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.

Make It Happen for Yolo County Receives $10K from Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

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A transition age youth wears a black shirt and stands with stacks of donated household items in her new apartment

Make It Happen for Yolo County has received a grant of $10,000 from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to provide local transition age youth in need, mostly foster youth ages 18-24, with the furnishings, household goods and resources needed to become successful first-time renters.

“Transition age youth, particularly those leaving foster care, are at very high risk of becoming homeless due to a lack of resources and support,” said Jan Judson, board president, Make It Happen for Yolo County. “While our partners help connect them to housing, there are no other organizations in Yolo County to ensure they have the tools, appliances and furniture to safely live in their new independent living environment. Renters with no resources to properly care for their apartments are much more likely to be evicted or develop a poor rental history, and that risk is even higher as we battle a housing crisis in the greater Sacramento area. We are grateful to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for helping set them up for success.”

Make It Happen for Yolo County is a volunteer-run nonprofit that receives furniture donations from the community and purchases new appliances and household items to help transition age 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, and other nonprofits serving foster youth. 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.

“Each of these young people, many of whom have already been through so much, deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential,” said the Tribal Council of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “We are pleased to help give them that opportunity.”

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is committed to building strong communities and developing effective partnerships. In 2000, the Tribe established the Community Fund to advance that mission. To date, the Community Fund has established partnerships with more than 400 diverse organizations throughout Yolo County, the state and nation. The Tribe has granted more than $37 million in philanthropic funding to support programs and initiatives dedicated to assisting communities in need. For more information, visit YochaDehe.org/CommunityFund.

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.