Sharing Happy Stories

Sharing Happy Stories is something that ATC's counselors do to stay inspired and motivated amidst the challenges of the work.

Often, we have to devote most of our time to discussing the crises and the struggles in our work. We can inadvertently neglect all of the great moments with our youth. Celebrating and sharing the good things helps keep us motivated and positive. It is essential to make space for the moments that our clients inspire, amaze, or amuse us.

So, at the end of our Direct Service Support meetings, everyone goes around and shares a client experience that stood out for them from the previous two weeks. No matter what difficult issues we tackle during the rest of the meeting, we always make sure to end on an up note!

We wanted to make sure that the entire ATC community gets to share in these stories as well.

To learn more about ATC's amazing clients, click here to watch our documentary, or click here to download our newsletters, full of articles about clients.

Help us with your transcription skills!

Are you a speedy typist, with at least a couple of hours of free time in the next couple of months? If so, we'd love you to help transcribe some interviews. Do it at home, from a coffee shop, or wherever is most comfortable for you!

Every year, At The Crossroads puts out two newsletters, which are read by more than 5,000 people! We try very hard to make them interesting and educational. We focus on a different theme for each one; our upcoming newsletter will shine a spotlight on the culture of money for homeless youth.

We interview clients, community partners, and staff members, among other people. We need your help making sure that their words get captured properly. You'll be playing an important role in educating the community about our clients and the issues that affect them!

The process is easy:
1) We email you a file (or you pick up a recorder)
2) You type, type, type
3) You email us back the Word doc

If you are up for helping out, please email Jon Sege our development coordinator, at jons@atthecrossroads.org

If you help out, Jon's fragile little fingers might not fall off. And given that he likes to drum and to box, it would be a tragedy if this happens.

Thanks!

We need envelope addressers and note writers

This is a simple volunteer activity you can do from the comfort of your own home!

If you have good handwriting, an eye for detail, and some free time over the next couple of months, we'd love your help!

ATC's mailing list has expanded to 3,200 people, and we want everyone on it to actually open what we send them, and read what is inside. That's where you come in, because handwritten envelopes and notes are the key to making this happen.

During September, October and November, we need people who have at least 2 hours of time to address envelopes and write notes to our supporters. It is easy, and has a huge impact on ATC's ability to raise much-needed support.

We'd need you to come by, pick up some envelopes, letters, or note cards, use your lovely penmanship, and then return them. Simple.

If you can help with this, please email Jon Sege, our beloved development coordinator, at jons@atthecrossroads.org

He will love you forever. He is very free with his love. Enough said.

Thanks!

Join our Events Committee

Join our events committee, and we will love you forever!

We're starting an events committee, but it is not going to be exactly like a typical one. It won't require tons of meetings, and it is not your responsibility to make sure people come (although we would definitely love you to encourage people to join!).

We have had Americorps people to help with events for the past few years, but sadly, this is our last year. We don't expect committee members to take their place, but to help lighten the load on our staff, and to bring creativity, enthusiasm, and energy to the process.

The events committee members will be primarily focused on our two major events, the I Think I Can Campaign Launch Party and our Summer SunDay: Hike For Homeless Youth.

You will largely be playing a supportive role, helping staff members with all of the things that go into making a great event. If you want more responsibility, and want to have ownership of certain areas, that is possible, but not expected.

Some of the things that you can help out with include:

• Volunteering at the event
• Helping us get in-kind donations and/or pick them up
• Creating event displays
• Decorations at events
• Finding corporate sponsors
• Tracking attendees, donations, etc.
• Coordinating volunteers
• Promoting the event/marketing
• Planning aspects of the event
• Anything else that will make the event a success

There will not be lots of meetings; maybe a couple.

This is something that people can do year around, or just in the weeks leading up to the events.

The number of hours per week/month are flexible.

By helping us out with our events, you'll be making a massive impact on ATC! Our two major events help raise $100,000 for ATC every year, so they are essential to our organization.

