Mountain Community Resources - "MCR Talk"

Announcing: The Italian Affaire 2009!

2009-07-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Italian food, local opera singers, live and silent auctions, good wine, the company of your friends and neighbors, and an opportunity to help support MCR's programs for the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley commnities... For several years running, MCR's Italian Affaire has been our major public fundraising event, and this year's event promises to be one of our best ever!

The Whole Affaire:
Friday, September 11, 2009 - 5:30-9:30 PM
Join us for dinner, wine, live music, and live and silent auctions benefiting Mountain Community Resources. $75/person. This event has sold out several years, so please order your tickets early if you are planning to attend!
Order tickets online, or send check to the address below.

A Sip of the Affaire:
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 4:00-7:00 PM
New this year! A special auction preview, wine, and appetizers, benefiting MCR. You will have the first opportunity to review the items for our Italian Affaire silent and live auctions and put in your bids early. $25/person.
Order tickets online, or send check to the address below.

NOTE: Each event requires a separate ticket!

To purchase tickets, click the links, above for online credit card orders, or mail your check to:

Mountain Community Resources
PO Box 105
Ben Lomond, CA, 95005

For more information, please call 831-335-6600

Welcome to Jennifer and Anna!

2009-07-08T11:07:00.001-07:00

It's an exciting time at Mountain Community Resources!

After a long search that included reviewing the resumes and qualifications of over 100 applicants, and a hiring committee that included Board members, staff, program participants, and community volunteers, MCR has hired our new permanent Executive Director, Jennifer Anderson-Bähr.

Jennifer started as ED on Monday, July 6, and is already hard at work reviewing programs and budgets and meeting everybody she needs to meet. Jennifer comes to MCR from the Firelight Foundation, where she worked to fund projects for families and children throughout Africa. She's looking forward to concentrating her work on improving her own community here in Santa Cruz County and getting to know all of MCR's loyal supporters and friends.

On Monday, we also welcomed our new Volunteer Coordinator, Anna Sullivan. Anna is a recent UCSC graduate who comes to us through the AmeriCorps VIP program. She will be getting our volunteer program up and running again and helping with community outreach.

The expansion of AmeriCorps is part of the President's efforts to increase volunteerism nationwide and is paid for through the federal stimulus package. VIPs commit to one year of service in their local communities and we're pleased to have been chosen to host Anna through our partnership with the Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County.

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer and Anna and starting a great new period for MCR!

Jennifer can be reached at 831-335-6601 or jennifer@mountaincommunityresources.org - Anna can be reached at 831-335-6609 or anna@mountaincommunityresources.org

GoodSearch & GoodShop for MCR

2009-07-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

Yet another way you can help MCR is by using GoodSearch for your Internet search engine. Simply select us as your designated agency and we'll earn small donations for each search you make as you surf the web!

GoodSearch also includes the GoodShop service. When you purchase items through GoodShop you link through to such online retailers as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Lands End, and many more, and a small percentage of your purchase will come back to support MCR!

Click the logo above or below to get started. And thank you!

Help MCR Recruit an AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator

2009-05-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

We at MCR are very pleased to have been given the opportunity to work with an AmeriCorps VIP Volunteer Coordinator in this upcoming fiscal year. Please help us to fill this position by passing this wonderful opportunity on to a bright, energetic and compassionate individual who is committed to working with individuals and families in need. Interviews are right around the corner (June 8-19) with a start date of July 1, 2009.

The Volunteer Coordinator is provided to MCR at no cost to us, but this is a paid position! AmeriCorps Members receive a modest living allowance stipend during their year of service. They also receive valuable community training through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County and MCR. (The AmeriCorps program is through the Volunteer Center, who then places the Volunteer Coordinators at agencies, such as MCR).

AmeriCorps Frequently Asked Questions

AmeriCorps Benefits

On-line Application - Santa Cruz County AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator Position

AmeriCorps Member Job Description:
* The AmeriCorps member will serve youth and families struggling economically and will help develop a volunteer program infrastructure at Mountain Community Resources.
* They will play an integral role in successfully generating, placing and supporting volunteers.
* The position provides an excellent opportunity to build capacity for an agency through hands-on engagement and management of volunteers.

Duties may include:
1. Collaborating with agency staff to identify volunteer needs and develop key volunteer job descriptions
2. Utilizing community resources and marketing tools for quick and easy recruitment.
3. Interviewing and recruiting potential volunteers
4. Developing a volunteer orientation plan for the agency, a volunteer welcome binder, and an on-going volunteer training plan for the agency
5. Creating a volunteer recognition opportunities guide for the agency and developing a plan for easy dissemination of the information.
6. Outreach to potential volunteers at community events.

