![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/wip_main.jpg?1577874531)
Decade of Champions
Women in Philanthropy celebrates 10 years
It’s been more than 10 years since Char Donnermeyer sat in a communitywide forum to determine which charitable cause needed her attention. The United Way had tapped Donnermeyer and two others to start a group that women around the region could rally behind.
![Cathie Walker, Casa El Dorado Cathie Walker, Casa El Dorado](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/cathie-walker.jpg?1577874530)
Home Again?
Local nonprofit gives a voice to foster youth
Between her 8th and 15th birthdays, Ashlee Rogers moved out of nearly a half-dozen foster homes. She was removed from her mother twice, and she floated all over El Dorado County, from Placerville to Pollock Pines and back.
![Fred Teichert of the Teichert Foundation Fred Teichert of the Teichert Foundation](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/fred-teichert63.jpg?1577874530)
Funding Famine
Charities turn to foundations for support
The economy has rocked a number of local nonprofits, putting a dent in donations just as they were taking on the burden of increased social needs. Many of these charities have turned to foundations for increased support.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/sean-shadduck-6.jpg?1577874531)
Reaching for the Arts
A scholarship program fuels education after high school
For most of his life, Sean Patrick Shadduck had heard — and believed — that hard work yields rewards. When he proved that to himself earlier this year, it was a boost to his self-confidence.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/images__imported__fighting-leukemia.jpg?1577874530)
Fighting Leukemia
One girl's battle to stay healthy
Scott Steele rushed his daughter to the hospital one night because her ear infection wouldn’t heal.
![](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/acw-derek-finstad.jpg?1577874530)
Personal Training
Learning how to live independently
Somebody stole Derek Finstad’s backpack.
He left it in the locker room at a gym in Yuba City, where he
works. But when he went to retrieve it, the backpack — with his
keys, checkbook and other materials — was gone. Finstad wasn’t
happy.
![Fred Sconberg, Upbeat Workouts Apps Fred Sconberg, Upbeat Workouts Apps](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/fred-sconberg.jpg?1577874530)
Nonprofit Revenue
Charities raise money through social enterprise
A Sacramento software startup has launched an iPhone application for runners that picks music to go with a workout and can add customized coaching instructions along with the beat. When users pay to download the coaching data, a donation goes to a nonprofit of the coach’s choice.
![Terry Myrrdin, chief of facilities oversight, office of the Secretary of State. Terry Myrrdin, chief of facilities oversight, office of the Secretary of State.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_7338.jpg?1577874531)
Difference in the Making
Local women reach out to foster youth
Sometimes small things can make big differences. Whether it’s a dry towel, a warm hat or advice on how to create a budget, a little bit of time can have a positive impact on one of Sacramento County’s 4,000 foster youth, many of whom don’t have anyone to provide these basics.
![Juanita Nicolas, youth aid, Youth Investment Center Juanita Nicolas, youth aid, Youth Investment Center](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_7495.jpg?1577874531)
Eat, Pray, Survive
One woman's journey through foster care
After 19 years of struggling to belong, Juanita Nicolas found the students at Wilson Riles Middle School. As a youth aid, the teenager tutored 40 students, many in the foster care system just as she had been before emancipation a year earlier.
![Lynne Powlesland adopted her cat, Frosty, from Agee Memorial
Wildlife Fund Inc. Lynne Powlesland adopted her cat, Frosty, from Agee Memorial
Wildlife Fund Inc.](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/_en32604---a12.jpg?1577874530)
Saving Grace
An animal sanctuary's fresh look on life
When a mangy white cat wandered out of the oak woodland and into the lap of Lynne Powlesland, the Folsom resident knew immediately that she had made a new friend.