Contra Costa County’s coordinated approach to addressing the devastating impacts of domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking has been given a financial boost and vote of confidence with the announcement today of two significant federal grants.

United States Attorney General, Loretta Lynch announced $44 million in grant funding for programs across the country that combat human trafficking and support survivors.

Contra Costa County, considered to be among the leaders nationwide in its efforts to end domestic violence and human trafficking, was awarded a $727,364 three year grant so it can build upon its efforts of identifying victims and providing services for children and adults trapped in labor and sex trafficking. Zero Tolerance Chair, Devorah Levine says, “This grant is an endorsement of our accomplishments. It’s our responsibility to understand how modern day slavery exists in our community and how to best help victims.”

Also announced today, another $26 million dollars for programs nationwide dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.  Contra Costa County received a $900,000, three year grant for its programs working with victims and perpetrators. Says Levine, “We are making progress, and an opportunity like this grant, helps catapult our efforts to reach more people.” The money will be used to advocate for victims, offer assistance with restraining orders and law enforcement training. Hiring a full time probation officer to monitor 35-40 high risk domestic violence probationers is among the strategies planned to deescalate violence.

For more information about Contra Costa County Zero Tolerance Initiative, contact Devorah Levine, Chair Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Initiative dlevine@ehsd.cccounty.us925-313-1524.

“Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence”, an initiativeof the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, is apublic/private partnership designed to reduce domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse and human trafficking in Contra Costa County. Authorized by the California Legislature as the first Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence County in the State, the initiative is aligning policies, practices and protocols, coordinating services, and creating a climate where violence and abuse are not tolerated.

Zero Tolerance functions on the principle that no one entity can do it alone; placing emphasis on public systems and private providers working, advocating and taking concerted action together.

Twitter: @ContraCostaEHSD Facebook: Contra Costa Employment and Human-Services.

We are pleased to announce, the 22nd Annual Charity Roundup at Roddy Ranch is set for Saturday, October 3, 2015 benefitting Delta Advocacy Foundation’s efforts to support East Contra Costa County charities.

This year’s Charity Roundup will feature a delicious first-class barbecue dinner, can’t miss Silent Auction and new this year, the widely popular band Diversion will provide dinner and dancing music.

Since Delta Advocacy Foundation’s inception in 1989, we have given over $350,800 to those in need in East Contra Costa County. We work with faith-based organizations, community leaders, and school districts to identify needs within East Contra Costa County that might otherwise be overlooked. Scholarships, assistance to the elderly, disabled and Veterans, and support of local food banks are but a few of the areas of need that Delta Advocacy Foundation has funded. Delta Advocacy Foundation is a group of volunteers who are dedicated in making sure ALL funds raised go right back into our community!

Please consider supporting this event either by making a direct contribution to Delta Advocacy Foundation or by attending our Charity Round up at Roddy Ranch. The event will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 @ 5:30pm. Tickets are $60.00 per person; tables for 10 may be reserved for $550.00.

R.S.V.P. via delta_advocacy@comcast.net. Seating is limited!

The 32nd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event, will take place on Saturday, September 19th 2015 from 9:00 AM to Noon. The event is expected to draw more than 70,000 volunteers who will combat marine debris at over 800 locations throughout the state by removing the trash that has accumulated on California’s beaches and inland shorelines over the past year. Get out there, join the effort in Antioch. There are three locations to choose from: Antioch Marina, Prewett Park & Fulton Shipyard. Register and choose your location by visiting http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/Environment/Coastal-Cleanup-Day/.

Members of the Antioch Police Department are once again partnering with the Special Olympics of Northern California and the Applebee’s Bar & Grill located at 2737 Hillcrest Ave. for a Tip-a-Cop event on Wednesday, September 16th, from 5-9pm.

Print and bring the attached ticket http://ci.antioch.ca.us/Community/announcements/91615-tipacop.pdf, and 15% of your bill will be donated to support the Special Olympics. Hope to see you there!

Veterans relax on Sunday afternoon at the County Fairgrounds during Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

By Allen Payton

Organized by the Delta Veterans Group, led by the group’s President, J.R. Wilson, the Stand Down on the Delta 2015, the first ever of its kind in the county, was held this weekend at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch and attracted more than 300 veterans, seeking services, meals and a place to sleep, as well as a variety of volunteers, to help meet those needs. Many of the veterans are homeless and came from throughout the East Bay to attend.

Veterans enjoy watching a movie at Stand Down on the Delta.

A variety of organizations sponsored the event which started Friday and ends Monday, including Antioch’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6435, and their Ladies Auxiliary, Strategic Threat Management and Delta Tactical Training Group, Diablo Valley Veterans Foundation, AT&T and the Veterans Employment Committee, and was promoted in part by the Antioch Herald.

Tent city at Stand Down on the Delta.

A variety of government agencies and organizations provided services throughout the weekend, including the DMV, Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services, Veterans Service Office, Adult and Aging Services, and Employment Development Department, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Employment and Human Services,  CalFresh/CalWORKs, Congressman Jerry McNerney, Assemblyman Jim Frazier, Los Medanos College, Cal State East Bay, Swords to Plowshares, Bay Area Legal Aid, Independent Living Resources, Shelter, Inc., Berkeley Food and Housing, Republic Services, Narcotics Anonymous and Catholic Charities of Solano County.

Veterans relax on their bunks at Stand Down on the Delta.

