After more than a decade helping the homeless re-enter the workforce in Richmond and the East Bay area of California, this year Saffron Strand, Inc. relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico. “We really appreciate the dedication and commitment of Saffron Strand board members and volunteers who helped the homeless recover and advance their lives during our

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The “Share the Spirit” holiday campaign, sponsored by the Bay Area News Group, recently featured Melodie Smith, a Saffron Strand member who has “overcome running from the law, drug addiction and being jobless.” “It’s amazing,” Melodie told Angela Ruggiero who covers criminal justice for the East Bay Times, “you can get out of homelessness if

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The best cure for homelessness is to prevent it. Saffron Strand’s 8th Annual Homeless Workforce Conference, June 12-13 at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, focuses on “Working Upstream: What Can We Do to Prevent Homelessness?” The 2017 Conference brings leading authors, researchers, and professionals together to educate, train, and support those who work with vulnerable populations

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On May 3, 2016 the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to research the feasibility of developing tiny houses for the city’s homeless. Councilmember Jovanka Beckles and Saffron Strand CEO Yvonne Nair were quoted in a local news report. This news report ties in with Saffron Strand’s 7th Annual Homeless Workforce Conference — “Working with the

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“Every organization serving the homeless and other vulnerable populations faces the challenge of employee burnout or other dysfunction of front line workers,” says Matt Bennett, MBA, MA, chief innovation officer at the Coldspring Center for Health and Innovation in Denver, CO. “If your organization serves vulnerable populations, like the homeless,” Bennett points out, “there’s a

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RICHMOND, California (December 10, 2015) – Saffron Strand highlights the art of Bay Area artists at the non-profit’s Winter Gala and Silent Auction, Saturday, December 12, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church (266 Nicholl Avenue) in Point Richmond, CA. The Winter Gala celebrates the season with hors d’oeuvres, live jazz, and an art

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Saffron Strand’s Winter Gala and Silent Auction takes place Saturday, December 12, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church (266 Nicholl Avenue) in Point Richmond, CA. The Winter Gala features scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and wine from local vineyards along with fine art from local artists, including Solangue Patiño Patroni, and live jazz by the

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The Art of Fashion Saffron Strand, Inc. announces the celebration of Anton Salon’s 2nd Anniversary with a fundraiser to help the Bay Area’s homeless get off the streets and back to work. Renowned fashion designer, Joe Escobedo, who owns Anton Salon and who is Vice-Chair of Saffron Strand is applying his creative talent and fashion

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More Than 100 Learned How to Get the Homeless Back to Work Saffron Strand’s Sixth Annual Homeless Workforce – “Moving Beyond Barriers and Back to Work” — took place June 15-16 at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium in Richmond, CA. This continuing education and professional training provided new knowledge and skill to help the homeless and

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Facts show that when it comes to homelessness, black and brown lives don’t matter. “People of color — particularly African Americans — experience homelessness at dramatically higher rates than people who are white,” says Jeff Olivet, CEO of the Center for Social Innovation. “And their homelessness lasts longer.” Olivet says the racial divide among people

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