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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.1 Buenas Vidas Ranch Funding Request C I T Y O F D U B L I N AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 14, 1989 SUBJECT: Request for funding from Buenas Vidas Ranch (Prepared by: Lou Ann Riera-Texeira) EXHIBITS: Letter from Buenas Vidas Ranch dated August 3, 1989 RECOMMENDATION- 1. Receive presentation from Sally Bystroff, Administrator, .(2 / Buenas Vidas Ranch 2. Consider request for funding FINANCIAL Buenas Vidas Ranch is requesting a $5,000 contribution to STATEMENT: assist with the start-up phase of the new Patsy Anderson Group Home for Girls. If Council chooses to fund Buenas Vidas Ranch, Council should direct staff to process a budget transfer from the contingent reserve account. DISCUSSION: The Buenas Vidas Ranch, a non-profit organization, has served the Tri-Valley area for the past fifteen years. They work with Alameda County in providing residential care, weekend programs, summer volunteer and work programs and related services to troubled and needy young people. Currently, Buenas Vidas operates the Shattuck Home for Boys, which is located in an unincorporated area of Alameda County near the Livermore Veterans Hospital. This facility presently houses six boys ages 12-18, all wards of the court; 85-90% are Tri-Valley residents. The Shattuck Home is one of the 8-10 licensed youth home serving the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon. Of the 8-10 group homes currently licensed, one is located within the City of Dublin. In response to the growing need for residential group home services in the Tri-Valley area, Buenas Vidas Ranch recently expanded their services to include a second residential group home for girls. The new Patsy Anderson Group Home, located in the City of Livermore, will house six girls ages 12-18. It is expected that of the six children served, one or two will be residents of Dublin. The projected operating budget for the Patsy Anderson Home is approximately $130,000 per year. To date, Buenas Vidas has received financial support from the City of Livermore, Alameda County and from various community groups to purchase and make minor repairs to the Patsy Anderson Home. In addition, Buenas Vidas will use revenue generated from the operation of their two thrift stores to subsidize the new group home. As indicated in their letter, it will take approximately ten weeks before the Patsy Anderson Home achieves full operational status. In the interim, Buenas Vidas will suffer a financial shortfall of $18,000. Consequently, Buenas Vidas Ranch is reaching out to the cities of Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin, as well as to local community groups and churches for a financial support to assist with the start-up phase of the Patsy Anderson Group Home. Buenas Vidas is requesting a $5,000 contribution from the City of Dublin. Staff recommends that Council receive the presentation from the Administrator of Buenas Vidas Ranch and consider their request for funding. If Council chooses to fund Buenas Vidas Ranch, Council should direct staff to process a budget transfer from the contingent reserve account. g„ , y AUG - t i ` - 5301 ARROYO ROAD,LIVERMORE,CALIFORNIA 94550 415/449-1177 jAugust 3, 1989 Mayor Paul Moffatt Dublin City Council 6500 Dublin Blvd. Dublin, Ca. 94568 Dear Mayor Moffatt and Council Members, A letter like this is only written when you are determined to continue service and you are in desperate need. In the past fifteen years we have served many hundreds of troubled and needy young people `with a variety of programs; residential care, weekend programs, summer work programs, summer volunteer youth corp. (STAR) , and many others. These programs were made possible by community donations of help, goods, and money, by fees for services, where possible, and by subsidies from our Thrift Stores. We currently find ourselves with a financial crisis on our hands. The Pleasanton Thrift Store has had to subsidize the new Livermore Thrift Store through its start-up phase as well as the rest of our programs. When plans were put into action to open a group home for teen age girls in our valley we were counting on the Pleasanton Store to finance the start-up of this new program. Circumstances have created a situation where in we do not have the necessary funds for our start-up budget. The girls home will be self supporting as soon as it becomes operational. It will take approximately 10 weeks to achieve full operational status. In the interim start-up phase we will still have to meet our operational budget. This leaves us with a short fall of $18, 000. 00 which is needed on a one time basis in order for us to put this much needed service into full operation. 1 ,r ` t We realize that this is a large sum of money and are solic- iting several local sources for any amount that they can donate.We are asking local Protestant Churches for donations from their Deacons' Funds and local Catholic Churches for donations from their discretionary funds. We are also seek- ing support from the city councils of the cities whose youth we serve. The need is great; The need is real. The youth that we deal with in our residential programs have marked anti-social behavior and need the guidance, struc- ture, and 'support of a group home program. We specialize in youth with families in this area in order to maximize the potential for improving the family relationship and work toward family reunification. 'Alameda County annually sup- ports over 500 youth in group homes. Most of these young people are placed out of the county which hinders possible reunification processes. The Beta Sigma Phi Sorority is helping us paint the new house this weekend. The Soroptomists are providing some of the needed kitchen equipment and community donations through our Thrift Stores will provide the balance of the furniture and furnishings needed for the house. Please help us to continue our work. The Thrift Store shortfalls have jeopardized our, new program, even to the point of closing it down. We must have start-up money for , the new Patsy Anderson Group Home. We are very grateful for any help you can give us. We have planned ahead but we can't overcome this hurdle without your help. I am always glad to answer questions or show people around the facilities. Please do let me hear back as soon as possible. Tha k You, / 0 S. 11y B strof ! •dministr.tor 2 -