Tag: cap

A New Kind of Power: How the African American Family & Cultural Center Is Reimagining Resilience in South Oroville

By Chloe Durant, Volunteer

OROVILLE, CA – In South Oroville, resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a way of life. At the heart of this strength stands the African American Family & Cultural Center (AAFCC), a place where preparation meets purpose and where community care isn’t just offered-it’s embedded in every decision.

With the support of the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region’s Community Adaptation Program, the AAFCC is taking a bold step forward. No longer just a vital cultural hub, it’s becoming a launchpad for a new kind of readiness, one that continues to center on equity, empowerment, and local leadership.

Redefining Readiness-On South Oroville’s Terms

“Preparedness isn’t just about surviving the storm-it’s about knowing you have a place that will hold you through it,” said AAFCC Executive Director Tiffany McMillon.

From wildfires to power outages, South Oroville has faced more than its share of challenges. But instead of folding under pressure, the community, through the AAFCC, has persevered. Today, the center is transforming into a resilience hub: solar-powered, stocked with emergency essentials, and equipped to operate when everything else goes dark. It’s not just a shelter. It’s a lifeline.

Community First, Always

The transformation wouldn’t have happened overnight without the American Red Cross. But the magic lies in how the partnership unfolded. “They didn’t come in to tell us what to do,” said McMillon. “They came in and asked, ‘What do you
need? How can we support you?’ That made all the difference.”

By investing in trusted local voices and existing networks, the Red Cross helped the AAFCC accelerate its efforts without sacrificing its vision.

Building Forward, Together

At its core, the AAFCC isn’t just preparing for the next emergency; it’s shaping the future. From leadership training to youth mentorship, from cultural celebrations to community-led planning, the center is cultivating the next generation of leaders who will carry the torch forward.

“Resilience is about more than bouncing back,” McMillon said. “It’s about knowing your power, claiming your space, and writing a new story together.”

Tomorrow Starts Here

So, what’s next? “Everything,” McMillon said. “Tomorrow looks like a community that knows its worth, that leads with heart and holds each other up. That’s what we’re building, and we’re just getting started.”

Want to be part of the change? Learn how you can support the AAFCC’s mission here.

Red Cross CAP Building Capacity with Chico Church

By Nathan Millard, Program Manager, Community Disaster Risk Reduction

“We just installed the last piece of hardwood flooring!” they said as I walked into the hall. Sherry Wallmark, parish church administrator of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Chico, said the two-man team of certified contractors, from LaFontaine Construction and Wolfe Construction, completed the remodel within the allotted timeline—and amid excessive summer heat.

The remodel was made possible through grant funding from the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP). Originally built in 1963, the facility within the Chico church campus will become an additional community center that is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-certified with upgraded acoustics, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, as well as electrical and other safety features.

The Red Cross CAP is a new program aimed at building community resilience and empowering the community to mobilize during disaster. The Butte County CAP team has spent the last two years in the community identifying needs for community organizations to help build their capacity, capability, and continuity to operate during blue skies, but also to mobilize during response and recovery.

Most of this work has been about building relationships, healing, building trust, and listening.

St. John’s Episcopal Church is a member of the Butte Resilience Collaborative, which the CAP team helped establish with the goal of maximizing the impact of the group’s collective efforts. The Church’s location on Floral Avenue in Chico has become a hub of activity for the local community, especially during disasters and other emergencies.

The fully furnished facility will be ready for a fundraising event in a few months. To learn more about the Butte Resilience Collaborative, visit https://sites.google.com/view/butte-resilience/home.  To learn more about St. John’s and its ministry in Chico, visit https://www.stjohnschico.org/