What's Happening at The Upper Room |
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| | A Message from Karen Stinson Upper Room Operations Director |
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Dear Supporters and Volunteers, We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support of the Upper Room. Your generosity and dedication have made it possible for us to continue providing vital services to our community. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your contributions and for believing in our mission.
As we look to the future, we are excited to share that there are many great things on the horizon for the Upper Room. We are constantly exploring new ways to help those in need and improve the lives of our neighbors. With your continued support, we have the opportunity to make an even greater impact and create positive change in our community.
We are so grateful to have each and every one of you on our team. Your kindness and selflessness do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate all that you do to help us fulfill our mission. Together, we can accomplish amazing things and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for standing by us and for your continued support. Exciting things lie ahead, and we are grateful to have you by our side every step of the way. |
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Meet the team bringing our vision to life.. |
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We are excited to announce that we have chosen a food truck fabricator! As mentioned in our last communication we received bids from several food truck manufacturers in California. After careful consideration of each of the bidders and their proposals, we have selected L. A. Stainless Kings Food Trucks to partner with us in realizing our vision. |
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L. A. Stainless Kings team in front of our new truck – soon to be transformed into our Mobile Kitchen |
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L. A. Stainless Kings has decades of experience building out food trucks. Their proposal offered the best combination of high-quality equipment, price, customer service, and overall understanding of our vision for a new Mobile Meal Food Truck program. We have had several conversations with the owner, Sabi, and are confident that he and his team will deliver an amazing new truck that meets our needs and exceeds our expectations.
The process for building out our kitchen is a lengthy one. The team at L. A. Stainless Kings are working on our kitchen blueprints now. Those will be submitted to the County for approval before any buildout can begin. Once completed, our truck will go through a final inspection process before it receives State insignia and County certifications. We are planning for our truck to be ready for that final inspection and delivery to us by the end of this year. We could not be more thankful or more excited!
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We are continuing our fund-raising campaign throughout the buildout process. If you are interested in donating to help purchase equipment for our food truck, please visit our website.
Stay tuned for more info as the buildout process continues. |
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| Steven Martinez
Upper Room Community Partner |
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My name is Steven Martinez, and I am a Parole Agent I with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Division of Adult Parole Operations. I’ve been with the
department for 18 years in various job titles and locations. In 2019, I began working as a Parole Agent I in the Auburn Parole Unit, supervising parolees in Nevada County and El Dorado County. In March of this year, I transferred units and began working for Sierra GPS, supervising sex offenders in Yuba County and El Dorado County.
I’m often asked, “What is Parole?” and “What do Parole Agents do?” Parole supervises the most serious and violent offenders in the state after their release from their prison sentence. The diverse population includes but is not limited to sex offenders, gang offenders, long-term
offenders, mentally ill offenders, and Armstrong class members. The Mission of the Division of Adult Parole Operations is to protect the public and assist parolees with their successful reintegration back into society. As a Parole Agent I am directly responsible for supervising and assisting with the reintegration of individuals that have been released from prison.
One of the many ways in which I assist parolees with this reintegration is by developing
partnerships with outside agencies and the community. I have been working with Karen and her amazing team at the Upper Room Dining Hall since 2019. Many individuals that are released to parole supervision are transient and have no family or support system in their lives. Others may be sex offenders and have difficulty in finding housing and/or programming based on their previous offenses. To have a warm meal, a fresh cup of coffee, and to be embraced by smiling and loving individuals willing to listen to them, in a judgement free environment, is invaluable in successfully reintegrating these individuals back into society. The love and compassion they are shown while utilizing the services at the Upper Room is unmatched, and the community atmosphere in which Karen and her team have created makes these individuals feel welcomed and secure. On top of offering some amazing food, coffee, and friendship, I have personally observed the Upper Room assist parolees in looking for housing and employment. They have set up showers and free haircut stations, assisted with clothing, bedding, and even furniture and children’s toys for some of the female parolees I’ve had assigned to my caseload.
El Dorado County is a special place for many reasons. The rich history of the community and
beautiful geography and landscape make it a picturesque place to live and work. The local law enforcement agencies and District Attorney’s Office truly serve and protect all El Dorado County residents at the highest and most professional level. But what truly sets El Dorado County apart is the amazing people who live here. I’ve observed this community come together during tough times, as they did during the Caldor Fire, and I’ve personally witnessed and utilized places like the Upper Room Dining Hall, that take community outreach and compassion for the homeless population to the highest levels. I am honored and thankful to work in such a great community where volunteers come together to assist individuals, regardless of their criminal history or past, and I cannot thank Karen and all of the volunteers at the Upper Room Dining Hall enough for all of their hard work and continued efforts in making El Dorado County a great place to live for everyone.
