We never stop creating affordable housing options for folks in Chico.
Greetings to our wonderful supporters!
If you're into the spooky season, we have a great opportunity for you to help kiddos enjoy it, too, during CHAT's upcoming Trunk or Treat event. More on that below, along with other exciting news, updates, and notes of thanks to a couple of community partners who are making a difference in the lives of CHAT residents. Plus, it's getting down to the wire ... our 10th anniversary Housing for All celebration at Lakeside Pavilion is only a few weeks away (Nov. 4)! Do you have your tickets? I sure hope to see you there! Read all about us on the front page of the Enterprise record. CHAT founders reflect on impactful decade – Chico Enterprise-Record (chicoer.com)
-Nicole
Hometown Hero in action!
Bob Trausch and CHAT Finance & Development Director Sarah Graham at our Oct. 5 open house.
First off, thank you to everyone who attended the recent open house at our new office! If you missed it, you didn't get to see the exchange pictured above. What's that check? It's the $500 award CHAT co-founder Bob Trausch received from the Chico Enterprise-Record for its inaugural Hometown Heroes feature. Bob was among a handful of locals chosen for the honor. However, he was the sole recipient of the monetary award.
As the Chico E-R noted, Bob is involved with several charitable causes, but he decided to donate his award money to CHAT. Thanks, Bob, for your generosity and dedication to helping CHAT help our community!
More good news: Those of you who missed the first open house have a second opportunity today (Friday, Oct. 13)! Swing by our new digs, between 3-5 p.m., to get a tour and meet the folks behind CHAT's efforts to provide our community with affordable, stable housing. Our address is 125 Mission Ranch Blvd.
Invite your friends! This is a true open house, so please spread the word! We're confident that the more people who understand our vision—creating a community where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing—the more CHAT can help make that vision a reality.
Candy for kiddos
CHAT is preparing for our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat event on Friday, Oct. 27, for children in our programs. It's sure to be a great time! Think costumes, face-painting and games. But what would a Halloween celebration be without candy?!
If you'd like to help make this event extra special, please consider dropping off a bag of your favorite individually wrapped candies at our office (125 Mission Ranch Blvd.) Monday-Friday, between 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., up until Oct. 27. We appreciate it and the kids will, too!
Finance 101
We are so excited to partner with Umpqua Bank on an upcoming series of financial management workshops for CHAT residents. The first in the weekly series kicks off on Oct. 25, and the focus is on setting smart financial goals. Additional workshops will focus on such topics as credit and debt, income and taxes, and the threat of identity theft.
Participants will gain the real-world skills needed to build credit, which is crucial because poor credit is a huge barrier to accessing housing. Umpqua and CHAT representatives will provide one-on-one coaching, budgeting assistance, and help opening checking accounts.
CHAT is grateful for community partners, such as Umpqua, who are aligned with our mission! This includes providing the supportive services that enable residents to maintain long-term housing. Financial knowledge and skills are such an important piece of the affordable-housing puzzle.
Breaking news!
We are very pleased to announce that CHAT has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Chico Children's Endowment Fund—a charitable fund of the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF)—specially earmarked for programs benefiting children in Chico and its surrounding areas with unmet physical, emotional, or mental needs.
At CHAT, the grant will support our Hands Up Supportive Housing (HUSH) program, which focuses on homeless and at-risk families in Chico. Among other things, the funds will pay for school necessities. This will take a burden off CHAT's low-income families, many of whom have multiple children and struggle to make purchases, such as clothing and other back-to-school essentials.
Having new clothes and other educational necessities makes a huge difference in the lives of children, giving them a boost in confidence. Such items help them blend in with their peers, making them less likely to be teased or bullied. As such, they can focus more of their energy on classwork.
Much thanks to NVCF, an amazing community partner!
Get your tickets!
CHAT turns 10 only once, so our upcoming Housing for All celebration is not to be missed! Seriously, this is a huge milestone for what began as a true grassroots effort. And it's just a few weeks away!
A decade in the making, the event is a fundraiser for our many successful housing programs. CHAT got to where it is today with a lot of help, so this celebration is a testament to the dedication of supporters who are likewise passionate about helping solve the local homelessness crisis.
The Housing for All celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Lakeside Pavillion (2565 California Park Dr.) in Chico. Click here for tickets or visit www.chicohousingactionteam.net for more info. Attendees will enjoy delicious food (catered three-course dinner), live music, and activities such as a raffle! See you there!
Big thanks to our anniversary celebration sponsors: Slater & Son Construction and the Center for Spiritual Living.
(p.s. Feel free to wear formal attire or arrive "Chico fancy." We aren't particular; we just want to see you there!)
One more thing: If you're unable to attend for the entire evening, join us at the after party, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with live music by the Jeff Pershing Band! Click here for tickets. Bring your dancing shoes!
As always, thank you for helping CHAT provide our community with affordable, sustainable housing!
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