If you are interested, please email Rob Gitin at robg@atthecrossroads.org

The amazing Summer SunDay Hike Sponsors!

Our hikers will be eating some of the best food that the Bay Area has to offer, and will be taking home incredible thank you bags. We want to recognize all of the generous businesses that are supporting our hike.

7x7
As you relax after the Summer SunDay hiker you can catch up with all that's hip and cool in our city with 7x7 Magazine! The trendy monthly magazine company has generously donated copies for your thank you bags.

Affi's Marin Gourmet
Affi's Marin Gourmet will be graciously providing our hikers with amazing all natural, freshly prepared dips from their Mediterranean inspired kitchen in San Rafael. We can't wait to nosh on their donated goods!

Andante Dairy
With cheeses made in nearby Petaluma, Andante Dairy has been making ATC's community happy for years. They have generously donated cheese for the post-hike picnic; get your bellies ready!

Bella Viva
Making sure our hikers get all the necessary nutrients to climb Tam is Bella Viva Orchards, whose amazing dried fruits will fuel us all to the top! Hikers beware: ATC has loved Bella Viva for a long time, and we can eat. Fast.

Bi-Rite
A longtime supporter of ATC events, Bi-Rite is one of our lovely and loyal neighbors here in the Mission. They're helping us out with a bunch of our hiking needs in the form of a gift certificate; we can't wait to spend it!

Canyon Market
Canyon Market of Glen Park is an independent, full-service market who has graciously donated a gift certificate for our Summer SunDay needs! The options of what to use it for are endless; perhaps some mouthwatering cookies and brownies, or maybe their local cheese!

Clif Bar
Clif Bars are tasty, healthy, give you energy, and are made with organic ingredients. And, they're based locally in Berkeley. Delicious and sustainable? Yes, please! Clif Bars will be sustaining our hikers throughout the eight miles, too.

Della Fattoria
Della Fattoria has been a longtime supporter of ATC (and our appetites) and will be donated their brick-oven-baked, gourmet bread to Summer SunDay! Their handcrafted loaves will be the perfect snack for our hungry hikers!

G.L. Alfleri
From their family farm in Ripon, CA, G.L. Alfleri makes the best gourmet nuts and brittle in the world. No joke! Lucky for us, they're longtime supporters of ATC, and will be providing our hikers with their incredible products.

Hamada Farms
Yukio Hamada and his children grow their fantastic fruit in Kingsburg, CA. From the exotic (pluots, pumelos, shaddock) to the classic (nectarines, cherries, apples) our hikers will be well taken care of by the Hamada's generosity!

Happy Girl Kitchen Co.
Pickled vegetables have never tasted so good. Happy Girl Kitchen Co. is a longtime supporter, and has come through again by providing our hikers with refreshing pickles to go along with their post hike lunch!

Ike's Place
Creative, delicious, and unique are just three of the ways we can describe the sandwiches from one of San Francisco's most famous sandwich shops, Ike's Place. With over 80 sandwiches on the menu, we have decided it's impossible to not love at least one! Luckily for our hikers, you get to skip Ike's long lines to give them a try, he generously donated his sandwiches to our post-hike lunch!

K&J Orchards
Cherries, peaches, pluots, oh my! K&J Orchards is fulfilling all of our hikers' fruit dreams with their incredible produce, all grown in Winters, CA. ATC has been enjoying K&J for years, and we're happy to share with our hikers!

Mission Minis
If you like your cupcakes bit sized and delicious, then Mission Minis will surely satisfy your sweet tooth! Saving the best for last, they are donating their treats to our post-hike lunch. We suggest hiking quickly, before they run out.

Mitchell's Ice Cream
Mitchell's has been a San Francisco staple for over 50 years! They make all of their ice cream on the premises, and have flavors ranging from the exotic (avocado) to the classic (Rocky Road). We are so glad to have Mitchell's donating some post-hike sweetness!

