Focus Forward Magazine, 4th Edition

FOCUS FORWARD STORIES OF HOPE

the magazine

MICHAEL PRICHARD M.S., LAADC, ICAADC

HIS INSPIRING PATH TO SUCCESS. Also Featuring: ABRAHAM HULL AUDREY RILEY GREG BARRAGAN ARNOLD TREVINO JOSEPHINE PEREZ, M.D. FRESNO MAYOR LEE BRAND PAUL AREYAN RON CLIMER, LCSW, ACSW

Presented by:

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STORIES OF HOPE the magazine

OUR FEATURED STORIES

Magazine Committee

Magazine Committee

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Susan B. Anderson, J.D. President of the Board Coreen Campos CEO, Focus Forward

Audrey Riley

Susan Ryan CEO, Noble Credit Union

SPIRIT OF WOMAN

Keri Bennitt Senior Vice President/CMO Noble Credit Union Joe Oliveras, MSW Board Secretary

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Creative Team:

Ron Climer

Kathy Eide Casas Magazine Writer

LCSW, ACSW

CHAPLAIN

Catherine Curry McNally Magazine Designer Molly Eide Marquez Freelance Editor Kendyl Day Photographer

12 Greg Barragan

INSTRUCTOR, FRESNO COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE CAMPUS

Focus Forward is pleased to present the stories in this magazine as told by the subjects. All story subjects approved the content. Although we believe the stories to be true and accurate, the magazine committee members, the creative and writing teams, and Focus Forward do not guarantee the accuracy or truthfulness of each story.

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STORIES OF HOPE

Table of Contents

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20

Josephine Perez, M.D.

Abraham Hull

FAMILY PRACTITIONER

SHEET METAL WORKER

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22

Michael Prichard,

Paul Areyen

M.S. LAADC, ICAADC

SENIOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIALIST

NEXTUP

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24

Mayor Lee Brand

Arnold Trevino

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FRESNO

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Board of Directors

Liaisons

OFFICERS: PRESIDENT Susan B. Anderson, J.D.

SECRETARY Joe Olivares, MSW

Katherine Martindale

VICE PRESIDENT Matt Rosenfeld

TREASURER Vicki Crow, CPA, Retired

Pam Coronado

VP/General Manager Nexstar Broadcasting Group (KSEE 24/CBS47)

President/CEO Noble Credit Union

Michael Lopez

Business Representative Sheet Metal Workers Local Union District 104

Karin Chao-Bushoven Fresno EOC

Vicki Stotts

School Psychologist Mendota Unified School District

Dr. Carole Goldsmith President Fresno City College

Naun Garcia

Owner Inpower Marketing

EMERITUS MEMBER:

Executive Director Court and Community Schools Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

Marisa Gamboa

MEMBERS: Susan Ryan

Principal Analyst Fresno County Department of Social Services

Michelle Engel-Silva Executive Director Proteus Inc.

Blake G. Konczal

CEO Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board

Sandra Reyes Herrera Flores

Program Director Fresno County Preterm Birth Initiative California State University, Fresno

Principal Court Schools - Alice M. Worsley Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

Vicki Passmore

Division Director Probation Department JJC Commitment Facility

Kristine Ruiz

Assistant Director Probation Department Juvenile Justice Campus

Joseph Oaxaca Project Director ResCare

Al Grasso

LCSW, Retired

Genesis Wilson

CFO Dutch Bros Coffee Fresno Inc.

PERSONNEL:

FOCUS FORWARD STORIES OF HOPE

the magazine

MICHAEL PRICHARD

M.S., LAADC, ICAADC

HIS INSPIRING PATH TO SUCCESS. Also Featuring:

Morton Rosenstein M.D. Retired Emeritus Board Member

Coreen Campos

Chief Executive Officer Focus Forward

ABRAHAM HULL AUDREY RILEY GREG BARRAGAN ARNOLD TREVINO JOSEPHINE PEREZ, M.D. FRESNO MAYOR LEE BRAND PAUL AREYAN RON CLIMER, LCSW, ACSW

Presented by:

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STORIES OF HOPE

STORIES OF HOPE

the magazine 4TH EDITION September 2018

O

ur board and staff are pleased to present our fourth issue of the Focus Forward Magazine.

We believe it is important to tell these amazing stories about folks in our community who have struggled, but have overcome obstacles to become very successful in their own right. These stories inspire us to continue our efforts through Focus Forward programs.

