The Loop - California (April 2023)

THE LOOP

WestCareFamily,

Every April, we are proud to recognize both National Internship Awareness Month and National Volunteer Month For years, interns and volunteers have provided much needed support to our programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we unfortunately had to halt all volunteer and internship opportunities for the safety of our clients, staff, and loved ones. It was incredibly hard for us to turn away those who wanted to freely support our mission of Uplifting the Human Spirit and their absence was felt by both staff andclientsalike.

As time passed and CDC guidelines began to relax, we have reopened our doors to volunteers and interns. I cannot stress enough the impact that such unwavering kindness can have on those that we serve. Many of our very own staff started as volunteers/interns for WestCare and are now in various positions across California, changing lives and supporting those in need of our services.

If you, or someone you know, wishes to join our WestCare family as a volunteer or intern, please follow the link here: www.westcare.link/cavolunteers or scan the QR code. After filling out the form, our staff will communicate with you on the next steps.

We accept volunteers as individuals or as part of a group. Our programs have various projects that volunteers can assist with such as organizing a donation closet, planting flowerbeds, or assisting with a donation drive. We have even had volunteer groups come read to children in our programs and lead art therapy sessions for our Veterans. Of course, if you or your group have a particularproject in mind, we would love to hear more about it!

As an intern, you may be looking to earn college credits or a career-focused learning opportunity as you prepare to enter into your desired field. Our intern opportunities range from shadowing our staff to working directly with those that we serve. All prospective interns will need to go through a background check and pass a drug test. We know that there is so much for you to learn and gain from your experience with us and hope that we can support you inachieving your goals.

To our current volunteers and interns, thank you for choosing WestCare to dedicate your time and service. You help us to Uplift the Human Spirit of all of those who come into our care, and we want you to know that we truly value your time, talent, and efforts. We know how stressful it can be for the people who find themselves in need of the services we provide, and your words and actions go a long way towards helping them keep their dignity. I just want you to know that your selflessness and dedication does not go unnoticed. With deepest gratitude for your commitment to serve, I thank you onbehalfof WestCare and the people we serve.

Vice President of Administration WestCare California

By Jeannette Sawyers, Program Director, OUR WestCare MATTERS

WestCare California’s OUR WestCare MATTERS provides evidence-based Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for adult men and women within Fresno County who have an opioid use disorder, are covered by MediCal, and are enrolled in or are interested in attending a residential or outpatient treatment program Our program uses only FDAapproved medications and recovery support services With a combination of counseling and therapies, MAT can help individualssustainrecoverythroughawhole-personapproach

Our services include, but are not limited to: Medication-Assisted Treatment (Vivitrol and Buprenorphine), individual and group counseling, and linkage to recovery support services offered by residential and outpatient programs that includes,butisnotlimitedtocasemanagement,employmentreadiness,relapseprevention,andhousingreferrals Referrals can come from self-referrals, residential and outpatient programs, hospitals and emergency departments, or probationandparoleoffices

Formoreinformation,pleasecall(559)712-7182orsendanemailtomat@westcarecom

Kudos to the team

We have an amazing team at the MAT program! Our SUD Counselor/Case Manager, Drew Barnett (Center) tirelessly engages with clients to provide them with high quality care to address their needs. Our Certified Nursing Assistant, Vartanush Mesropyan (Second from Right), not only engages in patient care, but branches out to meet whatever needs the program requires. Our Research Assistant, Rosa Perez (Right), works magic by engaging with patients and obtaining SAMHSA required information upon intake and after the clients have completed the program. Thank you all for doing your part to Uplift the Human Spirit!

Mark Your Calenda

We invite community members and fellow community-based providers to drop in to learn more about our services and how we assist those with opioid use disorders.

Roy s MAT Progress Story

Roy is a 54-year-old male who entered into WestCare’s MAT program in February of 2023 while he was participating in the MLK Residential program in Fresno. He had been released from prison in December of 2022 after 10 years of incarceration and decided to seek residential care to address his substance use disorders with the support of his parole officer and linkage from our STOP Area 1 program. He began using methamphetamine at age 14 and opiates at age 22.

Roy has been an exemplary client in the MAT program. He has participated fully in counseling and medication management appointments, has been compliant with his prescribed Suboxone, and is working on weaning his dose down. His upbeat, optimistic energy and pragmatic attitude are just two of his positive attributes that allow him to work toward his goals and due to this, has been an inspiration to other clients.Despite facing several challenges during his residential stay as well as addressing several physical health concerns, he has not wavered from participating fully in MAT services. Roy is due to complete his residential program on May 2, 2023 and will transition to a recovery residence.He has also identified goals to work toward which include enrolling in school and seeking employment.

Roy is to be commended for his dedication to sobriety and is a testament to our MAT program!

Please join us to learn about our program, get more information on the services that we provide, and receive a tour!

11 AM - Opening Remarks Tours to follow until 2pm Light refreshments will be provided

Questions? Contact us with the information to the right! >

12Years of Recovery

Every year, the date of March 17 commemorates Saint Patrick’s Day, but it also marks another special observancethe recovery birthday for one of our amazing Women's Coordinator at our MLK Residential facility in Fresno, Jennifer Childers! This year with the help of her coworkers, she celebrated 12 years clean and sober!

