Parks & Community Enrichment Commission Volunteer Recognition
The City of Sacramento’s Parks & Community Enrichment Commission recognizes outstanding non-profit organizations semiannually. To submit a nomination, please fill out theVolunteer Recognition Nomination Form. In December, the organizations below have received the Parks & Community Enrichment Volunteer Recognition Award.
Chalk It Up aims to empower and support the next generation of Sacramento artists through targeted art grants for young artists and programs. In its 30-year history, the organization has raised funding to support art programs for Sacramento’s youth. The Labor Day Weekend Chalk It Up brings people from all over the region to enjoy chalk art, music, and community.
Several young leaders in D7 Teen Mental Health Focus Group recognized the devastating emotional impact of the global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the mental health of teens. Early in the Spring, the group organized with the goal to do what they could to provide reassurance and resources to teens, as well as families. Despite dealing with their own emotional stress, they worked hard to create an impactful campaign that would resonate with their peers. They created a "by-teen-for-teen" social media campaign that involved sending positive graphics and messaging to their peers. Their reach was phenomenal, involving tens of thousands of views and reaching across several states. Admirably not one posting received a negative comment or response. They also created a banner campaign, where they put their positive messaging on 3'x6' banners and placed them throughout the community. Both aspects of their campaign were creative and successful, but the most important thing they did was to erase the stigma of talking about mental and emotional health issues. They courageously stepped up to say that it is okay to not be okay and moreover, it is okay to need to talk. They normalized the need to reach out for support, and their affirmation that #talkinghelps resonated with their peers and throughout our community.
Jeff Ennis is a Seymour Park resident here in the City of Sacramento. He collects acorns in the park, then plants them in his empty vegetable garden. Acorns that sprout into saplings, he raises them for 3 to 4 years before planting them in the park. In collaboration with City’s arborist, Sacramento Tree Foundation, and volunteers, he has planted over 200 trees in Fall of 2019 and early February 2020.
The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SACC) is the largest ethnic chamber in the region. Formed in 1993, its mission is to build sustainable communities through economic development. In response to COVID-19’s impact on small business and Asian Pacific Islander communities, the SACC initiated the Small Business Triage Center to support and provide resources to our diverse small business community. The SACC is dedicated on helping to ensure an inclusive economic recovery and will continue to work with our policy makers and community partners to prioritize the changes needed to reopen. The Chamber is committed to connecting the community through signature events such as the Internal Study Mission, Meet & Greets with local elected officials, and various mixers. "When small business wins, we all win.”
The Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce is a city-wide, non-profit organization who works to improve the economic, cultural, and civic well-being of African American business owners and professionals to make lasting impacts to the community. With the current pandemic, Azizza Davis Goines, President and CEO of the Chamber, worked diligently in collaboration with other ethic Chambers to secure CARES Act Funds to benefit small businesses owned by minorities who were struggling to survive as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
This effort was successful due to the creativity and collaborative model to better our community through job creation, workforce development, business support, and proactive engagement with public and private entities. Her hard work and passion created a strategic outcome that made a significant impact for African American business owners and the communities they serve.
The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a city-wide, non-profit organization who works to promote, and provide educational and economic opportunities to Hispanic owned businesses in the Sacramento region. With the current pandemic, Cathy Rodriguez, President and CEO of the Chamber, worked diligently in collaboration with other ethnic Chambers to secure CARES Act Funds to benefit small businesses owned by minorities who were struggling to survive as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
This effort was successful due the creativity and collaborative model to better our community through job creation, business support, and proactive engagement with public and private entities. Her hard work and passion created a strategic outcome that made a significant impact for Hispanic business owners and the communities they serve.
The African American Consortium is a nominated for making an impact on the community. The group is a collection of local stakeholders including teachers, parents, alumni, former educators, and counselors as well as local agencies who are committed to supporting African American youth through their academic journey. They primary focus on students who enroll through Luther Burbank High School and its nearby schools. The group has been instrumental in regularly contacting and supporting students and their families during the pandemic. The consortium is part of Luther Burbank’s commitment to educational equity and putting resources and time into students and families with the greatest needs.
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