Focus Forward provides support through evidenced based programs for youth and their families who are involved in the juvenile justice system and foster care. Programs like parenting classes, education and employment services, planned re-entry services, advocacy and other supportive services can make a huge difference in the outcomes for our youth and their families.

As you read these stories, remember that everyone makes mistakes – no one of us is perfect. Some do not get a fair chance in the beginning. Some do not have the advantage of good parenting and a supportive family.

Some get caught up in the negative influence of others. Some make bad decisions. Most were children in our community when things went wrong. We have an obligation to help.

We hope that you will find a way to support the efforts of Focus Forward. Please consider volunteering or providing financial support. Thank you to Kathy Eide Casas, our story writer; Catherine Curry, our graphics designer and Kendyl Day, our photographer. A special thank you to Noble Credit Union, our title sponsor and to all of our story sponsors, for enabling us to share these, ‘Stories of Hope’ with all of you.

Susan B. Anderson, J.D. Chair, Focus Forward Board

Matt Rosenfeld Vice-Chair, Focus Forward Board

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Creating a stronger comm At 90% success rate, Focus Forward Focus Forward “helped me get

”

my family back.

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STORIES OF HOPE

unity one family at a time

exceeds state and national averages “

I am usually a person who does not share or open up and overtime, I hear about the different experiences [of others] and realize I am not alone, and this made me more comfortable to share.

— Father of Teen

”

On average, Focus Forward mentors 100 at‑risk youth each month.

In its pilot year, the Planned Re‑Entry Program served 42 incarcerated youth and their families.

The number of people served through the Bright Futures parenting program more than doubled from 2016–2017.

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definitely utilize because it helps when I have an issue with my son. I am able to express my feelings without blaming him.

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS Youth Legend Youth Champion Youth Star Youth Advocate Youth Partner Youth Supporter

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— Mother of Teen

I didn’t know “that a jelly fish

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— PREP Program Teen

I liked learning “more about my

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was a real animal.

I thought it was a made up character on SpongeBob.

Focus Forward is a 501c3 CBO/ Nonprofit agency. Our Tax ID# is 81‑0579812. Consult with a tax professional for details.

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Visit our website, call, or send a check payable to Focus Forward to 3333 E. American Ave, Suite B, Fresno CA 93725

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mom and the problems she faces.

— Teen

PROGRAM IMPACT

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(559) 600‑4961 Focusforward.org/give Focusforward.org/volunteer

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Awards Top Ten Business and Professional Women of the Year from the Marjaree Mason Center Temple Beth Israel Social Action Award.

Former Mayor Alan Autry of Fresno County proclaimed “Audrey Riley Day" African-American Heritage Award for Non-Profits Community Heroes Award from the College of Health and Human Services for Fresno State.

Recognized for her dedication to improving the perinatal system of Fresno County as one of the first members of the Fresno County Screening, Assessing, Referral, and Treatment Leadership Group (SART)

Audrey Riley Meet Audrey Riley

Audrey Riley made her way to Fresno via the east coast, then Ohio, then the bay area. That was a lifetime ago. It is Fresno that holds Audrey’s heart and home.

An accomplished woman, she has been recognized with a succession of prominent awards throughout the years. Her response to those accolades is modest, “When you do something that’s your passion, you never look to be awarded for it.

In fact, as outspoken as I am, I’m actually quite bashful about being recognized. I do what I do because I am called to give my voice, my heart and my soul to these women and children; to empower them.

Without a voice, you are without a soul and without a soul, you are nothing.”

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A

udrey Riley does not believe in business-asusual. A soft-spoken voice for an outspoken woman, Audrey’s demeanor is calm and steady; her determination is 100% steel.

Her leadership has brought hundreds of women struggling with substance abuse and other issues to achieve the unlikely path to success. As the CEO and Founder of Fresno’s Spirit of Woman, she provides tough love, vital services and education for her clients. Audrey has designed a holistic substance abuse program using a family-focused approach to address the needs of women and their children through intensive inpatient programs, followed by aftercare and transitional housing support. These programs offer each woman the necessary tools to build upon their treatment and recovery at a preventative level, promoting long-term sobriety and self-sufficiency. Audrey believes in order to be effective, you must treat and meet the needs of the entire person…mind, body and spirit.

Audrey’s own upbringing was fraught with challenges, yet her determination pulled her through.

She was introduced to physical abuse at a young age, but as Audrey describes, “It wasn’t called domestic violence back then.” She grew up feeling inferior, with a mom that constantly re-enforced that inferiority.

