The Loop - California (January 2024)

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA

JANUARY 2024

ISSUE 128

VOLUME 11

Dear WestCare California Team, As we enter 2024, we look back with immense gratitude and pride for all the great work that we have done in 2023. We celebrated every achievement and faced every challenge with our heads held high as the unwavering spirit of our WestCare team prevailed. As in years before, we have emerged much stronger, more united, and more resilient than ever before.

To our dedicated staff, we would like to express our deepest appreciation for your tireless effort and unwavering commitment to our mission. Your passion for creating a positive impact in the lives of others has been the driving force behind our collective success. Through your dedication, we weathered the storms of the past year but also illuminated the path for those we serve.

As we embark on the new year, we will carry forward the lessons we learned and the strength gained from our shared experiences. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed, and your compassion has touched countless lives. Together, we have created a supportive community that extends beyond the confines of our offices - reaching out into the very fabric of our communities.

We will continue to provide essential services in Treatment & Rehabilitation, Adolescent Services, Criminal Justice programs, Housing Opportunities, Enhanced Care Management, Community Support, Veteran Services, Education & Prevention, and Mental Health Services. Through various Managed Care Plans, we are gearing up to expand our services in various counties - ensuring that individuals receive the personalized care they deserve.

With the recent merger of WINGS Advocacy Fresno into WestCare California, Inc., our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our community will strengthen, and our collective impact is bound to be even more transformative. This exciting addition enhances the variety of services that WestCare California provides to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Fresno.

This year, let us continue to build upon the foundation we've laid, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering support. Each of you plays a crucial role in our collective success, and your contributions, no matter how small, contribute to the larger goal of positive change. Our dedication to expanding our reach remains steadfast, and we are excited about the growth that lies ahead.

We encourage you to approach the new year with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and confidence that your work is creating an impact. Our journey is ongoing, and we are excited about the milestones we will achieve together during these upcoming months. Your dedication to our values is the heart and soul of WestCare California, and we are honored to stand alongside such an extraordinary team.

Thank you for your hard work, compassion, and resilience. Here's to a year filled with personal and professional growth, shared victories, and the continued pursuit of excellence!

Jenny Gonzalez Vice President WestCare California, Inc.

we s t c a r e .c om

Mary Ann Knoy Vice President WestCare California, Inc.

Program Spotlight: Wings Advocacy Fresno Wings Advocacy Fresno, a Project of WestCare California, is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families in need. Our mission revolves around gathering donations of gently used home furnishings and transforming them into the building blocks of hope and comfort for those facing challenging circumstances.

At the heart of Wings Advocacy Fresno are our devoted volunteers, whose unwavering commitment drives our mission forward. Within our Fresno warehouse, they carefully sort, stage, and prepare these furnishings for a second life. Alongside these items, we provide new mattresses and pillows - ensuring that every recipient experiences the warmth and security of a well-furnished home.

Our outreach extends to a diverse range of individuals, including recently housed families, Veterans, and those seeking refuge from domestic violence. These deserving individuals and families are referred to us by compassionate case managers from approximately 25 local social service agencies who recognize the profound impact of a welcoming home environment.

A key aspect of our work involves our dedicated delivery crew, who go above and beyond to serve up to 25 clients per week. They not only transport the requested household goods but also lend a helping hand in setting up these essentials in the homes of our recipients. This personalized touch ensures that each family or individual that we assist experiences a smoother transition into their newfound sanctuary.

Wings Advocacy Fresno is more than a project. It’s a community of caring individuals united by the belief that everyone deserves a safe, comfortable, and nurturing home. We are proud to be the wings of change, providing the support and furnishings needed to empower individuals and families on their journey toward a brighter future.

For more information about Wings Advocacy Fresno, please visit wingsfresno.org or contact them at (559) 878-2725. They can also be reached via email at wingsfresno@westcare.com.

Brittany, a recipient of Wings services, has navigated the difficult experience of alternating between warming centers and the street.

Her appreciation radiates for the recent delivery of furnishings and household items she received on January 17th. It is essential to recognize that without the generous contributions of our donors who supply furniture and the necessary funds to purchase new mattresses and pillows, we wouldn't have the resources to support individuals like Brittany and many others in the Fresno area!

