A Story of Empowerment and Hope

A Story of Hope and Empowerment from the Folks at Rancho Damacitas

Good Bye Joanie and Karina! We will be wishing Joanie and her daughter well as they embark on the next chapter of their life.

Two years ago Joanie came to us asking for help. I still remember the interview as she took responsibility for some poor decisions and expressed her determination to overcome her past and create a hopeful future for herself and her baby.

We explained our program and told her that “Empowerment Village is not just a place to live; it is a place to grow.” We explained to Joanie that we would help her build a future based on hard work and good decisions. She looked at me and said “I’m in. Let’s get started”.

Over the last two years Joanie has been an amazing mother, leader on campus and a terrific example of what hard work can accomplish. She got her GED and is taking college level classes, she embraced the Dave Ramsey Financial Literacy Program and paid off old debts and started to save money each month. She got a job and received promotions and learned the important lesson of staying the course even when you are tired or discouraged.

Now Joanie is packing her car to move on to her next adventure. She has learned some valuable lessons of life and is still standing tall as an amazing mother, a provider and a friend to so many others.

Empowerment Village is helping change futures and I want to thank you for your support. This has truly been a challenging time for a charity that depends totally on charitable support. Because of the COVID Pandemic we have had to make so many changes but miracles continue.

We have had to cancel three of our spring events that would have brought in valuable support dollars. We have managed to find new sources of funding and we are very grateful for our loyal supporters. We understand that everyone has to prioritize their spending. We are grateful for every dollar of support that you can give.

Thank you for making miracles happen! It sure makes a difference when you know someone cares. To help us in our mission, please consider making a contribution by visiting our website www.4kidsfirst.org To learn more about Empowerment Village or if you know of a struggling single mother in need, visit our website here.

LET'S BE FRIENDS Stay up-to-date on the latest news with Rancho Damacitas and the youth you support. Go to our Facebook Page and click "Like"! (951) 302-2317 | 4KIDSFIRST.org | #95-3551068

Be Sure to Disinfect These Frequently Forgotten Surfaces During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Epidemiologists weigh in how to clean the overlooked areas in your home.

By Kelly Vaughan The Contents of Your Purse

Now more than ever, it's crucial to clean and disinfect every surface in your home. Here are some of the surfaces you might be forgetting to sanitize:. The CDC recommends sanitizing any electronics including cellphones, remote controls, etc. Before getting in your car, use hand sanitizer and let it thoroughly absorb into your skin. Then, when you get home, wipe down the areas you touch most, like the door handle and steering wheel. Keys, wallet, credit cards — all of these items need disinfecting, as they can carry germs, such as coronavirus, for up to 72 hours

Now more than ever, it's crucial to to prevent the spread of coronavirus. By now, you're likely aware of the importance of with hot water and soap for 20 seconds, in public, and everything from packages and groceries to . But what about those hard to reach or forgotten areas that could also carry and transmit COVID-19? Epidemiologists emphasize that it's important to sanitize commonly touched surfaces, but not to cause yourself additional . "There's a level of vigilance people should take with disinfecting commonly neglected items, but only if it will make them more comfortable," Melissa Hawkins, an epidemiologist at American University, told Apartment Therapy. "If constantly sanitizing everything will breed anxiety, then just focus on the things that will bring you the most comfort."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sanitizing any electronics including cell phones, remote controls, computer screens and keyboards, tablets, and smart watches. When disinfecting these surfaces, follow the manufacturer's instructions, or use containing at least . Dry thoroughly to prevent any liquid damage to the device.

If you're leaving a store, chances are you're touching your car door handles, seat belt, steering wheel, and gear shifter before thoroughly washing your hands. Before , use and let it thoroughly absorb into your skin. Once you get home, on all of the aforementioned areas to prevent the spread of germs. Keys, wallet, credit cards—all of these items need , as they can carry germs, such as coronavirus, for up to 72 hours. Wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe or a combination of dish soap and hot water, then dry with a clean, absorbent towel.

Your Keys

While you can safely clean your keys with disinfectant wipes, they can also handle something even stronger. Before cleaning, remove leather or fabric keychains to prevent damage. by mixing four teaspoons of bleach with four cups of water and soak the keys for at least one minute. This solution

Electronics

Your Car

will effectively kill germs and viruses for up to 24 hours.