A great group of people who Genuinely care about helping…read morepeople in need. I highly recommend Them.

I have only donated here. Very easy to donate, staff seems kind but be mindful of what you coaster…read more I have donated things that in hindsight I don't think a homeless person would benefit from (decor) and they...took it? Wouldve been better to put on a buy nothing group (dont donate to goodwill. They throw most things away) I wish they had activities for the homeless. I have a homeless friend and he says they do t provide things for him to do so he just walks around all day. It's sad

Very nice little shipping and packaging supply store in North Sacramento! When I needed…read moreirregular-dimension boxes, I found Box Brothers. They greeted me right away, helped me find exactly what I needed, and even cut the boxes I purchased down to match my exact size specifications. Highly recommend Box Brothers! Support your local shipping and packaging supply store.

Had to get fingerprinting done for a state license and so many places were closed due to COVID…read more Thankfully I called and they were open so I could schedule my prints. It seems to be a family open place. When I walked in they were super friendly and let me know of precautions they were taking. I was in and out in under 3 minutes!!! What a great experience! My only regret is not having cash for the Mexican pastry place next door! Lol

We came for the first time on NYE night & could tell that some homes were not as decked out/lit up…read moreanymore & the experience was not full impact. However, there were hardly any cars, so we could do a slow, easy drive. It was still magical with lots of lights throughout this neighborhood. The standout feature was that the streets were lined with continuous strings of white lights that swagged down the participating areas, creating lit paths to follow. It was impressive! There were definitely some houses that went above, while others were more simple, but all delightful to see. Here & there, Christmas trees were in the middle of a court or roundabout. We aren't familiar with the neighborhood & lost track of how we meandered through, so next year we'll try to figure out a good route. We'll definitely plan to come back earlier during the next holiday season to enjoy the full experience.

Rockmont/Java Ct. Lights are some of the best Christmas lights I've seen! My favorite was the Home…read moreAlone house! The lights are viewable the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve! They collect non-perishable food for local food banks and donations to local charities as well! We'll be back, maybe again tonight! SYOY! :D

7 Nov.'24-10:30-Went to the office several times to help my roommate cash out his retirement as he…read morereceived a document in the post from the IRS stating he may be eligible. Office staff advised me they no longer offer retirement to their employees and that they wouldn't be able to pay out the retirement. My roommate worked there for years. Very disappointed.

SIT-REP After work,…read moreI like to walk all over downtown Sacramento since I have the WANDERLUST. But on this particular day, when I was not paying attention to where I was going, I wandered *SMACK* into a significant piece of personal history in my life.... ..."Holy Moly! I got married here!" THE SET-UP Yeah, what can I say. I accidentally took a walk down memory lane in a BIG WAY. I may no longer be married, but such is life... In analysis, there was nothing wrong with my wedding experience that happened at that time. My former boss GREG happened to be a member of this church. Stephanie and I were looking for a nice place to get married. So Greg kindly put us in touch with the staff of St. John's Lutheran Church and we got the ball rolling.... I have to give big props to the whole church staff. The pastor set Stephanie and I up for a series of pre-marital counseling sessions that delved deep into our backgrounds, our attitudes about relationships, our awareness of religion, and many other nuanced subjects (hint: we PROBABLY should have been paying better attention!) The wedding coordinator that St. John's provided was an exuberant woman who pretty much catered to Stephanie's whims and desires as far as wedding formats go. I got to make my sister a groomswomen and Stephanie got to make her brother a bridesmen. And though the church provided much of the musical accompanient, I was able to bring my god-sister Hollis in to play the harp. So the ceremony was pretty fantastic actually. Unfortunately, we had problems with the reception site (which used to be the venue AMERICA LIVE in the downtown plaza, which went defunct years ago), and then Stephanie and I got into a HUGE big-ass fight on our honeymoon in the EMPRESS HOTEL on Victoria Island, British Columbia, and so things spiraled downward pretty fast and out of control....but that's ANOTHER page-turner of a story that at least ended up where I'm STILL ALIVE and NOT IN JAIL. (But it may be a lifetime before I recover financially from that little dalliance....heheh... THE LOWDOWN GREAT CHURCH for WEDDINGS! Hell Yeah! Tell them EL DIABLO sent you... ;^D

Powerhouse Ministries is what every city dealing with homelessness needs. In Folsom California…read morethere is a population that most of society would cast aside but what i see is powerhouse getting young adults and homeless families off the streets. They actually care about the people they serve and it encouraged the people to change. On Sundays they have a family church service inviting in the community that is bringing former addicts, drug dealers, gangbangers, homeless and at risk youth and young adults to actually successfully change their lives. For young people their is a leadership college. That gives them life and job skills in ministry. It's a pretty incredible ministry.

