STOCKTON, CA – At its meeting today, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved the use of $50,000 in District One funds to support the renovation of the Aspen Cottage at the Children’s Home of Stockton (CHS). Once renovated the Aspen Cottage will provide six additional beds for transitional age youth (TAY) ages 18-24, many of whom have been part of the foster care system and are at risk of homelessness. The Leadership Stockton Class of 2024 (LS24) selected the CHS Catalyst Program’s Aspen Cottage renovation as its community service project.
“We all have an obligation to care for the children of San Joaquin County,” commented Board Chairman Miguel Villapudua, who represents the First District and brought this item forward. “The Children’s Home of Stockton’s Catalyst Program supports and protects our young adults who are at risk of homelessness, trafficking, and gang involvement. I am thankful for the opportunity to support this program, which is changing lives in our community.”
The CHS Catalyst Program was launched in 2021, and this life-saving program has had a wait list since inception. The program provides transitional housing and support services for TAY to mitigate Stockton’s youth homelessness crisis. The funds will be used for items such as mattresses, bedroom furnishings, towels, a sofa, loveseat, televisions, a coffee table set, an entry table, rugs, an office desk and chair, dining room table, dining room chairs, lamps, desk computers and monitors, and other household items.
Leadership Stockton is a program of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce to prepare a new generation of men and women for leadership roles in the Stockton community. It challenges and prepares individuals from diverse backgrounds to impact San Joaquin County’s regional future. Each year the class selects a community service project. Past projects have supported public safety, food security, homelessness, animal welfare, community development, arts and culture, and more.
###
The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of San Joaquin County and serves more than 779,000 residents. The Board establishes County policies, passes local ordinances, approves the budget, sets local tax rates, supports community programs, and provides many other essential services.