Today, at age 74, it remains painful for her to talk about her early years. Her mother was an accomplished professor at the University of Cincinnati. She never accepted Audrey; partly because of Audrey’s looks and hair texture and partly because she was born

STORIES OF HOPE

out of wedlock. There was no mother-daughter bond. Audrey was left with her grandparents. In every generation of her family, higher education mattered above all else, including any familial ties.

At age 9, her mother came back for Audrey and they relocated to Cincinnati, OH. Mom married and remarried and Audrey had a half-sister and brothers.

Yet, she remained the outcast of the family. No matter how high the bar was that Audrey achieved, it was constantly being raised out of her reach. The reality was, no matter how good or smart she was, she would never be good enough for her mother.

Yet, Audrey endured.

Spirit of Woman currently can provide services for 70 women and 105 children

She realized if she was ever going to accomplish all that she strived to do, she would have to do it herself.

She moved on.

She continued her medical career, earning her x-ray and special procedures certifications. She met and married the man who would become her children’s father. She had very little experience with men. He was worldly and wealthy. She was vulnerable. She didn’t realize what was lurking under his charming exterior, until many beatings later. For 16 years, she stayed. She had three children. She promised herself if she ever lived to get out of that relationship, she would devote herself to women who did not have a voice – she would love them until they could love themselves. She was battered beyond belief. The final incident came when she was beaten so severely, she turned to their Methodist minister for help. His approach to her was to ask what Audrey had done to deserve a beating like that. She packed up their children from their upscale house and left. Her fortitude continued to grow.

Her Path to Spirit of Woman Audrey remained in the medical field, teaching professional ethics, until she was injured on the job.

While at vocational rehab, it was recommended that she obtain her degree in Women’s Studies, to further her continuing passion. She did just that. The promise she had made to herself endured and showed in her volunteer and other work with battered women.

It was when she was working with neurologically challenged and special needs adults, that she met a Hanford patient’s family. In the late 1980s, they asked her to help their patient assimilate back into the family.

So began her journey that would lead her to Fresno.

From there, she went to the Fresno County Health Department. From her job at the Fresno County Health Department, she was asked to open the first perinatal program in west Fresno, at King of Kings. From there, she went to the Hospital Council Foundation to write and promote the Smoking Cessation Program where she went to doctors' offices promoting no smoking, primarily for women and pregnant women. She also worked at Alpha House, the first program for women that was just alcohol. The staff there wanted her to take the women to AA meetings.

She knew that wasn’t enough; she wanted to do more. She went to Genesis. She participated in their perinatal program for teens that were pregnant and already had children. While was there, she had a Genesis of her own…she realized if she was ever going to accomplish all that she strived to do, she would have to do it herself.

Writing the Program It was now 1990. She and Dr. Juan Garcia wrote the program that would evolve into Spirit of Woman.

When she first opened, Audrey was taking clients into her own home! She soon found a more appropriate location, and continued her work to build the program.

It was during this time, that Audrey met the love of her life…Clifford Riley. A recovered heroin addict, he knew what it was like to overcome. They were together almost 17 years, when Clifford was diagnosed with the AIDS Virus. At the same time her husband was diagnosed, Audrey was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma. She was given six months to live.

They talked about who the survivor would be and who would continue with the work they loved. Clifford succumbed. He was and always will be, the person who helped Audrey find her voice. She emphasized, “Clifford was a wonderful person and instrumental in teaching me about the recovery part, the addictive part of truly overcoming our past experiences.” He showed her what true love was and his spirt remains with her today. She believes he has helped to guide her through the maze of hurdles she has successfully navigated, to ensure women and children are helped.

In 2000, Spirit of Woman was incorporated as a nonprofit and leased a 24-unit apartment complex to serve over 30 women and 75 children daily. In 2004, Spirit of Woman relocated to its current site near Roeding Park, where it can provide inpatient services for 70 women and 105 children, making it one of the primary residential substance abuse treatment facilities for women with children in Fresno County.

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Under Audrey’s steady leadership, Spirit of Woman just celebrated 20 years. Recently, Spirit of Woman formed a partnership with the Nursing Program at Fresno State, to form the Spirit of Health. In a collaborative effort, the nursing students come to Spirit of Woman twice a week to teach womens’ health and screen the women for medical issues.

Additionally, the children, most of whom have seen and experienced a myriad of issues, receive mental health treatment. Mind, body and spirit, all need to be treated to succeed.

Many of Audrey’s staff at Spirit of Woman are successful graduates of the program. It’s a unique model for the counselors to be able to provide the necessary services, after having lived through similar situations themselves.