This place is amazing! Everyone there is so warm and welcoming! They are like a big happy family…read moreand I am so happy to be apart of it!

Very romantic place for a hot date. I have fond memories of spending the afternoon here with my…read morePigPig. She and I both had a lovely time. Nothing more romantic that this old city center. Old stores and some historic looking buildings to look at. Look at old trees and large parks built when space wasn't at such a premium. I never get tired of looking at the old bridge and remember the old pirate shows there. Ms Piggy loved those. Good restaurants and breweries. Good times.

The renaming of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza to DOCO in 2015, along with developing the Golden 1…read moreCenter helped make Sacramento Downtown into more of a retail and entertainment district. Fast forward to our recent visit in 2025, the area seems vibrant, fun, and safe. My friend and I were able to park at the Golden 1 Center DOCO parking garage and a short walk into the shopping complex, we stopped to play a game of cornhole (aka corn in the hole; aka sack toss). Although the shopping complex seemed half filled with retail tenants (seems to be the problem here in the States), it's lively with lots of foot traffic. As we walked over to the Golden 1 Center, we were starting to see lines gathered up for the "Miss Possessive Tour" by Canadian singer Tate McRae. When not hosting concerts and such, Golden 1 is home to the Sacramento Kings. We walked around, browsing, shopping, eating and just had a great time. Lots of places to sit and all seemed pretty well-maintained. Later, we used the David Stern Walk (a pedestrian path under a freeway) connecting K street area to Old Sacramento. We used it during the day time with lots of people around. Seems fairly clean and safe with classical music playing by loud speakers. My friend did warn me about not walking alone here at night as it may not be as safe. DOCO definitely made downtown Sacto more lively and fun. Although there are still a homeless problem several blocks away, this is not unusual in all metropolitan areas and with better policies, we hope more people can afford housing and much needed services.

We had a wonderful evening with Sock4streets. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to see…read morewhat the Sacremento night scenes is all about to go on a tour with Socks4streets. Guy San Diego CA

From the owner: Socks 4 Streets Pedicab is a Non-profit organization that provides new socks to the homeless and…read morenatural disaster victims throughout the greater Sacramento area's. By using our services you can help our mission, by donating any amount to our drivers with portion of the proceeds benefiting our mission to provide the much needed help to our homeless and natural disaster victims. Please call us today to reserve a ride.

Over the decades, I've been to several Veterans Stand Downs in several states, including Sacramento…read moreStand Down in California. Some Veterans, like me, came for the camaraderie, others to get some free new clothes and toiletries, food, a flu shot, a haircut, other services offered, or just out of curiosity. Others came with a hope of overcoming homelessness, to get potential life-saving benefits or to get connected to help for disease(s) of physical, addiction or mental. Experts caution that those with mental disease are no more likely to be violent than anybody else. They are though 11 times more likely to be themselves the victim of violent crime. The military environment can and often does act as a catalyst for the development and progression of anxiety and depression. Separation from loved ones and support systems, stressors of military Service and seeing oneself or others in harm's way are all elements that increase risk of mental disease in Active Duty and Veteran populations. In addition, many women and men experienced military sexual trauma (MST), including harassment and assaults, while in the military. Loud noise, common in the military, is also a source of stress. It triggers reactions in the body, including the secretion of certain hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These reactions account for the development of heart and cardiovascular diseases after exposure to loud noise. Research indicates that as many as 50% of Veterans experience significant difficulty acclimating to civilian life after discharge from Active Duty with a third developing mental health diseases including but not limited to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. The three most common mental health diseases for Veterans are PTSD, depression and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Sacramento Stand Down is one of about 200 across the country. Robert Van Kurran started the first program in the US in San Diego, California. In 1991, former Corporal, Don Harper, MPA, US Marine Corps Veteran, Bronze Star recipient, formed Sacramento Stand Down Task Force with civic leaders, community and Veterans. Charity Sacramento Stand Down Inc., was then formed. Some 375 Veterans attended that first year's Sacramento Stand Down. Veterans Stand Downs are named for a military term for GI's time to rest and recover while at war. Veterans Stand Down is a grassroots effort to offer rest and recovery to predominately homeless Veterans although open to all Veterans because Veterans have for decades succumb to suicide and homelessness at a rate twice that of non-Veterans. An on-going issue and barrier for some Sacramento Veterans is the requirement to pre-register. Sacramento Stand Down has scheduled a 3-day Veterans Stand Down 5-7 May 2023 at Mather Field VOA Veterans Services, 10618 Schirra Ave, Mather, CA from 0900-1500. For current Veterans Stand Down in your area do a google search. All Veterans Stand Downs welcome money donations and volunteers. Some 9 million Veterans who are not enrolled with VA who were discharged from Active Duty after more than 24 months and who were not dishonorably discharged or those who Served more than 100 days in a combat operation or those who were victims of a physical or sexual assault in the military are eligible for free VA access to suicide inpatient care or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days, including transportation services such as an ambulance ride and to and from appointments. "I was there in Viet Nam" a woman Veteran told me at a Sacramento Stand Down, "Don't let any man tell you there were no women there." Some 2.7 million American men and women Served in Viet Nam. More than 265,000 women Served in US Armed Forces during Viet Nam, I'm one -- and approximately 10,000 military women Served in-country. Not all women Serving in Viet Nam were nurses. Many voluntarily Served in US Armed Forces health care, communications, intelligence, and administrative positions. They volunteered, and continue to volunteer today as do men, for a variety of reasons: Duty to one's country, a desire to help those Serving, to name a couple common reasons. Civilian women, and men, also volunteered and served, and continue to do so, as foreign news correspondents, worked for organizations such as the American Red Cross where all had college degrees, Army Special Services, United Service Organizations (USO), Peace Corps, and various religious groups such as Catholic Relief Services, or served in other US government agencies. The names of eight dead US Armed Forces women, all nurses, and some 58,310 men's names of the dead, are on the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial (Wall). Here's a review of a Stand Down I had attended in Reno, Nevada https://www.yelp.com/biz/elks-bpo-reno-lodge-no-597-reno

