Salt + Light

As Salt + Light expands, the demand for new additions to our team grows. We are excited to introduce two outstanding employees who’ve joined our team!

💜 Give a joyful welcome to Ren Burley, our new Community Cultivator. Ren spends her time building and nurturing relationships with volunteers, neighbors, community partners, and organizing all community drives. She is a shining light of JOY in the office! She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a big heart for others and a particular soft spot for her doggy, Matilda. She says, “I am here because I am passionate about people, community, and filling a gap in society.” Fun fact: Ren writes and performs her own music and has the magical gift of solving a Rubik’s cube!

🧡 Big shout-out to our newest Youth Case Manager, Victoria Martinez Fonseca (Tori). Tori has 3 girls and is the proud mom of 1 Navy son. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Tori has a huge heart for those in need. She’s the main point of contact and helps collect all necessary documents for youth who’ve been selected for housing but have yet to be accepted into a housing program. “Since I was a young girl I've always had a place in my heart to help others. Not long ago I found myself in a position where I was the one needing help. I would love to give back to the community just as I was helped.” Fun fact: Tori says if there’s a Christian concert around, you’ll see her there.

We are thrilled to welcome these two to the team!

Small stories strung together make up our lives. Here's Patrick’s.

Together, we can change the narrative of the future. Give today and make a difference for someone like Patrick. 🕯️
https://raisedonors.com/saltlight/smdonation

We're pretty stoked on our NEW SWEATSHIRT DROP!! ✨🤩
We help people experiencing HOMELESSNESS, but we are NOT HOPELESS!

😎 NOT HOPELESS in 2 rad colors
😎 NOW 3 options in our popular LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR crewneck with some more vibrant colors & that Camel & Black 😍

GRAB ONE TODAY!
🔆 When you purchase products from Salt + Light, you are directly supporting The Neighborhood Village and our neighbors! 🔆

https://saltandlightworks.square.site/

Despite what many people may think, statistics released by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans has shown that the average homeless vet is much younger than the general homeless population. Over 40% are aged 31–50 — this is the largest group of vets living in shelters or on the streets. 💔

Let's be part of the change, supporting those, like Patrick, who have given their life to take care of others.

What is "The Village”?

Salt + Light’s mission is to cultivate belonging and community wherever we go, focusing on our neighbors experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.

We cultivate community through various forms of outreach including partnerships with local agencies and our own Food Truck Outreach program. 🚚 Additionally, we are building a community, The Neighborhood Village that will provide permanent homes, purposeful work, and wrap around health and healing services to help our neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness return to themselves. Some of the special onsite amenities. 👉

The Neighborhood Village, coming Spring 2024

We are over the moon excited and thankful to be included in this line up!!! Thank you Legacy Collective and Jen Hatmaker! ❤️

We are excited to announce our 4th 2023 Fall Grant Recipient!

Thanks to our generous Legacy Giving Circle donor community, Salt + Light is receiving a $25,000 grant towards supporting their neighbors experiencing homelessness by providing mental health and housing resources, specifically to youth and LGBTQ+ youth.

Learn more about their life-changing work here! https://legacycollective.org/fall-2023-grant-round-salt-light-works/

Jen Hatmaker

Who are we called to love?
Everybody.

🎄Grab an EVERYBODY ALWAYS bundle for someone who lives radically inclusively and shows love to every person! 💲40

🎄BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, our SOLD OUT NEIGHBOR TOTE! 🖤 Back in both colors! Great gift option for teachers, moms, and anyone who needs a bag. 🙃 It's a GREAT day to love your neighbor! 💲40

🎄FOR JUST 💲10, get every sticker at SALT + LIGHT!

💰 $5 savings when you buy a bundle instead of individual items!

💰💰 Don't forget, you can pick up at our office and avoid shipping fees!

💰💰💰 LINK IN STORIES + BIO!

What are you giving back this and 2023 GIVING SEASON? Tell us below 👇 and share it to your stories!

💰Every gift given today through the end of the year receives a free sticker! 👉

Will you join us as we build the most vital component of The Neighborhood Village?

👫 COMMUNITY! 👫

On this Giving Tuesday and the final days of 2023, join us as we raise $600,000 to support and care for our neighbors in The Neighborhood Village!

Homes alone cannot mend people, and that's why Salt + Light is not just constructing a village; Salt + Light is actively managing it. Houses can provide safety and stability, but true healing comes from community. Be a part of the healing.
Give today. ❤️

https://raisedonors.com/saltlight/smdonation

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We're so thankful for Abe-El Produce - Orosi, CA and their thoughtfulness to our neighbors in this time!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve Valu-ABE-EL Customers!

We would like to thank all of our customers who generously contributed towards our Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thanksgiving Valu Box Drive. With our donation match program, we were able to bless a total of 44 families in our local community. Thank you to Jessie Hamilton (Squaw Valley Trading Center), Tina Yeadon (Yeadon's Gold Star Wellness - Coalinga), Yvette Botello (Cutler-Orosi Lions Club) and Rachel Trigueiro (Salt + Light - Visalia) for helping to distribute the Valu boxes to local families in need.

