An estimated 5,500-plus individuals experience homelessness on any given night in Sacramento County. For the unsheltered community, Volunteers of America is a powerful source of immediate and long-term assistance, comfort and hope.

As United Way California Capital Region nears its 100th anniversary of making community change happen, the organization has welcomed a new visionary leader. Dr. Dawnté Early joined the organization as president and CEO in November 2021 after serving as chief of research and evaluation for the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

Saint John’s Program for Real Change believes in women and their power as individuals, mothers, daughters and a community. Saint John’s mission is to unleash the potential of women in crisis with a vision of breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence, one family at a time.

Thirteen-year-old Alyssa had cancer on her spine. Surgery to remove the cancer left her with the equivalent of a spinal cord injury. Through research, Alyssa and her family found Shriners Children’s Northern California and sought help. Because of the multi-disciplinary expertise and care she received, she’s able to move more freely and stand — and has even become a competitive athlete.

Founded in 1972, Sacramento Life Center (SLC) is celebrating 50 years of embracing lives, one pregnancy at a time. Launched as a volunteer helpline, SLC is now a fully accredited, licensed community health clinic offering an array of services and resources. One of few Sacramento-area community clinics for pregnant women in need, SLC is ready to do more.

This holiday season, Meals on Wheels by ACC (MoW) is delivering some much-needed cheer to the region’s seniors. The Sacramento-based nonprofit works tirelessly to help seniors stay in their homes and communities by providing nutritious meals, social contact and safety-net services.

The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, known as MOSAC, has finally opened to take its place as one of Greater Sacramento’s most exciting and beneficial destination attractions.

Sacramento’s future rests in its up-and-coming youth — which is exactly where Future Foundation of Sacramento is investing its efforts, time and donations to accomplish.