Chico Ambassadors

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Vital Stats

Therese M

Chico, CA

  • people helped175
  • People Doing It 55

The Problem

With recent economic conditions shelters and food banks are being stretched to the limits. Our new volunteer program started in February and we are Chico Homeless Advocates. The Chico Ambassadors program addresses the economic downturn by helping the homeless population. We work at homeless services sites in Chico and the 14 volunteer ambassadors work in the downtown community on Friday and Saturday afternoons to inform the general public about homelessness. We encourage the public to help the homeless and increase the awareness about ways to positively help those facing the hardest time in their lives. Downtown we also do outreach to the homeless by giving out community resources that the individual can utilize. We also work to increase the local tourism of the community by giving directions and visitor's services information as well as promoting safety in the busy downtown atmosphere. We hope that enhancing the local tourism experience we will address the economic downturn the city is facing and improve the community for everyone.

Plan of Action

I am currently the public relations intern for the program, so my job is essentially to spread the word about our cause. I also work to plan volunteer opportunities and I have really build this program from the ground up. We are getting out into the community and informing the people downtown about our program. We are also outreaching to the homeless downtown and in homeless services sites. Our community relations and reputation is excellent so my hope is that the program will continue to grow semester after semester.

Project Updates

Chico Ambassadors- Homeless Advocates have participated in volunteer activities in downtown Chico, at the Torres Shelter and at the Jesus Center.

Chico Ambassador volunteers provide visitor's service information to the public, provide resources, give directions and outreach to the homeless in downtown Chico on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

At the Jesus Center volunteers helped serve meals to those in need of a free hot meal at the Easter brunch on Saturday April 3, 2010.

On Saturday evening volunteers helped out at a benefit dinner for the Jesus Center.

The Jesus Center, offers a safe place, meals, showers, internet access and more to those needing services for displacement.

Jesus Center
1297 Park Avenue at 13th Street
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 345-2640
www.jesuscenter.org

On Friday 4/16/10 and Saturday 4/17/10 evening from 4:30 to 8 p.m. volunteers helped with check-in and guest services at the Torres Shelter.

Chico is a giving and supportive community that provides services for people in these kinds of situations. The Torres Shelter, an emergency homeless shelter, is a safe place that people may visit if they are seeking help.
Torres Shelter

Chico Community Shelter Partnership
101 Silver Dollar Way
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 891-9048
www.chicoshelter.org

On Monday April 12, 2010 Chico Ambassador- Homeless Advocates received training on ways to proactively outreach to homeless youth from Stacey Carrasco, a Behavioral Health Education Specialist from Homeless Emergency Runaway Effort.

On Friday 4/23/10 and Saturday 4/23/10 volunteers will tour the 6th Street Drop-In Center for Youth located in downtown Chico.

The 6th Street Drop-In Center For Youth supports youth ages 14 to 24 with underlying needs like showers, food, shelter to long-term counseling, educational services, family reunification and more.

6th Street Drop-In Center For Youth
130 W. 6th Street
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 894-8008
www.youth4change.org

Go
Disasters
Homelessness and Poverty

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