Our office will be closed Thursday and Friday to allow our employees to enjoy precious time with their families. We will be open on Saturday and will resume our regular schedule next week. May you all enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones!

With appreciation,
Your friends at ABE-EL

SALT + LIGHT HOLIDAY BUNDLES ✨🎄

Complete your holiday shopping while directly contributing to The Neighborhood Village and the well-being of our neighbors! 🔆

We've simplified your shopping with exclusive HOLIDAY BUNDLES just for you! 🎄 Stay tuned for various options dropping over the next few weeks!✨🎁🎄

ALL PURCHASES MADE 11.27-12.01 GET A FREE ✨SALTY+BRIGHT✨ HOLIDAY STICKER!

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing FOOD and DESSERT vendors, as well as the hairstylists and barbers, who took part in our second annual Thanks + Giving event! 🧡

These dedicated individuals give back 100%, providing a moment of normalcy and humanity to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Many stylists worked under the glow of truck lights with smiles on their faces—THANK YOU!

Across three events, the recurring sentiment among our neighbors was, WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? Our response for the second year in a row, BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTHY OF LOVE. Some neighbors even likened the experience to Christmas. 🎄

Imagine that. Something as simple as food from a food truck being compared to the day that ultimately symbolizes the deepest feelings of connection, love, and family.

✨ Slivers of light in the midst of heartache and pain.

Immense thanks to the vendors and individuals who helped us cultivate these moments for our neighbors. ❤️‍🩹

With immense gratitude, we extend our deepest thanks to the volunteers who've dedicated nearly 11,000 hours in the past year, resulting in a significant economic impact of $340,000! TRULY INCREDIBLE! ❤️

Our volunteers not only contribute their time and heartfelt efforts to support the important work at Salt + Light but also make a substantial financial difference! Thanks-for-giving over the last year. ✨

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Here we GROW AGAIN! 🌱

We are looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our team as we prepare for the opening of The Neighborhood Village in 2024.

Please see details at link provided. Thank you for spreading the word and helping us find the right folks to join the S+L family! 🔆 (Questions and/or requests will not be answered through social media.)

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/00015f72-9b8a-4c7e-b471-b563a7276709/Salt-Light-Works

When our neighbors experiencing homelessness become human-beings in our minds instead of a number or statistic, we start to see it all a little differently. Come on out and get to know some of our friends. ♥️
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*Thank you Kings United Way for this study out of Atlanta

We had the pleasure of serving alongside a group of 25 folks from The Wonderful Company back in August. The Wonderful Company is undertaking remarkable efforts and is devoted to addressing poverty at its roots in the Central Valley. 🌱

We are so thankful for this partnership and their team's willingness to join us on the food truck, to love our neighbors, and learn more about the work we are doing here at Salt + Light! Looking forward to partnering again with such a WONDERFUL group! 🍊

VOLUNTEERS, this one's for you! 🥳 BRAND NEW volunteer swag! *LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE*

Are you an agent of change? GRAB THIS softest (& cutest) SHIRT to show it. Wear it on the truck, wear it to the grocery store. Support S+L WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Rolling out our FIRST edition VOLUNTEER collectors pin, *2023 I AM SALT + LIGHT!* Only $3, while supplies last!

https://saltandlightworks.square.site/product/vol-un-teer-tee/78?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

We ❤️ our volunteers! This sweet group of gals has come faithfully every Tuesday for the last 7 months. What better way to cultivate community than by serving together?! 👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻
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About a year ago, Julie met Eric on the food truck in Visalia. Eric was hungry, feeling alone and down on himself.

We recently shared that Eric was hired as an official FoodLink employee as their Compost Specialist. More recently, after months of diligent work, Julie found Eric housing. Thanks to our consistent Circle of Hope supporters who make this work possible, Eric moved into his own new home with his dog Ziggy last month.

When we asked how he feels now, Eric calmly said, "I feel safe."

Circle of Hope contributors play a crucial role in ensuring neighbors make it to their vital appointments, which are essential in qualifying for housing. Other times, HOPE comes in the form of a cup of coffee and conversation. ❤️‍🩹☕️

It takes one person who will walk with someone every step of the way to truly make a difference in their life. ❤️ Thank you to our Circle of Hope members who make this work possible.
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"Having had cancer, one important thing to know is you're still the same person at the end. You're stripped down to near-zero. But most people come out the other end feeling more like themselves than ever before." —Kylie Minogue

Salt + Light team supporting Breast Cancer Awareness on this (2nd to last) October day! 🎀💗💕

Supporting the fighters,
Admiring the survivors,
Honoring the taken,
And never, ever giving up hope.

“Children are more than we think they are; they can do more than we think they can do. All they need is a vote of confidence from grownups, whom they will ultimately replace anyway. Their dream today will become the realities of tomorrow.” ―Wess Stafford

Inviting kids into the COMPASSION CLUB is a secret weapon against misperceptions of people in need, particularly our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

When we inspire them to give back, we are planting seeds of empathy, wiping away stereotypes, and illuminating their place in the story. It's not about being nice—it’s about shaping the future of the world to see others for who they ARE, not what they DO.