Thank you for your support and for passing this message along to potential AmeriCorps VIP Members!

APPLY ONLINE FOR THE AMERICORPS OPPORTUNITY @ MCR

Felton Remembers Photos

2009-05-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

We all had a great time this morning at the Felton Remembers Parade and Festival today at the Covered Bridge Park! Several of MCR's staff and Board members took turns at our table, passing out information about low-cost health care, parenting classes, and all our other programs, and enjoying all the other booths, the live music, and the great food.

In this photo, MCR founder, Mary Hammer, talks with Santa Cruz County's 5th District Supervisor, Mark Stone, and California Assemblyman for the 27th District, Bill Monning - two great supporters of MCR over the years.

To see more pictures, please click this link.

More Teens Helping Out

2009-05-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, two young men from Scotts Valley High School came by the MCR office with a donation of $225!

Stuart Wilson created several pottery plates, a Saki set, and a casserole and then auctioned them off to raise the money. He's pictured here (on the right) with his friend, Jonathan Jih ("Seniors" shirt), delivering the check.

We're pleased to thank Stuart for using his creative talents to raise money for community programs that will help other teens who are less fortunate.

Felton Remembers - This Saturday

2009-05-21T06:48:00.001-07:00

We at MCR are looking forward to seeing all community members at the Felton Remembers Parade and Festival, this Saturday, May 23, at Covered Bridge Park.

We'll be at table number nine with information about all our programs, including low-cost and no-cost health care coverage that your family may be eligible for.

At the next table over, number eight, will be the CERT Program. Be sure to get information there about Emergency Response Training, and find out how you can become certified.

Come on by and say hello!

Swine Flu Information

2009-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

So far, Santa Cruz County has not had any reported cases of Swine Flu, although there are a couple of "probable" cases over the hill in Santa Clara County. As a precaution, we are posting a "Swine Flue Fact Sheet" below. For more information, you can visit the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency's Swine Flu page (click here).

H1N1 Influenza- “Swine Flu”

Like all influenza viruses (including human), swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by bird and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (that is, swap genes) and new viruses can emerge.

That is what has happened with the recent cases of H1N1 influenza. This form of the H1N1 swine flu virus has never been seen before, and it is also causing illness among humans in many countries, including the United States. It is a genetic mixture of viruses from pigs, birds, and people. Because it is a new virus, most people’s immune systems do not know how to fight this H1N1 virus. So, many people are susceptible to becoming ill. A variant of H1N1 caused the flu pandemic of 1918.

Symptoms of H1N1 Flu

The H1N1 flu symptoms are the same as for seasonal flu. These include sudden onset of:

headache
fever
chills
body aches
sore throat
non-productive cough
runny nose

Some people have also reported symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea with H1N1 flu.

When to Seek Medical Help

Most people get over the flu at home by getting plenty of bed rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking pain relievers to reduce fever and ease body aches. However, seek medical treatment when symptoms are very severe and quickly worsen. In addition, some people can become extremely ill with H1N1 flu and require hospitalization.

Stay Home

Anyone who is sick should stay home. Sick children and teens should be kept home and not allowed to go to school, to the mall or other public places, or to visit friends. People who are only mildly ill and don’t have other medical problems should stay home and rest.

Seek Emergency Medical Help

If you or a child in your household becomes sick and exhibits any of these warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

For children:

fast breathing or trouble breathing
bluish skin color
not drinking enough fluids
not waking up or not interacting
being so irritable the child does not want to be held
fever with a rash
flu-like symptoms that improve but return with a fever and worse cough

For adults:

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
sudden dizziness
confusion
severe or consistent vomiting

PLEASE: This is posted for informational purposes only and does not substitute for a call to your family physician if you have serious health concerns.

Derived from "Fact Sheets", Pandemic Preparedness Awareness Course: Instructor Manual - © 2007 ToucanEd Inc.

Seeking Experienced Executive Director

2009-04-29T15:27:00.001-07:00

Mountain Community Resources is seeking an new Executive Director (ED) to work collaboratively with public and private agencies and the community to deliver coordinated services via MCR. The ED directs MCR's functions by performing duties personally or through program supervisors, staff, and volunteers. The ED ensures the continuation of the organization through the generation of new funding and redirection of services through the center and monitors outcomes and evaluations of services.

Responsibilities include:

Fund development;
Organizational planning;
Staff supervision;
Manage capital campaign;
Program management and development;
Coordination with outside agencies;
Fiscal oversight;
Budget management;
Board communications;
Public relations;
Represent agency to elected officials and funders.

