SpiritGala
The Grand 1401
A N I G H T T O R E M E M B E R
P R O G R A M A G E N D A
5:00PM-6:00PM VIPHour
6:00PM-6:45PM
DoorsOpen,SilentAuctionBegins*, OpenBarBegins*
7:00PM-7:45PM DinnerBegins
7:45PM-8:00PM
KeynoteandAcknowledgments
8:00PM-9:00PM SpiritAwardsCeremony
9:00PM-11:00PM OpenDanceFloor
*Silentauctionandopenbarendsat9p.m.
Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate 50 years of service and Uplifting the Human Spirit. We are honored to commemorate our Golden Anniversary with you and hope you enjoy it. Drink, dine, and dance the night away with us! S
O U R B E N E F I C I A R Y
Proceeds from this event directly benefit Wings Advocacy Fresno, A Project of WestCare California - the most recent to join our family of projects.
Learn more about Wings Advocacy Fresno on pg 5
WestCare California : 50 YEARS
THETHIRDFLOOR
CDAAPCCreceives$100,000infundingfromthe FresnoCountyBoardofSupervisorsto implementaresidentialtreatmentprogram,The ThirdFloor.Initialoperationbeginsina warehousebeforerelocatingtoitsfirstfacilityat 120N.HowardStreetinFresno,CA.
CDAAPCC
ComprehensiveDrugandAlcohol AbuseProgramofCentralCalifornia isfoundedtofacilitatethecreation ofatreatmentprogram.
WOMENADMITTED
Residentialservices expandtoinclude women'streatment.
FIRSTCLIENT
Thefirstclientisadmitted toTheThirdFloor.
EXPANSION
WESTCAREMANAGEMENT
TheThirdFloorentersintoa managementcontractwith WestCarefollowingthe passingoffounder,BobKlise.
TheThirdFlooropensitsfirst recoveryresidencetopromote aftercare.
OUTPATIENTSERVICES
TheThirdFloorbegins offeringoutpatient treatment.
FCRPEXPANSION
CriminalJusticeServicesexpand withtheintroductionoftheFemale CommunityReentryProgram (FCRP)inSanDiego.
HOUSINGFORFAMILIES
ExpansionintoHousingOpportunities fornon-Veteranindividuals/families experiencinghomelessnesswiththe ProjectLiftOFFprogram.
HOUSINGSUPPORT
WestCareCaliforniapartnerswithSaint AgnesMedicalCentertoprovide housingsupportservicesatTheHoly CrossHealthandWellnessCenter.
NEWMODELOFCARE
WestCareCaliforniabeginsto adaptservicestoalignwiththe newCalAIMmodelofcare.
WINGSADVOCACYFRESNO
WingsAdvocacyFresno,aproviderof donationsforrecentlyhoused individuals/families,joinstheWestCare Californiafamilyofprograms.
OF UPLIFTING THE HUMAN SPIRIT
1999
TheThirdFloormergeswithWestCaretobecomeWestCareCalifornia.
VeteransservicesareintroducedwiththeHomeFrontGrantPer-DiemTransitionalHousingProgram.
Education&PreventionservicesareintroducedwiththeWomen 2Womenprogramformotherswhowereaffectedbyoratriskof HIV/AIDS.
MLKRESIDENTIAL
CA’slongest-runningprogram,MLKResidential,is founded,withmanagementprovidedbyWestCare.
PERINATALSERVICES
Treatmentservicesexpandintoperinatalservices totieyoungchildrenintotheirparents'treatment.
THELIVINGROOM
TheLivingRoom,aproviderof HIV/AIDScare,joinsthe WestCareCaliforniafamilyof programs. 2010
OPTIONSPROGRAM
ExpansionintoMental Healthserviceswith introductionofOPTIONS program.
SANJOAQUINVALLEYVETERANS
Fresno-basedvolunteer-rangroupbythe staffofHomeFront,joinstheWestCare Californiafamilyofprograms.
YOUTHSERVICESINKINGS
Treatmentexpandstoprovide adolescentoutpatientservicesto KingsCountyyouthinHanford.
Wings Advocacy Fresno has served some of the most vulnerable and chronically unhoused populations since 2013. Their clients include families, seniors, Veterans, individuals with disabilities, and women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Working in close cooperation with a variety of social service agencies and community partners, Wings Advocacy Fresno provides furniture and household goods to formerly unhoused clients who have received safe, permanent housing.
In September 2023, Wings Advocacy Fresno joined WestCare California's family of projects We invite you to support their mission as we create a community where everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Community donations help provide our most vulnerable neighbors with the ability to create a real home. Learn more about donation needs on pg. 9.
In 2023, Wings Advocacy Fresno, A Project of WestCare California, had the following impact:
SpiritCommu 2024
CommunityImpact Resilience&Recovery
Laura Haga Moreno
Division Chief, Department of Social Services, County of Fresno
Laura Haga Moreno has been working to eradicate homelessness for nearly 24 years. She is the current Chairperson of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC), whose goal is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated homeless housing and services delivery system. She has been involved with the organization since its inception, serving in various roles, including SecretaryandRegionalRepresentative.
