How 100 Men Meetings Works

         $6400 Raised for Yolo Crisis Nursery &

$2000 Raised for Northern California Children's Therapy Center!

100 Men’s 4th quarterly and final meeting for our 2nd year took place at Father Paddy’s Irish Pub on Main Street in Woodland. ‘We always have fun at Father Paddy’s and love the ongoing support they give 100 Men Who Give a Damn,’ said Marc Hutt one of the founding men for the group and ongoing member of the 100 Men Steering Committee. ‘The number of men continues to grow every quarter and we are well on our way to having the largest meeting so far this year.’

Northern California Children’s Therapy Center, Center for Land-Based Learning and Yolo Crisis Nursery were the three presenters in February. Christina Michel-Albers, Executive Director for Northern California Children’s Therapy Center, talked about their Early Intervention, Occupational and Speech Therapy Program, Mary Kimball, Executive Director for Center for Land-Based Learning, shared needs for their Education and Training Program for Future Farmers program, and Heather Sleuter, Executive Director for the Yolo Crisis Nursery, let the men know all about their Early Intervention Services.

The Yolo Crisis Nursery was the recipient for this quarter's donations totaling $6400 for their Early Intervention Services to ensure a safe and healthy environment for young children in times of family crisis.

Of note, Northern California Children's Therapy Center received an individual donation from one of our 100 Men members present stepped up and donated an additional $2000 to Northern California Children’s Therapy Center. 

Once again, 100 Men listened carefully  . . . and gave!

$6800 Raised for RISE, Inc!

The third quarterly meeting of the 100 Men Who Give A Damn about Yolo County was held at Uvaggio Wine & Beer Bar on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 and it was a packed house. Said Mike Jansen, Esquire, one of the original founders of 100 Men, ‘We continue to grow with more and more men joining the cause to help support local non-profi ts serving the needs of our community.’

Yolo Food Bank presented for their Food Collection and Education for Youth and Families in Need Program, Yolo Empowerment Summit presented for their Annual Summit Educating and Empowering Youth on the Political Process Program, and RISE, Inc. presented for their Mental Health Outreach and Support Program for Underserved Communities.

After much Q & A with each group after they presented, the Men voted and RISE, Inc. took home $6800 for their Mental Health Outreach and Support Program for Underserved Communities. RISE, Inc. is a non-profit public benefi t Corporation serving the rural community to enhance the quality of life and opportunity for selfsufficiency.

100 Men heard our community in need . . . and rose to the occasion!

$7000 Raised for NorCal Trykers!

Our second quarterly meeting in our second year in operation was held on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Morgan’s Mill on Court Street in Woodland. Lots of networking and fun was had by all in this new Woodland restaurant from the Yolo Eats group. ‘You begin to see more and more of our community’s men come to our meetings to participate in this simple but eff ective way to help support our local nonprofits.’, said Jim Hilliard, a 100 Men Steering Committee member.

Serenity Saddles, The Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services of Yolo County and Nor- Cal Trykers all presented to the over 60 men present and accounted for. Of note was how many men attended the gathering who were members of one or more of the presenting organizations. ‘Another way men in our community continue to support those less fortunate than ourselves.’ said Marc Hutt.

Serenity Saddles shared all about their Therapeutic Riding Program, The Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services of Yolo County alerted us all to the needs for their Suicide Prevention for Yolo County Program, and NorCal Trykers informed us all about their Custom Tricycles Program for Children with Disabilities. ‘There truely wasn’t a dry eye in the room after hearing these three organizations speak – these were all heartfelt presentations of importance to our community.’, said Jim Gillette, another 100 Men Steering Committee member.

Although it was a tough decision, NorCal Trykers took home $7000 in donations raised for their Custom Tricycles Program for Children with Disabilities. In addition, numerous men made donations to the non-winning non-profi ts that night.

100 Men learned a lot that evening . . . and we helped!

            $6200 Raised for the Woodland Police Activities League                    & $5000 Raised for the Woodland Food Closet!

The first quarterly meeting for the second year of 100 Men Who Give a Damn about Yolo County was held at Firehouse Entertainment on Kentucky Avenue in Woodland. This meeting was a departure from having met in local bars and restaurants on Main Street in Historic Downtown Woodland in the past as they launched their new Event Staffing division called Firefly Event Staffing to the men. ‘Firehouse Entertainment did what they do best – they threw one heck of an exciting and fun party for 100 Men!’ said Frank Crum, Esquire, a member of the 100 Men Steering Committee.

The Woodland Police Activities League, The Woodland Food Closet and The Woodland Opera House were the three presenters this evening and each did an awesome job of communicating who they were, what they do and what they would do if they were awarded the funds raised that evening.

The Woodland Police Activities League shared their plans for their new Youth Community Outreach & Activities Organization Program, Woodland Food Closet informed the men about their Emergency Food Collection for Families in Need Program, and Woodland Opera House told us all about their Outreach for Underserved Students Program.

The Woodland Police Activities League was the recipient of the fi rst quarter’s donations totaling $6200. In addition, Woodland Food Closet received a $5000 donation from an anonymous member for their Emergency Food Collection for Families in Need Program.

     Three groups volunteering to serve our neighbors in need . . .           . . . and 100 Men of Yolo County was there to help!

$6200 Raised for Concilio of Yolo County!

The 4th and final event of our debut year took place at Savory Cafe on Main Street in Woodland. ‘We had a great time and can’t see a better way to support such a great organization,’ said Savory Cafe owner Juan Barajas. ‘We are blown away by the sense of pride our community has and the support offered to all the local nonprofi ts.’ Mexican American Concilio of Yolo County, founded by Rick Gonzales, Sr. nearly a half-century ago, was represented by Executive Director Rick Gonzales, Jr. Yolo Community Care Continuum’s Executive Director Michele Kellogg spoke on her organization’s behalf, and Executive Director Gill Williams represented NorCal Trykers.

