AUGUST 2014A publication of Center for Human Services

CENTER LINECENTER LINE NewsletterNewsletter

A nonprofit serving Stanislaus County since 1970

The Caring Issue

The Caring Issue

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www.centerforhumanservices.orgCenter Line is published quarterly by Center for Human Services’ Marketing & Public Relations Department as part of an ongoing effort to inform and educate the public.

EDITORKate Trompetter

GRAPHIC DESIGNERDesiree Holden

Center for Human Services (CHS) is a nonprofit agency serving youth and families since 1970. Our mission is to change lives and build futures through programs that strengthen and support youth and families. We provide proven prevention, education, treatment, counseling and shelter services in Stanislaus County.

TO CONTACT US:

EMAIL: info@centerforhumanservices.org

CALL: (209) 526-1476

VISIT: Center for Human Services1700 McHenry Village Way, Suite 11Modesto, CA 95350

ONLINE: Visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/publications to read the online version of Center Line and to learn more about us.

NewsletterNewsletterC E N T E R L I N EC E N T E R L I N E

For more information, please contact:

Monica OjciusFund Development Director

(209) 526-1476 ext. 139mojcius@centerforhumanservices.org

Visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/giving

Include CHS in your Planned Giving

Treasure Provide monetary support by giving through the Annual Fund, sponsoring or attending a special event like Edible Extravaganza, donating in-kind goods or supplies or by making a planned gift.

Talent Offer to share one of your talents and create teachable moments with the people we serve and our employees.

Time Become a volunteer in one of our many programs by lending a helping hand to our staff, sitting on a fundraising committee or joining one of our active Boards.

WAYS TO GIVE . . .

What is YOUR legacy?

We are thankful for the many ways our community supports our work. Here are some different ways you can support our work:

www.twitter.com/CHS_Cares

1 CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014

Working at a Family Resource Center means I am given numerous opportunities to show families how much we care about their well being. Having a job where I get to provide concrete support in times of need is a blessing. Like the time we could give a young child a new backpack filled with school supplies, or when that elderly woman just needed a box of food to get through the week, or most recently when we could give clothes and furniture to a family who lost everything in a fire. It all feels amazing. But there’s more. We also help build skills. At work I help motivate parents and model for them how to care for themselves and their young children. Our staff have the opportunity to help people identify and grow their strengths, train for and find jobs, and become better parents, partners and community members.

When the families we work with know we care about them, they feel safe and are able to let down those walls and learn to take steps towards self-sufficiency and, perhaps most importantly, truly care for themselves and their families.

Personally, I suffered a great loss recently. My 24 year old brother passed away suddenly and life as I knew it was forever changed. I cared for my brother deeply and the bond that we shared was unbreakable. During this unimaginably tragic time the care and support I received from the entire CHS family was unbelievable and totally unexpected.

My co-workers cared so much. On several occasions, in the weeks following my brother’s passing, many of my co-workers called me to check in and make sure I was okay. Without hesitation, my staff members took on my responsibilities at the Family Resource Center. Even more than that, several CHS employees dropped off donations and brought my family home cooked meals to show how much they cared. This was true not just for me, but also for my mother, my husband and even my daughter. We all felt how much CHS cares.

Many might think, “Well, that’s what people do when there is a loss.” In my experience that is what family and close friends do, but not people you have only worked with for 2 short years.

CHS is my family. I have never worked at a place that genuinely cared for their own employees as much as they care about the families they serve.

It is a blessing to be able to work at a place where I can serve families in the community and show them that people in this world still care. It is an even greater blessing to work at an agency that cares about the families in this community and their employees families too.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cindy Duenas, MFTExecutive Director

Kathryn UsiakDirector of Administration

Rosemary McFadden, MFTProgram Director - Behavioral Health

Taryn MuraltProgram Director - Youth Services

Lori SchumacherProgram Director - Regional Services

Carmen Wilson, CPAFinance Director

Monica OjciusFund Development Director

Kate Trompetter, MPAMarketing/PR Director

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENTBruce McClellan

PRESIDENT ELECTAndrew Mosier

TREASURERMark Loeser

SECRETARYBrett Dickerson

Anna BellSarah BirminghamZach DeGoughMark GossStephanie HamiltonDirk HoekPat LoganWendy PratherPatti ReederLupe RodriguezCarin SarkisTom Solomon

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

CHAIRSheila Carroll

IN-KIND CHAIRShanelle Wilson

EVENTS CHAIRTammy Cruise

Solange AltmanTrever BalzarJosh Bower Geoff BransonBrad de la CruzLisa Gotelli Gina Machado Steve Pinedo

BECAUSE WEBY Jennifer Rangel, Program Coordinator, CHS-Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children

of CHSCHSVoicesVoices Do you have a story about us you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you.