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Hands4Hope Upper Room Volunteers |
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Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering youth in leadership and service. Through Hands4Hope's Education and Community Engagement Programs, youth are given a platform to make their voices heard on issues affecting our community and the opportunity to take action in their own way. Hands4Hope youth choose to partner with Upper Room as their beneficiary in a variety of projects, and appreciate the difference they are able to make in providing access to essentials like food and toiletries to those facing housing and resource insecurity.
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The Hands4Hope Community Engagement program provides youth with the opportunity to address human and community needs by participating in specific planned activities, learning first hand about social issues and the power they have to make a positive difference. Through this program, Hands4Hope youth assist with the Upper Room dinner service on a monthly basis. Additionally, the Hands4Hope Community Engagement Youth Ambassadors run an annual Toiletries Drive, and Upper Room receives some of the donated essential items from that effort.
Through the Hands4Hope Education Program, youth lead and participate in after-school Committees that have a specific project or purpose. The Empty Bowls Committee plans and manages the annual Empty Bowls Dinner fundraiser, a beautiful event that features live music, vendors, and soup served from keepsake handmade pottery bowls. Proceeds from the event benefit three organizations that work to alleviate hunger, including Upper Room.
The Education Program also offers on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs at 14 middle and high schools from Folsom to Placerville. Participants in these Clubs select an area of need in the community, and partner with an agency to address an unmet need. In the 2023-24 school year, the Union Mine High School Hands4Hope Club selected Upper Room as its partner, and organized a car wash fundraiser that raised $1,343 toward Upper Room's food truck, and the Oak Ridge High School Hands4Hope Empower Club held a bug repellent and sunscreen drive to benefit Upper Room's clients. Through this structured service-learning process that includes reflection, participants learn valuable teamwork, planning, budgeting, and collaboration skills that they can use in all areas of their lives.
Hands4Hope is always welcoming new youth and adult participants. Adults who enjoy interacting with and mentoring middle and high school students are especially needed. Learn more at hands4hopeyouth.org.
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Mike Meinz Upper Room Volunteer |
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I am a retired fisheries scientist. Perhaps under the guidance of Saint Frances of Assisi, my 45 year career was dedicated to protecting the habitat requirements of aquatic species not having a voice of their own. I am also married and the proud father of five boys (one set of twins). My wife Patricia and I moved to Shingle Springs in 1977: we attend Holy Trinity and our boys all graduated from Ponderosa High School and various universities.
After retiring in early 2000, I became more active in Church functions and looked for other ways to give back to the community: I volunteered at the SHARE Food Closet and at the Mother Teresa Maturity Home where I eventually became a Board Member. It was my involvement with the Nomadic Shelter and the Turn Key Project that finally lead me to the door of the Upper Room Dining Hall.
Immediately I felt comfortable. Lead by our empathetic Operations Director, Karen St-Amant Stinson, the volunteers are truly united in the goal of serving those in need of support in our community. I suspect the volunteers who serve at the Upper Room are from: different social backgrounds, different political views, and different religious perspectives but our differences are set aside as we work hand and hand to serve those most in need in our community. It is my privilege to be part of the Upper Room community: it is truly More than Just a Meal. |
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| Meet Ray Sanchez: Ultramarathon Legend on a Mission!
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Ray Sanchez, an ultrarunning legend from Sacramento, California, is an unstoppable force at 56 years old with over 110 race finishes. His journey began in 2006, and by 2007, he had already conquered his first ultra and 100-mile race. Ray's athletic prowess started in high school as a cross-country runner and wrestler, later becoming a three-time golden gloves amateur boxer. At 40, he discovered ultrarunning and has since specialized in the most challenging 135-mile races, including Badwater, Arrowhead, and Brazil, completing the “Badwater World Cup” in 2010. With 14 consecutive Badwater finishes, eight Arrowhead completions, and a second-place finish at “La Ultra – The High” in the Himalayas, Ray's achievements are awe-inspiring. He has won over 15 100-milers and holds a personal record of 16:56:02 for 100 miles. Beyond running, Ray gives back as the race director of the Folsom 100, showcasing his dedication and passion for the sport.
