Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships members and guests attend the July meeting. In the back row, from left, are Greg Freeman, Ken Friedman, Erick Seider, Brad Squires, Noah Wright, Scott Evans, Chris Highsmith, Josh Gumacal and Lane Gonick. In the second row, from left, are Keith Walter, Kendra Johnson, Clarissa French, Tom Gray, April West, Mika Klinsmann and Heather Ford. In the front row, from left, are Pete Schroeder, Mary Howard, Terrie O'Donnell and Angela Lee. Photo by Judy Andrews

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Fair Oaks is home to a collaborative group of community leaders and representatives from more than 20 local service organizations, all sharing a common goal of supporting the community and one another.

Founded in 2012 by Pete Schroeder, the Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships (known as FOCAP) hosts monthly meetings where members exchange information, share resources and seek support. Schroeder leads the meetings.

Originally from Chicago, Schroeder and his wife, Anne Browning, relocated to the area in 2011 to be close to their daughters and grandchildren. Shortly after the move, Schroeder joined the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club to meet new people.

“I couldn’t help but notice how all the organizations operated independently of one another,” Schroeder said. “Everyone was off doing their own thing and holding their own events. I saw value in bringing these groups together to collaborate and support each other.”

As a result, Schroeder kicked off hour-long monthly Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships meetings with five to six local service organizations.

“We began rotating meeting locations and changed the start time from noon to 4 p.m. to accommodate more attendees,” Schroeder said. “I’m glad members recognized the value of these partnerships because attendance grew and everyone kept showing up.”

Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships members currently include the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District, San Juan Unified School District, Sacramento Metro Fire, Fair Oaks Water District, Fair Oaks Library, Rotary Club of Fair Oaks, Inner Wheel Club, Fair Oaks Woman’s Thursday Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars/American Legion, Girl Scouts, Fair Oaks Historical Society, Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, Meraki and Meristem schools, Fair Oaks Cemetery District, Rollingwood YMCA, Fair Oaks Foundation for Leisure and Arts, Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee and the American River Messenger.

Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships’ newest member is Eric Seider, co-founder of the Fair Oaks Permaculture group.

Additionally, local government officials, including Congressman Ami Bera, County Supervisor Rich Desmond, Assemblyman Josh Hoover and Senator Roger Niello send representatives to Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships meetings to stay informed about district activities and to share updates on their programs and legislative activity related to the community.

District Administrator Mike Aho of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District attends to learn and exchange ideas with other service groups.

“We’re one of the primary providers of recreation, events and public programming in Fair Oaks. It’s important for us to engage with other groups doing great work in the community,” Aho said. “Our presence enables others to learn about our available facilities, services and resources. In turn, we can better support their efforts. These relationships strengthen the fabric of our community and lead to more collaborative and impactful programming.”

The Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships meetings are an excellent source for finding volunteer opportunities for the Scouts’ 68 troop leaders and their troops, according to operations lead Meg Cho Ervin of the Girl Scouts Service Unit 141.

“Through FOCAP, the Girl Scouts have participated in several significant community events, including the Big Day of Service, where they led three separate projects; the annual Fall Food Drive at the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank; Meraki High School Job Fairs, where they participated in mock interviews with the students; and more,” Cho Ervin said.

Fair Oaks Chamber Board Chair Mary Howard reported that the chamber has also sought Meraki High School student volunteers to help at chamber events.

“FOCAP meetings are a great way for us to share upcoming chamber activities with the community, as well as learn what others are doing,” Howard said. “The shared information helps us plan and partner with other groups on community projects.”

Angela Lee, director of Foundation Operations for the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation, values the opportunity to engage with local leadership at Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships meetings.

“We believe our community is stronger when its leaders and organizations are connected,” Lee said. “Staying informed, understanding local challenges and working together to support one another helps us all stay in tune with the heart of our community.”

Fair Oaks Community Action Partnerships members thank Schroeder for his leadership over the years and for his dedication to making a positive difference in the Fair Oaks and Orangevale communities. Schroeder also serves as  the Fair Oaks Cemetery District Board of Trustees chair, the Fair Oaks Historical Society vice-chair and a YMCA of Superior California board member.

Schroeder is a professional musician who performs at local wineries, restaurants, breweries and many senior communities.