Requirements:

BA/BS degree, preferably in Social Services or related field;
Five years of management experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting, experience in a Human services agency a plus;
Proven track record of fund development;
Networking abilities, good people skills. and excellent relationship building skills;
Written and oral communications skills, including excellent presentation skills, research and networking abilities;
Knowledge of community disaster preparedness programs helpful.

Resume and letter of interest to: MCR - Attn: ED Search, PO Box 105, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 - Or email to ken@mountaincommunityresources.org - No faxes or phone calls, please.

Download full job announcement (pdf)

MCR & Prom Dress Giveaway in the news

2009-04-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

The big Prom Dress Giveaway is this weekend!

Here are a few nice mentions of it (and MCR's participation): In the Press Banner - And on KSBW.com.

Also: Don't forget The Human Race is coming soon! Click here to sponsor one of our walkers/runners or sign up to walk or run yourself!

Spring Newsletter Available

2009-04-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

MCR's spring newsletter has begun arriving in mailboxes throughout the San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and outlying areas. We hope that you enjoy reading it, and learn something new about our organization from it.

For those of you who are not on our mailing list, but would like to read the newsletter, please click here to download a pdf version of it.

April 18th & 19th is our Prom Dress Drive Event

2009-04-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

In collaboration with Classic Cleaners, Santa Cruz Councilman Tony Madrigal, Walnut Avenue Women’s Center, and Comerica bank, MCR will be hosting a 2-day prom dress fitting party for teen girls in the San Lorenzo Valley who would like to attend prom but may not have the financial resources to do so. MCR will also be accepting donations of new or gently used prom dresses to support this event. This is a county-wide event and there will also be dress fitting parties in Santa Cruz and Watsonville this same weekend.

If you have any questions about this event, or anything regarding the Teen programs,, please feel free to call Sara at 335-6302 or email sara@mountaincommunityresources.org.

Earthquake Preparedness Month & CERT

2009-04-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month, a good time to remember to set up or refresh your home emergency supplies. Saturday, April 18, a free Community Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the LDS Church, 220 Elk Street in Santa Cruz.

CERT is Community Emergency Response Training. A new CERT class starts in mid April at Felton Fire Station. The first five classes will be on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, with the sixth class on a Saturday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For more information , please call Liz at 335-6606 and leave your name, address, and phone number, or e-mail to volunteer@mountaincommunityresources.org

Community Forum Recap and Pics

2009-04-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few snapshots from the Community Forum we held last night at the Felton Fire House. About 45 people came to give us their feedback and opinions on MCR programs, site use, leadership, and fundraising. We broke out into four small groups to brainstorm ideas on each of those topics, and generated a lot of great information.

There's still time to help us in this data gathering by downloading the Forum Survey from the links below and mailing it in anytime this month.

Surveys are in pdf format - download free Adobe Reader if needed

Community Forum Surveys

2009-04-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that our Community Forum is tomorrow night, April 2, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Felton Fire House - click here for more details.

If you cannot make it to the Forum, we still want to hear from you!

The links below are to the surveys that will form the basis for much of our discussion tomorrow night. Please download them and return them to us anytime this month.

Surveys are in pdf format - download free Adobe Reader if needed

Successful Teen Yard Sale

2009-03-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

MCR's Teen Program Coordinator, Sara Siegel, reports that we had a very successful Teen Yard Sale this past Saturday. The Teens brought in many donated items and set-up in the MCR driveway. Homemade tamales were also a big draw.

The community came out to hunt for bargains, enjoy the tamales (which sold out, by the way), and support MCR. Altogether, between the yard sale and the food sales, the event raised close to $1,000. This money will be used to support Teen activities this coming summer.

Many thanks to Sara and all her teen volunteers, the tamales crew, and everybody who either donated or stopped by to purchase items!

Thank you Rotary!

2009-03-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

This morning I had the pleasure of being invited to the breakfast meeting of the San Lorenzo Valley Rotary to give a short presentation about MCR and the Human Care Alliance (HCA). The food was good, and the people wonderful. They listened attentively to my presentation and asked great questions. And, of course, I invited them all to our Community Forum, on April 2 (hint: you're invited too).

The Human Care Alliance is a group of about 60 nonprofit organizations throughout Santa Cruz County who come together to share ideas, collaborate on issues and programs, provide mutual assistance among nonprofit providers, and maintain services through noncompetitive cultivation of public and private funding and support.

MCR on Facebook

2009-03-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

Are you on Facebook? Mountain Community Resources is now on Facebook as well. You can visit our page there and become a "fan" of MCR. There's also a Support MCR cause application on Facebook that you can add to your page.

