MARCH 2014A publication of Center for Human Services

CENTER LINECENTER LINE NewsletterNewsletter

A nonprofit serving Stanislaus County since 1970

The Gratitude Issue

The Gratitude Issue

1 CENTER LINE | MARCH 2014

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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:

I believe it’s always a good time to count your blessings. I once read somewhere that the power of gratitude is not only one of the fastest ways to make you happy, but it can literally transform your health. I try to reside in a space of gratitude every day.

Center for Human Services (CHS) has an attitude of gratitude. It’s one of the reasons I hope to work here forever. I feel good every day when I come to work. That’s because I love what I do. It is also because I get to work with people who go out of their way to express gratitude.

We say thank you. We celebrate people’s accomplishments. We acknowledge good deeds, big and small. Just the other day, during one of our meetings, I thanked a co-worker for removing a spider from my office. In the same meeting, a couple of co-workers tearfully acknowledged one another for support received while working through a challenging situation. Expressing gratitude is part of the fabric that is CHS.

And these are just examples of our internal culture. We express gratitude externally too. It is my sincere hope that our volunteers, donors and community partners get to feel the love from CHS at every turn.

I hope you enjoy this Gratitude issue of Center Line. And allow me to take this time to say “thanks” to you. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for whatever you do to make your community a better place. Thank you for your commitment to our mission to change lives and build futures through programs that strengthen and support youth and families.

BOARD of DIRECTORS

Cindy Duenas, MFTExecutive Director

Kathryn UsiakDirector of Administration

Monica OjciusFund Development Director

Rosemary McFadden, MFTProgram Director - Behavioral Health

Joyce AyresFinance Director

Taryn MuraltProgram Director - Youth Services

Lori SchumacherProgram Director - Regional Services

Kate Trompetter, MPAMarketing/PR Director

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PRESIDENTBruce McClellan

TREASURERMark Loeser

SECRETARYMike Lee

PAST PRESIDENT Patti Reeder

Anna BellSarah BirminghamZach DeGoughBrett DickersonMark GossTheresa HamiltonDirk HoekPat LoganAndrew MosierWendy PratherCarin SarkisTom Solomon

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

CHAIRSheila Carroll

IN-KIND CHAIRJay Casey

EVENTS CHAIRTammy Cruise

Geoff BransonJosh BowerBrad de la CruzLisa Gotelli Sarah GroverGina Machado Steve PinedoShanelle Wilson

AN ATTITUDE OF Gratitude BY Kate Trompetter, Marketing/PR Director

“No matter how big

or small the victory,

CHS has a team of 200

cheerleaders and they

are in our own personal

corners.”

- BRITTANY HEINSAAR, FUND DEVELOPMENT

HAPPY CHS EMPLOYEE

of CHSCHSVoicesVoices

Visit www.centerforhumanservices.org/voicesofchs

Do you have a story about us

you’d like to share? We’d love to

hear from you.

Tell us your CHS story . . .

CENTER LINE | MARCH 2014 2

We are excited to acknowledge those who make our work possible: Our volunteers! We couldn’t do what we do without them.

Meet Mike Lee — CHS Board Secretary, Rockstar Volunteer and Go-Getter. When he first connected with CHS we knew he was going to do great things. Not only do his personal values align with ours but he knows how to get things done. Mike joined our Board of Directors in 2012. He is a native of Central California and feels strongly about helping members of the community in which he grew up. When we asked Mike why he chose CHS as the beneficiary of his time and energy he reflected on his own experience growing up. “I had an underprivileged childhood.” Mike shared. “I feel like I can relate to the problems many youth and families face in our community. I was fortunate to overcome my own challenges and I’m passionate about helping others to find a way to do the same. The mission of CHS and their values align with my own personal beliefs.”

Mike feels especially connected to CHS-Pathways, our transitional living shelter for homeless young adults. “There are so many young adults in our community that need a little help and guidance to pick themselves up.” Mike said, “Many of these young adults have no one to rely on. Not only does Pathways provide housing, but it also provides the support system required to build the life skills they need to live independently. The number of success stories I’ve heard from Pathways is inspiring and I feel proud to be associated with CHS every time I hear about another young person or family whose life is better because we were there in a time of need.”

We are so pleased to have Mike on our team.

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 Record Levels of Generosity = Warm Fuzzy Feelings

MEET MIKE LEE

Over 1900 lives were touched because of the support we received this holiday season. We are so thankful for the generous donations (of food, gifts and service) from community members and groups who made this possible!

Through our Family Resource Centers in Ceres, Patterson, Newman and Oakdale, individuals and families are able to find the assistance and support they need. This holiday season we were able to provide food and gifts for a record number of children and families. Highlights include serving over 600 people at Community Thanksgiving Dinners in Ceres and Patterson, providing over 200 food baskets and complete holiday meals to families in Newman and Patterson, gifting 509 children in Newman with a new jacket, and providing 364 children with gifts in Oakdale and Ceres through Angel Tree and extra donations received.