The veterans who attended were also treated to a variety of musical entertainment, including Wallee, Dixieland Welcome Band, Darlyn Pearl, Los Cavrones, The Illusions, Blue Hand Band, The O’Town Pasions, Galaxy Travis Air Force Base Band, Double Down, Entropy and Ethics, Billy Schaub, Tucker and Friends, Fleet Street Classics and Swamp Lizards.

One of the wellness tents where veterans received therapy and chiropractic treatments, at Stand Down on the Delta.

A donation of $500 allowed for the purchase fishing equipment, giving a group of veterans the chance to do some fishing at Antioch’s Compy Compomizzo Fishing Pier in downtown. The veterans in attendance also had the opportunity to play video games in the Mobile Command Gaming truck.

Clothing was donated for the veterans at Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

Members of local service organizations, such as the Antioch Rotary Club, as well as Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Lori Ogorchock, Councilwoman Monica Wilson, who is on the Board of Directors for the Delta Veterans Group, and Councilman Tony Tiscareno volunteered to serve meals to the veterans throughout the weekend.

The Chaplains tent at Stand Down on the Delta 2015.

For more information visit www.DeltaVeteransGroup.org and to “like” and follow them on Facebook, click here.

Inside one of the mobile shower units by Shower House Ministries.

By Jerri Langlais

Finally, there’s some good news for the homeless in our community, starting this Sunday, September 13. Showerhouse Ministries, led by Ken Rickner, is bringing a shower trailer to L Street near the marina, in Antioch’s downtown, at 10:00 a.m. He has given the name Showers of Hope to the effort.

The trailer can be moved to different locations to provide showers and other items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and deodorant, and there will be other ministries coming alongside who will be bringing socks, underwear and clothing, and haircuts, for those who until now have had little or no access to bathing facilities and these other items. It will have two regular shower stalls and one larger one to accommodate handicapped persons.

While doing outreach on the streets, Ken saw the need for showers, and the brokenness, too, and felt the need to do something about it. And after much prayer, he had a vision of a trailer and heard the words “Showerhouse Ministries.”

Not knowing where to start, he heard the Lord say, “Go through one door at a time.” So he started working without plans or drawings and using his own money, he began the project starting with the purchase of a trailer and shower stalls in July, 2014.

A friend stepped forward and offered to help with plumbing needs, and he also called on the help of an electrician friend. Ken knew he was going to need fresh water storage, a pump to move the water, a heating system such as propane tanks, a generator for power, and waste water collection tanks, while providing privacy, all within a self-contained unit.

The project turned out to be a little more complex than Ken had anticipated, but he was compelled to continue. After approximately 10 months of building, the trailer is finished.

“Dialing it in and going through a bit of red tape took some time, but we are now ready to go,” Ken said. “I could not have done it without the help of a few individuals and the prayer support of others.”

He offers special thanks to the following who helped make the Showers of Hope a reality:

Mike and Chuckie from Butlers Plumbing, Brentwood

Frank with Salucci’s Electric, Oakley

Fred with Fred’s Welding, Oakley

Doug Hardcastley of Hardcastle’s RV, Oakley

Showerhouse Ministries Showers of Hope Kickoff — Sunday, Sept 13th, 2015, 10:00 AM, L Street near the marina, downtown Antioch

This is a new and growing ministry, and we want to network with other people and cities. There are many ways to be involved. Please feel free to contact us at Showerhouseministries.com or “like” their Facebook page by clicking here.

13 California Organizations Receive Funding for Youth Programs, Education and Economic Opportunity

Portland, Ore., –The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $230,000 in grants for nonprofit organizations focused on educational attainment for youth and economic opportunity. Fifty three Community Giving grants were awarded throughout Umpqua’s footprint, ranging between $2,000 and $8,000, and selected by the company’s associate-led Community Giving team.

“Part of the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation’s approach is to invest in and serve as a partner to community organizations,” said Nicole Stein, managing director of the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation. “As a community bank we believe we have an obligation to invest in youth and education programs that are essential to the long-term economic health and development of our communities.”

Through the Community Giving program, more than 150 Umpqua Bank associates located throughout the company’s footprint participate in the process of identifying need in their communities and reviewing the grant applications that help meet that need. Quarterly, their recommendations inform the Foundation’s grant making and result in the distribution of the company’s Community Giving grants.

Contra Costa County’s recipient

The one recipient in Contra Costa County of a 2015 California Community Giving Grant recipient was Junior Achievement of Northern California, located in Walnut Creek. Umpqua’s $5,000 grant will support Project SUCCEED (Students Understanding Career Choices, Economics, and Educational Development). This program provides various curriculum-based programs to students in grades K-12 that are flexible in providing the specific financially-focused program that is most needed and appropriate for the grade level.

About Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation

The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation recognizes the fundamental connection between education and economic prosperity. It works to strengthen the communities Umpqua Bank serves by investing in organizations and initiatives that expand access to education and create economic opportunity for children and families.

The Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation was initially funded with $10 million in April 2014, and was formed to demonstrate the company’s deep commitment to the communities it serves.

Organizations can submit an application for a Community Giving grant at www.umpquabank.com/communitygiving.

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Northern Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for the past eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the tenth consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to small businesses. The Umpqua Bank branch in Antioch is located in the Raley’s Shopping Center at 3700 Lone Tree Way.

Umpqua Holdings also owns a retail brokerage subsidiary, Umpqua Investments, Inc., which offers services through Umpqua Bank stores and in dedicated offices throughout Oregon. Umpqua’s Wealth Management Division serves high net worth individuals and nonprofits by providing customized financial solutions and offerings. Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit http://www.umpquabank.com.