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Community Services

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NCC Expands Effort to End Homelessness
NCC Expands Effort to End Homelessness 5760 3840 Ken Miller

The NCC is making strides to address homelessness, aiming to establish 15 Ending Homelessness Task Forces by 2027. These task forces are regional teams of church members, pastors, and those dedicated to addressing homelessness.

Recently, two new task forces were launched in Contra Costa and Mendocino counties. Joelle Chinnock, Ending Homelessness Initiative Coordinator, shared, “We are pleased to announce these new groups and are close to launching a fourth in the Marin-Sonoma area. This progress reflects a growing commitment to addressing homelessness in at least one population group—chronic homeless individuals, veterans, adults with children, or youth—in every county where the Adventist Church is present, ensuring homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring.”

Task force members will join their respective county’s Continuum of Care, agencies which collaborate to address homelessness issues. Josie Asencio, pastor of the Antioch church and leader of the Contra Costa County task force, stated, “I have been attending area Continuum of Care meetings to prepare for our task force’s first official planning session. I am so impressed that many in our area are motivated for this mission.”

Chinnock concluded, “I am encouraged by these new task force volunteers. Each new team moves the NCC Ending Homelessness Initiative closer to its goal.”

Featured in Northern Lights, March 6, 2025
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Napa Spanish Hosts Community Health Day
Napa Spanish Hosts Community Health Day 4000 2250 Ken Miller

With the support of the NCC Health Ministries Department, the Napa Spanish Church recently held its annual free community health fair.

Local residents were invited to the event, with 49 receiving essential dental procedures and 159 undergoing health screenings. Adventist Health’s Mobile Health Clinic also provided flu and other seasonal shots to attendees. Healthy food and cooking advice were also an offered service.

Ruben Vargas, pastor, stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Northern California Conference and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation to impact our community. Additional partners included, The Community Health Initiative, Puertas Abiertas, and the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency. This joint effort reminds us that collaboration can make a greater impact for God’s kingdom.”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 13, 2025
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Center of Hope and Influence: A New Era for Community Service in Hayward
Center of Hope and Influence: A New Era for Community Service in Hayward 4000 2250 Ken Miller

On October 19, a five-year dream was realized as the Hayward Spanish Church unveiled its unique Center of Hope.

Led by Stennett Nash, pastor, and supported by Daniel Javes, Miriam Solman, Mary Len, Raquel Javes, and numerous dedicated volunteers, this vision was brought to life with generous funding from the Northern California Conference. The Center of Hope, a beacon of support, guidance, and connection, marks a significant expansion in how this faith community serves and uplifts Hayward and surrounding neighborhoods.

Nash expressed his commitment to the mission: “The Center of Hope is not just a program. It is part of our church. This will be a beacon of support, guidance, and connection until Jesus comes. Our purpose is to offer a place where people find real hope, practical resources, and the love of Christ in every interaction.”

The Center of Hope is dedicated to enhancing the community’s health, well-being, and prosperity. The well-established food bank is a vital resource, providing essential support to families in need. In addition, the Center will launch health outreach initiatives that leverage the area’s natural environment, including guided walks, cooking classes, and health fairs. Furthermore, the Center will offer Adult English Literacy and English as a Second Language classes, equipping participants with the skills necessary to secure and maintain meaningful employment.

Youth education is also a priority, with after-school tutoring for school-age children and teens fostering academic growth and self-confidence. Additionally, the Center will build a digital library for educational and personal development resources. Legal assistance and referrals to partner nonprofits will round out the Center’s offerings, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals and families in need.

During the dedication, Marc Woodson, president, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “One of our strategic anchors at NCC is community relevance, and the Center of Hope will be a transformative blessing for the Hayward community. This center mirrors the compassionate work of Jesus and allows us to be His hands and feet in the world.”

The Center of Hope stands as a living testament to the power of unity, compassion, and faith. Through ongoing support and the unwavering dedication of its leaders and volunteers, the Hayward Spanish Church is shining a light on what it means to serve selflessly and transform lives, one neighbor at a time.

Featured in Northern Lights, November 7, 2024
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Auburn Dedicates New Shower Truck
Auburn Dedicates New Shower Truck 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Feb 3- The Auburn Church dedicated the addition of a new shower trailer to their Adventist Community Services program.

The new trailer replaces a unit that has been in service for sixteen years. Pam Haddad, director of Auburn Adventist Community Services, stated, “Our new ACS showers have already served up to 52 unhoused individuals per week. It is an important resource for our community.”

