TH
EXPANDING OUR REACH
Welcome to WestCare California!
As we begin 2026, we pause with gratitude for all that was accomplished over the past year. The work carried out across WestCare California in 2025 was made possible by the dedication of our staff, the generosity of our volunteers, and the strength of the partnerships we continue to build in our communities. Through this collective effort, individuals and families across California accessed support, found stability, and moved forward on their path toward healing and recovery.
A new year brings renewed purpose and an opportunity to strengthen the services, partnerships, and opportunities that support the individuals and families who rely on our programs. In the year ahead, we look forward to expanding collaboration within our communities, strengthening prevention and recovery services, and ensuring that those experiencing homelessness, Veterans, and other vulnerable populations have access to the resources and support they need to move forward with dignity and stability.
In this issue, we highlight just a few of the many ways our staff, volunteers, and partners are making a difference. You’ll read about members of our leadership team who recently attended the CADCA National Leadership Forum, joining prevention leaders from across the country to share ideas and strengthen strategies that support healthier communities.
We also highlight the important role volunteers play in expanding the impact of our work, recognize the community effort behind the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, and share a special moment as our San Joaquin Valley Veterans program in Merced hosted a Valentine’s Day gathering to honor local Veterans.
We are also pleased to introduce several new team members who have joined WestCare programs across California. Their passion and commitment help ensure we continue providing highquality services with compassion and care.
As we move through the months ahead, we look forward to building on our progress, embracing new opportunities to serve, and continuing the work of Uplifting the Human Spirit. Thank you for being part of the WestCare California community and supporting the mission that guides everything we do.
LEADERSHIP ADVOCATES IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Leaders from WestCare California recently joined prevention professionals and community advocates from across the nation at the 36th Annual Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America(CADCA)NationalLeadershipForum,heldinthefirstweekofFebruary.
The annual forum brings together thousands of prevention specialists, coalition leaders, policymakers,andpublichealthprofessionalstosharebestpracticesandstrengthenstrategies aimed at reducing substance use and supporting healthier communities CADCA provided an opportunity for WestCare CA to exchange ideas, learn emerging strategies, and explore evidence-basedpracticesdesignedtoaddresssubstanceusechallengesatthelocallevel.
Inattendancewas:
MaryAnnKnoy,SeniorVicePresident
MariaRodriguez,DeputyAdministrator
MichelleAllen,DeputyAdministrator
AshleyMorris,DirectorofEducation&PreventionServices
Akeyhighlightwastheirdayin CapitolHill, wheretheyjoinedfellowadvocatesinmeetingswithfederal lawmakersandcongressionalstaff.Byparticipatinginnationalconversationsandpolicyadvocacyefforts, WestCare California continues to play an active role in shaping prevention efforts both statewide and nationwide.
“The forum allows organizations like WestCare to collaborate with partners from across the country while amplifying the voices of the communities we serve,” said Deputy Administrator, Maria Rodriguez, “Advocatingforpreventionfundinghelpsensurethatindividualsandfamilieshaveaccesstothetoolsand supporttheyneedbeforesubstanceusebecomesacrisis.”
PERSISTENCE AND COMPASSION: A TESTEMENT TO OUR H
Names were changed to protect the identity of Thepathtostablehousingisrarelystraightforward,but continuetodemonstratepatience,compassion,andunwavering individualsexperiencinghomelessnessontheirjourneytowardstability.
Recently, a WestCare housing navigator received a referral for two unhoused individuals wanting to live together— Gary and Mary. Over the next few weeks, maintaining contact provedtobeoneofthegreatestchallengesbecauseofmanytechnicallyissues,no-showsto
appointments, commitment to live together. The navigator and housing team remained proactive, watching for the individualsduringoutreachefforts,encouragingweeklycheck-ins,andcontinuingtosearchforopportunitiesthatcouldleadtopermanent housing.InJanuary,persistencepaidoff. Theywerematchedwithour HomeSweetHome program.Theindividualswereapprovedfor housingandsuccessfullymovedintotheirnewhomewithinaweek.Garycried.
“Thedayoftheirmove,Rosa[WestCareemployee]andItookfoodtotheunit.Itwasalotoffood.Theyweresohappyandgrateful!Their expressionsofthankswereworthallthewaiting,”saidCynthiaStone,HousingNavigator. Thisstoryisapowerfulreminderofwhyourworkmatters.Bymeetingpeoplewherethey areandrefusingtogiveup,thehousingstaffhelpedtransformmomentsofcrisisinto opportunitiesforstability,dignity,andhope.