Pop Chips
All this talk of food is making us even more excited about the hike, especially now that San Francisco-based Pop Chips is supporting our hikers with their light and truly tasty snacks. No greasy hands for our hikers!

Rainbow Grocery
With a strong philanthropic mission, Rainbow Grocery has flourished since their 1975 opening. As a neighbor of At The Crossroads, we are so appreciative of their very generous gift certificate donation to our hike since we all love their fresh food and Cooperative structure!

Rickshaw Bags
Longtime friends and supporters of ATC, the incredible San Francisco based bag company, Rickshaw, is kindly donating custom made bags for our thank you bags! You'll be struttin' in style after the hike when carrying your Rickshaw bag!

Safeway
The story of Safeway began way back in 1915 when a young man purchased a tiny grocery store in a small Idaho town. Over the years, Safeway has grown to over 1,700 stores, but even with their popularity, they still continue to be generous towards their community partners. Thank you Safeway for your gift certificate donation!

Social Imprints
Longtime friends and supporters of ATC, Social Imprints is hooking our hikers up once again! They are printing hike t-shirts for each hiker, and we couldn't be more grateful! With their strong social mission, they are always up for helping out their community, thanks Social Imprints!

Sports Basement
Our friends at Sports Basement are making it happen for the hike, a gift certificate for all our hike needs! They're basically the experts in all things outdoors - and sports - related, so we're going to go ahead and imbibe what they've got to offer.

Susie Cakes
Specializing in all things delicious, Susie Cakes bakes treats that call to min kids' birthday parties and after-school snacks. Their donated baked goods will certainly sweeten our hikers' post-summit experience!

Sukhi's Authentic Indian Cuisine
As a longtime support of ATC, Sukhi and her family have fed us on multiple occasions and we never get tired of her flavorful curry pastes, spice mixes, and chutneys! Sukhi's has graciously donated food for both the hike and our thank you bags! Based in the Bay Area since 1992, Sukhi certainly knows her stuff.

The Gap
The Gap is a true San Francisco staple, and we are very grateful for their continuous donations to our clients, and to Summer SunDay! Gap is providing the t-shirts for our hikers, who will be sure to look stylish hiking up Mt. Tam.

The Real Food Company
Based in San Francisco for over 40 years, The Real Food Company is sure to deliver quality goods. They'll be donating a gift certificate for our hike needs. Their products are made from all natural ingredients - that means no artificial additives, preservatives, or colors for our hikers!

Trader Joe's
The fine people at Trader Joe's are helping us out with a gift certificate for our Summer SunDay needs! Unfortunately, there won't be any Two Buck Chuck on the hike, but we're just as big of fans when it comes to their other treats!

Whole Foods
Not only will Whole Foods Franklin be providing our hikers with energy and fruit bars, but they'll be donating sunscreen and other awesome items our hikers will be receiving. And since that's a lot of awesome stuff, we're super excited!

Yes To
Yes To was born with the desire to make you feel happy and radiant, and to help you with that, the San Francisco based company has graciously donated cucumber towelettes and lip balm to add to your thank you bags!

Yerena Farms
These Watsonville-bred berries will be making their way up to the mountain for your eating pleasure on the 24th, by the way of the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. These organic berries have been raised by the Yerena siblings and their parents for over 20 years!

You Name It Promotions
The wonderful people at You Name It Promotions are making and donating custom Summer SunDay water bottles for all of our hikers! We're so glad to have them as continuous supporters!

Zuckermans Farms
Roscoe Zuckerman, the third generation to farm the land on the island in the delta, is treating our hikers to some addictively delicious kettle corn made fresh from the corn he grows on his land! Thanks Zuckermans Farms!