Article in Santa Cruz Sentinel

2009-03-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, MCR Co-Chair Eric Hammer, MCR Founder Mary Hammer, and I had the pleasure of meeting with J.M Brown from the Santa Cruz Sentinel. We talked with him for about an hour about MCR's future plans including surviving through the tough economy, the capital campaign, hiring a permanent ED, and our place in the community.

His article is in this morning's paper and can be read online at: MCR launches capital campaign to buy building.

Community Forum Announced

2009-03-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Mountain Community Resources will be holding a Community Forum on Thursday, April 2, 2009, to gather community input on our plans for the coming year.

As you probably know, we're in the midst of a search for a new Executive Director (I am interim only), as well as assessing our programming to continue to meet community needs while responding to expected reductions in donations and grants. A Capital Campaign, to purchase the building they are currently leasing from the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District is also ongoing.

The Forum will take place at the Felton Fire Station, from 6:30-8:00 PM on Thursday, April 2. All interested community members are invited to attend and bring their idea

For more information and directions to the fire house, please see mountaincommunityresources.org/communityforum.html

Two Upcoming Fundraisers for MCR

2009-03-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

As you saw in our previous posting, we've just completed a very successful Phonathon! But, in this challenging economy, we have to keep going with more fundraising each and every month. Here are two upcoming events that promise to be a lot of fun, as well as help bring in needed funds:

Saturday, March 28, 2009: The kids from MCR's Teen Programs will be holding a Yard Sale in our parking lot from 9 AM to 2 PM. Fresh, yummy, homemade tamales will also be available. Come down to support the teens and MCR, have a tamale, and hunt for some bargains too! 6134 Highway 9, Felton (the building with the Green Heart, across from Rite Aid).

Saturday, May 9, 2009: The Human Race is an annual fun run/walk event for nonprofits throughout Santa Cruz County. MCR is participating again this year. To learn more, join the team as a walker/runner, or to pledge to one of the team members, please click here!.

MCR RAISES $27,500 IN SUCCESSFUL PHONATHON (Press Release)

2009-03-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

Felton, CA, March 11, 2009 – Despite a shrinking economy and a general decrease in charitable contributions, Mountain Community Resources (MCR) today announced it has completed its most successful Phonathon event ever, with over $27,500 in pledges; a 14% increase over last year.

MCR holds their Phonathon each year during February using a theme of “Give the Gift of Love.” MCR board members, staff, and community volunteers pick up the phones each weekday evening to remind supporters of the need for their services, and to ask them to renew their commitment to MCR by making a financial pledge for the coming year.

This year, according to Phonathon Chairperson Vicki Dyas, 118 volunteers either made calls, or served as the “Captains” who manage each evening’s activities. This year’s volunteers ranged from a homeless gentleman who participates in MCR programs to local school district superintendent, Julie Haff. “We’d like to thank each of these volunteers,” Ms. Dyas said, “Their support for MCR is overwhelming, and the money they raised will be used to provide much needed services to the community in this challenging economy.”

MCR Co-Chair, Eric Hammer, said, “We’d also like to thank Vicki for her leadership in this event, as well as MCR’s dedicated staff, and board member Pat Armstrong for the critical support that made this event happen.” Co-Chair Joan McVay added, “And, of course, thanks to the hundreds of community residents who opened their hearts and wallets to us in this time of great need.”

MCR receives approximately half of its funding from the County of Santa Cruz, and, according to Interim Executive Director, Ken Goldstein, is bracing itself for considerable cuts coming later this year. Other support comes from foundations and individual donors. Donations are also accepted on the MCR web site at mountaincommunityresources.org.

ABOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Mountain Community Resources (MCR) is a Family Resource Center serving the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley Communities since 1982. MCR’s programs range from community emergency preparedness to one-on-one assistance for personal crises, such as a loss of housing, employment, or health insurance. Programs for new parents, teens, and those seeking to learn English as a Second Language are also available.

Welcome to the MCR Talk Blog!

2009-03-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hello! And Welcome to a whole new way to keep in touch with Mountain Community Resources your Family Resource Center for the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley community.

In the past we've sent you newsletters or appeal letters, and each February we've called you during our annual Gift of Love Phonathon. We'll still be using those communication methods, but the addition of a blog will give us another way to get news out to the community in a much more immediate and frequent manner (and at far less cost).

Each blog post also has a spot for you to leave us comments on what's going on, keeping the communication going in both directions.

This is just the beginning of our experimentation with Social Media and Web 2.0. Soon, you can look for us to have a Facebook Cause Page, and maybe we'll even start tweeting over at Twitter. Who knows? Maybe you'll even see highlights of our next Italian Affaire fundraiser pop up on YouTube.