Make It Happen Receives $9.5K from Union Pacific

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The Union Pacific Railroad Community Ties Giving Program has granted $9,500 to local nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County to provide underserved youth in Yolo County who are transitioning into independent living with furniture, household goods and resources to furnish their first apartment or home.

“Union Pacific has become one of our most steadfast donors, and we are grateful to them for recognizing the important issue of furniture poverty for our community’s most resilient youth,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “As the number of youth we serve continues to rise, this grant from Union Pacific will help us fill that gap so all of our clients can experience a fully furnished apartment while working toward their academic and career goals.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County serves local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit www.MIHYolo.org.

“Local grants have the power to create meaningful change within the communities our tracks touch,” said Beth Whited, president, Union Pacific and Union Pacific Foundation. “We are proud to partner with nonprofit organizations who are making an impact on the future – creating safer places for children and families; bringing economic prosperity to communities; building vibrant, inclusive areas for people to thrive; and instilling sustainable practices.”

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has been committed to Building America – serving as an economic engine and improving the standard of life for millions across the country. Building upon this heritage, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program’s mission is to build safe, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive communities by investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in the cities and towns in which Union Pacific operates and its employees live and work. For more information: www.up.com/communityties. 

Teichert Grants $5K to Make It Happen for Yolo County

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Dr. Allegra Pickett of the Teichert Foundation presents a check to Make It Happen for Yolo County board member Yvonne Emmons

Local nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $5,000 from the Teichert Foundation to provide under-resourced transition age youth with furniture, safe appliances and household items needed to care for their home so they can be successful first-time renters in college or career.

“We are honored to partner with the Teichert Foundation in our work to ensure our community’s transition age youth have a safe home and foundation,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “The odds truly are stacked against this population due to the lack of financial and emotional support that so many of us have been fortunate enough to experience. We are grateful to the Teichert Foundation for prioritizing our community’s resilient youth.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County serves local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit www.MIHYolo.org.

Teichert is committed to building and preserving a healthy and prosperous region. The foundation makes grants to organizations that create beauty, foster culture, nurture children, provide access to food and housing for those in need, preserve nature, increase awareness of our environment, build an educated citizenry and a well-prepared workforce, and strive to provide better health for all. For more information, visit www.Teichert.com/Teichert-Foundation. 

Make It Happen Provides Bikes for Yolo Youth Through Biberstein Grant

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Cathi of Make It Happen stands with Theo from King High School in Davis in their Bicycle Repair Shop

Local nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County is partnering with the Martin Luther King Jr., High School Bicycle Repair Shop in Davis to ensure underserved transition age youth across the county have refurbished bicycles for transportation to work or school. Make It Happen recently received $1,500 from the Biberstein Social Action Fund to purchase the first 20 bicycles.

The Martin Luther King High School Bicycle Repair Shop is a partnership between the Davis Joint Unified School District, Center for Families and the City of Davis Street Smarts program where high school students repair donated bicycles as vocational training and then sell them at a discounted price to community members in need. Bicycles feature brand-new seats and tires, free maintenance for life, locks and helmets.

“We have been so impressed with the Bicycle Repair Shop at King High and the amazing opportunities they are offering to the students working there, as well as to underserved youth across the region who need transportation at low or no cost. This partnership is an absolute win-win,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “We are so grateful to the Biberstein Social Action Fund for seeing the importance of this project and taking the opportunity to support two great community organizations.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County provides local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness, with furniture, appliances and household items needed to move into their first apartments. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit www.MIHYolo.org.

The Biberstein Social Action Fund was established in 2002 by the Board of Directors of Congregation Bet Haverim, Jewish Fellowship of Davis, to honor Ernie and Hannah Biberstein, longtime residents of Davis who have devoted much of their lives to community service and social justice issues. The fund provides grants to address poverty, discrimination, abuse and neglect, and the promotion of social justice in Yolo County. For more information: https://www.bethaverim.org/engage/committees/biberstein-social-action-fund/.

Make It Happen Receives $25K from Yocha Dehe

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Cathi from Make It Happen holds a check while Liliana from Yocha Dehe points at the check enthusiastically

Local nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $25,000 from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund to ensure local under-resourced transition age foster youth can become successful first-time renters. The grant will help the nonprofit increase the number of youth served as it expands from a volunteer-run organization to one with paid staff.

“We were honored when the Yocha Dehe Community Fund presented us with our first gift a couple years ago that allowed us to grow, and this increased gift will help us further expand and grow our services to reach more local underserved youth,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “We are tremendously grateful to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for trusting us with these funds and for showing these youth who often feel invisible that they are valuable to our community.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County provides local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness, with furniture, appliances and household items needed to move into their first apartments. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit www.MIHYolo.org.

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is committed to building strong communities and helping those in need, establishing the Community Fund to advance this mission. The Community Fund has established partnerships with more than 400 organizations throughout Yolo County, the state and nation, and granted nearly $40 million in philanthropic aid to support programs and initiatives dedicated to assisting people in need. The Community Fund prioritizes grants that help people help themselves in critical areas: education, Native arts and culture, environmental protection, Native rights and tribal sovereignty, and health and wellness. For more information: visit www.yochadehe.gov/giving/community-fund. 