Having devoted her life to giving others a voice, you may ask what Audrey does in her ‘spare’ time. She is an accomplished cook, famous for her gumbo, and she writes poetry.

Thank you, Audrey Riley, for all you have done and all that you continue to do for the health and well-being of women and children.

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This is the story of a Man of God. An unlikely Man of God… A Motorcycle-Riding, Former Drug Addict, Former Convict, Former Bad Guy, Complete Man of God who lives by His Actions and Words.

Ron Climer, LCSW, ACSW

R

on Climer began his young life with a grandma who explained to his kindergarten teacher, with a hoarse mocking laugh, that little Ronnie wasn’t deaf, he simply wouldn’t answer to his name being called during roll, because he thought his name was, ‘you little bastard.’

Is it any wonder that at age eight Ron was arrested, at age 11, he was using drugs and by 15, he was addicted to heroin?

His early life was tumultuous and his family dysfunctional. For the Climer family, it was fine that young Ronnie smoked and cussed in front of the adults, even though he was in the fourth grade.

Ron’s father died when he was 8 months old. His mother had a rapid-fire revolving door of men that came and went. The perpetual new kid, he would sometimes change schools five times during one school year. Ron explained, “The way I managed always being the new kid in school was this: I would watch and figure out who the toughest kid in school was. Then I would pick a fight with that kid. I knew I’d be left alone after that and that was exactly what I wanted.”

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He became an expert at isolating himself. He also became a good fighter. Instead of learning, he fought.

In the fourth grade, he still couldn’t read, and that was fine with him. Deciding that he just, ‘wasn’t teachable’, when he turned 16, he quit school. He got a job at a car wash.

He started using drugs partly from boredom and partly from a yearning that there was something else out there. That yearning turned to emptiness. That emptiness would continue to permeate Ron’s life for years, much later to be filled by God. While working at the car wash, he met a girl and made a command decision. “I needed that girl and I needed the car she was driving,” Ron reflected. “But,” he continued, “She was an honors student at Clovis High and studying to be a parole officer. She didn’t smoke, mess around or do anything I was into, but I knew I had to be with her,” he explained. Ron turned on the charm and Carol fell for him. At 17, they married.

He quit doing drugs, slowed down his drinking, and for a time, his young bride filled that empty spot in his life and his heart.

But, the emptiness returned.

STORIES OF HOPE

Chaplain Climer in retrospect “When God created us, he created a void in the heart of every human being and that void at some point in their life, like it did for me at 11. People look for something to fill that empty spot: some people look into bad things, some people look into good things, such as their careers, sports, or whatever, but they find themselves still empty. That spot was created for the Spirit of God. I don’t care who they are or what they’re doing, everyone is looking for God, they just don’t know that it is God that they are looking for. I am grateful to have found him.”

“I realized since I prayed that night, I hadn’t yet had a desire for the drugs. No withdrawals. I didn’t need a fix.

It was now 1973 and Ron was 24. The years had been rough. He had now earned a long police record.

He was drinking and doing drugs. It didn’t matter that he had a wife and two kids. What did matter was his $100-a-day-heroin habit. He had to get his fix. He got into a bar fight and shot a man in the face. It was a bleak picture.

His emptiness became an abyss.

In 1973 Ron went with a crime partner to a Blackstone Avenue massage parlor; a front for a drug ring. It was there, through a set of extraordinary circumstances, they met up with LeRoy, a former convict who was a ‘celebrity’ of sorts that Ron had read about in the local paper. LeRoy had testified that God had spoken to him and told him he needed to, ‘get his head right.’ LeRoy decided if he was going to get right with God, he had to get right with others. He turned himself in for 27 felonies. That story had made an impression on the judge and on Ron as well.

Though skeptical, he was oddly intrigued. Ron’s concept of ‘God’ was some ‘guy in the sky, to keep you in line’. As Ron tells it, LeRoy turned directly to him and said, “Hey Ronnie – how you doing? You have to get off the smack. Man, ‘God loves you just like you are.’ LeRoy stood right there and talked about God’s love for us.”

Ron wondered, if there really was a God and he could love LeRoy, then could he actually love Ron too?

