MariJane Lopez-Taff

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Strong communities are built through strong partnerships. 

That belief has guided Citrus Heights for nearly three decades. While the City is responsible for delivering essential municipal services, some of our greatest community successes come from bringing people, organizations and resources together around shared goals. 

The results can be seen every day. Community organizations help put food on the table for families, support youth and older adults, assist veterans, promote health and wellness, celebrate arts and culture, organize volunteer projects, and strengthen neighborhood connections. Individually, each organization makes a difference. Together, they create a stronger network of support that improves the quality of life for everyone in Citrus Heights. 

One of these essential networks of organizations is Citrus Heights Collaborative. 

Established by the City Council in 1998, the Collaborative brings together nonprofit organizations, schools, healthcare providers, faith communities, businesses, neighborhood leaders, and public agencies to share information, identify community needs, strengthen partnerships, and better connect residents with services. By fostering collaboration rather than duplication, the Collaborative helps organizations build on one another's strengths and better serve our community. 

The City extends that partnership through the City Council's Community Support Grant Program. The program provides strategic, fiscally responsible investments in local nonprofit organizations whose work advances community priorities and complements the services available throughout Citrus Heights. By leveraging volunteer networks, charitable giving, additional grant funding, and specialized expertise, these partnerships expand community impact and maximize the value of every public dollar invested. 

This past year, Community Support Grant investments supported projects focused on food security, youth and family services, community wellness, neighborhood enrichment, and arts and cultural programming. These projects reflect a simple philosophy: when the City invests in trusted community partners, everyone benefits. 

As we celebrate Independence Day and look toward the second half of the year, I encourage each of us to find our own way to serve. Volunteer with a local nonprofit, support a community event, participate in your Neighborhood Area, or simply lend a hand to a neighbor. Every act of service helps strengthen our community. 

On behalf of the City Council, thank you to the nonprofit organizations, volunteers, businesses, educators, faith communities, healthcare providers, neighborhood leaders, and residents who make Citrus Heights such a special place.

The City provides essential public services, but a thriving community is built by people who care for one another. That spirit of partnership has defined Citrus Heights for nearly 30 years, and it remains one of our community's greatest strengths. 

To learn more about the Citrus Heights Collaborative, visit citrusheights.net/collaborative.