Laura has also been with the County of Fresno for over 27 years and is a Division Chief with the Department of Social Services (DSS), focusing on homelessness and housing services She has developed various programs within DSS, serving those experiencing and at risk of homelessness, including the CalWORKs Housing Support Program, the Family Unification Program for child welfare families, and the Transitional Housing ProgramPlus, a transitional housing program for young adults exiting foster care. She was a principal contributor in the County’s application and development of Crossroads, the County’s Homekey project, adding 141 permanent affordable housing units for those experiencing homelessness. She led the Department’s homeless response during COVID-19 and was a driving force in adding over 500 additional emergency shelter beds to the system. Laura believes in the power of collaboration to make impactful changes to benefit marginalized communities. Through leadership, advocacy, community engagement, and policy development,meaningfulchangeispossible.
Delaine David Bill Sr. Cultural Support Specialist, Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP)
Delaine David Bill Sr is a pillar of community support, both at the Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP) and to his community As a Mono/Yokut tribal member (Wukchumni), he runs FAIHP’s Sacred Circle program four times weekly, a drum and prayer circle for individuals to use the medicine of Native American drumming as a path towards healing He leads talking circles and participates in support for our sobriety and wellness program Delaine remains an incredible resource to anyone who needs him, and he shares his songsatcommunityeventsandinthehallwaysofFAIHP He offers his own property as a place for Native Americans to experience and participate in sweat lodgesandceremonies.
Born in 1964 in the Central Valley, his life is marked by struggles and adversities, but also resilience and recovery As a young child, he experienced bullying through the school system but persisted with his brother and mother as his motivation At 18, he left home, not knowingwhatwasinstoreforhim
After experiencing a life of drugs, alcohol, loss of loved ones, incarceration, separation, rehab, and so much more - he returned to his community to give back in the way he received: a belief, a purpose, a reason to live. Now,hegivesthankseverydayforhispast,present,and boundlessfuture.
unityAwards Recipients
SocialAdvocacy V
Dean
Jackson,
Director
of HIV Services, The Source LGBT+ Center
Dean Jackson has been an integral part of The Source LGBT+ Center since its inception, starting as a volunteer on opening day in 2016 Currently serving as the Director of HIV Services, Dean is responsible for the growth and operational success of their HIV & Prevention Services. Under his leadership, what began as a peer support group has expanded into a comprehensive program offering a range of services such as free rapid testing for HIV, HCV, and syphilis; prescription and insurance assistance for People Living With HIV (PLWH); nutrition support; referrals and case management; PrEP access; pharmacy services, and more. His dedication to direct service has been a lifelong passion.
In 2018, Dean was selected to represent California’s District 22 at AIDSWatch 2018, an annual day of advocacy sponsored by AIDS United He was appointed to the California Planning Group (CPG) in 2020, a statewide HIV planning body that facilitates ongoing dialogue between key stakeholders, communities, providers, and the Office of AIDS (OA) to advance the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the statewide Integrated Plan In 2023, he obtained certification as an Apexus Certified Expert for HRSA and the Office of Pharmacy Affairs' 340B program. In 2024, he was selected for the Central Valley’s “40 under 40” program, which recognizes some of the top young professionals in the Central Valley.
Raymond Gonzales, Outreach Specialist, WestCare California
Raymond "Nacho" Gonzales served two and a half years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and after earning an Honorable Discharge, he transitioned from military life with a deep desire to help others His personal recovery from addiction in 2004 inspired him to dedicate his life to serving those facing similar challenges Since joining WestCare in 2007, Raymond has been a pillar of support to the organization and all those we serve, whether in his previous role as an AOD Counselor or his current role as an Outreach Specialist with San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV), a Project of WestCare California.
What sets Raymond apart is his ability to connect with Veterans on a deeply personal level. His military background allows him to understand and empathize with the struggles many Veterans face - whether it's adjusting to life after service, battling addiction, or facing homelessness His shared experience fosters a bond of trust and camaraderie, empowering those he serves to seek the help they need Raymond’s commitment to seeing Veterans move from the streets to transitional living or permanent housing is unwavering, and his passion for advocating for their well-being is matched only by his compassion and resilience.
Despite opportunities to advance in his career, Raymond has chosen to remain on the frontlines, working directly with Veterans, because of his dedication to their cause His selfless service, both in and out of uniform, uplifts and inspires the entire community.
UpliftingtheHumanSpiritAward
Celebrating a Champion of Compassion, Resilience, and Hope
BEVERLYFITZPATRICK
In 2012, Beverly Fitzpatrick co-founded Wings Advocacy Fresno and has since dedicated her time to uplifting those who have recently transitioned from homelessness intopermanenthousing
Through Wings Advocacy Fresno, she served a special need by coordinating and providing furnishings to the newly housed Many newly-housed individuals often lack the resources to acquire basic furnishings, leaving them in stark, unwelcoming environments that can trigger feelings of isolation and despair By supplying essential itemslikebeds,chairs,andkitchenware,WingsAdvocacy Fresno helps create warm, inviting spaces that foster a senseofbelonginganddignity.
With over a decade of leading Wings Advocacy Fresno, Beverly has fostered community and strong support networks to better the lives and new beginnings of all thoseservedintheFresnocommunity Nowinretirement, her work continues on through volunteers and partnerships that have been established under her leadership
From serving 14 clients in 1974 to now serving 2,500 clients daily, WestCare California commemorates 50 years and beyond of Uplifting the Human Spirit, providing a wide spectrum of health and human services in residential and outpatient environments.
Our team of multicultural, experienced, and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors Our goal is to Uplift the Human Spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
Uplifting the HUMAN SPIRIT
AWARDED 2024 BEST OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA - SILVER AWARD
