July Update from Supervisor Sackett

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

JULY 2024

PLASTIC FREE JULY MWPA GRANTS AVAILABLE LEGACY OF MARIN CITY EXHIBIT SUPERVISOR SACKETT'S COMMUNITY CHAT SUPPORT PROGRAMS FORUM EMPOWERED ELDER WORKSHOPS HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING

 

Dear Neighbors,

On June 26, the Board unanimously approved the County’s $815 million budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. While we have achieved a balanced budget, we remain vigilant about potential state budget cuts due to the state deficit. Our County budget focuses on building a racially equitable community, investing in county infrastructure, preserving and expanding affordable housing options, addressing homelessness, enhancing workforce recruitment and retention, adapting to climate change, and improving disaster preparedness.  

I hope everyone is enjoying summer and had a fun Fourth of July despite the heat wave. I had a fantastic time at the Marin County Fair on opening day. My team, including our Career Explorer Intern, joined the annual post-Fair clean-up with Marin County Parks. 

 

 

 

PLASTIC FREE JULY

 

On July 16, the Board adopted a resolution proclaiming July as Plastic Free Month. Plastic is pervasive in our lives. We can choose to say no to single-use plastics and bring reusables to minimize our use of plastic for our health and the health of our environment. My family has practiced Plastic Free July for several years, and find it to be an interesting exercise seeing what plastic we end up using during the month. We bring reusables to the grocery store and are mindful of utensils (reuse single-use utensils when you have them and dispose of them in the correct waste bin). Don't let perfection impede you from "Choosing to Refuse" plastic as much as you can. Zero Waste Marin's newsletter has helpful tips. 

 

MWPA GRANTS

 

On July 1st, the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) began a new grant cycle, allocating $500,000 to support residents’ risk reduction work for 2024-2025. Grant applications will remain open until program funds are depleted. To ensure that properties that are evaluated later in the season are able to apply, some funds will be reserved until October 1st.

Click here to review your Wildfire Risk Report. If grant-eligible hazards are found on your property, the grant application can be found on the last page of your report. Marin Wildfire will award up to $2,500 per parcel for projects identified on your Wildfire Risk Report that address one of the following eligible issues: Installing metal gutters and guards; Installing fire-resistant vents; Installing non-combustible gate or fence sections; Clearing vegetation in Zone 0 and Zone 1 (within 30 feet of a structure). There are no matching funds required. The lifetime maximum that a resident may be awarded through these assistance programs is $15,000. Please contact the grant program if you need help accessing the grant application: grants@marinwildfire.org. 

 

LEGACY OF MARIN CITY EXHIBIT

 

The Marin County Free Library presents "The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960)." This exhibit, available at all ten library branches through September 30th, showcases Black American life during World War II (WWII) in Marin through photographs, keepsakes, and personal remembrances from Black shipyard workers and their families.

Marin City, established during WWII to house Marinship workers, became a hub for Black American laborers from the South. These workers were crucial in building Liberty ships and tankers for the war effort. The exhibit highlights their journey from the Jim Crow South to Marin City, and their significant contributions to the war. The exhibit is a collaboration with the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society, the Marin Community Foundation, and others. Author Felecia Gaston’s new book, A Brand New Start … This is Home, now available in Marin libraries, explores the lives of these workers and their families. Gaston, a prominent historian and leader in Marin City, has been instrumental in creating this exhibit and educational materials for local schools.

 

SUPERVISOR SACKETT'S COMMUNITY CHAT

 

 

Join me for a Community Chat at the Downtown San Rafael Summer Farmers Market (between A Street and Lootens Street) on Thursday, August 1, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. Stop by to share your concerns, discuss issues, or simply stop by to say hi. I look forward to seeing you there!

 

SUPPORT PROGRAMS FORUM

 

Join the Marin Communications Forum and First 5 Marin on Wednesday, July 24th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM for a virtual informational forum with the Marin County Department of Social Services. Learn about support programs for children, families, unhoused people, immigrants, older adults, and disabled people. Learn who qualifies for benefits, how to apply, or how to get more information.

Programs include:

• Medi-Cal - for low-income health coverage regardless of documentation status
• CalFresh - food benefits
• CalWORKS - temporary financial support for people with children
• General Relief - a financial loan program for childless adults
• Veterans' Services – linkages for veterans, their spouses, and children access to financial support, healthcare, education benefits, and burial services.
• Public Guardian – conservatorship and representative payee support for adults who do not have the capacity to make their own medical or financial decisions due to dementia or mental illness.

Please register here or email Michelle@First5Marin.org to register for this event. PS: the meeting will be recorded if you are unable to tune in live.

 

EMPOWERED ELDER WORKSHOP SERIES

 

Empower yourself with essential knowledge by attending Vivalon's "Empowered Elder" workshop series, presented by the California Alliance for Retired Americans. Join one or both of these invaluable sessions located at Vivalon's Healthy Aging Campus at 999 3rd Street, San Rafael:

Workshop: Your Rights in a Hospital
Date: Tuesday, July 23
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Discover your hospital rights, including your right to a safe discharge and the process for appealing a discharge if you’re not ready to leave.

Workshop: Completing Your Advance Healthcare Directive
Date: Thursday, July 30
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Get guided assistance on filling out an Advance Healthcare Directive to ensure your medical choices are known and respected when you can't speak for yourself.

Register by calling Vivalon Guest Services at 415-456-9062. 

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?

 

WHAT I'M READING

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese is a captivating summer read that immerses you in the life of a family in Parambil and their deep connection with water. The narrative begins with a young bride entering an arranged marriage and settling into life on a sprawling estate. As the matriarch, she nurtures her son, an aspiring columnist, and her granddaughter, who eventually becomes a physician. The story spans generations, weaving together moments of joy and tragedy.

Through the Department of Rehabilitation, the Marin Center for Independent Living is currently accepting applications for the Community Living Fund, a program established to support transitions and diversions from care facilities to keep people in their own homes. Applicants must be under 300% of the federal poverty level to be eligible to apply.

Eligible expenses may include assistive technology, household necessities, moving costs, physical therapy assessments, rent, utilities, and other items. Income verification required. To enroll or learn more about eligibility, contact: Marin Center for Independent Living's Aging and Disability Resource Connection Manager, Armin Damani, at 415-459-6245 x19 or email armin@marincil.org. 

 

Please stay in touch,