Our two shelter programs — Hutton House, a shelter for 13-17 years olds experiencing crisis and Pathways, transitional housing for young adults 18-21 experiencing homelessness, were also recipients of tremendous community generosity. We received holiday meals, gifts and excellent company.

Thank you to all those who made the holidays a little brighter for the youth and families we serve.

“We were all FAMILY and it felt AMAZING!” - FAMILY SERVED BY FRC

“We were overwhelmed by

generosity!”

- PATHWAYS PROGRAM MANAGER

QUOTABLES

3 CENTER LINE | MARCH 2014

ALICIA AYON heard about the Graduation Coach program over the summer and the more she learned about what it consisted of, the more she liked it. “I thought it was great and definitely something I would love to be a part of, and here I am enjoying every minute of it.” Alicia is the Graduation Coach at Hanshaw Middle School in South Modesto.

LUIS TINAJERO, while working closely with parents during crisis situations in a previous position, heard about the Graduation Coach position and was excited for the opportunity to work with youth again as a mentor. Luis is the Graduation Coach at Creekside Middle School in Patterson, a fast-growing community in western Stanislaus County.

SANDRA CHAVARRIA has been a tutor, educator, mentor, and outreach leader to youth in Stanislaus County for more than 10 years and is excited to now dedicate her energy and experience to the Graduation Coach program. She is the Graduation Coach at Prescott Junior High School, part of the Stanislaus Union School District in northwest Modesto.

United Way of Stanislaus County, in partnership with Center for Human Services, recently launched The Gradudation Coach Program that provides 7th grade students at-risk of dropping out with a coach who works with them to (1) identify and overcome barriers to success in school, (2) engage their family and (3) provide resources and referrals. The program is being offered at 3 middle schools throughout the county:

Creekside Middle School in Patterson, Evelyn Hanshaw Middle School, and Prescott Jr. High.

CHS - Harvesting Futures, a youth development and leadership program dedicated to making better use of valuable food sources while nurturing an upcoming workforce, has begun to harvest local fruit trees again.

So far, our youth and adult volunteers have gleaned nearly 12,000 lbs of fruit. Most of it was donated to local food banks/pantries. Through Harvesting Futures, trained teams of youth and adult volunteers are working

together to harvest fruit from owners with backyard trees in the La Loma and College neighborhoods in Modesto. After the harvest, some of the produce will be set aside for the homeowner, but the bulk of it will be donated to local food banks/pantries. If you are a homeowner living in the College or La Loma neighborhoods in Modesto, our teams of volunteers can visit your home (usually on a weekend) and carefully glean your fruit trees. To register your trees please

visit Center for Human Services webpage. If you live outside these neighborhoods, please feel free to register your trees and, as we expand, we will contact you. Lastly, if you are interested in volunteering, contact us! We’d love to work with you.

WE WANT YOUR FRUITHarvesting Futures is coming to a neighborhood near you

MEET THEGRAD COACHES

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

GET IN TOUCH

For more information visit www.uwaystan.org/our-initiatives

LEARN MORE

CENTER LINE | MARCH 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 & education programs

Harvesting Futures - youth leadership and entrepreneurship training

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

Juvenile Justice ServicesYouth Court - a peer jury program

Diversion - 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

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 | MARCH 2014

www.facebook.com/centerforhumanservices

CHS-Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children hosted a lovely Thanksgiving dinner for their Ceres families tonight. So much to be thankful for...

NOVEMBER 26, 2013

These gifts are being delivered to CHS - Pathways compliments of the Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of Stanislaus County. We are so thankful. The young adults living at Pathways are sure to feel the same way. Thank you!

DECEMBER 20, 2013

Thank you to Santa’s helpers from Ceres Youth Baseball - Ceres Blaze - Red who are busy wrapping gifts. via CHS-Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children

DECEMBER 18, 2013

Thank you to all those who voted in The Ultimate Community Challenge! We won! $10,000 is going to make a huge difference and we have YOU to thank. Also, a special thanks to Doctors Medical Center for having the idea in the first place. We appreciate you so much!

DECEMBER 16, 2013

Thank you to The Modesto Bee for featuring CHS - Pathways in the Book of Dreams! If you are looking to give this holiday season, this is one great way to do it.

NOVEMBER 27, 2013 Newman Lions Club donated $400 dollars to the Newman Family Resource Center for the Holiday Food Baskets! We appreciate you! With your help, 150 families will get a Thanksgiving dinner. Thank you.

NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Thank you Oakdale High School Associated Student Body for helping us make Christmas Special for children in our community! We are grateful for you and your partnership with us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! via CHS - Oakdale Family Resource and Counseling Center

DECEMBER 20, 2013

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

CENTER LINE | MARCH 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

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Sponsored By:

APRIL 17TH, 2014

HONORING Chuck & Kristi

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