Recently, I had the privilege of joining Del Paso Heights residents, community leaders, and youth at a Town Hall hosted by Mutual Assistance Network. The event was part of a deep listening series focused on youth education and mental health in the neighborhood, coordinated in partnership with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation.
Held at Sacramento Youth Center, the room was alive with energy and honesty. Youth took the stage to share powerful performances based on their lived experiences with mental health — thoughtful, creative expressions of both struggle and strength. Local leaders followed, reflecting on their deep love for this community, memories of its past, and hopes for its future.
The room was filled with residents of all ages, but it was clear that the voices of young people led the conversation. That was intentional. We wanted to hear directly from them, not filtered through adults, because the most effective solutions come from those living the experience every day.
This event was part of the Foundation’s ongoing initiative to advance education equity and mental health for youth in Del Paso Heights. Together with Mutual Assistance Network, we invited attendees to hear about the Foundation’s goals, learn from youth about the realities they and their peers face, and participate in small group discussions with parents, representatives from fellow community-based organizations, and neighbors who care deeply about the well-being of young people in the neighborhood.
Over the past few months, the Foundation has invested more than $300,000 from our Impact Fund in 18 local organizations creating spaces for young people to learn, heal, and grow — everything from college tours that expand horizons to healing circles that nurture emotional well-being. Building on this, we are deepening our partnerships with trusted organizations and community members to identify what’s working, what’s missing, and where philanthropy can help fill the gaps.
At its heart, this work is what philanthropy is meant to be. The word literally means “love of humanity.” It’s about using resources, relationships, and trust to put that love into action. At the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, we are honored to serve as the hub of philanthropy for our region, connecting caring people with the causes that matter most and investing in communities like Del Paso Heights, where opportunity can transform lives.
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