible career. Chose not to go to college or have children. Two HUGE mistakes which, at my age, would be very hard to rectify. Because of my health problems, I can’t even enjoy going out to eat. No more world travel.

I understand why some people who lost everything in the stock market crash of the ‘20s committed suicide. I now have to rely on public transportation. A large number of people on the bus scare me. People often comment that I don’t “look like” I should be riding a bus; whatever that means. They also say the same thing at the probation office. Jail time is looming. I can’t even ride in an elevator due to the claustrophobic feeling. How will I ever be able to handle being locked in a jail cell? I am no longer allowed to travel or go to any business that serves alcohol. I will be on formal probation for seven years. How will I ever find a decent career with a record like this?

I am walking around in a “SHOCK LIKE” state. It feels like I am floating above my body. Sometimes, I feel like maybe, I am dead and just in a different realm; some sort of third dimension.

Suicidal thoughts plague me! My biggest concern is researching a way to do it with as little pain as possible and making sure I get it RIGHT the first time. I don’t agree that suicide is selfish. I am hurting, and have hurt those that I love TOO MUCH. If I am gone then I can no longer cause harm. Truly, I can’t take much more. I’m spent! Oh yeah, and a 35-year marriage is crumbling.”

When Jane presented me with the above journal entry at the time of her discharge, she stated that she could not believe how close she came to going through with her suicide plan. After about four months of treatment, she stated that she had taken the suicide note out of wallet and no longer wanted to die. And so, our final session ended and off she went to live her life. I thought I would likely not see her again as a client, and was simply amazed at her resolve and growth; but this is not the end of the story. A few days later Jane brought in another journal entry that she wrote post-discharge.

“I would like to take this opportunity to say, “thank you” to Lighthouse Counseling and my therapist Deborah for providing services that, in my humble opinion, SAVED MY LIFE!

OK, where do I begin? When I contacted Lighthouse over six months ago, I was seriously on the verge of suicide. I had planned it out in great detail, refined it daily, and had begun to have “dry runs,” getting closer each time.

Let me attempt to explain how I got to this point. I have pretty much lived my life on the edge as long as I can remember, constantly moving from one thing to “fix” me to another. It has been an affluent and exciting life, but of course a life lived on the edge will, most likely, eventually implode.

For me that happened last year when I took an overdose of a medication and drove my car, hitting another car, injuring the driver and totaling his vehicle. In California this means you will go to trial and may end up with a felony conviction.

My fall was pretty much downhill from there. The overwhelming guilt and shame I felt led to a 9-day stay in a psych-ward and then months of intense therapy. Although I learned a lot about “mindfulness,” I still couldn’t forgive myself and therefore planned to commit suicide.

I contacted Lighthouse as a last resort to appease family and friends. My thoughts at the time were, “Well at least I can say I tried everything and it just didn’t work so don’t blame me for killing myself.”

I didn’t expect to meet a therapist like Deborah. I have very little memory of initially seeing here as I was truly walking around in shock and still focused the majority of my time thinking about suicide.

When I first met Deborah, I was disillusioned. I wanted a “woe is me” therapist, LOL. After a couple of months, I stopped focusing on the daily review of the suicide plan and just decided to follow her advice from week-to-week.

By the third month, I was looking forward to our weekly sessions, hearing what she had to say, passing things by her and always leaving with “homework.” The homework gave me something to focus on even thought it was still extremely hard.

I will never forget the day I walked into her office and said, “Deborah, I am no longer in shock. I am now fully awake!” That was huge! Of course, with it came a whole new set of issues but at least I was awake. That is when the healing and assistance from Deborah was most beneficial. There is no doubt that it is because of her guidance that I was able to come out of shock. I did everything she told me to do. Her guidance, I now realize, helped me to get through an eight-day jail sentence.

My hope is that my story can, in some way, help others. Deborah is the most incredible therapist I have had the honor of knowing. Bottom line, she saved my life. I have no doubt that many others have had wonderful experiences with Lighthouse’s wonderful services.

Kind regards,
– Jane“

The Lincoln 4th of July Celebration is one of the fine programs for which we provide yearly support.

“The Lincoln Area Archives Museum (LAAM) would like to thank the Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) for the grant. The Lincoln Train Station Model will be a great way to explain an important part of Lincoln history.” – Carl Sulzer

LAAM gets several local school visits every year. The first school visit to LAAM was on February 28 and the model proved to be a very useful tool. The school children learned the history of the station and the importance of the railroad to the town. LAAM volunteers explain things such as how the town got the name Lincoln, who was Charles Lincoln Wilson and the distinctive differences between the Lincoln station and similar stations such as the Folsom station. LAAM volunteers show the children the inside of the model and explain the functional areas.