Join Ray Sanchez in His Epic Run for a Cause!
Imagine running 135 miles through the scorching heat of Death Valley, where temperatures can soar above 120°F. For most of us, it sounds impossible. But for ultrarunner Ray Sanchez, it's a challenge he embraces with determination and heart. This year, Ray is taking on the legendary Badwater 135 for the 16th time, not just for the thrill but to raise vital funds for the Upper Room Dining Hall! What truly sets Ray apart is his dedication to making a difference. When he's not running across deserts or up mountains, he's focused on giving back to his community. This year, Ray is channeling his passion into supporting the Upper Room Dining Hall, an organization close to his heart.
The Upper Room Dining Hall is more than just a place for a hot meal. It's a beacon of hope for those struggling with food insecurity and a lifeline for anyone in need. Offering a multitude of services, from meals to support programs, the Upper Room is a sanctuary for many facing tough times.
Ray is running the Badwater 135 to shine a spotlight on this incredible organization and rally support for their mission. As he pushes his limits through one of the harshest environments on Earth, he’s inviting all of us to join him in this journey of compassion and generosity. How You Can Help
1. Donate: Every contribution, big or small, goes directly to the Upper Room Dining Hall, helping them provide essential services to those in need.
2. Spread the Word: Share Ray’s story and the mission of the Upper Room with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people we reach, the bigger impact we can make. Let’s support Ray Sanchez as he runs for a reason, turning every mile into hope and every step into a brighter future for our community. Together, we can make a difference. #RunForAReason #Badwater135 #SupportUpperRoom #RaySanchez #FuelHopeFeedLives #EndHunger #CommunityStrong |
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A Beautiful Letter From One of Our Guests |
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I would first like to start by thanking God our Heavenly Father and Jesus our Lord and Savior for the opportunity to share my story. As many of you know, I am no stranger to sin. As a matter of fact there have been times in my life that I didn’t care if I was pleasing God or not because I believed that God hated me. I was eight years old the first time that I prayed for God to just let me die but the relief did not come. Fast-forward through the abuse, both physical and sexual, through the feeling of being shunned by my community and made to feel like an outcast who’s safety and value were constantly trampled and seemingly forgotten. I don’t think people realize just how much damage can be caused when a person reaches the stage of feeling sub-human. I believe the loss of humanity is the devil’s greatest weapon. When a person loses their humanity it is far easier for them to make choice’s that are foolish, selfish, uncaring and downright despicable because their self worth governs their actions. That is the way I felt the first time I walked into the Upper Room dining hall. I didn’t come there to be saved or have fellowship, I WAS HUNGRY. I was greeted with smiles and open arms. I was sat down and served after a prayer of thanks was said. The meal that was served was the best thing I had eaten in a very long time and I could eat until I was full. What’s really amazing is that I was thanked by the volunteers that had just served me. Can you imagine how much that just absolutely floored me. Here are these people that had taken time out of their day, their lives and even time spent with their families and they were thanking me. That moment was the start of something powerful and amazing. Here are these strangers, telling me that I have worth and that I am loved. Not with words but by their actions. This one moment of kindness sent by God through his faithful servents at the Upper Room was my turning point because it put that “well maybe, just maybe” I am loved and valued. It was slow rolling and took some time before I actually started to really believe it. Karen St-Amant Stinson was and is instrumental in that process. This beautiful, patient, kind, loving soul with the strength of a lion would welcome me in with a hug and a smile that was real and genuine. No matter what I told her she never faltered. They say that God sends forth messengers of hope, strength and love and it is my wholehearted belief that not only Karen but also the other volunteers at the Upper Room are those such people. They helped me realize that I have worth and that I am loved. I was homeless for 6 years, I now have a place I call home. I was addicted to drugs for 25 years of my life but today I am sober. The day I first walked into the Upper Room I was so hungry I could think of nothing else. I am now the proud new owner of a restaurant and deli that will be opening on June 4th of this year in Auburn, Ca. Without the love and support of the selfless individuals at the Upper Room in Placerville, I would likely not be here to share my story. I thank God everyday for you and I personally thank each and every one of you for your service and love through our AMAZING GOD and Savior Jesus. Through your devotion of our Lord today I no longer feel sub-human, I know that I have worth and I know that I am loved. Thank you Lord God, thank you Upper Room and special thanks to Karen, you’re my rock.
Jason |
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