Rick explained that for the past 20 years, Concilio has awarded college scholarships each year to top-tier high school graduates from low and moderate income families in Yolo County – ‘desperately needed today,’ he said, ‘when college costs are simply out of reach for so many.’

Michele reminded us that YCCC has been serving the mentally ill in Yolo County for 40 years by providing permanent housing, professional treatment and compassionate support. Given that nearly 60% of people experiencing homelessness today also and a gift of service work performed by her clients.

Gill, an experienced physical therapist, introduced us to her Disabled Children’s Custom Tricycle Program that helps kids with disabilities experience personal freedom and mobility by providing them with customized tricycles, working in conjunction with Greengate School and with the Marquez Design tech program at Yolo County Offce of Education.

Once again, 100 Men listened carefully . . . and pitched in!

$4200 Raised for Mosaic Children's Museum!

Our third event took place at Uvaggio Wine Bar, adjoining Heritage Plaza on Main Street in Woodland. Representing MOSAIC Children’s Museum was Executive Director Janet Vaughan; Jessica Friedman, a Woodland school teacher, spoke on behalf of Yolo Farm to Fork; and Executive Director Kara Hunter represented the Yolo Conflict Resolution Center.

Janet explained that the children’s museum is dedicated to inspiring children through science, art, imagination and creativity with the vision of becoming a fulllifecycle community resource. ‘A children’s museum,’ she noted, ‘will fill a much needed void in our community. While several historical, cultural and nature-based attractions exist in Yolo County, there are no interactive, multidisciplinary, educational environments targeted specifi cally at young children where they can pretend, create and learn at their own pace.’

Jessica told us about Farm to Fork’s Kids Dig It! program which promotes an edible garden learning environment in our Woodland elementary schools. Seeking funds for their next garden project at Maxwell School, Jessica said, ‘We want kids to eat healthy produce.’

And Kara, accompanied by Police Chief Soler, explained that YCRC provides an alternative to our formal justice system for young o enders by offering the opportunity to make amends directly with their victims, demonstrably reducing recidivism through constructive conflict resolution. Face-to-face conversations help referred youth understand the obligations created by their actions and give the harmed parties a meaningful role in determining a proper resolution.

100 Men care for our community . . . and give where there is a need!

$4900 Raised for Fourth & Hope!

 After our exciting and successful inaugural event in May 2017 at Blue Note Brewery, the next quarterly gathering of 100 Men-Yolo County took place at Father Paddy’s Irish Pub on Woodland’s Main Street. Our three presenters were Doug Zeck, Executive Director of Woodland’s homeless shelter, Fourth & Hope; Jesse Ortiz, representing the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery Honor Guard; and Lynnette Irlmeier, Executive Director of Empower Yolo.

Doug explained that ‘Fourth & Hope not only provides year-round emergency shelter for men, women and families, but also offers daily meals as well as health and job counseling.’ The dire need, for which Doug sought 100 Men assistance, was for mattresses and privacy curtains for families with children.

Jesse, accompanied by three other uniformed military veterans, explained that “Yolo County has approximately 9,500 military veterans who are eligible for burial at the cemetery in Dixon. The presence of the volunteer Honor Guard offers respect and dignity to a veteran’s funeral, yet it relies entirely on community donors and the expenditure of personal funds”.

Lynnette explained that, “over the past 40 years, Empower Yolo has provided 24-hour crisis intervention, emergency shelter, confidential counseling, legal services and other services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and child abuse.” In particular, she sought our support for developing youth programs – ‘My Strength’ for boys and ‘Be Strong’ for girls”.

100 Men stepped up . . . and showed we care!

  $6700 Raised for All Leaders Must Serve!

The inaugural meeting for 100 Men Who Give a Damn About Yolo County was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Blue Note Brewing Co and it was an evening filled with networking, sharing and listening to our community's needs.

With beer provided by Blue Note and pizza provided by Steve's Pizza-Woodland, the first 100 Men meeting set the stage and foundation for a new progressive way that men in our community can meet as a group with their peers and friends, discuss the needs of our fellow citizens and then do something about it by donating the $100 each member brought to donate.

As reported in The Davis Enterprise newspaper, ‘First 100 Men Meeting is a Big Payday for Charity.’ Yes, it was! Staff Writer Tanya Perez interviewed the organizers of our three non-profits:

Jayne Williams, Executive Director of All Leaders Must Serve (ALMS) explained the youth leadership and job-readiness program. “Woodland needs young, smart, ready-to-work young people. But we need young people who are going to be committed to what they are getting ready to do.” ALMS works with 15-to-25-year-olds because, she said, “We want to inspire, not just hire. Basic soft skills - how to treat people, how to be willing to learn whatever you need to learn, and how to listen.”

Joanne Bell, Executive Director of Citizens Who Care (CWC), pitched her organization, which works with caretakers of frail, elderly people. “Life takes a turn,” Bell explained, “and people find themselves caring for someone they love. Our organization provides respite to caregivers, relief provided by 120 volunteers’.

Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network (YIIN) President Ramon Urbano said his organization “tries to help immigrants advocate for their rights.’ One of their main focuses is educational, recreational and support services at the Madison Migrant Center, where children have a library and computers, as well as assistance from high school and college students.

All three groups volunteering to serve our neighbors in need . . . and 100 Men of Yolo County is there to give!