Holiday help for the helpers

Traditionally, nonprofits that provide health and human services to Napa Valley residents experience a surge of requests and inquiries right before and during the holiday season.

Callers who need help are upset, fearful and sometimes uncooperative. It can be hard for a front line worker — receptionist, intake worker or information and referral specialist­ to help callers to sort out their needs and decide what to do.

Help is on the way well ahead of this year's “needy season.”

On Wednesday the Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies and the Community Foundation of the Napa Valley will present a workshop titled “The Voice, Face and Heart of Our Agencies: A Special Training for Nonprofit Receptionists, Intake Workers and Information and Referral Specialists.”  The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley, 1515 Pueblo, Napa.

The workshop will help participants to identify listening skills and techniques to establish trust  with a caller on the phone as well as face to face to help callers get to the right person or place to get help.

The workshop will also include a demonstration on how to use NapaHelp.Info, Napa’s own public access database of information about Napa County community services, how to deal with traditional holiday stress and how participants can stay connected for mutual support long after the workshop is over.

The fee for this workshop is $35 for Coalition members and $50 for others, payable in advance. To reserve a seat, e-mail Bob Orser at info@napanonprofits.org or call 252-6301 and send your workshop reservation form, along with a check for your reservation fee, made  to NVCNA, to Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies, 1141 Pear Tree Lane, #200, Napa, CA 94558. The reservation form is available at http://www.napanonprofits.org/workshops.html#Workshop_Form./Register

Community Projects announces donations

At the General Meeting of Community Projects, Inc. on Sept. 20 the members approved donations totaling $9,000 to two local groups requesting financial assistance. Those receiving funds are:

• Irene Snow Elementary School: Funds to help replace 20 desktop computers in their lab.

• Redwood Middle School: Funds to supplement their library with new fiction titles.

At the General Meeting of Community Projects, Inc. on  Oct. 18 the members approved donations totaling $21,200 to two local groups requesting financial assistance. Those receiving funds are

• Napa County Family & Foster Parent Assn.: $20,000 to aid in purchasing gifts for foster children at their annual Christmas Party.

 • River School:  A grant to purchase physical education equipment.

At the General Meeting of Community Projects, Inc. on Nov. 15 the members approved donations totaling $31,500 to five local groups requesting financial assistance. Those receiving funds are:

• Napa High School:  A grant to enrich the dance and spiritleader programs.

• Napa County 4-H Club: a contribution for their youth development program.

• Napa Valley Food Bank: $12,000 to distribute food to low-income Napa County residents and to purchase seeds and garden supplies for the community/culinary projects.

• Napa State Hospital:  Funds to provide holiday gifts for 1,200 residents.

• Napa Emergency Women's Services:  $15,000 to support the services they provide women and children in Napa County affected by domestic violence.

These  donations are made possible by the funds raised at the Community Projects Thrift Shop located at 715 Franklin St. Napa. Shop hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. /Register

New book on memory loss

Two American Canyon authors, Kristin Einberger and Janelle Sellick, recently published a book titled “Strengthen Your Mind:  Activities for People with Early Memory Loss.”  Designed especially for individuals with early memory loss, the book is made up of 70 worksheets that strengthen brain functioning and sharpen memory skills. “Strengthen Your Mind” builds upon the growing emphasis on finding ways to enhance the capabilities of those dealing with memory loss and capitalizing on strengths.

The authors will discuss their book at two upcoming book signings.  They will be at Avalon of Sonoma on Monday, Dec.  4, from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the Napa Senior Center on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase at both events.

For more information, call 287-4353 or 363-1915./Register