The SOL Project is proud to celebrate three outstanding Community Engagement Award (CEA) recipients that successfully completed their community projects this spring. Through education, outreach, and youth leadership, these organizations helped raise awareness about the dangers of commercial tobacco, vaping, secondhand smoke, and thirdhand smoke while encouraging healthier choices for children, youth, families, and underserved residents. Each project reflected the power of community partnerships and demonstrated how local organizations can make a lasting difference by inspiring change, promoting wellness, and creating smoke-free environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Feed Sacramento Homeless
“Congratulations to the amazing youth who successfully completed The Bigger Picture’s mentor program Smoke-Free Initiative Youth Voice Project! Over the course of three weeks, participants learned about the dangers of vaping and tobacco, developed leadership and communication skills, and used their creativity to educate others through powerful youth-created videos and public service messages.
These young leaders demonstrated courage by speaking up on issues that impact their generation. Their projects encouraged healthy decision-making, promoted smoke-free lifestyles, and showed that youth voices have the power to inspire positive change throughout our community.
In recognition of their hard work and commitment, each participant received a $100 stipend upon completing the program. More importantly, they left with new skills, greater confidence, and the knowledge that their voices can make a lasting impact.
We are incredibly proud of each participant for choosing to lead by example and help create a healthier future for Sacramento’s youth. Thank you to our families, mentors, and community partners for supporting the next generation of changemakers!”
Watch Bigger Picture Mentor Program’s Smoke-Free Youth Voice Project here!
Hart to Hart Ministries
SOL partnered with Community Engagement Award (CEA) recipient Hart 2 Hart Ministries to host a nontraditional community outreach event that aligned with the project’s annual tobacco advocacy and awareness objectives. Rather than utilizing traditional awareness campaign days and activities, the event intentionally engaged underserved community members street team style to individuals experiencing homelessness where they lived under bridges and in parks. Hart to Hart Ministries partnered with local food and clothing pantries to not only provide KickIt California resources but also food, hygiene kits, and clothing to those in need. Hart to Hart wants to continue incorporating cessation and free NRT distribution for their ongoing unhoused population outreach program so staff plans to facilitate connecting the organization to KickIt CA to potentially incorporate a free NRT distribution program.
“What made this outreach especially meaningful was that we were able to address both physical and spiritual needs while also promoting the Breathe Free Stockton campaign.” -Dr. Ruby Lockhart, Hart to Hart Ministries
Keep Going, Sis
Through the SOL Project’s Community Engagement Award (CEA), Keep Going, Sis successfully launched its Confidence to Success – Tobacco Prevention Youth Leadership Initiative, empowering 13 African American youth ages 8–15 to become advocates for healthier, tobacco-free communities. Participants explored the dangers of commercial tobacco and vaping, learned how the tobacco industry targets youth and communities of color, and developed leadership and public speaking skills through interactive activities, advocacy messaging, and media creation. The initiative culminated in a youth-led community workshop where participants shared prevention messages and encouraged healthy decision-making among their peers. By amplifying youth voices and fostering confidence, Keep Going, Sis is helping build the next generation of community leaders committed to advancing health equity and tobacco prevention.
The SOL Project is honored to partner with community-based organizations that share our vision of creating healthier, tobacco-free communities throughout Sacramento and Stockton. Together, we are empowering residents, protecting youth, and helping build a future free from the harmful effects of commercial tobacco and nicotine addiction.
If your community-based organization, church, school, neighborhood group, or nonprofit in Sacramento or Stockton is interested in partnering with The SOL Project or learning more about our mission to end the sale of commercial tobacco products and create smoke-free, healthy communities, we would love to hear from you.
To learn more, please email us at: info@thesolproject.com
Together, we can educate, advocate, and inspire healthier futures—one community at a time.
