project680.org

Aon is an international company and they have an office located in Sacramento. They approched Project 680 a couple of months ago to discuss partnering with us for their “United Day” where they do outreach in the community. This morning they invited us out for breakfast and to pick up some fantastic health kit bags for local homeless students. These bags will be directed to families within the Folsom Cordova School District through partnership with the District Liaison for Homeless Services. These hygiene / health kits are very relevant and they will promote health among local families in need.

Thank you Aon and Marie & Bonnie for their hard work putting this effort together. See Aon’s website at www.aon.com for details on their company.  Aon employees have been a remarkable example of doing something very practical to meet some basic needs among local homeless students. Bravo!!!

Great work everyone!!!

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You’ve probably heard the great news by now that the city of Rancho Cordova was designated last Friday as an “All-America City” by the National Civic League. Project 680 was a part of the delegation from Rancho Cordova to make the trek to Kansas City and we are very proud to have played a role in Rancho Cordova’s selection as an “All-America City”.

Below is a video of Charlene Hunt in Kansas City. You can watch six other videos here too. Thank you everyone for your support. This award is the result of a profound community effort. Thank YOU for making a difference.

You can see our team’s presentation here, some of Andy Gee’s photos here, several videos I shot here, and follow the #allamericacity twitter stream too.

NOTE: Project 680 supports homeless students in both Rancho Cordova and Folsom. We advocate for kids throughout the FCUSD.

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From Ryan: As you may know, I’ll be heading to Kansas City next week as a part of delegation from the city of Rancho Cordova for the All-America City Awards. I wanted to invite you to follow this exciting journey next Wednesday through Friday through videos, Facebook & Twitter. Technology is going to help us connect!!! It should be great fun. Watch the video below or here.

I’ll be posting from Kansas City mainly from my Twitter account @SacAppraiser and I’ll be getting some videos up at www.facebook.com/Project680 (directly on my YouTube page at www.youtube.com/lundquistco). The official hash-tag on Twitter is #AllAmericaCity (note it is not “American”, but “America”). I’d love to hear from you during my stint in Kansas City. Your support will be a huge encouragement.

We are a team in Project 680, and it’s a real honor to represent the team in Kansas City next week. Go Rancho Cordova!!!!

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Article by Debbie Lewis (photo by Melissa Corker)

One of the things I love about working at the California Department of Education is the desire and opportunity of the staff to collectively make a difference in the world around us. I want to thank everyone for their participation in the April sock drive. CDE raised 512 pairs of socks contributing to the Project680 grand total of 2,725 pairs of socks. I also wanted to share with you a snapshot of a conversation I recently had with Charlene Hunt, Resource Teacher and Homeless Liaison, Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD).  

Charlene told me a story about one rainy day in the 2003/04 school year when a kid came in and asked for another pair of socks to keep his feet warm. From the top, his shoes looked to be in good condition, from the bottom however, there were holes in his overly worn soles. This too familiar exchange inspired the first community shoe event which consisted of asking friends, family, and local community groups to donate gift cards for shoes.

Subsequent drives for shoes, socks or underwear have been held yearly. “The need for basic essentials is great among these kids. Physical Education teachers have reported that kids will choose poorer grades over the embarrassment of changing clothes revealing their often ill fitted or ragged undergarments. Items donated keep the kids warm and protected so they can focus on academics rather than discomfort and shame. For kids, receiving essentials like socks, underwear and shoes let’s them know that they are cared for, not just equipped with the basics of education.”

The most encouraging part of our discussion was when she shared how liaisons watch over these kids throughout their educational years. In the course of the last 11 years, the academic performances and attentive engagement of hundreds of students have increased. And each year since the program started every single senior with the exception of 2 kids has graduated high school. Our district liaisons stay connected with the kids until they get to college or a vocational school. Clearly intervention makes a difference to help these impoverished yet gifted and talented kids finish school.

When asked for a quote about project680, the catalyst for our CDE sock drive, Charlene spoke of the founder Ryan Lundquist. “He observed the need, listened with his heart and shared the need with friends who listened with their hearts. They simply spread the word and put it out there.” Thank you for listening with your heart CDE.

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Google has a new feature called “search story” where you can create a story of a google search. I know, it sounds a bit geeky, but if’s free and interesting. Check out the one we did for Project 680 below (or HERE). What do you think?

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We’re excited to announce that Project 680 is being featured as part of the package for Rancho Cordova’s selection as a finalist for the All-America City Award. If you did not see the press release this past week from the Cordova Community Council, give it a read below to get more information. Cool stuff, huh?

