family services

Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra recently awarded 14 worthy organizations, projects, and programs with funding from their Community Grant program. The mission of the organization is to “Strengthen and enhance the lives of women and youth in our community and the world.”

The following organizations/programs/projects best aligned with this mission according the the Soroptimists: Between Horses and Humans, Bijou Kindergarten Adventure Introduction, Bijou 5th Grade Enrichment Field Trip, Health Talents

The most innovative South Shore businesses will exhibit at the 2015 Business EXPO: Innovation in the Basin on Friday, March 27. The largest business and networking event of the year, Tahoe Chamber’s Business EXPO includes 100 local businesses ranging from restaurants and resorts to recreation providers to retailers. The event includes food and drink tastings, giveaways and a new networking lounge sponsored by the City of South Lake Tahoe, Winters Construction Group and Red Carpet Events and Design.

In an effort to better serve the homeless youth under the age of 24 in the South Lake Tahoe community, Tahoe Youth and Family Services is having a free BBQ and annual Homeless County.

Tahoe Youth & Family Services is hosting their fifth annual Night of Giving 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at their South Lake Tahoe office at 1021 Fremont Avenue.

The night is used as an opportunity for the community to learn about what TYFS does and to help them out both financially and with items needed by the homeless youth they serve.

There will be light refreshments.

What are the first thoughts that go through your mind when you see a youth on the streets? How did they get there, where are their parents, and are they safe? It’s disturbing to realize that between 1.6 and 2.8 million youth run away annually. Most youth who run away do so because of threatening environments at home, such as physical/verbal abuse, substance abuse issues, questions of sexual orientation, or escaping state care. Unfortunately, by choosing to run away, they further subject themselves to threatening situations that impede their progress in life.

The South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition (STDFC) was formed in 2012 by Tahoe Youth and Family Services in collaboration with key community partners. Some of these community partners include the South Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Public Health, and Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

Studies show that an average of 4.6% of a population are in need of services to treat a serious mental illness at any given time. That number doubles in a population where people live below 200% of the poverty level (an annual income of $23,340 for 1 person, $47,700 for a family of 4 for example).

With the current population of El Dorado County at approximately 181,000, that means anywhere between 8,329 and 16,114 people are in need of Mental Health Services.

The facts are startling, and, for lack of a better work, sobering. Studies show that 11% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. is done so by youth aged 11 to 20, below the legal drinking age.

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs according to the Center for Disease Control, and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth.

The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days:

39% drank some amount of alcohol.
22% binge drank.

A record-breaking 100 businesses will participate in the 2014 Business EXPO –“Tahoe South in ACTION” this Friday, March 28. The event begins at 4:30pm and continues until 8:30pm in Harrah’s Lake Tahoe Convention Center. It will highlight South Shore businesses’ goods and services to an anticipated crowd of 1,200 attendees.

The following vendors will exhibit:

A Hand at Home
Acker RV Rentals
Alpine Smith Snow Removal and Driveway Sealing
American Legion Post 795
Bank of the West
Barton Memorial Hospital
Beach Hut Deli
Beach Retreat and Lodge Tahoe

Melody Easton is here to make a difference. Recently tapped as the coordinator for the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition, the action oriented Easton has hit the ground running.

Tahoe Youth & Family Services was awarded a Federal Drug Free Communities grant, bringing in $125,000 for each of the next five years to help combat drug and alcohol abuse among the youth of South Lake Tahoe. Once the grant was awarded a coordinator needed to be hired. Easton was hired and the Concordia College graduate and her husband packed up and moved from Portland, Oregon.

The South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts (STAR) has spent the last several months spreading good cheer to local non-profits. They gave Christmas Cheer All Year $5,000 prior to the holidays and have now given both Tahoe Youth and Family Services and Live Violence Free $5,000.