Care

Tell us your CHS story at www.centerforhumanservices.org/voicesofchs

CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014 2

Meet Michael Marrero – CHS All-Star Volunteer, Jack-of-many-trades, and hands-down one of the most helpful people you’ll ever meet.

Michael is the type of volunteer without whom we believe the building might collapse around us. He’s quickly become part of the glue that holds us together. In fact, some employees experience moments of panic when they think he might be out of the office.

Michael started volunteering for Center for Human Services (CHS) in December 2013. He has assisted in our Administrative and Finance Departments. When asked why he enjoys volunteering for CHS he said, “CHS has been doing great things in the community for a long time. Who wouldn’t like that?”

Michael’s favorite program is the Student Assistance Program (SAP). “I have great respect for the people working in SAP. I had some serious road blocks dropped in front of me during my teenage years. It’s nice to know there is a program out there providing the services SAP provides.”

Recently, a co-worker was reflecting on how thankful she is to have Michael as part of our team. “His work ethic is outstanding,” she said. “He has a positive attitude and helpful demeanor. He has done an absolutely fabulous job.”

We’re so pleased to have Michael as part of our volunteer team, which accounts for nearly a quarter of CHS’ entire workforce. CHS couldn’t do all that it does without people like him.

WE NEED YOU!We’re looking for volunteers to help us make a difference.So, how about it?

Visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/volunteers or call (209) 526-1476 for details.

HEADLINES

VOLUNTEERHIGHLIGHT

Student Assistance Program (SAP) - provides short-term education, prevention and intervention services to students K-12 to build life, social and coping skills. The goal of SAP is to provide students the support they need and an opportunity to learn life skills so they may achieve greater success in school and in life.

Say hello to Melissa and Suzy! Melissa, an aspiring hammer and discus thrower and current resident at our Pathways program, got to meet Olympian, Suzy Powell. Pathways is a transitional living and supportive services program for young adults ages 18-21 years, who are experiencing homelessness.

Suzy Powell is a three-time discus Olympian from Modesto. She is also the two-time national champion and American record holder in the discus.

Many thanks to Suzy for being such a committed, inspirational and CARING community member. And to Melissa, you make all of us at CHS really proud.

A CHS Olympic Moment

3 CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014

BY Nan Austin, Modesto Bee

As the economy improves, there just might be a market for Killer Klean organic pesticide, Pic’ the Moment photography and Brochette pancakes on a stick.

The 10 teens behind these and other faux firms presented recently to a panel of community judges have time on their side, as well as business savvy gleaned during the Summer Entrepreneurship Academy.

Center for Human Services is growing!

We’ve assembled a small army of people who care.

Between our Mental Health Clinicians, Student Assistant Specialists and the Graduation Coaches, over 75 CHS employees are prepared to provide your students with the emotional and/or academic support they need at over 90 school sites.

Over the summer, we added more than 20 new staff to our school-based service teams. CHS is thrilled to be able to serve more young people than ever before!

Center for Human Services is a leader in advocacy and services for youth. We have a strong youth development philosophy (aka we try really hard), work often with youth as our partners and provide critical support and programs to address youth related needs.

Visit our webpage for a complete list of school sites where CHS staff are ready to support your kids!

BACK TO SCHOOL#BecauseWeCare

Teen entrepreneurs jam more into summer

The nine-week program offered by Center for Human Services gives high schoolers a chance to develop a business idea while getting a taste of retail by selling jams at a farmers market.

“My plans have always been to open my own business,” said Sahemi Castorena, 17. “I’ve learned so much. It hasn’t been a summer wasted.”

Castorena and Janet Jimenez, also 17, paired up to pitch Brochettes, a food truck serving kebabs, cake pops, and whatever else comes to mind or pops up on their Twitter feed for a secret menu item, like pancakes or pizza.

