September 2018 - 2-1-1 Sacramento Newsletter

June 2018

As kids we all longed for that final school bell that kicked off the freedom of those long summer days and warm summer nights. Youthful summers were when life was simple. They were when we swam, rode our bikes and explored our worlds till the long shadows chased away the day. We want everyone to have the chance to make those cherished childhood memories, while ensuring that Sacramento's youth are happy, safe and thriving. As such, this season we highlight a number of programs that support our youth and families.

From all of us at 2-1-1 Sacramento, be well and we wish you and your loved ones a memorable summer.

Very Respectfully,

Gabriel Kendall

Director of Community Relations & Program Development, 2-1-1 Sacramento

Sacramento Public Library

916-264-2920

www.saclibrary.org

Lunch @ the Library

The Sacramento Public Library is more than just a place to go find a good book to read! You probably know that you can check out books, movies and music and you may know that services at the library include adult learning, homework help, and one-on-one job coaching. But did you know that lunch is available at thirteen library locations this summer?

From June 12 ^th – August 3 ^rd bring your kids and teens 18 years and younger to one of the participating locations for lunch. Free healthy meals are provided every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. Monday lunches are available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library and Valley Hi-North Laguna Library. No signups or documentation is needed; kids can just show up. Meals must be eaten on site and children must take the entire meal, including milk.

Summer Food Programs throughout Sacramento County are designed to provide meals for children 18 years of age and younger when school is out and Lunch @ the Library is a way to keep children and teens nourished while engaging their minds. While you are at the library check out some of these recommended books and be part of Sacramento Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge! Join 40,000 readers of all ages who sign up, read books and win prizes all summer long. Find out more at saclibrary.org/summer.

For more information about Lunch @ the Library or the Summer Meal Program and other locations in Sacramento County simply dial 2-1-1 or 916-498-1000. Our Information & Referral Specialists are here to help you seven days a week, 24-hours a day in multiple languages.

Image COURTESY OF Stockvault

Sacramento County

3-1-1 or 916-875-4311

www.saccounty.net

It's Swim Season – Make a Healthy Splash!

As the weather heats up in Sacramento County, residents will be heading to the water to cool off. Whether it’s a public swimming pool, water park, or our lakes and rivers, you should be aware of healthy swimming behaviors

Swimming is fun and has great healthful benefits from the physical activity, but that’s why it’s also important to keep it clean. The water we swim in is rarely germ free. Even when the concentration of pool chemicals is well maintained, or a lake or river looks clear, bacteria and microorganisms can still be present.

Protect your health with a few steps to keep germs out of the water and off you:

· Keep it clean - stay out of the water if you feel ill; shower before you get in; have everyone get out to take bathroom breaks every hour; and don’t swallow the water.

Healthy swimming habits for anyone enjoying public lakes, rivers and waterways:

· Do not drink recreational water or use the water for cooking.

· Do not enter the water if you have cuts or open sores, as these are pathways for bacteria to enter your body.

· Avoid algae blooms (brightly colored water) and trash in the water.

· Wash your hands or shower after swimming.

· Pay attention and follow any warning signs and postings. Do not access a water body if posted warnings indicate it is not safe to do so.

· Contact your healthcare provider if you have concerns regarding your health after swimming in recreational waters.

If you are going to the American River Parkway , check out the Sacramento County Regional Parks Healthy Swimming Status web page or if you want to find a public pool, spray park, or swim lessons, check out the website that has a collection of park information in the County: Your Sacramento Area Parks .

Article contributed by Brenda Bongiorno, Sacramento County Communication and Media

Volunteer Income Tax Assista nce (VITA)

916-368-3000

www.yourlocalunitedway.org

Summer Tax Appointments

Mid-January through mid-April is a very busy time at 2-1-1 Sacramento! Our Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists received over 10,000 calls in 2018 from people wanting to make a free tax preparation appointment during the regular filing season.

Did you know that once the tax deadline has passed, you can still call 2-1-1 Sacramento to make a free tax appointment with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program?

Through our partnership with United Way California Capital Region, limited VITA appointments are available locally during the late spring and throughout the summer at the South Natomas Community Center in Sacramento. Click here for more details.

You may be eligible for a free appointment if you earn $54,000 or less. In addition, our site accommodates those with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency.

Trained volunteers will help you see if you qualify for state and federal tax credits that help you keep more of your hard earned money.

Call 2-1-1 Sacramento to make an appointment Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm. You can simply dial three easy numbers: 2-1-1, or call 916-498-1000. An I&R Specialist can determine if you qualify, make an appointment for you, and let you know what documents to bring.

Image COURTESY OF PEXELS

Sacramento Public Library

916-264-2920

www.saclibrary.org

Reading Buddies

Opening books means opening windows of opportunity!

Does your child need help with reading in English? Join Reading Buddies at the Arcade library, where children work on their reading skills and volunteer mentors give feedback! Children can bring their own book or pick one out with help from their mentor and library staff. This program is designed for elementary- and middle school-aged children, but high schoolers are also welcome. The aim of the program is to help children develop lifelong skills that can be applied to anything they read, as well as a love of reading itself; peer-to-peer help; and small-scale socialization.

Children can drop in anytime on Saturdays from 2—3 p.m.; mentors will be sitting at tables in the children’s area with a READING BUDDIES flyer.

This is an initiative of the Arcade library’s Saturday Service Team of 12-19-year-olds, which meets one to two times each month to work on community service projects and help make the library a great place for youth. Their goals include helping people in their communities develop communication skills; educating one another; and providing opportunities within the library. SST members are advocates for an environment in which their communities can be provided with opportunities to grow and develop new interests.

Image COURTESY OF PEXELS .

SUCCESS STORY

One morning, not too long ago, our Call Center Manager received a call from a very appreciative senior living on a fixed income. The caller was seeking information about reapplying for Medi-Cal benefits. Rather than simply providing the number to the DHA office or Sacramento Covered to apply, the Information & Referral Specialist invested the time in educating her about changes in Medi-Cal programming, detailing newly reinstated coverage areas and really helping her understand the process. It was clear from her follow up call that she felt encouraged and empowered with the information and really appreciated the time he invested with her.

2-1-1 Would Like to Thank the following:

2-1-1 SACRAMENTO

8001 Folsom Boulevard Suite 100

Sacramento, CA 95826

(916) 447-7063 Phone

(916) 779-3335 Fax

www.211sacramento.org

[email protected]