Yolo County is set to empower its community's youth and families with a new grant aimed to enhance outreach and education. The Engage Empower Implement (EEI) Grant was awarded to the county on November 4, totaling $277,619. The funds from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) will forge partnerships and develop initiatives to support vulnerable populations. In a move to streamline these efforts and maximize impact, Yolo County joins forces with RISE, Inc. and the Health Education Council (HEC).
According to Yolo County, Oscar Villegas, District 1 Supervisor, has expressed the county's dedication to uplifting communities around West Sacramento. "We are proud to partner with the Health Education Council to support underserved communities in West Sacramento, states Oscar Villegas". "By working directly with residents, we will address health inequities and build pathways to better outcomes for all". This engagement is set to direct resources where they can make significant differences in the lives of individuals and family units across a vast socio-economic landscape, spanning urban and rural divides.
RISE, Inc. takes on the role of connecting the youth from rural areas to a variety of activities. The aim is to empower through After-School enrichment, Leadership Workshops, and College Exploration sessions. These activities are critical stepping stones for Yolo's young people, allowing them to forge their paths with the kind of support that can potentially alter the trajectory of their lives.
In tandem, HEC's responsibility is to initiate outreach within West Sacramento's overlooked neighborhoods. They will be leveraging existing networks and partnerships to listen to the community's health concerns. As mentioned on the Yolo County website, "Through outreach sessions and key-informant interviews, HEC will identify opportunities to address barriers to healthier communities", HEC asserts, drawing on a well of local knowledge and expertise to not just listen, but act in ways that can dismantle the entrenched inequities plaguing the district.
The College and Career Readiness team at the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE) also assumes a critical role. They will give access to crucial services, aiding in career exploration, training, and upskilling opportunities. Their work is fundamental, especially for those negotiating the complexities of preparing for a demanding 21st Century workforce. By augmenting RISE, Inc.’s efforts, YCOE broadens the platform for young people to stand upon and look to the horizon with a clearer vision of what could be.
As the grant administrator, Yolo County guarantees the administration and support of these community-driven initiatives. With this EEI Grant, the county endeavors to foster a safe, inclusive environment for children, youth, and families, banking on community engagement and education to not just dream of a brighter future but lay down the concrete foundations for such a future to be built upon.
