The Sacramento Values Project: A Neighborhood Opportunity

The Values Project is a new public art project for the Sacramento community, by the Sacramento community.  It paints "values" words that represent our shared human values in public parking spaces, in dozens of parking lots, in the language appropriate for the neighborhood, to stimulate thought and conversation.

This Spring and Summer, volunteers (with the approval of City officials) will coordinate with businesses, schools, hospitals, churches and non-profit organizations, and arrange for licensed & bonded crews to paint select parking spaces with the values words each organization chooses to represent their own values.

Councilmember Jay Schenirer is offering to sponsor the winner of a contest.  To participate, please submit two paragraphs by e-mail explaining how you think the values words painted in the parking spaces will improve your environment.  The contest will run from Friday, March 1st, to Friday, March 29th.  A winner will be selected by the Councilmember and will be eligible to receive four values words.  Please e-mail your submission to: mrabovsky@cityofsacramento.org

The Values Project is relying on a variety of funding:  crowdsourcing, angels, grants and businesses.  As a business owner for instance, your fee would cover your workshop and your painted words, as well as the workshop and words at a public school, non-profit, church or city lot of your choice.  The artist, Peter Hassen, is donating his time, so the $100 per word fee covers hard costs:  materials, painting and gas.

To find out more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please visit www.TheValuesProject.org.

Hey, District 5: How Does Your Garden Grow?

Do you have a great idea for your neighborhood? Or a way to bring people together around a common community need or improvement?   The District 5 Sacramento City Council Office is offering a total of $5,000 in seed grants ranging from $500 - $1,000 to neighborhood and community organizations.   

Recipients are awarded a maximum of $1,000 for physical improvements, marketing materials, community events, and other initiatives benefiting the community or increasing organizational capacity. Recipients are encouraged to use grant funds to leverage other funding sources and contributions.

Examples of potential projects include landscaping and beautification to areas of public access, community gardens, tree planting, and neighborhood signs. Projects can be sited either on private land--as long as the site is visible and accessible to all neighborhood residents--or on memorial squares, portions of city parks, or other public lands, pending city approval. Existing community gardens and pocket parks are also eligible.  

The goals of the program are to promote healthier, safer, and cleaner neighborhoods; to improve neighborhood appearance; to encourage neighborhood residents to engage in bettering their environment; to demonstrate collaboration with community groups and organizations; to develop leadership within the neighborhood; and to enhance partnerships between community organizations and the City.  

How to Apply: In 500 words or less describe how, if awarded, the funds would be used and how this would improve your community.
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee and should be received no later than March 1, 2013.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Councilmember Schenirer's office at 916-808-7005 or send an e-mail to rrruano@cityofsacramento.org.  Submit your application by: 

Email: rruano@cityofsacramento.org 

Fax: 916–264-7680 (Attention:  Rosio Ruano or Joe Devlin)

Mail:  Councilmember Jay Schenirer, 915 I Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814

11th Annual Passport to Summer and Your Future Fair

Senator Darrell Steinberg and Councilmember Jay Schenirer present the 11^th Annual Passport to Summer and Your Future Fair on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 1 pm to 4 pm, at the Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Sacramento).

Get resources for vocational training, higher education, volunteer opportunities, apprenticeships, and employment at this FREE event.  For more information, please contact Diana Cowan at 916-651-1529 or diana.cowan@sen.ca.gov.