Big Day of Giving Thank You
The SASF Board would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who continue to support SASF. Without your kindness and generosity SASF would be unable to continue serving the greater Sacramento community.
We also appreciate Margaret Ching, Lisa Flores, Nifae Lealao, Cami Okamoto, Samantha Tov, and Don and Jane Yee for their heartfelt videos of what SASF meant for them and their families.
SASF Golf Tournament Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2024 SASF Golf Tournament! Fundraisers like our golf tournament help us continue to bring sports and mental health programs and community events to Sacramento and Elk Grove communities.
We would also like to acknowledge the generosity and support of Valley Hi Country Club, volunteers, including Don Lee and the incredible crew that made a delicious prime rib dinner at SASF following the tournament, and our sponsors: Raley's, Mikuni's, Oto's Marketplace, Curtis Ishii, the Law Office of Alyssa Eriko Chow, Sacramento Asian Peace Officers Association, Rosie Day Spa, Laguna Party & Rentals, Bradley Yee, DDS, D. Weber's Mechanical, Inc., Jolle Pickleball, Dave McManus, Power Electric, and Liberation Foods.
Contest winners and photos are now posted to our golf tournament webpage.
Strive For Strength and Teens Create Dreams Teens Host Mental Health Awareness Event
Student panel, left to right: Suhaib Raja, Marissa Gong, Leta Mim-Montgomery, Ram Jhawar, Molly Maseba, Levi Bodner
S4S and TCD leaders, standing left to right on stage: Nola Nishio, Lauren Anderson, Marissa Gong, Kaylee Wong, Ram Jhawar
Wendi Locatelli
Dr. Lally Pia
On June 1, 2024, Strive for Strength (SFS), in partnership with Teens Create Dreams (TCD), hosted a vibrant celebration of mental health awareness at John F Kennedy High School. The event marked a significant milestone for SFS, which originally emerged in 2006 as a high-schooler-led women's empowerment initiative and has since evolved to encompass individuals of all genders and ages. This year’s event was spearheaded by the dedicated SFS co-presidents Nola Nishio, Lauren Anderson, and Marissa Gong, and creative TCD co-presidents Ram Jhawar, Kaylee Wong, and Kacie Shinmoto. Together they gathered a team of 40 other passionate students, whose whole goal was to educate, inspire, and foster a sense of community.
Attendees were treated to keynote speakers, a youth panel, and a plethora of community booths and vendors, designed to promote mental wellness and encourage open conversations about mental health. Special guest speakers, Dr. Lally Pia and Wendi Locatelli, shared their personal stories and insights, highlighting the importance of prioritizing mental health in today's fast-paced world. The panel of four high school students and one collegian, constituted a diverse range of voices and perspectives, each sharing their own journeys and struggles. Serving to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness, the efforts of the SFS board brought together a diverse array of resources and perspectives, ensuring that every participant found something meaningful to take away from the event. From informative and interactive lessons to free slime and bracelet making, the festival offered something for everyone.
Teens Create Dreams started in 2011 and has been annually hosting a charity talent show, consisting of student performers. This year, they decided to join SFS infusing the event with vibrant decorations and captivating student performances. Their team brought to life a mesmerizing balloon arch, serving not only as a welcoming beacon but also as a symbol of unity and celebration for mental health awareness. Their coordination of student performances provided a platform for young talents to shine. With five different singers throughout the evening, these efforts orchestrated by Teens Create Dreams left an indelible mark on attendees, fostering an environment where conversations about mental health flourished amidst a backdrop of creativity and community spirit.
The impact of the mental health community festival extended far beyond the confines of the school grounds. SFS and TCD presidents were featured on Good Morning Sacramento TV. The bento box and baked goods fundraiser received strong support from the community. The highlight for SFS and TCD was seeing their program empower individuals to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and seek the help they need.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of the organizing team, the generosity of sponsors, and the enthusiastic participation of attendees. As Strive for Strength looks towards the future, it remains committed to its mission of promoting mental wellness and building a more compassionate and inclusive community for all.
Basic Hoops and Summer League Sold Out
Thank you for your overwhelming support for our SASF Basic Hoops and SASF Summer League basketball programs. We have now reached capacity! We hope the young players and their families have a great time!
SASF Programs Survey
We need your help filling out a short survey! SASF is looking to develop new programs that provide practical knowledge, best practices, and social learning opportunities to help teenagers and young adults make key decisions in life. Please go to https://tinyurl.com/sasf624 and give us your input.
We want to understand the things that older people wished they knew when they were young but were not necessarily exposed to in their schooling or family upbringing. Examples include financial literacy, mental health, career planning, relationships, marriage, planning for home ownership, spirituality, and character development.
SASF is looking to offer age-appropriate workshops, classes, interactive activities, and peer groups. These would be led by coaches who possess a wealth of life experiences to help teenagers and young adults meet the challenges that lie ahead of them.
Again, go to https://tinyurl.com/sasf624 and fill out the short survey. Please complete by June 21, 2024. Thank you for your valuable input!
Eric Wong, SASF Director
Ted Fong, Program Advisor
Meet New SASF Employees
Hi my name is Brandon Minami. I am starting my second year at Consumes River Community College. I hope to transfer UC San Diego for data science/statistics. I like to play all kinds of sports, but I specifically want to try volleyball. I have recently got into Formula 1 through the netflix show, Formula 1 Drive to Survive.
My name is Denae Sabo. I am excited to attend college this year. I dream of transferring to an Ivy League University such as Yale and Princeton. I have a strong passion for learning and love to be creative. I also have a soft spot for animals and enjoy volunteering at the animal shelter whenever possible.
Hi, my name is Kody. I am a student at Cosumnes River College and an SASF staff member. I like going to the gym, playing basketball and listening to music. I plan on transferring and getting a degree in engineering after two years at CRC.
Donations
We are extremely grateful to the many individuals, families and businesses who continue to support and donate to SASF throughout the year. Thank you for the following donations received in May (outside of Big Day of Giving, these donors will receive a thank you letter).
-
Doug & Dorie Tsuda in memory of Mark Soo
-
Paul and Rosaline Lau via SMUD
-
Douglas Durbin via PG&E
-
Kiyo's Floral for SASF Golf Tournament
-
Dan Yamanaka via United Way
-
Jeanie Voong via United Way
-
K S Ng via United Way
-
K S Mori via United Way
-
Bradley Crandall via United Way
-
David Hironaka via United Way
SASF relies on the generous donations from community members to fund the day-to-day operations of the facility, and the support for sports and youth programs.
Donate Online
Thank you for your generous support!
Subscribe to SASF's email newsletter to get the latest information
Read previous SASF newsletters