The National Civic League this week named Rancho Cordova among the finalists for the 2010 All-America City Award, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious civic recognition award.

The finalist status sets in motion an eight-week sprint to pull together a delegation and presentation and raise funds for a trip during which Rancho Cordova will make its case to be awarded what has been described as the “Nobel Prize” of civic accomplishment.   The competition will be held in Kansas City June 16-18.   “These are some of the most innovative communities in the country,” said National Civic League President Gloria Rubio-Cortez of the finalists. “They give us hope and inspiration and teach us important lessons about leveraging the civic energy of ordinary people to address difficult challenges during some tough economic times.”   To become a finalist, each participant completed an application documenting three community projects that address their most pressing challenges. Each finalist will send a delegation to Kansas City to tell their stories of positive community change to a jury of civic experts. The 10 All-America Cities will be announced on June 18.   The Rancho Cordova application was crafted by the Cordova Community Council and features three signature projects which will be examined by a national panel of judges. One of the projects must focus on youth.   Rancho Cordova’s application includes:

• Project 680, the grassroots effort led by Cordova Towne neighborhood activist Ryan Lundquist, which collects everyday items such as socks, underwear and shoes to benefit homeless children in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. The project draws its name from the 680 children who have been identified as homeless in the FCUSD.(Project 680 is a 2010 Cordova Community Council Volunteer Awards winner. Read all about it at www.cordovacouncil.org.)
• Rancho Cordova Cultural Heritage (Saturday) Schools, a collaborative effort of immigrant parents and the Folsom Cordova Unified School District to preserve and honor arts and culture of mother countries. The project builds bridges between immigrant groups and the community at-large, has improved academic performance among immigrant children and has provided for cultural enrichment for the entire population of the city.(Learn more about iFest at www.cordovacouncil.org)
• The Rancho Cordova City Hall project, which is providing a “civic heart” for the new city, incubating business and community engagement, as well as serving as a home for municipal services. The City Hall project has fostered important civic links as the community matures as an incorporated city and is a symbol of change and progress in a city striving to change its image.

“We are proud of our application and think that it reflects what we are all about at this point in our civic history,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. “It showcases how people work with business, work with government and work together across many sectors to improve our community. It is about our collaborative, unfaltering belief in our bright future.”   This is the second bite at the apple for Rancho Cordova, which was named a 2009 All America City finalist, and was the youngest city in the competition last year.

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We’ll be collecting NEW “no show” ankle socks for teens and elementary age students. We will be gathering socks from now through May 8, 2010. Why? Because this is a relevant and practical need among homeless students in the FCUSD. Why “no show” ankle socks? Because that’s what the kids like these days.

As a community team, our goal is to collect at least 2000 pairs of socks so that we can build up a reserve to resource local homeless students with socks through the next year (or longer).

You are invited to join forces with the Project 680 team. We encourage local residents, churches, businesses and organizations to get involved – AND to get creative where possible about collecting socks. All ages are encouraged to participate too. If you are interested in donating socks, you are welcome to drop them off at any location listed HERE or bring them on the day of the community bike ride. Financial donations can also be made if you wish (click here for details).

Together we can make a difference!!! We will make a difference!!!

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I’m so glad you asked. We will be riding on paved trails along the American River. The terrain is mostly flat, with a few very small inclines here and there. There are two rides – a short one and a longer one. On May 8, 2010, a group of riders will go from Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova to River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park – about 20-25 minutes on the bike). This ride is a perfect beginner ride and doable for just about anyone. Riders are encouraged to bring a sack lunch too because there will be a time to rest and enjoy company of others before heading back to Hagan Park. Another group of riders will journey from Hagan Park to Folsom (to Bicycles Plus). This ride is the more experienced ride and will equal about 30 miles round trip.

The American River Trails are an absolutely amazing place to ride a bike. If you have not yet discovered the beauty and wonder of the trails, consider joining us. However, be careful because you might find something you really love!!!

The following was put together by me (Ryan) a year or so ago. Keep in mind these are photos I took of the trails while riding a bike. I thought it would be creative to make a little “video” of images of the parkway. This is what we’re going to be riding on May 8, 2010, and I wanted you to have a good sense in case you’ve never enjoyed the trails before.

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We’re very aware that our community bike ride on May 8, 2010 won’t appeal to everyone. That’s okay because there are so many non-biking ways you can be involved in with the Project 680 Sock Drive. You are absolutely invited to donate socks, be a drop-off location, help out in other specific ways (see HERE), or put some of your creative ideas into effect (we’d love to hear what you come up with).

