Our newest SSP swag items! Get yours by signing up as a new 12xSSP donor, or increasing your gift.

February is 12xSSP Month!

Happy February! This month, we will celebrate our community of 12xSSP monthly donors, 140+ people who sustain SSP's work with our partner communities. They give $5 per month, $400 per month, and every amount in between.

They give for many reasons…

“Because youth need to experience a loving community, and the joy of serving others.”

- Tony Gnecco, adult volunteer and board member

“Because I use skills I learned at SSP every day! Passing on my gratitude brings me joy!”

- Amanda Dez-Patt, summer staff alum

This year, monthly donors will provide SSP with 5% of our total operating income! Our goal is to raise $1,000 in additional monthly giving by February 29.

If you set up a new gift of $20 per month – or increase your current gift by $10 – we'll send you a token of our thanks; your choice of a new youth-designed SSP tote bag OR a copy of "All Eyes on Me," a collection of Diné (Navajo) poetry.

Youth Advisory Council: Annual Retreat Recap

YAC members cleaned up the beach in Montara during their annual retreat last month.

What is bright, helps with navigation, and can be seen from afar? A lighthouse! 

SSP’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) had a blast gathering at their annual retreat the last weekend of January. This year, the council stayed at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel and worked on a beach clean-up to serve the local area. Together, the 14 youth and 3 advisors spent a half day visiting four beaches to pick up trash, keeping our beautiful coasts clean!

Of course, it wouldn’t be an SSP experience without fun and thoughtful conversations. The council also spent time bonding over games, home-cooked meals, and discussions about SSP’s programs and future. 

Check out highlights from the YAC retreat weekend on Instagram to see what the council is up to this spring and summer!

Local Supporter Gatherings..and Donuts Near You!

Staff alumni gathered in San Francisco last month. We have more regional gatherings planned!

We’ll be having several local SSP supporter gatherings in the coming weeks and months, and we want to see you! All local supporters – especially summer staff alumni – are invited. 

Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ: Friday, 2/16 at 6:00 pm in North Scottsdale, at the home of one of our board members. The address will be sent to those who RSVP by email or on our Facebook event.

Tucson, AZ: Monday, 2/19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Mountain Mike’s Pizza at 4632 N Oracle Road. They will donate 20% of purchases from all SSP supporters who visit on the 19th and mention us! This promotion is active all day, but this is the time window we’ll be hanging out. Come meet Gage Neumann, who has been on staff in Del Norte County the last two years, and just started in our central office!

Contact us to RSVP for one of our Arizona gatherings, or invite Gage to speak with your community during his trip to Phoenix and Tucson: Friday 2/16 to Monday 2/19.

Sacramento 

We appreciate everyone who came out to join us for dinner in Elk Grove last month! Thanks to your support, Jack’s Urban Eats will be donating $186 to support SSP’s programs.

Save the Date: We’ll be hosting a gathering of Sacramento-area supporters on Saturday, March 16th. Exact time and location to be determined. Let us know if you’re interested in attending so we can keep you in the loop.

🍩 All Over the Country! 🍩

We are also participating in Krispy Kreme’s fundraising partnership, Digital Dozens! You can purchase a certificate through SSP -- redeemable for a dozen original glazed donuts -- at any Krispy Kreme location nationwide. Digital certificates are $14 each ($4 off the in-store price). 

This is a great option if your church, social club, class, business, or family needs baked goods in the morning. Half of each dozen purchased goes to support youth development through SSP’s programs! Redemption links will be emailed to you within one business day after you buy your dozens, and printed certificates can be redeemed in-store.

PS - Don't see your region listed? We’d love for you to host a supporter gathering near you! Reach out if you’re interested.

Alumni + Friends Week July 21-26: Staff alumni, family, and friends are invited to join us as volunteers in the Navajo Nation this summer for a Sunday-Friday week, July 21-26! Reconnect with alumni from your staffing era, and get to know the alumni and beloved traditions from other eras as well. You can sign up as an individual or get the crew back together to form a group. Contact us with questions!

Workforce Development with SSP in Rancho Cordova: This spring, SSP will be employing 7 young adults to be a part of the Rancho Cordova Home Repair Academy, a workforce development program to provide young adults with job experience and community and career connections. SSP is now hiring 6 local Academy fellows and 1 supervisor, ages 18-30, for the spring. Learn more and apply now!

Staff-in-Training (SIT) at SSP: Designed for recent high school graduates interested in SSP summer staff, this volunteer opportunity allows you to shadow each job role on-site! Applications for serving as an SIT this summer are open; must be 18 or older by June 30. Learn more about this program and apply!

Still Accepting Staff Interest: Curious about staffing this summer, but unsure of your schedule? Reach out to let us know! Even though we will be making hiring decisions for teams soon, we occasionally have spaces open in the spring and it’s helpful to have folks we can call upon to fill these positions. Contact Megan to express interest in staffing this summer!