MUTUAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK OF DEL PASO HEIGHTS

Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights (the Organization), is a California nonprofit corporation, founded in 1992 by community residents. The Organization serves to foster healthy families, promote healthcare, and expand economic opportunity in the Del Paso Heights community of Sacramento. The mission is to advance social and economic opportunities so families can thrive. The Organization offers programs to improve health and well-being for all who live and work in the Del Paso Heights and surrounding Northern Sacramento areas through innovative partnerships and community driven programming. Working with youth and their families, the Organization aims to break cycles of poverty and improve quality of life for those who serve. The Organization has successfully implemented and maintained and expanded several programs to support families, youth development and economic development. The Organization believes that neighborhood residents have the power to create change within their community and allows residents to act as guides for community growth. The goal of the Organizations work is to engage and empower families, prepare youth for adulthood, and promote a web of neighborhood support. This is seen in programs such as Birth & Beyond Family Resource Centers, Black Child Legacy Campaign and Healing the Hood, Passport to Adulthood and Asset and Wealth Building. The Organizations programming strives to be responsive to the needs and issues that affect residents. In addition, the Organizations staff are reflective of the cultural and linguistic make-up of the neighborhoods residents and offer classes and activities in several languages. Youth development work has included recreational activities for youth, organized sports, adult preparation workshops and work experience for neighborhood youth. The Organizations economic development work has included assistance with free tax preparation, and connection to financial and homeownership coaching. The Organization has worked with housing developers to construct and sell homes to Northern Sacramento residents. This strategy seeks to improve homeownership rates, develop assets for families and reduce gentrification.