Since 2005, Jeaninne Kato of Lincoln Hermanos Mentors has relied on grants from the Lincoln Community Foundation to fund a substantial portion of college scholarships for the mentors in the program. Hispanic male high school juniors and seniors are recruited three days a week to become academic mentors for struggling Hispanic boys at First Street School. Because of this partnership, several mentors have gone on to become counselors and teachers, and all the boys who were mentored maintained passing grades.

“I have witnessed small miracles because of this program. Boys who were truant, came to school because of this help. Boys who couldn’t pass core subjects, raised their grades. Boys who never smiled, lit up when their mentor came to the school especially for them. Lives were changed.” – Jeaninne, Lincoln Hermanos Mentors

LHS Art Department
LHS Band
LHS Biomedical Sciences Program
LHS Booster Club
LHS Dance Club
LHS Drama Club
“Every 15 Minutes” Program
LHS Lego Club
LHS Library
LHS Physics Club – Science Expo
LHS Robotics Team
LHS We Are Lincoln – Building Greatness Within
LHS Zebra Tales

The Lincoln Leadership Class of 2018 was inspired to organize the building of a dog park within McBean Park. Their goal was to provide a safe place for families with large and small dogs to congregate in a controlled environment. The dog park also serves to further beautify and enhance McBean Park and encourage walkers.

The project took six months from inspiration to completion and the ribbon cutting ceremony took place on May 20, 2018.

“Thank you to the Lincoln Community Foundation and to all of the donors for your kindness and generosity!” – Lincoln Leadership Class of 2018

Lincoln Sober Grad Night was founded in 1992 with the mission of holding an event each year on graduation night to provide a safe, fun and ‘sober’ graduation night for Lincoln High School students. This event is filled with activities to keep the students engaged throughout the night. The funds granted go toward advertising, prizes, food & beverages and other entertainment during the all-night event. We have had a very high attendance rate and the kids look forward coming. The community can rest assured their children are safe and sober. This event is solely based on fundraising, donations and volunteers. The theme is ALWAYS a surprise to the students until they arrive!

“We greatly appreciate Lincoln Community Foundation for your help in putting on this event.” – Lincoln Sober Grad Night Committee

The Lincoln Theatre Company decided to purchase a new projection system with their grant funds this year. The projection system was used with their first major production of the year, Oklahoma! John Robeck, Executive Director of the Lincoln Art League, designed three beautiful projection slides for the show. What surprised the audience were the “moving parts” on the projections: the windmill in the farm scene turned slowly throughout the show when that slide was projected. The stars twinkled in the dream sequence, and the lights on the box social screen were bright and beautiful.

“Since we installed the projection system, we have had audiences of approximately 2000 people (1300 for Oklahoma!, and approximately 700 for the Choristers’ concerts), who have enjoyed this newest addition to the restoration of the beautiful old Civic Auditorium.

We are very grateful for this wonderful new addition to the theater, not only because of the added beauty in our productions, but also because it enables LTC to build less-complicated set pieces, which frees up valuable space on our small stage, especially for choreographed dancing. Thank you, Lincoln Community Foundation for your ongoing support… and we hope to see you soon at the theater!” – MaryEllen Vogt, Lincoln Theatre Company

Mud Run 4 Life is one of the fine programs for which we provide yearly support.

The “Every 15 Minutes” program is a two-day program for Lincoln High School and Phoenix High School juniors and seniors; challenging them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, the responsibility of making mature decisions and the impact their decisions have on family, friends, their community, and many others.

The program’s goals and objectives focus on bringing together a broad coalition of interested local agencies with the goal of reducing alcohol-related incidents among youth. The partnering of the California Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, local hospitals, emergency medical responders, schools, businesses, and service clubs validates the importance of working together to ensure a healthy community. The two-day ‘Every 15 Minutes’ program is very dramatic and emotional, and purposely so. Teenagers are constantly reminded about the choices they have to make involving alcohol and how many others are affected by their decisions. They know the intellectual statistics. However, many teens share the belief it will never happen to them. This powerful program is designed to create awareness among students that they are not invincible. This program helps open the emotional doors, and the teenagers experience firsthand how their actions affect the lives of so many other people.

Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy’s mission is, “To provide spiritual, emotional, and mental support to the law enforcement community, their families, and the citizens of Placer County.” This is a mission that does not promote religion; it is a mission that promotes human dignity and the renewal of resilience in the midst of unspeakable suffering and unexpected loss. This is a mission that sends chaplains within the most impoverished, needy areas of the city of Lincoln, inside of businesses and public buildings, and into some of the most expensive homes in California. It is a mission that compels chaplains to climb into squad cars and offer confidential counsel and encouragement to officers who struggle with the day-to-day trauma of protecting and serving under the most adverse of conditions, with little evidence of public approval or appreciation. It is a mission that lends tangible support to citizens who have lost loved ones or homes or a sense of safety after a traumatic event – at any hour of the day, any day of the week, anywhere in the city of Lincoln. It is a mission that is graven on hearts, counted in tears and hugs and the silence of brokenness and grief.  Serving Those Who Serve.

“Offering tangible support to [Lincoln] citizens who have lost loved ones or homes or a sense of safety after a traumatic event.” – John Akers, Executive Director/Senior Chaplain

The Salt Mine has this to say about their recent Lincoln Community Foundation grant:

“The grant proceeds were needed more than we expected. Our main truck totally broke down and the Lincoln Community Foundation Grant paid the major portion of the cost of repair. We are on schedule to provide food for over 4 million meals this year, so hundreds of families and thousands of people benefitted from the grant.” – The Salt Mine

Seniors First’s Recreation and Respite adult day care provides recreation for the participant and respite for the caregiver. The program provides an assortment of recreational activities for the participant, including social interaction, arts and crafts, chair exercises, pet therapy, and games. The program also provides group meetings and support for caregivers, allowing them to pursue personal interests knowing that their loved ones are being cared for in a safe environment.

One such caregiver shared with us about her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s: “I never thought I would be dealing with Alzheimers. The cards were on the table, but you don’t ever think it’s going to happen to you. It starts with just subtle signs, like forgetting names and then you forget where you put things. It got to where I couldn’t leave him alone for a minute.”

For caregivers, especially spouses, it is an often unexpected and extremely high-stress job. Sadly, because of the extreme stress of caregiving, 63% of caregivers become seriously ill, and worst case scenario will die before their loved one. The stress often falls on the spouses, and they need help. Seniors First’s Recreation and Respite program is there to fill in the gaps. “It’s been a lifesaver. It gives me time to do things I wanna do, without having to worry about where is he, what he’s up to, is he in trouble? Except for this program, I’m on my own. Everybody here was wonderful and took him under their wings.”

– Seniors First

With direction provided by Placer Arts staff and Principal Melissa Willes, all 80 Sheridan Elementary School students plus 12 pre-school students and all 14 school staff completed a tile for the Sheridan School Tile Mural Project.

The Project as developed had an overall theme of “Soaring High” that used a different motif for each grade level. It also included the creation of a featured artist tile displaying the Sheridan eagle mascot. The mural was unveiled at the end-of-school ceremony on June 4, 2015, which included students, school staff, attending parents, and school volunteers.

– PlacerArts

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation provides opportunities for students and teachers to connect and develop a better understanding and appreciation for nature through meaningful and engaging experiences during guided field trips.

2019 MINI GRANT RECIPIENT

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation’s Outdoor Education Program was able to purchase several field microscopes to be used at guided outdoor field trips.

Your grant award will allow us to realize our educational goals and continue our free services to the community. Thank you for your generous contribution; it is greatly appreciated.
– Darla Guenzler, Executive Director, Wildlife Heritage Foundation

2018 MINI GRANT RECIPIENT

The Wildlife Heritage Foundation was awarded a $750 Mini Grant to purchase a watershed model. With the use of this model on a walking tour of Auburn Ravine, the Wildlife Heritage Foundation was able to educate students about the importance of the Auburn Ravine watershed.

“The Woman’s Club of Lincoln wishes to graciously thank the Lincoln Community Foundation for providing funds for the removal of our palm tree. The fronds were a serious liability for our organization, because they could, and often did, come down. Fortunately, they did not cause injury to anyone. It had grown so close to our building, there was a threat of structural damage. We don’t know exactly when it was planted, and some of us were reluctant to see it go, but in lieu of safety issues, we had to have it removed. Thank you again to the Foundation.” – Fran Neves, President, Woman’s Club of Lincoln

The WPUSD “Technology Learning Expo” started on a shoestring, so to speak, with no operating budget. The generous grant donation from the Lincoln Community Foundation allowed us to make a sign that is re-used each year. The grant also provided for the purchase of pizza and water for all of the hard working student volunteers. This event is a great way to educate the community about technology being used in our schools and as an avenue for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned.

“The [grant] allowed us to make a sign that is re-used each year.” – Lincoln High School