When a young person enters the juvenile justice system, what happens next can shape their future. Vista Academy, a partnership between Circuit Rider Community Services and Sonoma County Probation, provides a structured alternative to juvenile hall. Rob Izzo, CEO of the Santa Rosa nonprofit, explains how the program works to reduce re-arrest rates, prevent gang involvement, and help young people build skills, confidence, and stronger decision-making habits. The conversation also explores Circuit Rider’s broader work, from Aggression Replacement Training to college-readiness and outdoor leadership programs that support underserved youth across Sonoma County.

What should Sonoma County residents know about this year’s respiratory virus season? Dr. Michael Stacey, Sonoma County’s new interim health officer, shares the latest information on COVID, flu and RSV cases in Sonoma County, clears up confusion on the new vaccine guidance for children and discusses where you can find trustworthy health information. Plus, learn about the spike in toxic mushroom poisonings and what foragers need to know to stay safe.

The Sonoma County Animal Shelter currently has about 90 dogs — lots of them puppies — and 30 cats in need of adoption. Shelter Supervisor Emma Diemert shares practical tips for adopting, introduces a few of the pets currently looking for homes, and offers guidance on how you can keep your animals safe over winter during frosty nights and stormy weather. Plus, learn how fostering a pet can make a big difference without a full-time commitment.

When CalFresh benefits ran out during the federal shutdown, thousands of Sonoma County families suddenly struggled to put food on the table. Allison Goodwin, CEO of Redwood Empire Food Bank, shares what her nonprofit is doing to meet the need – and how you can help ensure everyone in our community has enough to eat.

Cuando se agotaron las prestaciones de CalFresh durante el cierre federal, miles de familias del condado de Sonoma se vieron de repente en apuros para poner comida en la mesa. Jessica Hernández, directora de programas del Redwood Empire Food Bank, nos cuenta qué está haciendo su organización sin ánimo de lucro para satisfacer las necesidades, y cómo puedes ayudar a garantizar que todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad tengan suficiente para comer.

Federal budget cuts could have significant impacts in Sonoma County, affecting everything from housing and health care to infrastructure and social services. The Board of Supervisors will host a special meeting on Oct. 14 to explore ways the County can act to fill in the gaps. Deputy County Administrator Peter Bruland describes what’s at stake.

Open Doors is a new initiative that will make it easier than ever for people to get help with food, housing, child care and much more. Angela Struckmann, director of the Sonoma County Human Services Department, explains how it works and why it could transform the way people connect with services in our community. 

Open Doors es una nueva iniciativa que facilitará más que nunca que las personas obtengan ayuda con alimentos, vivienda, cuidado infantil y mucho más. Nick Yañez, director de desarrollo de programas del Departamento de Servicios Humanos del condado de Sonoma, explica cómo funciona y por qué podría transformar la forma en que las personas se conectan con los servicios en nuestra comunidad.

Sonoma County’s Family Justice Center empowers victims to live free from domestic violence and abuse. It is a model ofcollaboration, uniting government, law enforcement agencies and nonprofits to deliver comprehensive services to victims through a single point of access.  Marsha Lucien, its executive director, explains how the Santa Rosa agency protects the vulnerable, stops violence and restores hope.

El Centro de Justicia Familiar del condado de Sonoma empodera a las víctimas para que puedan vivir libres de violencia doméstica y abuso. Es un modelo de colaboración que une al gobierno, las agencias policiales y las organizaciones sin fines de lucro para brindar servicios integrales a las víctimas a través de un único punto de acceso.  Itzel Tafolla Pérez, navegadora de servicios de la agencia de Santa Rosa, explica cómo protege a los vulnerables, detiene la violencia y restaura la esperanza.