Tim Griffith Foundation

Recently, KC (Karen) Clapper from the San Mateo County Service ,sent a note of thanks and recognition to the Service League Board of Directors following the Foundation's bi-annual donation of $25,000 to the Service League for the operation of Tim's House...

"Please join the Service League staff and clients in extending a big "THANK YOU" to the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation (TGMF) for their contribution of $25,000 to support our Tim's House transitional facility, as part of their annual $50,000 pledge. This is INCREDIBLE support from a local foundation dedicated to making a difference in our community, http://www.remembertim.org/. Truly a blessing for those who find safe haven in Tim's House during their progress towards recovery and self-sufficiency.

TGMF works hard at their fundraising, recently selling $8,000 of raffle tickets. With amazing luck, for the 2nd year in a row, TGMF sold the winning ticket out of 18,000 for the Redwood City Rotary Club's raffle. AND this year, the Foundation really hit the jackpot … as Stacey Redman, TGMF President and Founder, excitedly announced,

"I want to give you the great news!!! Can you believe this!!!? We had an anonymous person purchase a bundle of raffle tickets and name the Foundation as the recipient -- and one of those tickets was pulled at the raffle drawing!!!!! So the Foundation actually won the drawing for the Prius or $18,000 -- and we are taking the money for sure!! … As you say Karen -- Timmy is watching over the house!"

The ongoing support of TGMF is highly valued in this economic climate in which many foundations and government agencies are continuing to tighten their belts. Daily we are seeing the stress of the economy on Hope House clients; they are having a harder and longer time to find work. Our clients are struggling for scarce resources along with others ... turning to the same food pantries, survival services, and shelters. Distribution from the Service League food pantry is up 150% over June 2009, and clients are volunteering their time for food at food banks and kitchens.

Tim's House is a 6-bed alcohol and drug-free home in a residential neighborhood of Redwood City. The 3-bedroom Hope House was purchased in 2008 to replace a leased facility with the generous support of CDBG funding from the City of Redwood City and the San Mateo County Department of Housing. With our other three transitional homes, Hope Houses annually provide 40-50 men and women with shelter, food, supportive services and referrals to community services.

PS: Don't forget the 6th annual TGMF Harvest Moon fundraiser on Saturday, October 23, 2010 -- along with the festivities, enjoy a great selection of silent auction items and watch Mike Nevin make magic with the best fund-a-need auction! More about the Harvest Moon fundraiser"

We are pleased to announce a $1500 donation from TGMF to the Omega Boys Club of San Francisco that is targeted to provide 15 college-bound Leadership Academy students with supply-filled backpacks and to support their Street Soldiers radio program; a solutions oriented, call-in show for youth, that focuses on the issues of violence, gangs, drugs, teen pregnancy and other topics which need attention in the community.

Tune in this weekend on Sunday, August 21 from 8:00PM – 10:00PM to KMEL FM 106. to hear a special acknowledgement of TGMF for the donation.

More about Street Soldiers Radio Program...
“The program began when rap performer Hammer approached Keith Naftly, KMEL Program Director with the concept for a show that focuses on social concerns. The show was dubbed "Street Soldiers" after a song on one of Hammer's albums. The first show aired in November, 1991 and was hosted by Hammer. The show was an instant success. After the first show with Hammer, Joseph Marshall, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Omega Boys Club, was selected by the management at KMEL to be Hammer's successor and permanent host of Street Soldiers. Dr. Marshall and the Omega Boys Club have been airing the "Street Soldiers" message ever since.

Street Soldiers is a vital part of Omega Boys Club's work with young people. The show has been on the air every week for over ten years, and each week more than forty calls are answered on the air. The callers are all ages and are from diverse backgrounds. Gang members, drug dealers, teen mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers and others in the community all call, seeking immediate solutions to their problems and someone to talk with.”

More about the Omega Boys Club...
“The Omega Boys Club of San Francisco was founded by former educators Joseph Marshall and Jack Jacqua in response to the increasing number of inner city youth dropping out of school and being incarcerated or killed. Omega's mission is to keep people alive and free, unharmed by violence and free from incarceration. To provide youth with opportunity and support to build positive lives for themselves and move into contributing roles in society. Over 20 years, Omega has transformed the lives of thousands of at-risk mostly African American young women and men, helping them succeed in school and life. Youth who once had no dreams for their futures are living productive lives. To date, 117 Omegas have graduated from college and 52 more are currently enrolled. For more information, go to http://street-soldiers.org or call (415) 826-8664. “