Both girls are competitive tennis players, Castorena for Pitman High in Turlock and Jimenez for Ceres High, but they met in the program. Speaking in sentences finished either in unison or by the other person, the two said their friendship will continue even if their kebabs are kaput.

Visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/announcements/summerjam2014

READ THE FULL STORY

For more information visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/youth-services or call (209) 526-1476

LEARN MORE

#BecauseWeCare@CHS_Cares

CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014 4

Mental Health ServicesCommunity Counseling - no or low cost counseling services

Support Groups - depression and anger management support groups

Parent Mentor Program - providing support services to parents

LMFT & LCSW Training Site - in association with local universities

LIFE Path - treatment, support and connections for youth and young adults experiencing early symptoms of psychosis (A partnership with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services)

Youth ServicesFriday Night Live - youth development / leadership training program

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse - prevention, intervention and education programs

Harvesting Futures - youth leadership and entrepreneurship training

Juvenile Justice ServicesYouth Court - a peer jury program for first time juvenile offenders

School Based ServicesCounseling Services - for youth, individuals and families

Student Assistance Program - education, prevention and intervention for students K-12

Nurtured Heart - evidence based curriculum intended to transform the cultures of schools and build emotional resiliency in students

Graduation Coach Program - comprehensive K-12 student engagement intervention program

Family Resource CentersCeres Partnership for Healthy Children

Oakdale Family Resource and Counseling Center

Patterson Family Resource Center

Newman Family Resource Center

Substance Abuse TreatmentSubstance Abuse Treatment - teen and adult drug and alcohol treatment

First Step - outpatient treatment for pregnant and parenting women with children 5 years of age and younger. (A partnership with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services)

Shelter ServicesHutton House - temporary shelter for 13-17 year old youth in crisis

Pathways - transitional living, life skills and employment training for 18-21 year olds experiencing homelessness

Center for Human Services (CHS) was established as a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1970 to serve youth and families. Currently, CHS serves tens of thousands of children, individuals and families annually in Stanislaus County through seven core program areas.

CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES

Programs at-a-glance

We are changing lives, building futures, and helping families

5 CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014

www.facebook.com/centerforhumanservices

Our Men of CHS walked a mile in high heeled shoes to support Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus County and to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault. Haven put on a fantastic event and the Men of CHS had a great time. Can’t wait for next year! Men of CHS Team won for Most Able Walkers!

APRIL 28, 2014

We’re so pleased the Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has selected our CHS - Patterson/Newman Family Resource Centers as grant recipients again! Thank you for your continued support!

APRIL 2, 2014

It’s Graduation Season and we’re very proud of our Graduates! Several of our CHS Employees have been participating in graduation ceremonies, receiving degrees and generally being awesome. Congratulations to all the Graduates out there!

JUNE 5, 2014

We won an award! Cindy Duenas, Kathryn Usiak, and Maria Lopez accepted the award on behalf of CHS for being a Psychologically Healthy Workplace! The award was created by the California Psychological Association to recognize organizations that understand the link between employee health and well-being and organizational performance. CHS is going into this weekend feeling very proud!

APRIL 11, 2014

We’re ready to sell you jam! Head down to Modesto’s Farmers Market this morning to purchase your Random Food Jam made by our young people! It’s delicious and you’re supporting a great cause.

JUNE 19, 2014

Movie Under the Stars featuring Frozen! The biggest crowd we have ever seen! Thank You Oakdale Kiwanis Club, Oakdale Rotary, City of Oakdale, Kohl’s of Modesto and Oakdale High School S Club for making this event possible!via CHS - Oakdale Family Resource and Counseling Center

JUNE 21, 2014

F A C E B O O K H I G H L I G H T S

CENTER LINE | AUGUST 2014 6

1700 McHenry Village Way, Suite 11Modesto, CA 95350

Center for Human Services acknowledges the support of our funding partners who underwrite, in part, the quality services provided to children and families. Partners include but are not limited to: Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Children and Families Commission, Community Services Agency, Probation, United Way, various school districts, foundations, Federal and State agencies. We are grateful to all of our funders for fostering the health and well-being of our communities through their support of Center for Human Services’ shelter, prevention, intervention, treatment & counseling services.PARTNER AGENCY

Non - ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDModesto, CA

Permit No. 230