Imagine a safe, diverse and thriving community where kids walk to quality schools, people of all ages enjoy parks, community facilities, and winding trails, and quality housing - regardless of income - meet the needs of all families.

This vision is becoming a reality through the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE). With a focus on improving the quality of life for youth and families, NURVE is a collaborative effort between the Richmond Community Foundation and various City, County and community entities. NURVE aims to revitalize the economy and improve quality of life in southern and central Richmond through building projects, initiatives and community partnerships, and greater connections between stakeholders.

Our urban neighborhoods are facing a public health crisis that includes childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. According to the Contra Costa County Health Services Department, African Americans and Latinos living in Richmond are most at risk for obesity as measured by the body mass index and 1 out of every 4 children is currently overweight or obese putting them at high risk of diabetes and other chronic disease. Our community is ranked among the top 10 communities in California at highest risk of obesity and diabetes because of our Retail Food Environment Index that compares fastfood and convenience markets to grocery stores that carry a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Youth Advisory Council represents the youth voice in the Santa Fe and Coronado neighborhoods. They are young leaders, ages 14 - 21, who live in and are affected by what happens in these neighborhoods. The Council grew out of work undertaken by students at Kennedy High School in the Spring of 2008 to improve conditions at the local community center and park.

In 2005, 27 non-profits, county agencies, local, state and federal government representatives, community members, and foundations joined forces to create the Building Blocks for Kids (BBK) Collaborative. This place-based collaborative has focused on the children and families in the Iron Triangle. With the Harlem Children’s Zone as its model, BBK is committed to doing whatever is needed to reverse the present reality of poor health, low academic achievement, violence and crime, and persistent poverty for the children in the BBK “zone.”

The SparkPoint Center model builds on best practices from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Centers for Working Families and regional United Way of America prosperity hub efforts. These family-friendly centers help low wage workers achieve prosperity, bringing together nonprofit and government partners to offer integrated, complementary services in one convenient location. Services include credit counseling, foreclosure assistance, workforce training, referrals to banking services and savings programs, and home ownership workshops.

SparkPoint West Contra Costa Center brings together a variety of public and private stakeholders in Richmond, California. The partners are moving to develop and implement strategies that empower people to achieve long-term financial stability that leads to independence.

This represents a best practice model that shows great promise for significant and measurable community impact. It also represents a long term commitment on behalf of the SparkPoint partners to economic recovery.

RCF has been selected to serve as the lead agency for the SparkPoint initiative. The SparkPoint West Contra Costa Center is located at 2727 Macdonald Avenue, and opened in June 2011. View the Press Release.

Download the current Workshop Calendar.

www.sparkpointcenters.org

Richmond Community Foundation and the Volunteer Center of the East Bay have formed a new partnership. The Volunteer Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism throughout the San Francisco East Bay Area. More than 15,000 people find volunteer opportunities through the center each year.

As part of our continuing efforts to engage resident leaders and serve Richmond community-based organizations, RCF is proud to be the Volunteer Center's host site in Richmond.

Grounded on a strong, shared culture of volunteerism and community service, we are eager to work together to connect volunteers with local organizations, offer volunteer management trainings to nonprofits, and help build a corps of Richmond volunteers. Contact RCF to learn more, or visit the Volunteer Center website to volunteer, register an organization, or submit a volunteer opportunity.

www.volunteereastbay.org