Each section of the four-bathroom unit has a shower, toilet, sink, and heated benches. Each user receives a kit with hygiene basics, including a toothbrush, soap, razor, and other amenities. A local crane company was employed to lift it over obstructions a few weeks before the dedication.

Cindy Gustafson, Placer County District Supervisor, is a key player in the Auburn ACS program, releasing $1,100 to fund clothing items that support this ministry. She praised the ACS addition by noting that faith-based contributions are vital to the Auburn community, serving those in need or impacted by local disasters.

James Lim, NCC Director of Community Services, praised, “The dedication of a new shower trailer in the heart of Auburn will increase and improve the health and well-being of the local community. This trailer will be in action multiple times a week, ensuring essential hygiene for all. The Auburn ACS is making a difference, one shower at a time!”

Featured in Northern Lights, February 22, 2024
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Service in the Community
Service in the Community 4000 2250 Ken Miller

October 14 was the annual community service day for the NCC administrative offices.

The Conference Office employees filled the Lincoln Church multipurpose room to prepare over eighty monthly food boxes for a line of cars stretching nearly four blocks. Volunteers packed boxes with fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, canned items, and desserts from local food banks and stores. Fresh bread arrived in paper sleeves, adding to the bounty. The bustling process included unloading trucks in a water-brigade style and organizing fruits, vegetables, and other goods in designated areas, ready for assembly.

Once the Lincoln Church Food Bank opened, the team moved from car to car with a sense of care, warmly signing in each person and offering a moment of prayer together. Meanwhile, other members worked diligently to load boxes into the waiting cars, ensuring everything was done in an organized and thoughtful way.

Marc Woodson, president, stated, “Service is at the core of our values in the NCC. It was satisfying and fun to work so hard to help serve our Lincoln Church volunteers and see that result put in the hands of their community.”

Featured in Northern Lights, December 5, 2024

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Donate to the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund
Donate to the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund 4800 2700 Ken Miller
The Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NCC) has established the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund to provide a trusted avenue for support. This fund is dedicated to directly supporting the students, families, and staff of Feather River Adventist School, all of whom have been deeply impacted by this senseless and violent act.
In alignment with our values and ethical stewardship, we want to clarify that this fund supports the entire Feather River Adventist School community, not just two specific families. If you wish to restrict your support to Elias Wolford or Roman Mendez and their families, you may indicate this in the check memo line or the notes section of the online giving form. Because NCC is a conduit for support, ensuring that 100% of the contribution benefits those affected, gifts are not tax-deductible.
Please visit the Feather River Adventist School Victims Fund Giving Link to contribute.  Or send your contributions to Northern California Conference, C/O Feather River School Support, 2100 Douglas Blvd, Roseville, CA 95661. If you have questions, you can email our Director of Communication and Development, laurie.trujillo@nccsda.com. Your support will play a vital role in helping our community heal and rebuild.

Click here to support.

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Faithful Service Creates Trust and Abundance
Faithful Service Creates Trust and Abundance 4000 2250 Ken Miller

At Concord International Church, abundance is joyfully measured by the number of families they are privileged to serve each week.

Every Thursday, about 70 enthusiastic volunteers from the church and local community come together to create a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere, providing groceries to over 700 individuals. This weekly gathering has become a beacon of hope and connection, where the spirit of giving thrives.

Since its humble beginnings in 2020, the food pantry has blossomed into a beloved weekly event that brings the community together. What started as a small act of faith has grown into a dependable ministry that the community trusts and cherishes. Scott Groschel, co-director, shared, “We’re helping people make a difference in their lives. Many face tough choices between paying for food, electricity, or gas to get to work. Here, they don’t have to choose—they can find nutritious food and a sense of relief. It’s amazing to be part of something that positively impacts our community.”

The pantry’s success is built on a foundation of generosity and partnerships with local food banks, Costco, and Safeway. As Scott Groschel observed, “This is more than just a place to get food—it’s a community. People come here and make friendships while they wait in line or shop. It’s wonderful to see how faith and kindness bring people together.” The pantry’s dedication to service has even garnered recognition, earning them an award from the Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano and support from local city council members.

Gigi Groschel, the director, is grateful for the blessings that have poured into this ministry. “God has blessed this ministry far beyond what we ever imagined, allowing us to reach so many more people in need,” she said, her voice full of joy. “We have countless opportunities to share with each person about the God we serve, and we can see the Holy Spirit working in their lives. It’s truly incredible to witness God’s amazing work!”