In her own words, “I never realized 12 years ago that I would be given the gift of recovery. If it wasn’t for the support I received as a client at MLK Residential, I would not be where I am today. WestCare believed in me when I could not believe in myself. They worked with me and my family through family groups and helped me reunify with them. I received my foundation here. When I began looking for employment, my legal background was an obstacle. This is when I decided to go back to school. When I thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I thought about the people who helped me the most in my life - the staff at WestCare. That was when I made the decision to become a substance use counselor. After about seven years of giving back in that position, I became the program coordinator for the same unit that supported me when I was getting clean. I am super grateful for my path that started here at WestCare. Here's to 12 years of living clean!”

Congratulations, Jennifer and thank you for bringing your experience, positivity and guidance with you each day to help us in Uplifting the Human Spirit of all of those that we proudly serve and being living proof that treatment works and recovery happens!

Our Celebrating Families! Program Holds Their First Graduation

In March, four families from cohorts one and two graduated from our 16-week Celebrating Families! parenting support program. In this unique program, parents and children participate in educational groups and activities as they begin to heal from challenges caused by addiction. Celebrating Families! directly addresses addiction in every session and incorporates recovery principles. Each session starts with a meal together and families learning to communicate about challenging issues that can make healing possible. We are extremely proud of our graduating families and wish them continued healing in their journeys ahead!

Spa Day at MLK Residential

In celebration of Women’s History Month, our MLK Residential Women and Children’s unit held a spa day for the women that they serve with different stations for nails, hair, and facials. A raffle was also held for prizes that were donated by our staff and members of our community. To make the day even sweeter, our ladies were provided with snacks and coffee while they were able to spend some time to care for themselves!

Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program

Positive Hope Bracelets

In a small act of kindness to our Stockton CCTRP (Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program) clients, who wear ankle monitors, visiting support staff on behalf of MLK Residential purchased positive gel bracelets for them. It was their hope that they would wear these and remember that someday, that monitor will come off! Until then, we hope that these bracelets will provide them with some encouragement on days that they may need it.

Spring Planting and Harvest at Edible Schoolyard

Introducing our New California CAC!

In March, WestCare California’s senior leadership team met with the newest members of our Community Action Council (CAC) to introduce them to our organization and the many ways in which we supportourstatefromChicotoSanDiego

ThisCACwillworkhand-in-handwithourleadershiptousetheirlived experiences, influence, and passion for helping their community to assist us in expanding our capacity to provide the life-changing servicesthatwearesoproudtooffer

We’d like to send an incredibly heartfelt welcome to Brandon Gary, Terrance Frazier, and Jason Pritchard and thank them for joining us in Uplifting the Human Spirit! In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing bios on them each and how they do their part to serve our local community!

We look forward to all that we will accomplish through this exciting newpartnership!

Our Stockton CCTRP (Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program) team serves high-risk female offenders who have 45 days to 2 years of their sentence left, providing them with a place in the community as they develop educational and vocational skill to renter into society.

Recently, we had a volunteer outing with Edible Schoolyard, a nonprofit founded by chef and food activist, Alice Waters, dedicated to the transformation of public education by using organic school gardens. Last October, our CCTRP participants planted over 1,200 seeds in preparation for Spring, did some landscaping, and cared for the chickens. This past March, they returned to see the fruits of their labor and spent a day on the farm planting and transplanting seedlings, harvesting and bagging produce, and creating edible flower bouquets!

Promotions Staff Recognition

January CORE Awards: Encouragement

Jenny Gonzalez

Vice President

"Iamelatedforthisopportunityandlookforwardto contributingtothegrowthofouragencyinourmissionto UplifttheHumanSpirit.”

-Jenny

February CORE Awards: Dedication

Fil Leanos Director of Housing Support Services

"Allprogressisgoodprogressandsmallvictoriesshouldbe celebrated.Iamstokedtojoinsuchatalentedandinspiring HousingDepartmentthatismakingaprofounddifferencein multiplecommunities,oneclientatatime.”

-Fil

New Leadership

Steve Kruitbosch Program Director, Bakersfield

Our Housing Services Team Strengthens Bonds at Teambuilding Event

On March 17, our Housing Services department held a late staff appreciation celebration. With team building activities, a Saint Patrick’s Day spirit wear contest, and tacos - it was a joyous day! Thank you to our staff for all that you do! Being in the social service field is not easy, but you make an impact every day for the people who need you. Let’s continue Uplifting the Human Spirit!

"Ihaveworkedinthefieldofsubstanceabusesince2011 andjoinedWestCarein2014asanAB109CaseManager. My WestCare family has always been present and supportiveduringmyjourneyhere.Iwanttohelpstrengthen thealreadystrongprogramwehave."

Steve

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LucianaLopez Facilitator(Bilingual), CelebratingFamilies!

AmyHooper Facilitator, MLKResidential

Staff of the Week Award, March

CarmenJimenez CaseManager, STOP-Area1

Employee of the MonthCriminal Justice, February

YeseniaBaustita ProgramCoordinator, CelebratingFamilies!

Employee of the MonthCommunity Based, February

Elvia Ramos Counselor II, MLK Residential

Gabriela Swartwood Vice President of Marketing & Communications, WestCare Foundation

Maricela Velasquez Case Manager I, MLK Residential

Gale Asbury Lead Child Care Worker, MLK Residential

Jennifer Ruby Castro Facilitator (Bilingual), Celebrating Families!