"Whatever we can do to help, we will." --CCJ Thrift Shop

CCJ Employee Chris Botti and AmeriCorps Member Jason Clark

At the Coalition for Compassion and Justice Thrift Shop, we come to work every day with one mission- To help as many people as we can, in any way that we can. Sometimes that help comes in the form of clothing vouchers, or our low prices. Sometimes it comes in the form of a helping hand in a time of need, like when we helped an elderly couple clean out their entire house when they had to move in a hurry.

Sometimes that help comes in the form of a pair of ears that are willing to listen to your story. We can relate! We have been there and can help.

All of our profits go to help fund the other Coalition for Compassion and Justice programs, such as the CCJ Open Door program, that helps feed hundreds of people each month. People can also get a voucher for the Thrift Shop at the CCJ Open Door office, for use on necessities such as clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, children’s clothes, pots, pans, and other household items. The CCJ Thrift Shop will deliver any item purchased for free, or come to you and pick up any donation for free as well! So when you find that perfect couch, table, or other piece of furniture here, you don’t have to also have a vehicle big enough to bring it to your home. The Coalition for Compassion and Justice is a community response to poverty that helps clothe, feed and shelter those in need. And at the CCJ Thrift Shop, the bottom line is whatever we can do to help, we will.  

We are located at 442 W Goodwin in the Park Plaza. 
Call 928-445-5478 to schedule a FREE donation pickup! 
All donations are tax-deductible per CCJ’s 501(c)(3) status.

An Inspirational Story to Celebrate Senior Corps Week!

In honor of Senior Corps Week, we here at Serve Yavapai want to give a big shout out to the Senior Corps members in our community! 


What better way to brag about them than to highlight a story of a Senior Corps member serving in our community who is making a difference? This story comes from Jean Jogsma, the Program Coordinator for the West Yavapai County Senior Corps programs of Northern Arizona University.  


“One of my favorite stories is of a Senior Companion, named Sharon.  I was given a referral for a 92 year old blind lady that lived alone.  It turned out that her and her husband had built their home in Prescott 35 years ago in a nice neighborhood.  They had several close neighbors as friends.  Well, the client's husband died about 6 years ago, so her 62 year old son moved in with her.  Over the years the neighbors had begun to grow old and pass away as well, leaving only one couple left of the original group living down the road. 


In September 2011, the 62 year old son was diagnosed with cancer and died in November.  This was the client’s only living relative.  Now she had no one but one 90 year old couple a few houses up the block. 


I went to visit the client with Sharon, a wonderful Senior Companion.  The client was so happy to see us.  She had gotten out a few times to get groceries, but hated being a burden to anyone. This is how Sharon could be helpful!  Now she has a Senior Companion who comes to visit her for 4 hours a week.  They go grocery shopping, go to the beauty shop, bank etc.  Also, Sharon reads all of the clients mail to her.  The client had several months worth of mail (including Christmas cards) she had never opened when we first met her.  The client and Sharon have become good friends.  The client stated she no longer feels so alone and looks forward to Sharon's visits.”

This story highlights the huge impact that even one volunteer can have in our community. The Senior Corps programs are creating lasting and meaningful change in our community. For more information that about the Senior Companion program, or other Senior Corps programs, please visit the NAU Civic Service Center website at:  http://nau.edu/SBS/CSI/Welcome/

Jean tells us that she is hiring both Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents volunteers to serve in the Prescott and Humboldt school districts.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving as a Senior Corps Member please contact Jean at: Jean.Jongsma@nau.edu or by calling, 928-713-4114.


On Senior Corps week, and every week, we remember to serve and thank those who do!

Gardening, anyone?

 

Prescott Community Gardens

Need another reason to get out in this lovely sunshine? Prescott Community Gardens is looking for volunteers to help place raised beds on Friday, May 11^th at 9:00 a.m.

Volunteers will be split into 2 groups.

Group 1 will be putting the beds together with screws and battery operated cordless drills

Group 2 will level the soil and dig 1 foot holes for the corner posts. Materials will be provided on site.

The Community Gardens is located on 310 N. Granite St. Prescott, AZ 86301

 Directions:

• You will arrive in the parking lot across Montezuma St. from Albertsons shopping center.
• You will then walk to the north into the forest amongst the picnic tables.
•  Simply follow the only path that will lead to a small bridge that will span Granite Creek.
•  Proceed across the small Granite Creek Bridge.
•  When you reach the end of the bridge, continue walking up the path, whereupon the community garden will appear before you.

If you have any questions please call or e-mail Yanina Rivera.

Phone: 413-579-7935

E-mail: yrivera@ycvp.com

Priceless Prom is...well, priceless!

AmeriCorps Member Natalie Boggs

Happy Priceless Prom-goers!

Oooh la la!

We just finished another successful Priceless Prom, and it was our biggest event yet! High School is stressful enough, and finding the money for Prom can be another unwelcome stressor for a lot of students. As an AmeriCorps Member with North Star Youth Partnership, I've helped to organize the Priceless Prom for two years now, and it absolutely couldn't happen without the amazing help we receive from the community. Many parents, high schoolers, and community members helped us to collect over 300 dresses this year. Along with dresses, students are able to pick out shoes, purses, wraps, jewelry, and other accessories for FREE! We had a raffle so they could win gift certificates that were donated by local salons for hair, makeup, and manicures. Priceless Prom isn't just for girls either! We had suits, tuxedos, vests, ties, and shoes for guys too. This year has by far been our most successful. We had about 100 students attend 4 separate events in 3 different locations, getting everything they needed for this fancy affair. We had so much help from the community. Our first location was at De Beaux Chevex, a salon that also let us hold our event there last year. Our second was at "The Rock", a teen center owned by the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prescott, located right next to the high school. We held our last event at the Catholic Charities Community Services office in Prescott Valley, which meant more students could come and attend. Artisan Cleaners, located in Prescott, donated dry cleaning to us so many of the dresses we received could be sparkling and pressed to perfection for the event. We also had hair cuts for guys and up-dos for girls donated by Hair Elements Gallery, Harmony Salon, and Ritz Total Image Salon.
My favorite part about Priceless Prom is helping the students pick things out. One girl said to me this year that if it wasn't for the Priceless Prom, she wouldn't be going at all. People come in and can't believe that almost all the dresses are brand new with tags. The most common questions I get are, "So, what do I do now? How much do I owe you? What's the catch?"  "There is none!"  I answer. "Go have fun at the Prom! Send us pictures!"  :)