Yolo Crisis Nursery Groundbreaking

On October 12th, Supervisor Provenza joined with other local elected officials, community leaders, and directors and staff from the Yolo Crisis Nursery to mark the groundbreaking of the new Yolo Crisis Nursery facility in District 4.

Supervisor Provenza joined Assembly Speaker Pro-Tempore Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Oscar Villegas to give remarks at the groundbreaking event. The three elected leaders were joined by other distinguished speakers, including Crisis Nursery Board President Jennifer Thayer, Yolo Crisis Nursery's "Brighter Tomorrows" Campaign Chair Jane Eadie, Sutter Health's Community Health Director Kelly Brenk, Yolo County Mental Health Director Karleen Jakowski, and the Yolo Crisis Nursery's Executive Director Heather Sleuter. Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony also heard directly from former clients about the ways their lives were changed by the Yolo Crisis Nursery.

In his remarks, Supervisor Provenza emphasized the incredible accomplishment that the groundbreaking ceremony represented. The Supervisor emphasized the growth the Yolo Crisis Nursey has experienced from becoming a nonprofit in 2014 to becoming one of the most successful youth serving organizations in Yolo County.

Supervisor Provenza also remarked upon how important the contributions of the Yolo County community were in securing funding for the new Crisis Nursery facility, emphasizing that while Yolo County had allocated $1.5 million in American Rescue Act Funds to help get the project over the finish line, the total need could not have been filled by government contributions alone. The contributions of so many individuals and organizations in the community, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Sutter Health, were essential to the success of this project.

Supervisor Provenza is excited to see the new facility once it is open and looks forward to supporting the Crisis Nursery for many years to come.

Welcome Jamie Johnson to Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance

Supervisor Provenza is excited to welcome Jamie Johnson as the new Executive Director of the Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance (YHAA). Jamie stepped into the role in mid-August after an extensive search was conducted to replace Sheila Allen, current Deputy Supervisor for District 4.

Jamie was an exceptionally qualified candidate with over 20 years of supervisory experience and prior experience serving as executive director for multiple non-profits. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director for the Marshall Foundation for Community Health in Placerville, California, the role that brought him to his current home in California and gave him experience in blending his prior experience in the health field with broader non-profit management.

Jamie's educational background includes a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Education in Counseling which he earned at Bridgewater State University.

YHAA serves as the nexus organization for older adult services in Yolo County. The nonprofit is known for providing a number of programs to aid older adults, including advocacy, case management, and numerous projects to assist seniors in their day to day lives.

The Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance also engages in collaborative efforts with a number of other groups, including Meals on Wheels, the Area 4 Agency on Aging, Resources for Independent Living, and the Yolo County Commission on Aging and Adult Services. Jamie looks forward to continuing these collaborations and is well situated to continue YHAA's essential services in our community.

Agency on Aging Celebrates their 50th Anniversary

District 4 staff had the opportunity to join the Agency on Aging \ Area 4 (AAA4) for their 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 28th. AAA4 is a regional joint powers nonprofit which serves 7 counties in the greater Sacramento region, including Yolo County.

The Area Agency on Aging system was established in 1972 following an amendment to the "Older Americans Act" which passed in 1965 as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" program. Area Agencies on Aging focus on providing services and programs to older adults to promote their health and help them live independently for as long as possible.

The celebration of AAA4's anniversary was held at the area agency offices in Sacramento on September 28th. Deputy Supervisor Sheila Allen provided remarks on behalf of Supervisor Provenza, along with former Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, and keynote speaker Susan Demarois, the Director of the California Department of Aging. The event featured a silent auction to raise funds for the programs and services provided by AAA4 with baskets donated by each of the member counties (Yolo County's contribution can be viewed below).

Supervisor Provenza also presented a resolution at the September 12th Board of Supervisors meeting congratulating the Agency on Aging \ Area 4 for their 50th anniversary. AAA4 Executive Director Pam Miller was present to accept the resolution (right insert picture).

More information about the Agency on Aging \ Area 4 on their website at: https://agencyonaging4.org/