The seeds (thoughts, ideas, perceptions) we plant into our kids' hearts today will be the harvest we reap as a society tomorrow. What dreams will they have? How will they see our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness? How will they speak about people who are different from them? The transformation starts with us.

Thank you Ms. Lyzenga, Mrs. James, and CVC for leading the way in compassion with these future leaders.

Did you know?

Housing is just one facet of Salt + Light's robust approach. In The Neighborhood Village, neighbors will be expected to pay rent and those interested will be invited to work in the social enterprise program. 🌱

We will collaborate closely with our neighbors to identify positions suited to their unique strengths and interests because like you and me, we know choice and dignity brings agency and ownership to our lives. 🦋

We believe Salt + Light's Enterprise program will not only create finely crafted products but also provide our neighbors with purposeful work, cultivating a deeper sense of belonging and meaning in their lives. 👭
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Hot off the press! 🗞️ Brand new Salt + Light beanies, just in time for that cold weather that's to come! 🥶
Style ✔️
Comfort ✔️
Quality ✔️
Purpose ✔️
Grab your Travis Mathew 🔆 SALT + LIGHT beanie today and support the ongoing work with our neighbors experiencing homelessness and our fight to end hopelessness here in the Central Valley!

https://saltandlightworks.square.site/product/salt-house-leather-patch-travismatthew-beanie/46?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Congratulations on 30 years, Chief Jason Salazar! 🎉
Thank you for your dedicated service to love and take care of our community so well!🫶🏼

Today, Chief Jason Salazar celebrates his 30th Year Work Anniversary at VPD! 🎉

On behalf of all the men and women of the Visalia Police Department, we wish Chief Salazar a very Happy Work Anniversary! We are very lucky to have him as our Chief of Police and wish him many more years in the forefront with us!

Please join us in congratulating him for his continued years of service and dedication! 🥳🎂

UNIQUE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY in Visalia + Tulare! 🍪🍝

We're looking for individuals who want to earn volunteer hours picking up food donations from our local partners and dropping them at the Salt + Light office!

Maybe you're a college student with a flexible schedule or you're retired looking for ways to give back... If you've thought about helping Salt + Light but haven't quite known how/when/where, we'd LOVE to have you fill this gap for us 1, 2, or 3 days a week! See graphic for details. 🔆

Pity looks down in acknowledgement and obligation. Kindness looks down and pulls the wounded up. ❤️‍🩹

We're hiring! 🌱 As Salt + Light continues to expand and prepare for the opening of The Neighborhood Village, we are looking for a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team as a Licensed Mental Health Clinician. 🤍

Please see all details and link in bio. Questions and/or requests through social media will not be answered. Application deadline is November 15th. Thank you for spreading the word! 🔆

Cool mornings are finally upon us! 🍂 Start your day off by showing the love for Salt + Light and our home, the Central Valley. 🌳

🏡 Every purchase made through our store directly supports The Neighborhood Village and the dignified love and care it will take to operate it. ☕ Order a mug today and pick it up in our office this week to avoid shipping costs!

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Calling all bakers! 🧑‍🍳🎃 Help us bake treats for our neighbors! 🍫🧁

Come by our office and grab a bag of CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX, add your own eggs & oil, and bring back a special treat for the food truck! Office hours, M-F 9am-5pm
📣 SPREAD THE WORD! 📣
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2nd Annual Thanks + Giving 🍂

Calling hairstylists + barbers who want to use their talents to give some dignity + love to our neighbors in the month of November. Comment here or DM us and we'll send you the details! ❤️ Tag your favorite hairstylist & help us spread the word! 💇

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Beyond the Classroom: SJVC's Volunteer Experience

"On the food truck, Jasmin and her classmates were met with smiles, curiosity, and a genuine desire to connect. 'They were so welcoming,' Jasmin says. '[The food truck] allows you to connect more with them as individuals. They have a story as well; it's not just 'Oh, that's your lifestyle and that's what you want.' That's just not how I see it anymore.'"

-Jasmin, one of 35 students from the first SJVC cohort partnering with Salt + Light *Read the full SJVC story below!

https://www.saltandlightworks.org/sandlnews/beyond-the-classroom-sjvcs-volunteer-experience

A reminder that we want to see YOU at our VOLUNTEER + DONOR appreciation event if you've given back to Salt + Light this last year.

🍂 THANKS-FOR-GIVING 🍂
NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | 5:30-7:30pm
(We promise, we won't ask you for money. 😜)

RSVP ONLY | Please check your email! If you haven't received the invite, message us for the link at [email protected]

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU! ❤️

We'd like to give a big shout-out to the FAT2 AMAZON crew for partnering with us and our neighbors! We've received wonderful items for our neighbors that we're serving now, items that we're storing for The Neighborhood Village, and items we've shared with other entities in the area. CULTIVATING COMMUNITY! Thank you Amazon for joining us in this mission to love others well!

Salt + Light in numbers 🔆🧂