The Loop - California (March 2024)

THE LOOP

A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA ISSUE 130VOLUME MARCH11 2024

Dear WestCare Family,

As we welcome the spring season with its beautiful blossoms and warmer days, it is with great excitement that we embark on a month filled with profound significance. This month, we honor and celebrate Women's History Month and International Women's Day with a deep sense of appreciation for the remarkable women who have shaped our past, present, and future.

Women's History Month serves as an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the immeasurable contributions of women throughout history. From trailblazers who shattered glass ceilings to unsung heroes who fought tirelessly for justice and equality, their legacies continue to inspire and empower us. This year's theme, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” encapsulates the essence of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within WestCare. It's a poignant reminder of the progress we've made and the journey that still lies ahead as we strive for a more equitable and inclusive society.

On International Women's Day, we took a moment to celebrate the extraordinary women who are integral to the fabric of WestCare. Their leadership, creativity, and dedication inspire us all to aim higher and dream bigger. We encourage you to celebrate the occasion this year, by reading about women that created a historical impact, supporting women-owned businesses, and engaging with local women’s groups and initiatives.

In alignment with our steadfast commitment to fostering a workplace where every voice is heard and valued, our dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Staff Workgroup has been tirelessly collaborating to enact meaningful change. As we continue our journey towards greater equity and inclusivity, let us remember that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the collective effort of building a more just and equitable world.

We thank each member of our team for their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Together, we can create a workplace where everyone thrives and feels seen, heard, and valued.

Mary Ann Knoy Vice President WestCare California, Inc.

WestCare Family,

As we celebrate National Social Work Month, I want to express my deepest gratitude and admiration to each of you. Your unwavering dedication to serving those in need exemplifies the true spirit of compassion and selflessness.

Every day, you go above and beyond to provide support, guidance, and care to individuals and families facing some of life's most challenging circumstances. Your tireless efforts create a profound difference in the lives of those we serve, offering hope, healing, and empowerment.

In a world where kindness can sometimes feel scarce, you are beacons of light, shining brightly and showing that love and empathy can transform lives. Your commitment to social justice, equality, and dignity for all inspires us all to strive for a better, more compassionate world.

As we continue our important work together at WestCare California, let us remember the impact we have and the lives we touch. Let us draw strength from each other and our shared mission to create positive change. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and continue to create a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Thank you for your incredible dedication, passion, and heart. You are the backbone of our organization, and your work is nothing short of extraordinary.

Happy National Social Work Month!

Jenny Gonzalez Vice President WestCare California, Inc.

Program Spotlight: Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP)

Donation Requests

Both of our programs from FCRP Stockton and San Diego would like to receive the following donations:

Lightly-used work clothes for job interviews

Everyday clothing in our clothing closet for our new clients

Gym equipment for our clients and new furniture to revamp our group rooms

Outdoor furniture for our facilities

Our Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP), formerly known as the Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program (CCTRP), is a 45-day to two-year program for high-risk, women offenders located in Stockton and San Diego, CA FCRP focuses on gender-responsive, trauma-informed services that assist women with reentry back into their communities. This program helps women re-enter society with the skills necessary to succeed with Stockton serving up to 50 women and San Diego serving up to 112 women. This program‘s goal is to assist women who are serving the last two years of their sentence. It provides a place for them in the community rather than in an institution. Women begin work on family reunification and payment of restitution. They resolve child support issues and begin community living.

A Stockton FCRP Progress Story featuring Shyanne

“Shyanne had a couple of bumps on the road since entering our program. However, during the past week, I noticed a positive shift in her. She is learning how to advocate for herself in an effective and appropriate manner. Shyanne has also been stepping up and helping some of our newer participants and being supportive where she can. While she was in group the other day, she was upbeat and her input was constructive and well thought out. Shyanne’s positive shift is so rewarding to see.”

Kudos To Our FCRP Staff Members!