Concord International Church’s food pantry is a shining example of how faith, service, and community spirit can create an abundance of blessings for everyone involved.

Featured in Northern Lights, August 22, 2024
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Joy at Redwood Camp Meeting
Joy at Redwood Camp Meeting 3894 2072 Ken Miller

On July 27, another week of praise, worship and fellowship at Redwood Camp Meeting came to a close.

Harry Salvini, camp director, praised a dedicated team of volunteers, NCC pastors, staff, invited speakers, and campers who contributed to a blessed and successful week of worship under the Redwoods.

Becky Farfan, camp registrar, reported that 430 campsites were filled, and more than 1,300 individuals went through the registration process. These numbers did not include those staying in local hotels or visiting for the day. She noted, “By the end of the week, over fifty families showed their enthusiasm by pre-registering for camp in 2025!”

Paul Guevara, Hispanic ministries coordinator, highlighted a significant attendance increase in the Hispanic division. A volunteer passing by Sequoia Grove, the Spanish language amphitheater, exclaimed, “I heard the most glorious music flowing from that area like it was coming straight from heaven.”

Joyful pastors and division leaders indicated that parents and children greatly appreciated the fun and engaging spiritual programming. One family, initially planning to leave halfway through the week, was strongly encouraged by their children to stay for the entire time so they wouldn’t miss a meeting.

Jennifer Shaw, camp secretary, reflected, “As I was walking back from a friend’s site on the final night, I could hear the laughter of happy families echoing through the tall trees. I felt simultaneously exhausted and energized and thanked God for letting me be a part of this wonderful ministry.”

Featured in Northern Lights, August , 2024
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Dudley Galusha Passes to His Rest
Dudley Galusha Passes to His Rest 696 928 Ken Miller

We regret to announce that Dudley Galusha, a member of The Haven church, passed away peacefully on June 6.

Galusha will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, country, and church. His legacy is inspiring, having contracted the building of numerous institutions in Northern California and beyond. He built schools such as Clearlake School, Foothills Elementary School, Humboldt Bay School, and Rio Lindo Academy. He also constructed churches in our territory, including Cloverdale, Fort Bragg, Meadow Vista, Napa, Pacific Union College, Pleasant Hill, and The Haven. Moreover, he constructed Leoni Meadows, Newton Hall (PUC), and Redwood Creek Camp. His influence even reached international shores with constructing the Frogmouth Chapel in Cooroy, Queensland, Australia.

Vince Saunders, pastor at The Haven, expressed, “Throughout his life, Dudley had a tremendously positive influence within our church and community. Even now, his legacy of support for education and church ministry continues through his family as they rebuild our school. He will be greatly missed, and the reunion in Heaven will be exhilarating!”

His daughter Cynthia wrote, “His long life was very full, and he leaves a lengthy & outstanding legacy in the field of construction in Northern California. His mental sharpness and dry wit remained intact to the very end of his 98 years on earth.”

A celebration of life will be held on July 27, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at The Haven SDA Church,15 Woodland Rd., Saint Helena, CA. In place of flowers, the family has requested any gifts be sent to the following:

Cookson Ranch Foundation (Redwood Creek)

P.O. Box 973, Blue Lake, CA 95525

Friends of Foothills School

711 Sunnyside Rd., St. Helena, CA 94574

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Ending Homelessness by 2032
Ending Homelessness by 2032 986 738 Ken Miller

Over the past year, our Council on Homelessness has worked tirelessly towards a high-level goal: achieving functional zero for a homeless population group in each county where we are present by 2032. This is an urgent mission, as functional zero means making homelessness rare and brief when it occurs, a milestone we are determined to reach.

Key initiatives include:

  • Developing the 1st Annual Summit on Ending Homelessness, to be held in November 2024.
  • Creating an Ending Homelessness Initiative Taskforce (EHIT) for each county where we are present, starting with Placer County.
  • Collaborating with Placer County to end homelessness for veterans.

Your civic engagement, advocacy, and healthcare expertise are crucial to our mission. We need three new members with these skills. Your knowledge and skills will be instrumental in expanding our efforts and guiding our work to end homelessness in our territory by 2032.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the relevant expertise, we encourage you to join our Council on Homelessness. Click here for The Terms of Reference and a formal application.

With your help, we can make a significant impact and improve lives. We are committed to this cause and look forward to your contribution.

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Every Thursday morning, Northern Lights, the official news source of the Northern California Conference, shares how churches, schools, and members are connecting people to an abundant life with Jesus Christ and preparing them for His soon return.

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