Sacramento River Cats and LifeSTEPS partner for
a night of family fun at the ball park

May 17, 2011, Fair Oaks, CA  When the Sacramento River Cats play the New Orleans Zephyrs on Tuesday, May 24, there will be 45 people in the Raley Field stands who have an extra level of excitement. They will be part of a large group of fans representing LifeSTEPS, a Sacramento-area homelessness prevention agency. The organization is one of many area nonprofits taking part in a ticket-sales fundraiser sponsored by the River Cats. 

LifeSTEPS' major sponsors for this event - USA Properties Fund, ConAm Management and FPI Management - have made it possible for entire families to attend, but also enabled LifeSTEPS to charter a bus to transport families to and from Raley Field. In all, 137 people from LifeSTEPS will attend. Of those, 45 are families that receive services from LifeSTEPS.

A 501 (c)(3) public benefit corporation, LifeSTEPS is the largest provider of social services to residents living in affordable housing communities in California. The organization, formed in 1996 and headquartered in Fair Oaks, delivers life skills training, educational services and emergency assistance to residents in 175 communities statewide, providing over 55,000 people access to these services. The organization currently serves residents at 26 Sacramento-area sites, which represents over 3,500 households.

Stephanie G., a resident served by LifeSTEPS, will attend the game with her three children. "We rarely get to do something like this as a family. I'm so happy and grateful I can enjoy this with my children."

"There are a lot of charities providing enrichment activities for children," says LifeSTEPS Executive Director Beth Southorn. "But, often parents and other primary caretakers don't get to participate. We're thrilled that this opportunity is for the entire family."

Southorn says that most of LifeSTEPS clients are just a flat tire away from being homeless. "They don't have the resources to participate in many of the cultural opportunities available in our community. Often, having an opportunity like this - with the entire family participating - can be a powerful piece of the motivational mosaic that empowers them to make better lives. We're grateful that the River Cats have programs like this. It means a lot to our clients, and to us."

Unlike most social service organizations, LifeSTEPS is not dependent upon government funding. The organization's revenues are largely generated from service fees paid by property owners, and through fundraisers such as this one. LifeSTEPS will receive a percentage of every ticket sold for the May 24th River Cats game and 100% of funds raised directly benefit LifeSTEPS' clients.

"We're fortunate to have so many community-minded organizations in the Sacramento area, in addition to our partners who really care for the people we serve," says Southorn. "The American spirit of generosity is certainly at work here." And, there's nothing quite so American as the entire family going to a ball game, especially when it also gives a helping hand to someone in less fortunate circumstances.

For more information on the fundraiser, or about the programs and services operated by LifeSTEPS, please contact Wende Watson at (916) 965-0110, or visit www.lifestepsusa.org.

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