This is an excellent low-income program - but open to everyone - that gives a really great place…read morefor kids to go on the weekends and in the summer. It has a great facility with an excellent indoor bball, pool tables, foosball, lots of arts and crafts, all sorts of stuff. If you know a family with a school age kid with time on their hands this is a great place to take them. Their programs (from the website): Five CORE Program Areas Education & Career Development The club offers education and career development programs to assist youth in preparing for the future. Programs offered at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento include but are not limited to Project Learn, an education enrichment program, Power Hour a homework help and tutoring program, Goals for Growth a program that teaches members the skills needed for setting and achieving their personal goals, Career Launch which introduces members to a wide verity of career options while also providing them with the knowledge of the required education and training, Job Ready a program that teaches effective job search techniques and assists them in developing the skills necessary to be successful on the job and CLUBService an education award for members ages 17-18 or Club alumni ages 19-24 who serve their clubs and communities. Sports, Fitness & Recreation Basketball, flag football, and volleyball, indoor soccer and Fitnesss Authority are just a few of the physical activities the Club offers to help youth maintain a level of fitness and develop appreciation for social and interpersonal skills. Foose ball, board games, and pool are many of the non physical social activities youth can participate in which allow youth to make positive use of leisure time. Character & Leadership Development The Keystone Club and Torch Club are leadership programs designed to help youth develop leadership skills, while teaching them how to plan effectively, make positive decisions and provide service to the club and community. Members also participate in the National Youth of the Year program as well as community service events. Character and leadership programs empower youth to support and influence their Club and community while also enhancing self-esteem and developing their full potential. Health & Life Skills These programs are designed to assist members in developing positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being while also teaches them how to set personal goals and develop the skills needed to become successful adults. Programs offered at the club include, SMART Moves, a prevention program that assists youth in resisting drugs, alcohol, tobacco and premature sexual activity. Members participate in other programs that promote positive behaviors. Kids in Control a safety awareness program for members ages 6-9. The Arts Club members participate in weekly art sessions which develop their creativity and increases knowledge and appreciation of visual art. They also attend plays, museums, galleries and other events that promote cultural awareness and give members the opportunity to experience performing art.

Unfortunately it was spring break this week when my uncle and I stopped by, but there was a staff…read moreperson (Chris) available to help us out. Since my uncle is a long time member of the Boys & Girls Clubs, he remembers it when it was just called the "Boys Clubs" when he joined. We were given a tour of the facility since there was a volleyball event going on in the gym. A small trip down memory lane for my uncle as Chris explained to us the changes happening at his facility and for what kind of goals he would like to achieve before he graduates from college this spring. It was great to know that the youth being served here are mostly from low-income families. Not only low income youth, but it is also open to youth who come from troubled households too.