Mikuni Donates $5K to Make It Happen for Yolo County

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Taro Arai of Mikuni Charitable Organization tours Make it Happen for Yolo County’s storage units in Davis

Mikuni Charitable Organization recently donated $5,000 to ensure local under-resourced transition age youth can successfully live independently through services provided by nonprofit Make It Happen for Yolo County. The donation will help Make It Happen provide furniture, appliances and other essential household items needed to establish a first home.  

“Mikuni continues to be one of our most steadfast donors and ardent advocates for youth in Yolo County,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “We are so thankful to Mikuni for using its important profile as one of our region’s top restaurants to provide support for the youth in our community who need it most.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County provides local transition age youth ages 18-24, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness, with furniture, appliances and household items needed to move into their first apartments. The nonprofit 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 and other local nonprofits. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

“I am deeply moved by the challenges impacting the lives of youth who face homelessness or foster care,” said Taro Arai of Mikuni Charitable Organization. “Providing these resilient young adults with essential household items as they embark on their journey to independent living is not just a gesture of support; it’s an investment in their future. We are profoundly grateful to Make It Happen for Yolo County. Their commitment reflects a shared belief in empowering our youth and fostering a community where everyone can thrive.”

Mikuni Charitable Organization maintains an ongoing focus on helping to improve and enrich the lives of people who live locally. Mikuni regularly sponsors events to raise funds for nonprofits, donating more than $4.5 million to more than 500 nonprofits. For more information, visit MikuniSushi.com/Community. 

Sip and Paint to Benefit Make It Happen for Yolo County

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Local residents are invited to Sip and Paint, a wine and painting fundraiser at the Pence Gallery in Davis on April 6 to benefit Make It Happen for Yolo County. The local nonprofit works with transition age youth ages 16-24 across Yolo County, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. Funds raised will help the local nonprofit provide furniture, household goods, cleaning supplies and essential items needed to establish a first home.

Sip and Paint guests will enjoy wine, beer and other beverages as they create a painting guided by Davis artist and teacher Joanne Andresen from 2:30-6:00 p.m. Small bites also will be served. Cost per ticket is $75, and tables of four are available for $300. Seating is limited, and tickets can be purchased at MIHYolo.org.

“We are excited to bring the community together for this fun event that will ensure we can serve even more under-resourced transition age youth in Yolo County who are moving out on their own this year,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “We hope to meet new friends and raise awareness as we gather for an afternoon of wine and painting with the incomparable Joanne Andresen. Everyone will go home with a beautiful painting in hand and a warm heart knowing that they have invested in the future of this particularly vulnerable population that is often overlooked.”

Event sponsors include the Pence Gallery, Nugget Markets, Holly’s Hill Vineyards and J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Make It Happen for Yolo County receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help transition age youth referred from Yolo County child welfare services, mental health and probation divisions, as well as the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program and other local groups involved with this population. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 250 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

Make It Happen Receives $7,500 From Union Pacific

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Make It Happen for Yolo County recently received a grant of $7,500 from Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program. The grant will help ensure transition age youth in Yolo County ages 18-24 who are at risk of becoming unhoused can be safe first-time renters during the ongoing housing crisis.

“Transition age youth are at high risk of homelessness due to low resources compared to teens and young adults leaving traditional living environments,” said Cathi Schmidt, executive director, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “If they have no resources to purchase new appliances, they are more likely to find used appliances with higher risk of fire or short-circuiting. If they are unable to furnish and care for their homes, they are more likely to be evicted or develop a poor rental history, especially during the housing crisis. We are grateful to Union Pacific for prioritizing these youth so they can be successful in college or career.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County provides local transition age youth, many of whom have been in foster care or experienced homelessness, 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 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. Since its founding in 2014, Make It Happen for Yolo County has helped more than 200 transition age youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

“I was able to meet the caring people who started Make it Happen for Yolo County, and their work is at the core of Union Pacific’s objective to provide programs that focus on equity in access for underserved populations,” said Peggy Ygbuhay, senior director of public affairs, Union Pacific. “Union Pacific has a longstanding commitment to improve quality of life in the communities we serve and where our employees live and work. I am a Yolo County resident and take pride in my company’s civic leadership and philanthropy.”

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has been committed to Building America – serving as an economic engine and improving the standard of life for millions across the country. Building upon this heritage, the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program’s mission is to build safe, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive communities by investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs in the cities and towns in which Union Pacific operates and its employees live and work. For more information: www.up.com/aboutup/community/foundation/index.htm.

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.

100+ Women Who Care Yolo County Donates to Make It Happen

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Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $8,962 from 100+ Women Who Care Yolo County of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to furnish homes for local transition age youth in need, mostly foster youth, moving out on their own for the first time in 2023.

“We are grateful to these phenomenal women who have given generously to support transition age youth in our county as they move into their first homes and begin their adult lives, often without many resources,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “The youth we work with are always floored to learn how many people in our community care about their well-being and are rooting for them.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County provides transition age youth (ages 18-24) 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. 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 190 youth. To make a financial or furniture donation, visit MIHYolo.org.

100+ Women Who Care Yolo County is a giving circle of local women who work together to magnify and focus individual philanthropy by pooling funds with others and making a collective decision. Each member contributes to the pool and members decide on the recipient. For more information, visit 100wwcyolo.org.