WE LOVE WHAT WE DO
Our team at San Joaquin Valley Veterans coordinates many activities for the health and well-being of our beloved Veterans, including guitar lessons, socials, and competitive games. It’s important to create a fun and honoring environment. Pictured to the right is a Valentines Day social in Merced, where lunch and sweet treats were available. Veterans strengthened the sense of community that makes these gatherings so meaningful. Events like these provide opportunities for connection, reduce isolation, and remind our Veterans that they are valued, supported, and never alone.
westcarecalifornia.org
Chico
Renee Cross
Stockton
Patricia Block
Danielle Carpenter
Maricel Ordillas
Philp Ruiz
Gabriela Velasco-Jimenez
Fresno
Fred Amesquita
Isaac Barnes
Alma Delgadillo
Sandra Garcia
Ashley Giudici
Elizabeth Huerta
Dianna Lopez
Elissa Mejia
Stephanie Sizemore Fresno
Felicia Blanco
Katelin Campos
Luis Cobian
Natalie Gonzalez
Welcome to the team!
A special welcome goes out to all our new staff members joining us across the state, from Chico to San Diego. You are valuable! Your passion and commitment will make a huge impact in our communities and in turn make our WestCare team stronger. We are thrilled to have all of you on board as we continue to serve, empower, and Uplift the Human Spirit
Richmond
Kenneth Davis
Brittany Smith
Hanford
Gaudencio Serrano
Ashley Vela
Bakersfield
Merced
Michelle Siler
Yvette Chamber
Sonia Garcia
Angelica Villanueva
Olan Bailey
Cynthia Howcroft
Maria Jacob
Nicole Miller
Guadalupe Mejia
PROMOTIONS
We intentionally cultivate a culture of conscious development through mentoring, challenging, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, ultimately strengthening both team and the mission. As our teams grow, the best leaders are needed to maintain our excellent services and make WestCare the best care. Congratulations leaders!
PROGRAMDIRECTOR
BELMONTOUTPATIENTSERVICES PROGRAMCOORDINATOR
POINT IN TIME COUNT 2026
In partnership with the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, WestCare participates in the largestannualcensusofunhousedindividualsintheCentralValley.Thiscountplaysacritical roleinshapingtheserviceswedeliverandthefundingallocatedthroughtheU.S.Department ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment’sCoordinatedEntrySystem(HUDCES)
OnJanuary27&28,WestCarejoinedcommunitypartners,including PoverelloHouse and RHCommunityBuilders,fortheannualPoint-in-TimeCount(PIT) Teamsweredeployed throughoutFresnoandMaderacountiestodistributehygienekits,conductdetailedsurveys, and connect with individuals experiencing homelessness with professionalism and compassion.
Behind the scenes, WestCare’s administrative team played an essential role on the PIT Committee, supporting logistics and coordination efforts at headquarters. We are proud to standalongsideourcommunitypartnersinthisimportanteffortandtocontributetodata-driven solutionsthatstrengthenhousingaccessandsupportservicesacrossourregion.
Visalia
Justice Lewis
San Diego
VOLUNTEERS: RECOGNIZED & APPRECIATED
The Living Room invited their volunteers and vendors from the Fresno AIDS Walk to partake in a lunch catered by Birria Y Guisados Jamay. During the lunch, they shared the impact of the Walk and presented several awards, including the Largest Team Award, the Above & Beyond Volunteer Award, the Vendor Spotlight Award, and awards for greatest fundraising efforts. They ended the lunch with presenting the Committee Member of the Year Awards, which has always been the biggest honor. This award went to Jess Esquivel, long time volunteer. The 2026 Fresno AIDS Walk is scheduled to take place on November 7th.
Come & support!
April 17- 19 Starting @ 10 AM every morning
A variety of WestCare CA programs host at our booth.
CORE AWARDS
DAVID BARAJAS
MISTY BAXTER
JITIN BRAR
MARK CAMPBELL
Our Wings Advocacy program in Fresno hosted a breakfast to show appreciation for volunteers who donated their time and resources in 2025. This is an annual event, but exceptionally special every year. Success stories were shared at the breakfast table, including one from a former WestCare client, April. She shared that thanks to the help she received from Wings, she now has a job, a home, and a plan for the future. Although she expressed her gratitude, we are most thankful for the impact she has made this year by volunteering with Wings.
UPCOMING:
OnGateway
Wear floral on May 4th & share a photo with the Media Team by May 7th: Wear floral on May 4th & share a photo with the Media Team by May 7th:
jessica.maxey@westcare.com
CORE Awards are awarded on a monthly basis to staff who demonstrate Characteristics of Remarkable Employees (CORE). Please join us in commemorating our December CORE Award recipients for the category of Creativity:
LISA DE LEON
DEON DUFFEY
ASHANTI FRANKLIN
ROSA GARCIA
EBONIA KING
SARA MARTIN
ZAYKIA MARTINEZ
JANICE PAYTON
ESMERALDA PEREZ
JENNIFER PIERRE
VICTOR ROJAS
WestCare California @westcarecalifornia @westcare westcarecalifornia.org Continue the journey online!
Follow WestCare California on social media to learn more about our team and the work we're doing in our local community! #WeAreWestCare