With that chance encounter in the parking lot of a massage parlor/drug front, Ron began a bumpy transformation. He told his wife they were going to start going to church, and they did. But, it wasn’t that simple. Ron knew he wanted to participate in the alter call, but he just couldn’t do it. He went to see their preacher. They talked and prayed for hours, but he still needed to get his fix 5-6 times a day. He read the Bible time and again, yet nothing. The preacher continued to assure Ron that God loved him just the way he was. The preacher then asked Ron what time he had to fix the first time each morning. Ron replied, “5:00AM.” That preacher swore to Ron that when he was using, he would be praying for him. When Ron awoke the next morning, he got ready to stick the needle in his arm, but instead saw a picture of that preacher’s face. That preacher had committed to pray for Ron each day at 5:00AM for the rest of his life. As a result, Ron made a ‘deal’ with God, that this would be the last day he would use. But, the next morning he woke up hurting and in desperate need of a fix.

He smoked some joints, went to his biker bar and got wasted, but he was still in the midst of withdrawal.

He went home, got his wife and kids and they went to his cousin’s house for support. It was too much. Ron’s struggle was so deep he believed, “God must just want me to be a junkie.” He even believed that he could kill anyone he wanted and it would be justified with God. He had a list of people that he was going to kill. That was it. Carol was ready to leave him. She dressed herself and the babies and was going to leave when Ron passed out. While they rested, Ron’s rage built. He got in his car and drove to a field.

That car ride was a turning point, painful as it was.

He began to feel the hurt of everyone he had touched.

Up until now, he had been emotionless and numb. This was a painful awakening that was unraveling inside of him. He could physically feel the pain he had caused his wife, his kids, even people he didn’t know. He got the Bible and the flashlight and read Revelations. He thought about the preacher and LeRoy and all the people in his church and how God had filled all of them with peace and joy and love, but here he was, filled with rage and so much pain. “Why?” he asked.

He made the decision to get all the dope he could and just stick it in his arm. It was over. But then he heard a voice that was as clear sounding as the night stars were bright and beautiful. “Put your faith in me, and not in the needle, and I will do it for you” he heard over and over again.

Ron explained that it was a transformational experience, “I went home from that field and woke up my wife. I told her everything was going to be okay.

She was scared to death. She thought this was the proverbial calm before the storm.” Carol had seen her husband leave filled with rage, yet upon his return, he was so calm. Too calm.

He went on to say, “I realized since I prayed that night, I hadn’t yet had a desire for the drugs. No withdrawals. I didn’t need a fix. The only way I knew I was kicking heroin was that I couldn’t sleep for about a month straight. I used that time to read my Bible over and over.”

Ron did it. He kicked it.

He was becoming a Man of God’s actions.

He began to minister to others. People were urging him to go to school, and he did. His first semester at Fresno City College, he carried 12 units. From there, he went on to Fresno State. He went on to earn three College Degrees, a credential, and is a licensed clinical psychotherapist and Senior Chaplain. For a kid that had mentally quit school in the 4th grade and branded himself as, ‘unteachable,’ this was clearly an action of God.

We find our Strength when we put on the Armor of God. Ron Climer today: Carol stayed with him. Their children are grown. Ron and Carol have served as missionaries for the Southern Baptist Convention for 40 years. Ron has been a chaplain for the kids in Fresno County Juvenile Hall for the past 44 years. The Climers recently celebrated 51 years of marriage.

They own and operate the non-profit Changing Lives Resource Center.

Who better than to set the example for life changing events than Senior Chaplain Ron Climer, LCSW/DCSW.

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GREG BARRAGAN “You don’t realize how good you are…..you have power in your hands, in your eyes.

You are fast learners, the sky is the limit!”

Greg Barragan on any given day to his students, as they mold and reshape metal, just as they mold and reshape their lives.

T

hose words demonstrate a small sampling of comments from Greg Barragan’s students, who are housed at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Campus.

Mr. B., as he is affectionately known by students, teachers and parents alike, is the only welding instructor at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Campus. High praise is the common thread from his students as they work collectively to mold and reshape metal; while molding and reshaping their lives.

A talented welder with a gregarious personality, Barragan knows firsthand just what it takes to mold and reshape, as he has successfully done that with his own life. Growing up, he was a rebel, and prided himself on being destructive, crazy and out of control.

Born in Los Angeles, the Barragan family came to Fresno when Greg was nine years old. With an older brother and two younger sisters, who were all ‘normal’, it was easy to see that Greg was cut from the proverbial different cloth. Whenever Greg

Mr. B…You’re doin’ it BIG You’re the Man….

This is our teacher THE BEST TEACHER IN CALIFORNIA Never seen a teacher teach the way you teach – “

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Words matter.