Dine at Commonwealth, raise funds for ATC

Dine at Commonwealth, raise money for At The Crossroads! Pretty simple. Commonwealth is a Progressive-American restaurant located in the heart of the Mission District; we walk by it every night on our outreach route! Since opening last year, it has gotten absolutely rave reviews (3 stars in the Chronicle) for its innovative cuisine, and has become one of the top restaurants in San Francisco. Chef Jason Fox and team craft inventive tasting menus, from which a portion go to local charities. For May, they picked At The Crossroads! At The Crossroads will receive $10 from every $60 tasting menu purchased at Commonwealth in May! We want a full house every night in May. So it is time to make your reservations now. Right now. Click here to make a reservation (in May!!!), or call (415) 355-1500. ATC is so grateful to Commonwealth, but not half as grateful as your stomach and tastebuds will be when you dine there in May!

Help us connect with local universities

At The Crossroads is developing a new internship program, and needs to develop relationships with as many of the local colleges, universities and graduate programs as possible.

We are developing two exciting internship opportunities that would be perfect for students who are looking for a rewarding experience that will allow them to develop professional skills while having a huge impact on our organization and our youth! One is focused on fundraising, the other is focused on building relationships with other local community-based organizations.

We want to identify people at Bay Area schools who are involved with public service. This could be faculty, administrators, student leaders, or others.

Do you know someone that could help at one of the following schools (or another school not on this list):

• SF State
• CCSF
• Stanford
• Berkeley
• St. Mary's
• Santa Clara
• Notre Dame de Namur
• Mills
• Skyline
• College of San Mateo
• Golden Gate
• University of the Pacific
• Marin College
• Diablo Valley
• Academy of Art
• SF Art Institute
• California College of the Arts

If you know someone at a local school who could be helpful, please email Hannah Yaritz, ATC's Internship Coordinator, at hannahy@atthecrossroads.org

To see a full description of our Development internship, click here.

To see a description of our Community Resource internship, click here.

We need pro-bono web development help ASAP!

Description of need

Our top priorities are to further develop our I Think I Can Campaign and Summer SunDay Hike websites. These two efforts brought in $120,000 in 2010, nearly 20% of our budget! If we are able to improve these sites, it could lead to an even higher total in 2011. We have two developers currently helping, one who is focused on the back-end, and one who does both front and back-end. However, their time is very limited.

We would also like to be able to make improvements to our main website. This would increase our ability to inform the community about our work, our clients, and the issues that impact them. This site is a slightly lower priority.

Type of support needed

• Front- and back-end web developers
• Available on an ongoing or project-specific basis
• Upcoming project will last for 10-15 weeks, starting in late March. Our next one will begin in August.
• We would like individuals to commit at least three hours/week, either on an ongoing basis, or for the duration of a specific project
• The site is built using PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and CSS

If you can help, or if you want more details, please email Rob Gitin at robg@atthecrossroads.org

Helping with our web development will make an enormous impact on At The Crossroads and our youth!

Operation Wipeout.mp4

Weekly (or Bi-weekly) Volunteers Needed

Do you have 2-4 hours (or more!) of time to spare every week, or every other week?
Are you a fairly flexible and friendly person?

If you answered yes to both of these questions, you should become one of our regular daytime volunteers!

What would you be doing: We have a wide variety of tasks, including making food boxes, doing data entry, putting away our food bank delivery, restocking cabinets, cleaning the office and helping with organizational projects. We would try to cater it to the things you are best at, and most interested in. For a full list of volunteer options, click here.

When are the volunteer hours: It's pretty flexible. We can have people come in as early as 10 AM and leave as late as 8 PM, or anytime in between, Monday-Friday. There are even a few things that don't require coming in regularly (helping us solicit in-kind donations, web development, etc.).

How will we love you: let us count the ways. Nope, too many to count. Let's just say that the love will run deep. Our ten current weekly volunteers make an incredible impact on ATC and our clients, and we are so grateful for them. They free up enough time for ATC counselors to meet with a hundred additional clients every month. And they help keep the office lively and entertaining.

If you are interested in learning more, email Rob Gitin at robg@atthecrossroads.org. Let her know what you are thinking about. And then let the fun begin.