Tahoe Youth and Family Services is hosting their Annual Evening of Giving on December 11 at the agency's offices at 1021 Fremont Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. Refreshments will be served at the event which is from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

The agency has a wish list oh in-kind donations for the holidays:

Items for clients:

Hand warmers
Warm sleeping bags
Winter boots (adult sizes)
Winter coats (adult sizes)
winter gloves or heavy duty mittens (adult sizes)
knit hats and beanies
Tents (new or gently used)
Men's boxers (adult size small)

Tahoe Youth & Family Services announces the resignation of Executive Director, Alissa Nourse. Nourse leaves the agency after nine years of exceptional work to accept a position with Alpine County as the Director of Behavioral Health, Alpine County, California.

Under Ms. Nourse's guidance the agency has steadily grown now providing services in South Lake Tahoe, Douglas County, Incline Village and Alpine County. The budget has grown from $450,000 to $1,600,000 allowing the agency to expand services and locations.

Enjoy a night of playing poker with your friends while helping support Tahoe Youth & Family Services. A Texas Hold'em tournament is going to be held at Lakeside Inn on Tuesday, October 1 at 6 p.m. Beginners and skilled players are welcome as there will be fun for all.

Prizes will be given to the top 3 places for the evening. A $100 buy-in gets players $1,500 in tournament chips. Sign ups will be taken at the Lakeside Inn Poker room on the day of the tournament. Unlimited rebuys will be allowed through the 6th round.

Local businessman Tony Grasso is hosting a Hot Tub Tent Sale September 6 through September 8 at the Tahoe Valley Pharmacy parking lot at 2074 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe. Grasso, the owner of Hot Springs Spas and Hot Tubs, has Fantasy Spas for sale at the very low price of $2995 while supplies last. A portion of all sales will go to support Tahoe Youth & Family Services.

Several Lake Tahoe area nonprofit organizations and agencies will receive financial aid this year through partnerships announced Monday by the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra.

The partnerships are aimed to address issues identified in each of the Lake Tahoe area communities, said Karen Barsell, CEO and president of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra.

The Vagina Monologues returns for its 11th year here in South Lake Tahoe Feb. 22-23 at 7 p.m.
Come laugh, cry and help to stop violence against women. The Monologues are a fundraiser for CASA, Live Violence Free, Tahoe Youth and Family Services and The Zawadisha Fund. Tickets are $15 and are available through CASA at (530) 573-3072 or at the door.
The event will be at the Blue Angel Cafe, 1132 Ski Run.

Location

Tuesday, Dec. 18 will be an opportunity for all to have a nice, healthy dinner and support both Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care and Tahoe Youth and Family Services.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care will be at Freshies, 3330 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, 5 to 9 p.m. for a photograph showing of some of the birds and animals we've cared for recently and will answer any questions.

The children at Tahoe Youth & Family Services can't wait for SkiDUCK to start once winter hits, Tahoe Youth mentor coordinator Eli Stevenson said. "These kids are just beaming. A lot of our kids...

“Empowerment” is the premise of Barton Health's Community Advisory Committee (CAC). After careful evaluation of 19 grant applications, nine-non-profits recently received $24,000 in grants from the CAC. Through these grants, the CAC is able to “empower” area community programs with funding to help close the health gaps and address health issues within the community.

TahoeChamber's next Business After Hours Mixer will be held at Tahoe Bowl and will also serve as a fundraiser for Tahoe Youth & Family Services.The mixer will be held Oct. 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at...

In an effort to impact the health of our community the Barton Foundation recently opened their grant opportunities for programs and organizations benefitting the South Lake Tahoe area. Barton Health Grants provide funding for programs targeted at underserved populations and/or providing great impact to the health status of the community. The total grant amount available for 2012 is set at $25,000 and is generally dispersed between five and 10 local organizations.

The goal of this year’s production of The Vagina Monologues is to stop violence against girls and women by bringing awareness to the public. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25 at 7 pm at the Blue Angel Cafe loft.

Winter White was the theme of Tahoe Regional Young Professionals' inaugural holiday party which raised more than $3000 for Tahoe Youth & Family Services. “So many businesses in the community c...