Annual Report 2021

Our schools

In the aftermath of the Camp Fire of 2018, the Paradise Adventist Church found itself with an amazing gift, a school campus that was mostly intact. In spite of the damage to the campus (the K-4 classrooms were a total loss, the gymnasium damage was extensive and the solar panels were unrepairable), the remainder of the campus was relatively untouched by the fire.

Led by Richard Cochrane, MD, a focused effort was made to assess, evaluate and complete the necessary repairs, renovations and clean up required to make the school usable again. And, in the fall of 2020, Paradise Adventist Elementary (PAE) was able to open its doors, effectively complying with COVID-19 requirements for schools in Butte County. They were one of the first in Butte County to have a COVID-19 waiver for classroom instruction approved, setting the model for other schools to follow.

In fall 2021, Paradise Adventist Academy (PAA) also returned to Paradise as a joint constituency academy (9-12) with Chico Adventist Church and Paradise Adventist Church, PAA has an enrollment of nearly 60 students. PAE has 56 students in grades K-8, making the combined enrollment for both schools to be nearly that of pre-Camp Fire totals. Some traditions have continued, including the annual Wagon Trip coordinated by David Vixie, PAE principal and 7th and 8th grade teacher. The pandemic may have delayed one such excursion, but not even COVID-19 could stop the wagons from rolling on. “This is evidence that our experiential learning is slowly recovering and students were able to travel local historic trails in an authentic environment,” said Mr. Vixie. “We still have far to go.”

Church without walls means staying connected

When the coronavirus removed the opportunity for indoor services, PAC worship coordinators retooled and created an online opportunity through Facebook, providing a much needed connection with church members while isolating for protection. When it be- came apparent that outdoor activities with appropriate spacing and masking would allow for gatherings to be held in an outdoor setting, a shady spot on the church property provided the perfect location for church “Under the Oaks”.

Online streaming was still offered to allow as many as possible to participate at their own comfort level. A close-range radio frequency provided an audio broad- cast for those who preferred to sit in their own cars, while still “gathering” with fellow believers.
Outdoor activities were also attracting small groups who had been self-isolating together, and these camp- ing, hiking and backpacking events helped to safely allow in-person socialization that is so critical for emotional health. “Church Without Walls” was born. As these activities brought different generations together, other options soon followed. In order to help young teens learn basic car mechanics and auto repairs, Shop Night was started as a weekly opportunity for adults and teens to learn together. A Vespers Series was organized each season and was held on the Quad at the school campus, again complying with all COVID-19 safety requirements.

Love without strings . . . A year of growth

After two phases of the Shed Project, it was apparent that the community was now facing a different dilemma. Food insecurity was on the rise due to workforce layoffs and isolation from the pandemic. Quickly shifting gears, Paradise Adventist Church’s Love Paradise ministry leader, Successfully delivered the last sheds in 2021. Joelle Chinnock put together a grocery assistance and delivery program. The goal was to reach 150 households directly with grocery delivery. Grant proposals were sent to several generous donors who had participated with the Shed Project, including North Valley Community Foundation, Paradise Rotary Foundation and Feather River Health Founda- tion. They eagerly joined in to help feed the community, creating Love Delivers. This program grew from a few direct grocery deliveries in April to more than 1200 Farmer to Family food boxes distributed weekly through May of 2021, thanks to an organization called City Serve and the USDA.

Now, food insecurity concerns are being addressed through community support for the Simple Gestures Green Bag program, which encourages contributions of non-perishable goods (8-10 items) six times a year through a special “green bag” that is placed on the porch for easy pick-up by volunteers. All donations are collected and sorted for distribution to other food banks in town. The Center Street Warehouse in Paradise is the newly-designated distribution site. Local craftsmen who supported the Shed Project have also collaborated with Love Paradise to create Love Builds, a housing partnership with Academy Mortgage, Lowe’s and other strategic partners to help uninsured families to rebuild their homes on the ridge, using donated services, building resources and volun- teers. One home has been completed. In partnership with Adventist Health and the Feath- er River Health Foundation, this changing and growing community outreach is now offering Love Gives to distribute furniture and larger household items to qualifying families. These items are shared through Inspire Hope, a local redistribution program that as- sists nonprofit partners with items intended to improve the quality of life for individuals in the communities they serve. World Vision is the international nonprof- it that connects businesses who have donated these goods with the charities that can distribute them. Love Gives has a team of nine volunteers and staff who work out of The Center Street Warehouse.