Here’s the deal on money. If things are so tight for you right now and you really want to come on the bike ride, please don’t even worry about the $5.00 donation we have suggested per rider (or $10.00 per household). This economy is not an easy one, and money should not hold anyone back from participating. Seriously!!!

It’s very powerful when we get together and show our solidarity for a cause, so let’s flex some group muscle and pedal on May 8, 2010 together as a way to adovocate for homeless students in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.

Together we can do it!!!

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We are very excited to partner with www.BottlecapMagnets.com to offer handmade and original Project 680 bottlecap magnets to the community. We made these caps available previously during our shoe drive and since they were a bit hit, well continue to offer them to the community for our current sock drive. You can get on or before the day of the bike ride on May 8, 2010.

When someone donates $10 for a magnet, 100% of your donation will go toward supporting the needs of the Folsom Cordova District Liaison for Homeless Services. Email or call 916-595-3735 for details.

Bottlecap Magnets are sealed with a clear and smooth surface similar to glass and each is handmade. They are perfect for the fridge, office or even a gift, and theyll be available early next week for as long as supplies last. The great thing too is that a magnet on the fridge or at the office can be a sweet reminder of the good work you did by providing socks for needy students

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I’m not a big fan of bumper stickers. I just don’t believe neat little word compilations stuck to the back of our cars really sum up life or serve as platforms to live by most of the time. However, I’ll admit I’ve been thinking about a little bumper nugget lately.

The statement “If not you, then who?” has been whirling through my mind, and it won’t leave me alone. I’m struck by the responsibility and joy of choosing to be a part of solving problems in the community, and I’m sincerely sobered at the reality that I can impact lives by the choices I make – by simply being available to listen to what is going on around me and then responding in practical ways. On the other hand, it’s sobering to think that nobody can live out a vision for me – that’s up to me. And if I don’t put my hand to the plow, there’s no guarantee that someone else will.

If not me, then who? I guess I don’t want to wait around to see who may or may not pick up the ball for me. There are certain things in life that we just need to do. There is a sense of “right time right place”, and so our busy schedules are pushed to the side or adapted as they need to be, and somehow we find energy and even enthusiasm to help an idea blossom.

I wanted to share this as an encouragemnt to continue to dream big, uncover vision, listen to the needs in our community, and find very practical ways to give feet to the desires that are brewing inside of you. This isn’t even about Project 680 per se, though I see a multitude of locals who are becoming captured by a vision to do something about student homelessness.  This is more about just responding to what you need to respond to and finding ways to actualize your dreams.

If you’ve been flirting with an idea for the community for a while, how about considering what it might look like in coming months to give it a real run for the money. What are your dreams, and how you can begin to carry them out? If not you, then who?

Go for it!!! 

Ryan

p.s. No offense to anyone who loves bumper stickers. More power to you. 

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We are very excited about having two different bike rides on the same day of our community ride. Why are we doing this? We want this event to cater to people who have not ridden in many years (and are able to ride 20 minutes one way, eat a sack lunch, and then ride 20 minutes back), and we also want to attract more avid riders who can knock out 30 miles. Last time we did a community bike ride it was very successful, but we quickly learned that the short ride was way too short – especially for the avid biker crowd.

We will meet at 2197 Chase Drive in Rancho Cordova between 9:30-10:00am on May 8, 2010. We are meeting in the free parking lot next to Cordova High School (you do not have to pay for parking). The short ride will be about 20 minutes or so from Hagan Park to River Bend Park (formerly Goethe Park – just before the big bridge). The longer ride will go from Hagan Park to Bicycle’s Plus in Folsom at 705 Gold Lake Drive Folsom, CA 95630 (this bike shop is roughly 15 miles from Hagan Park and is located immediately off of the bike trail). 

See www.project680.org/biking-for-socks for more information.

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We are looking for about a dozen locations to be a “drop-off” for the Project 680 Sock Drive (“Biking for Socks”). Between now and the end of our sock drive on May 8, 2010 we’d love to see households, businesses and churches serve as locations where people in the community can drop off donations of new socks. If you’re interested, please contact us at 916-595-3735 or on the form below (please include your address).

We are planning to begin posting drop-off locations on our website next week, so let us know soon. Also, we’ve found that the best results usually occur at your location when you let friends, neighbors and co-workers know that you are serving as a drop-off place.

Thank you for your support.

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