We are always in need of: Couches Chairs Dining Sets Side Tables Dressers Small Desks Bookshelves Utensils Pots and Pans Dishware Coffee makers Vacuums Lamps Clean Linens New Mattresses and Pillows Funds to purchase Welcome Basket items If you would like to make a donation, please contact Wings Advocacy Fresno at (559) 878-2725.

“Edan Keven, the Fresno Recovery Residence Housing Case Manager, along with dedicated volunteers Debbie Ockey and Mary Ann Quann, consistently go the extra mile. They handle referrals from other agencies with exceptional care, orchestrate the collection of donations, oversee volunteer activities, and ensure the smooth execution of deliveries every weekend. Together, their efforts bring a sense of upliftment to both our valued clients and dedicated volunteers.“ - Dayatra Latin, Deputy Administrator, WestCare California

westcare.com

Uplifting the Human Spirit Happy Retirement to Gloria Gallardo!

On December 28, our WestCare California family of programs bid a heartfelt farewell and wished a very happy retirement to a longtime member of our family for over 25 years, Gloria Gallardo! Gloria worked as a case manager with our STOP - Area 3 office in Fresno and began her journey with WestCare on October 5, 1998. She was hired as a counselor with the Third Floor prior to its merging with WestCare in 1999 to become WestCare California, Inc. From there, she would move on to work for our RMSC treatment program (known as Residential Multi-Service Center) for justice-involved individuals as well as our adult outpatient, San Joaquin Valley Veterans’ Homefront Grant-Per-Diem transitional living, and SASCA programs (known today as Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming or STOP).

Recalling her time with us, Gloria commented, “What I’ve liked most about working at WestCare is being a part of its growth and seeing new programs startup, both locally and in other states. One of the things that I’ve really appreciated about WestCare is that they are really able to lift you up, as it says in our motto, and work with you in whatever situation you have going on. I love my job here, and I’m going to miss it. I’m just so grateful for WestCare. I’ve enjoyed my employment here and have had great bosses.”

Gloria lives with her daughter and two great-granddaughters, seven and nine years old, respectively. While her daughter explores career opportunities, she has accepted the responsibility of providing daycare and transportation to her grandkids. She is also looking into volunteer opportunities with local youth or the elderly.

Congratulations, Gloria! We will miss you, your humble demeanor, boundless positivity, love for those we serve, and the unwavering passion for our services that you have brought with you each day! We wish you only the best on this exciting new journey that lies ahead!

Sharing the Holiday Spirit with our Nation’s Heroes!

For the holidays, San Joaquin Valley Veterans‘ Fresno team hosted a holiday luncheon for all of their Veterans and their families. Clients were able to take home frozen chickens that were donated by the Central California Food Bank and hygiene kits from the Fresno Elks Lodge. Lily’s Kitchen catered for the entire event. The Veterans also participated in a raffle giveaway! Overall, it was a joyous event filled with laughter and fun games for our heroes served! Thank you to all of our community partners who supported our Veterans that day and for making this luncheon possible.

@westcare

Uplifting the Human Spirit WestCare California Gets Into the Holiday Spirit!

CongOur CORE (Characteristics of Remarkable Employees) Recipients

Our WestCare California family programs showed their holiday spirit last month with a variety of festive events! San Joaquin Valley Veterans in Fresno and Hanford’s Adolescent Services and Youth & Family Tree programs celebrated the holidays in their pajamas and with fun games and a gift exchange! The staff at MLK Residential had tacos, hot dogs, and holiday door decorations. Meanwhile, the staff from The Living Room went out for pizza and exchanged gifts with one another. The staff of CCTRP - San Diego showed off their facility with their Grinch-themed Christmas decorations.

We all hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you to all of our staff for continuing to Uplift the Human Spirit of not only our clients, but also each other!

Congratulations to our CORE (Characteristics of Remarkable Employees) Recipients!

A huge congratulations to our November CORE recipients, Jenny Magdaleno, Tom Maldonado, and Phyllis Cara! They have shown remarkable guidance to staff members at MLK Residential and received awards for demonstrating the CORE trait of being a ‘mentor‘ during the month of November.

Thank you for exhibiting this exceptional characteristic in the great work that you do here at WestCare California. Every life that we help change for the better does not go unnoticed, thanks to your hard work!

westcare.com