- Christine Cecil, Program Director, FCRP Stockton

A San Diego FCRP Success Story featuring Ashley

Ashley has been with our program since May 19, 2022. She has gone through many difficulties while being here at FCRP and had to restart the program all over again. Today, Ashley continues to work on herself and has allowed herself to be vulnerable throughout this transformational journey. She shares: “When I first arrived at the program, I was scared and eventually grew comfortable. Once I got into phase 3 here at FCRP, things became a little easier here at the program and on my recovery journey. I started to have small goals and hopes for myself. My urge to use again slowly disappeared and my motivation for success grew. Now, 23 months later, I am far from perfect - but I am the definition of success and am ready to go home this month on the 22nd.”

“Since day one, Val has been so motivated, going above and beyond for the clients and motivating them during group sessions by actively getting them engaged with sensitive group topics and icebreakers allowing them to be themselves. Val is always eager to learn new things and stays openminded to suggestions and feedback. She constantly volunteers her time in supporting management with covering shifts in any department that needs it. Thank you, Val, for your hard work and strong compassion in doing your best in making a difference here at FCRP San Diego ” - Oscar Gonzalez, Program

Director, FCRP San Diego

“We‘d like to give a big kudos to Cheyenne Izzo! With her determination in completing her tasks and making sense of what she was facing, Cheyenne impressed the whole program by providing the services needed to the clients by herself. Clients soon began to get enrolled in online college courses and she found school resources where laptops were being donated as well as employment opportunities. Cheyenne also provides vocational training classes, computer skills, and mock interviews for the clients along with getting them connected with GED testing. On top of that, she is very much a team player by volunteering her time in shift coverage, helping out in other departments, and getting her job done at the same time ” - Oscar Gonzalez, Program Director, FCRP San Diego

Valentina Hughes Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, FCRP San Diego

Cheyenne Izzo Educational and Vocational Counselor, FCRP San Diego

WestCare California

Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

A couple of our programs from our WestCare California Family showed their Irish spirit during the week of St. Patrick‘s Day! The staff at The Living Room celebrated by wearing green attire, baking a batch green cookies, and decorating the whole office with fun Irish-themed decorations. MLK Residential also got into the spirit of celebrating by serving up meals of corned beef, seasoned potatoes, and cabbage to our clients along with orange cream and root beer floats.

We hope that all of our clients from each of our programs had a wonderful St. Patrick‘s Day. Let this month be a reminder that there are positive alternatives to celebrating St. Patrick‘s Day that don‘t involve alcohol. Helping our clients recognize that recovery is an amazing journey is another rewarding way of going above and beyond to provide guidance, support, and care for those that we serve.

Wings Advocacy Fresno Hosts Pillow Drive at Gateway Campus

Family Day in Monterey Bay

Our Youth & Family TREE program in Hanford had a Family Day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Ten of our clients and their families as well as three alumni from the program attended this fun day at the Central Coast! All of our clients and their families got the chance to see various forms of sealife in each of the aquarium‘s exhibits. The day was followed by lunch on the pier, picnics on the beach, and more sightseeing around Monterey. This Family Day was definitely an exciting trip for not only our clients and their families, but for our Youth and Family TREE staff as well!

Wings Advocacy Fresno, hosted a pillow drive at our Gateway Campus this month. With the help of our Fresno State student interns, our WestCare staff and community partners were able to collect 174 pillows! Thank you to everyone who showed up to donate pillows for Wings Advocacy Fresno. Each donation goes a long way for our clients who receive assistance for permanent housing.

Join us at the next Wings Advocacy Fresno pillow drive, which will be happening next month on April 6 at the Adventure Church (1012 N. Palm Ave. Fresno, CA 93728) from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.

For more information about Wings Advocacy Fresno, please email wingsfresno@westcare.com or call (559) 878-2725

Day Trip to Three Rivers with SJVV Tulare!

Our San Joaquin Valley Veterans staff from Tulare spent a day in Three Rivers at the Slick Rock Recreation Area. It was a fun day filled with nice weather, scenic views of the lake, and watercolor painting. Program Coordinator, Christina Lopez, commented that taking the team out to Three Rivers was a great way to promote creativity and build on social connections with each other.

On March 1, our WestCare California staff celebrated Employee Appreciation Day! We are grateful for all the of hard work that each and every one of you does for those that we serve every day. We hope that you enjoyed all the small tokens of appreciation and potlucks that you received on a day where you are celebrated for your commendable work. Thank you, WestCare Family, for continuing to Uplift the Human Spirit!

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