Close to Home Truckee strives to end gender-based violence, transform social norms, build community leaders, and create a Truckee-Tahoe free from violence. Through rich dialogue, powerful relationships, and creative action we can build a more respectful, safe and connected community where lasting social change, healthy relationships, and prevention of domestic and sexual violence prevail in our community.
A key principle of Close to Home is an understanding that violence is rooted in the intersections of multiple forms of inequality and oppression. We consider how issues like racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equity and economic inequality impact our community; for that reason we seek to build a diverse, inter-generational coalition to arrive at effective, culturally informed solutions.
While Close to Home is different from traditional volunteer programs, it is a great way to learn about your community, forge lasting relationships with people from all walks of life, and take action to create change in Truckee-Tahoe.
Based on feedback we’ve received from community members, we are looking to hold ongoing discussion forums about violence prevention and other issues affecting Truckee-Tahoe and facilitate projects such as creating community spaces for gathering, developing health, wellness and outdoor activity groups, and providing an opportunity for activism and making change in our community.
Sierra Community House proudly hosts a multi-year Close to Home grant program provided by the California Department of Public Health. We are so excited to invite you to this conversation and can’t wait to see what our community will build together! If you would like to get involved, please contact Nancy Settle, Community Education and Outreach Organizer, at [email protected].
What is the Close to Home approach?
• A way to shift individual behaviors, relationships, and social norms to create a safer community.
• A framework that allows youth and adults to work together toward a shared vision.
• An organic process that we can use to work toward our vision of a community unified in peace and justice for the safety and well-being of every individual.
The Close to Home Phases
The Close to Home Approach includes four phases: Assess, Talk, Build, Act. These phases can be cycled through and revisited as needed to determine community needs, strengths, and opportunities for action.
Assess Phase: The youth and adult core groups collect data through mapping, surveys, and conversations with community members to get an idea of strengths and opportunities for growth in our community.
Talk Phase: The core groups share the data that was collected in the assess phase with the community while also increasing awareness and interest in the project.
Build Phase: The core groups bring people together to lay the foundation and plan for a community action such as a campaign, event, performance, art installation, project, etc.
Act Phase: Data has been collected and shared, and the community has identified and planned for a solution. The groups implement the plan and take action.
The Close to Home Approach outlines a strategy for beginning the process. The specific content and what is accomplished will be determined by the community and the members participating in the project. If you are interested in getting involved or would like to receive updates on our progress, please contact our team. For more information about the Close to Home approach, please visit the Close to Home website.