Make It Happen Receives $5K from Lyon Cares

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Make It Happen for Yolo County was recently chosen to receive a grant of $5,000 from Lyon Real Estate of Davis through the Lyon Cares Foundation. The grant will help furnish homes for local transition age youth (TAY) in need who are moving out on their own for the first time.

“We know there are many nonprofits in Yolo County doing important work, and we are honored that Lyon has chosen to invest in our work to ensure transition age youth in our community can be successful first-time renters,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County.

Make It Happen for Yolo County provides the TAY population, ages 18-24, with the furnishings, household goods and resources needed to move into their first apartments. The nonprofit receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new small appliances and household items. Make It Happen receives referrals from the Yolo County Child Welfare Services TAY unit, Yolo Crisis Nursery, the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program, as well as other community partners. 

The nonprofit works with clients to complete a wish list of desired household items and then brings each client to the Make It Happen storage units to select items. Youth can choose from new bedding, kitchen appliances and household cleaning products to gently used living room and dining room furniture and more. Make it Happen then arranges delivery to the client’s new home. Since its founding in 2014, the nonprofit has served more than 200 youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org. 

Each year through the Lyon Cares Foundation and individual office level programs, every Lyon office gives $10,000 in two $5,000 grants to organizations throughout Greater Sacramento, totaling $185,000 companywide. The foundation’s vision is to inspire and empower care and kindness in the community. Lyon Cares collects tax-deductible contributions from sales associates and employees. For more information, visit GoLyon.com/Lyon-Cares.

Make It Happen Hires First Executive Director

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Davis resident Cathi Schmidt has been named the first executive director of nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County, which provides local foster youth and other transition age youth ages 18-24 with furnishings, household goods and resources needed to move into their first apartments. Schmidt is the nonprofit’s first paid staff member and takes the reins as the group prepares to enter its 10th anniversary year.

“We are elated to have found such a capable and heartfelt person to lead Make It Happen for Yolo County after nearly a decade as a volunteer-run nonprofit,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “Cathi has an extensive background in business development, organizational behavioral management and significant experience working with nonprofits. We are excited to work together to ensure more transition age youth have the foundation they need to become successful young adults, starting with safe housing and continuing with academic work and career.”

Schmidt will work closely with volunteers to expand partnerships, raise awareness with potential new partners, increase fundraising activities and provide additional organizational support to increase the number of transition age youth the nonprofit serves. Prior to joining Make It Happen for Yolo County, Schmidt was vice president of a global supply chain services company.

“It has been my goal and desire to work for a nonprofit that provides much needed services to the underserved youth of our community,” Schmidt said. “These young adults deserve better, and I believe in partnership with other Yolo County organizations, we can offer more. I have found Make It Happen for Yolo County to be an organization that addresses needs in a way that is truly impactful, and one in which I believe I can make a positive contribution.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help youth involved with the Yolo County child welfare, mental health and probation divisions, as well as the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program for students who have experienced foster care. The nonprofit works with clients to complete a wish list of desired household items and then select items at the group’s storage units. Since its founding in 2014, the nonprofit has served more than 200 youth. To volunteer or make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

Save Mart Doubles Donation to Make It Happen for Yolo County

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Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $5,000 from the Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation to fully furnish homes for local transition age youth in need, mostly foster youth, moving out on their own for the first time in 2022. The gift is double the amount the nonprofit received last year.

“We are honored that Save Mart sees such value in Yolo County’s transition age youth that they chose to double their donation to us this year,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “Save Mart has become a steadfast partner in our work to ensure local transition age youth have what they need to create their homes and be successful first-time renters.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County works with clients to complete a wish list of desired household items and then select items at the group’s storage units. Thanks to donated furniture from the community, it costs an average of $650 to fully provide for one home, including furnishings and appliances for a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, as well as cleaning supplies.

Make It Happen for Yolo County is a volunteer-run nonprofit providing transition age youth (ages 18-24), predominantly foster youth, in Yolo County with the furnishings, household goods and resources needed to move into their first apartments. The group receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help youth involved with the Yolo County child welfare, mental health and probation divisions, as well as the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program for students who have experienced foster care. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has served 160 Yolo County transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

Save Mart Companies C.A.R.E.S. Foundation supports community, arts, recreation, education and sports. The foundation was created by Save Mart Supermarkets and operates with a separate board of directors maintaining a separate focus on supporting the company’s principle of giving back to the communities it serves. For more information: www.savemart.com/save-mart-companies-cares-foundation.

Make It Happen for Yolo County Receives $2.5K From Kelly Foundation

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Make It Happen for Yolo County, a nonprofit serving youth in need ages 18-24, has received a grant of $2,500 from the Kelly Foundation in Sacramento to fully furnish homes for five Yolo County transition age youth, mostly foster youth, moving out on their own for the first time in 2021.

“All of the youth we serve struggle with lack of resources and support and often feel forgotten as they move out on their own, especially during the pandemic,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “The social workers we work with have told us they have clients living in essentially empty apartments, causing a negative impact on their mental and physical health. We are grateful to our community and partners like the Kelly Foundation for ensuring transition age youth in need feel cared for and have the resources to be successful first-time renters.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County works with county social workers and other organizations to help clients complete a wish list of desired household items, and directly coordinates with clients to select items at the group’s storage units. Thanks to donated furniture from the community, it costs an average of $500 to fully provide for one home, including furnishings and appliances for a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area, as well as cleaning supplies.

Make It Happen for Yolo County is a volunteer-run nonprofit providing transition age youth (ages 18-24), predominantly foster youth, in Yolo County with the furnishings, household goods and resources needed to move into their first apartments. The group receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help youth involved with the Yolo County child welfare, mental health and probation divisions, as well as the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program for students who have experienced foster care. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 100 Yolo County transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

The Kelly Foundation makes grants to various charitable organizations in the community including, but not limited to, education institutions, hospitals, cultural activities and groups for the benefit of children. For more information, visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org.