Antioch Homeless Coalition founding members (Top L-R) Lacey Brown of Justice Advocates and Resources of East County, Nichole Gardner, (Bottom L-R) Andrew Becker and Mariah Williams, hold their first meeting. Video screenshot.

By Lacey Brown

I am so excited to finally share our first AHC (Antioch Homeless Coalition) meeting! (See YouTube video)

I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Nichole Gardner of Facing Homelessness in Antioch, Andrew Becker with the non-profit Here Today Here Tomorrow, Inc. and Mariah Williams of ThisActiveArt, to create what I know will be an amazing opportunity for our City.

This is mostly introductory – watch the first few minutes to discover who we are, why we chose to start the AHC, and what our hopes are going forward!

Every other week for our meeting, an agenda will be put out with topics of discussion surrounding homelessness in Antioch and you will have the opportunity to participate in that discussion if you’d like to be a guest for something in particular! Our official website, along with an interest form you can submit, will be put out later this week.

On the “off” weeks when there isn’t a meeting, we will put out videos of those living on the streets in Antioch telling their stories in their own words. I’m looking forward to you all getting to know some of the amazing people we know and love here in this City.

If you know someone currently or formerly unhoused (or if that’s you!) who is interested in being a member of the coalition, please reach out and we can help to accommodate however possible.

If you have ideas for future agenda items and discussions (after watching this video and seeing what we already have planned,) please feel free to send them to any of us, or email antiochhomelessnesscoalition@gmail.com.

Looking forward to coming together and making a difference.

Photo: APD

By Antioch Police Department

After a 19-month hiatus due to Covid-19, the Antioch Police Department is excited to announce the resumption of monthly neighborhood cleanups! The first cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. The meeting spot is Knoll Park, with the cleanup planned for the neighborhood immediately surrounding the park. The date was chosen to coincide with the National Faith & Blue Weekend. To that end, the cleanup is being coordinated with the congregation from The Fellowship Church. We are looking forward to resuming these important neighborhood events and ask anyone that is interested in donating a small amount of their time to come participate with us.

Presented with the Community Service Award

Kiwanis of the Delta-Antioch Club President Clyde Lewis and Bob Butler with Community Service Award plaque. Photo: Deborah Hicks

By Kiwanis Club of the Delta

People become Kiwanians to connect with the over 600,000 volunteers worldwide dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. This mission is accomplished through activities, programs, and care from our members to the communities they serve.

On March 19, 2020, the world shut down in response to COVID-19. The decision to shut down California (and much of the world) came as the number of cases of people infected with COVID-19 increased, dramatically. Businesses shuttered, schools closed, and panic set in, as nobody knew what would happen.

One community member stood tall and put his life at risk to serve others. Antioch resident Bob Butler took it upon himself to get up early to shop for those unable. Mr. Butler put himself in harm’s way to ensure that members of his community had necessities.

When the pandemic began, stores rationed items people still needed, including food, toiletries, and other things for daily living. However, with the fear surrounding COVID, many people were nervous about leaving their homes. Many in our community had challenges getting to the store for necessities in a non-pandemic environment, and COVID-19 decreased accessibility. This is where Mr. Butler took it upon himself to step up and serve the community by volunteering to shop for those unable.  Using Nextdoor, Facebook, and other media outlets, Mr. Butler would connect with families and community members who needed assistance purchasing essential items such as baby wipes, food, toilet paper, and other basic necessities.

Mr. Butler shopped for seniors who were especially at risk for COVID, parents unable to get away for fear of exposing themselves or their children. While seemingly small, these acts of kindness meant the world to those unable to get to the store themselves.

Hearing about Mr. Butler’s work, Deborah Hicks approached Club President, Clyde Lewis and suggested that the Kiwanis Club of the Delta Antioch show appreciation for his community service. After discussion club members all agreed that honoring Mr. Butler with the Community Service Award was the least, we could do.

Joining a service club is easy, serving the community is where the work happens. Mr. Butler, a reporter for KCBS, works on stories of all sorts, but this time the story is about his dedication to the community.

As Compy Compomizzo used to say, “Get kids hooked on fishing, not on drugs and gangs.”

For more information about and photos of the Antioch Pier, aka Uril E. “Compy” Compomizzo Fishing Pier, click here.