Decade of Champions

Women in Philanthropy celebrates 10 years

It’s been more than 10 years since Char Donnermeyer sat in a communitywide forum to determine which charitable cause needed her attention. The United Way had tapped Donnermeyer and two others to start a group that women around the region could rally behind.

Oct 1, 2011 Stephanie Flores
Cathie Walker, Casa El Dorado

Home Again?

Local nonprofit gives a voice to foster youth

Between her 8th and 15th birthdays, Ashlee Rogers moved out of nearly a half-dozen foster homes. She was removed from her mother twice, and she floated all over El Dorado County, from Placerville to Pollock Pines and back.

Jan 1, 2011 Bill Romanelli
Fred Teichert of the Teichert Foundation

Funding Famine

Charities turn to foundations for support

The economy has rocked a number of local nonprofits, putting a dent in donations just as they were taking on the burden of increased social needs. Many of these charities have turned to foundations for increased support.

Jan 1, 2011 JT Long

Personal Training

Learning how to live independently

Somebody stole Derek Finstad’s backpack.

He left it in the locker room at a gym in Yuba City, where he works. But when he went to retrieve it, the backpack — with his keys, checkbook and other materials — was gone. Finstad wasn’t happy.

Dec 1, 2010 Russell Nichols
Fred Sconberg, Upbeat Workouts Apps

Nonprofit Revenue

Charities raise money through social enterprise

A Sacramento software startup has launched an iPhone application for runners that picks music to go with a workout and can add customized coaching instructions along with the beat. When users pay to download the coaching data, a donation goes to a nonprofit of the coach’s choice.

Dec 1, 2010 Adam Weintraub
Terry Myrrdin, chief of facilities oversight, office of the Secretary of State.

Difference in the Making

Local women reach out to foster youth

Sometimes small things can make big differences. Whether it’s a dry towel, a warm hat or advice on how to create a budget, a little bit of time can have a positive impact on one of Sacramento County’s 4,000 foster youth, many of whom don’t have anyone to provide these basics.

Oct 1, 2010 JT Long
Juanita Nicolas, youth aid, Youth Investment Center

Eat, Pray, Survive

One woman's journey through foster care

After 19 years of struggling to belong, Juanita Nicolas found the students at Wilson Riles Middle School. As a youth aid, the teenager tutored 40 students, many in the foster care system just as she had been before emancipation a year earlier.

Oct 1, 2010 JT Long