Gaines and Company Site Development’s Post

From educational institutions to community safety initiatives and health foundations, it is our privilege to give back each year, as a gesture of appreciation and humility towards those who selflessly sacrifice to educate, protect, heal and serve others. #giveback #payitforward #sitedevelopment https://ow.ly/wXaH50QQyvl

Being the Program Director of Renewal House in Danbury is an impactful experience. Hope for the hopeless. Vision for those without vision. I always tell the residents of Renewal House, “There is safety in a multitude of good counsel.” Often, this good counsel comes from community-based services. In short, I am fulfilling my calling by helping those who have been beaten down by life’s circumstances. That they are not alone, that there is hope and vision for their future. It’s an honor to do this work, hard as it often is. We serve a diverse group of people: engineers, mothers, fathers, grandparents, individuals with early onset dementia, former business owners, and former homeowners. We encounter tragedies, losses, natural disasters, recovering addicts, and domestic violence victims. These are the people we serve. There is no fanfare in being the Program Director. No accolades or compensation can match the effort required to make a difference between merely surviving and truly thriving. The work involves advocating for housing, benefits, therapy, medical services, fostering community, and bringing laughter. Any experienced person can do that. But it’s a gift and an honor to impart hope, healing, vision, peace, and peace of mind; that’s what I get to do! Helping people so they can restore their lives and independence and believe in themselves again. May their latter years be greater than their former. ‘One life at a time.’ Maria Russo, Renewal House Program Director #CommunityCare #HopeAndHealing #RenewalHouse #ServingOthers #MakingADifference

Important conversations to have.

What is Community Resiliency (formerly known as Community Safety Net)? United Way invests in partners and programs that provide emergency food, housing, child care, advocacy and other services to help friends and neighbors navigate challenging situations. Who needs Community Resiliency help? Those in need could be like John, a single parent who has to go on a job interview but has no one to watch his children … or Amelia, a young mom who must choose between putting gas into her car or buying food for her kids’ next meal … or Juan, a veteran who is unhoused and needs a safe place to sleep. UWCM invests in organizations that provide short-term help to meet urgent needs and long-term solutions that address the root causes of issues. By dialing 211, Central Minnesotans are able to find resources that can help during difficult times. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02Lt-d20

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh communities need to be places where we all feel safe and like we belong. In spring 2022, Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) created a Public Safety Task Force (PSTF). The PSTF was tasked with providing recommendations on how to improve public, with a strong emphasis on the importance of prevention and community healing. We are pleased to share that we now have a vision and a plan to keep moving forward on this important work – one that is uniquely Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. Our community’s safely is a precious and treasured thing. Therefore, this vision for our community is guided by four xíx̱tsem or cedar bentwood boxes, which are used to safeguard precious things. 🟨Behaviour on the land and in the waters 🟨Be protected at home 🟨Be protected in the community/villages 🟨Be protected on the land To achieve this vision, 11 Recommendations were developed. They are community-led, rooted in prevention, supportive of mental health, wellness and housing, and aim to meet Members where they are at. ✅Establish a Community Justice System. ✅Increase capacity to enforce laws, bylaws, policies, and values. ✅Address disparities and ensure equitable protection. ✅Take immediate action to address toxic drug crisis. ✅Require an anti-racism and cultural safety course for external agencies and partners. ✅Develop a plan for safe transportation options that meet community members’ needs. ✅Design housing, infrastructure, and services for community safety from the start. ✅Address family violence and Elder abuse. ✅Create a trauma-informed Community Safety Team Program. ✅Build housing as fast as possible. ✅Outreach to those most at risk. Over the coming months, we will be releasing more in-depth information on each of the Recommendations and the ways in which they will be achieved. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gUp2J-rw.

#NASW SPS Webinar: January 29, 1-2 pm ET - Addressing Food Insecurity: A Community Approach; CEs: 1 Social Work Contact Hour. As the liaison between the home, school, and community, two school social workers were able to leverage community partnerships to increase access to food resources for families within a large suburban school district. All food-security initiatives were located in different areas within the school district to accommodate the diverse needs of different areas. This webinar will discuss food insecurity initiatives that were piloted before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic and the community resources that aided in these efforts. The benefits of food insecurity initiatives community will be discussed in addition to best practices that maintain community partnerships and monitor community needs. https://buff.ly/3S4rshq

During my time at @Life Without Barriers, I’ve learned that fostering can come in many forms. Providing care doesn’t have to be full-time; it can be providing a safe space for a young person for a couple of nights or one weekend each month. When it comes to fostering, no two children or families are the same; that’s why Life Without Barriers doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Think outside the box and learn more about the diverse ways you could make a difference here: https://lnkd.in/gMUF6SGc

While the "Are the Children Well?" report may not be more than three years old it is still part of United Way of Waco-McLennan County's 100-year history. In 2021, the McLennan County Child Well-being Movement released "Are the Children Well?". This report highlighted challenges facing children and families in certain neighborhoods, emphasizing the need for comprehensive community support. The findings stressed the importance of a holistic, two-generational approach to child well-being, where family success is integral to children's thriving. In response, the McLennan County Child Well-being Community Action Plan has been developed, outlining strategies to improve local systems and policies. This plan aims to enhance outcomes for children and families across the county, requiring collaboration across sectors. It signals the beginning of a concerted effort to ensure all local families receive the support they need for children to flourish. Continued community engagement, strategizing, and action will drive lasting change for generations to come.

Philly has had a difficult week. It has been made clear, in no uncertain terms, that our leadership has decided to enforce new legislation and enact a strategic strike against harm reduction and public health, weaponizing their power to cause great harm. The lease ending for Savage Sisters Recovery, Inc was one minor show of power. But the response that we received from the community, not just on a local level, but on a global level, has been astounding. So let me be very clear. This work will not stop. We will continue to show up, we will continue to serve, and we will continue to save lives. Because the people that we serve, our beautiful friends, are Worth Saving. Each organization delivering public health services stands in solidarity against these archaic laws, practices and policies. While we may have to get flexible and creative, we will never stop. We’ve been shackled and chained to outdated laws & prohibitionist policies for decades. It’s time to break free. I am certain this will be difficult and we all need to work together. But I believe in my core that the work our organizations do, serves humanity. So we will coordinate, collaborate, organize, serve, support, advocate & keep the light on. Time to stay strong, stand tall and serve ferociously. Like a Savage. To donate or get involved visit savagesisters.org #harmreduction #harmreductionsaveslives #rally #advocacy #substanceusedisorder #pwud #community #publichealth #power #wedorecover #overdoseprevention #education #love #serve #friends

💙 It's Kinship Caregiver Month, a time to honor those stepping in to care for children when they need it most! This year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlighted that over 50% of children in Arizona’s foster care system are in kinship placements, making AZ a top state for kinship care. Let's give our thanks to these caregivers and continue to push for policies that support their success. Key actions include reducing barriers to licensing, providing equitable financial support, and recognizing the needs of unlicensed caregivers. Learn more about how to achieve these solutions and catch up on the most current research: https://lnkd.in/gv8KF22a