Pets
Movies
Sports
A whole new world? Sadly, this ‘Little Mermaid’ sinks
DHS preparing for CIF State Championships
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Do you have room for Monet?
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enterprise THE DAVIS
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023
‘I’m optimistic’
Former gang member adjusts to life outside prison By Lauren Keene Enterprise staff writer Renwick Drake figured he had years to go before he got out of prison. At the young age of 15, he and a fellow gang member robbed three people at a West Sacramento skate park in 2009, firing gunshots at the victims as they fled. Tried as an adult, Drake received a 24-years state prison term following a jury’s conviction on robbery, assault and gangrelated charges. By 2020, he’d spent nearly half his life behind bars. “It was natural for me to believe I was not getting out,” said Drake, now 29. “I don’t mind accepting the consequences if I do something.” Resigned to his fate, Drake focused on improving his outlook — reading,
Courtesy photo
Renwick Drake talks about Life outside prison at a recent Yolo County Bar Association meeting discussing prosecutor-initiated resentencing. studying college-level business courses and launching a self-help program for fellow inmates, whom he credits for keeping him on the right track. “You have to be strongminded. You have to know yourself,” Drake said. “If you’re a follower, it’s really, really easy to get
See LIFE, Page A3
Larry Valenzuela/CalMatters,CatchLight Local photo
Student housing across The Little Lake at the University of California Merced campus on Nov. 4.
Newsom changes course on campus housing By Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters Starting in 2021, California took more of an interest in constructing affordable student housing. Since then it’s been a roller coaster ride. Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers last year agreed to distribute $4 billion to the state’s three higher education systems with a mix of loans and grants through 2024-25
— which would add at least 20,000 beds at affordable rents. Fast forward to January 2023 and California’s facing a then-$22.5 billion deficit, and his administration wanted to delay some of the money by at least a year.
has grown to $31.5 billion. Here’s the latest on what you need to know about a pot of $4 billion.
Now, with his revised May budget, Newsom wants to restore some of the money he wanted delayed. But other housing funds would still be delayed. In that time, the state budget hole
Well technically it’s two pots, or two pots nested within one larger pot. Pot 1 is roughly $2.2 billion in
What is this pot of $4B?
See HOUSING, Page A3
Schools Foundation a boon to student wellness By Aaron Geerts Enterprise staff writer The Davis Schools Foundation stands proud among the many amazing nonprofits in Yolo County. Not only does it fiscally facilitate educational opportunities for students of the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD), but also prides itself bolstering students’ mental, emotional and physical well-being as well. The DSF got started back in 2004 when many of the DJUSD’s programs were under threat of being cut due to reductions in state funding. To combat these devastating cuts, a handful of community leaders orga-
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INDEX
Arts ���������������������B1 Forum �����������������B3 Pets ��������������������A5 Classifieds ���������A4 Movies ���������������B2 Sports ���������������B6 Comics ���������������B4 Obituary �������������A3 The Wary I ���������A2
nized and founded the DSF to establish a more reliable source of funding. Since then, the DSF has raised over $4.75 million dollars in annual grants and donations on its mission to fund mental health and counseling services, equitable opportunity and access as well as support for DJUSD educators. “Looking back, we’ve funded so many things since we started and have a rich history. Most recently in the 2022-23 year, we’ve really shifted our focus to mental health and counseling services. Covid has brought to light so many issues that have already existed, and our fundings have also focused on pro-
WEATHER Saturday: Sunny and pleasant. High 81. Low 54.
Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise file photo
Davis Schools Foundation supporters present their top 10 reasons to donate at a 2011 school board meeting. fessional development to support our educators so they can do their jobs to support the students. An example would be Mindful Schools, which is a program that helps staff
learn strategies of being mindful and help students with being calm and staying connected,” said DSF President Kelly Heung. “I’m really proud that this year and last year the
HOW TO REACH US
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DSF has fully funded the Care Solace program which is a 24/7 care coordination program connecting students, staff and families with the resources they need. That’s neat because it’s a resource all our counselors and educators can use. A lot of times if you have a struggling student, you yourself can’t fix all that and need to pull in other resources, and Care Solace helps with that.” In its impressive résumé of helpfulness, the DSF has also helped fund instructional aids, computer labs, music programs, outdoor learning opportunities, and the acquisition of librarians
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See SCHOOLS, Page A3
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