SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A South Sacramento nonprofit is leveraging its roots in the local creative scene to build what it calls “sustainable youth infrastructure” ahead of the region’s largest annual fundraiser.
We Trust In Us, a Black-led organization founded in 2025, has set a $25,000 goal for Big Day of Giving on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The funds are earmarked to sustain a year-long cycle of programming that provides safe evening activities and workforce training for residents ages 12 to 24. While the nonprofit status is a recent milestone, the organization’s work is well-established in the neighborhood, built on the success of seasonal staples like the Unity in the Community festival and the annual Halloween Trunk or Treat.Â
The organization operates out of a community hub at 6512 Franklin Blvd. that also houses TreeBoy Apparel, a lifestyle brand and boutique. While the retail space wasn’t originally designed for community events, founder Kevin Ates transformed the shop into a flexible environment for workshops, game nights, and film screenings.
“The store gives us access to a space and the nonprofit gives that space purpose,” the founder, Kevin Ates said. “We’re just using what we already have to create something bigger for the community.”
Caption: We Trust In Us Founder, Kevin Ates shares what the $25,000 Big Day Of Giving Is All About on May 7
By utilizing the boutique’s production equipment, the organization provides hands-on mentorship through “We Print Our Path,” a program where youth work in a real-world screen printing and embroidery shop. The initiative is designed to build business confidence and ownership skills alongside specialized wellness sessions focused on journaling and mental health.
“They’re not just watching; they’re hands-on,” Ates shares. “They’re touching the machines, seeing how production works and getting exposed to the business side of it too.”
Beyond vocational training, the nonprofit is a key provider for the city’s #SacTownYouthNights initiative. Despite a slow start to the programming year, the organization reports strong parental feedback for its free events, which include bowling and private cinema experiences.
Up to this point, much of the infrastructure—including equipment, insurance and staffing—has been funded out of pocket by the founder and the board of directors. The $25,000 Big Day of Giving goal is intended to transition the organization from self-funding toward long-term sustainability.
“The goal with this $25,000 isn’t just to run programs; it’s to strengthen the foundation so we can stay consistent and grow the right way,” Ates relates to the community. “We’re not trying to just show up once in a while; we’re building something that’s here to stay.”
Big Day of Giving, organized by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, has helped local nonprofits raise more than $117 million since 2013. Community members can support the We Trust In Us campaign through the GivingEdge platform. Donation levels range from $25 for art supplies to $1,000 for year-round partnership support.
To incentivize community support, the organization has announced that the top three donors will be rewarded with tickets to the J. Cole concert at the Golden 1 Center in August. The first-place contributor will receive three tickets, second place will receive two tickets and third place will receive one ticket.
Supporters are encouraged to reach out to Kevin Ates for more details on the incentive or to learn about the year-round impact of the Franklin Boulevard hub. Early giving is currently open through the GivingEdge platform. By contributing now, community members can join a movement to build a permanent home and a sustainable future for South Sacramento youth.
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