STORIES OF HOPE

I know what these kids need because I’ve been one of these kids.” did something, it was wrong. As he describes, it wasn’t just wrong, “it was terrible.” His father, while a good provider, was a full-blown alcoholic who was verbally and physically abusive. Though he put Greg through some tumultuous and challenging times, in retrospect, Greg feels those unfortunate challenges are what made him who he is today.

Greg was no stranger to trouble.

He couldn’t read, he couldn’t write, and he didn’t care. His comfort zone was being known as the class bully, the bad boy. He yearned for respect but the only way he thought he could get it was to be feared and do things that caused others to fear him. Today, he tells his students, “I know why you do what you do.

You want that bully bad-boy attention. You want that respect – that fearful respect.” But, having walked that path, he now shares the truth as he knows it to be, “The kind of respect that feels the best, is the kind that you get for being a good man, a good person, a hard worker…successful. That’s what makes people want to come up to you and shake your hand.” He continued, “It’s not about who you robbed or fought, or how much someone is scared of you. It is such a better feeling to get respect because of who you helped, not who you hurt.”

It would take Greg a lifetime of challenges to come to that conclusion. Mr. B. can relate to his students, having walked in their path. He never dreamed of the success he would have and the respect he would ultimately earn.

Looking back, Greg credits his mom with getting him into Edison Vocational High School. Though ultimately it was a last resort in her mind, it became the first step toward his path to success. Greg had his choice of painting, mechanics or welding, but he decided on welding. He was a natural. What would ultimately lead to his overwhelmingly successful career, really began at Valley Iron where he sold metal to customers, drove a forklift and used a torch to cut the metal. He went on to earn a breadth of experience at Modern Welding, which at that time was Trusco Tank. He not only learned to weld, he ultimately became a pressure vessel certified welder. Mr. B credits two business people with being critical to his success: Jim Gray and Fred Jones. It’s been said that if someone believes in you, you can do almost anything, and that’s what these two gentlemen did with Greg.

They believed in him and, in so doing, provided him what would be the pathway to his success.

Through those working years, he continued to struggle with earning his GED. He would come

three fourths of the way, but the fourth segment always caught him. In 2000, Greg spotted an ad for an Assistant Welding Instructor, and he wanted it badly. He yearned to share his talent with others.

Even though Larry Qualls, the owner of Fresno Technical College, was seeking a Spanish speaker, Greg’s enthusiasm and tenacity led to him ultimately being given the opportunity. Three weeks later, Larry circled back with him and offered Greg the Lead Instructor position. Not wanting to displace the current Lead Instructor, Larry ultimately created an additional position, allowing Greg to be the Lead Instructor during the day and the existing instructor to stay on for the night classes. And so, began his journey into teaching!

But, Greg needed his GED to move forward. He endured. It took him seven years to succeed, but he did! He remembers that day like it was yesterday.

As he tells it, “On the last day, the last weekend they were doing paper testing in Madera, I went for it.

I told myself, this is IT. I tried my best. I was the last man in the room. I heard the person giving the test tell me to put my pencil down, that time was up. And then, the waiting began.” After a short time that felt like an eternity, he was notified that he had officially passed the GED. Such a weight was lifted from his shoulders.

Earning that GED allowed him to continue on!

Fast forward to today, 39 years into his remarkable career, and Fresno County Juvenile Justice Campus welding instructor Greg Barragan explains a little about his students.

talk to the kids about how you can become addicted to anything, but there’s nothing like being addicted to your jobs; being successful, working hard, buying things as a result of your hard work. I can see a good feeling on their faces. It shows in how they act. I can see joy and happiness. I know what these kids need because I was one of these kids. My vocation and my ability to teach is a ministry given to me from God. What I do is more than teaching -- it gives the students a trade and a way to live. ” He continued, “The help that I’m giving them is the trade that I’m teaching them. Surviving, working, stay out of trouble, going to work, having money in the bank, and one day owning a home, because of the trade you’ve learned. Awesome!”

“I see talent in them every day. And when they get out their good work continues because I do 100% job placement. Every kid that wants to go to work, I’ve got a job for. Where else is that possible.”

“I’m thankful I work where I work and I get to do the job I do. I can’t wait to get to work.”

No one can ask for more than that.

Thank you, Mr. B! You’re the man!

“They come in one way and we mold and reshape them another way when they leave.”

His students have made mistakes. His welding classes show them there is another way, “A career can change a person’s life, a trade can change a person’s life so this class is all about changing lives reshaping futures.”

He sees the difference learning a skill makes in the lives of his students. “When you show them something they can do that they didn’t know they could do, it makes them feel better about themselves. I still remember that feeling.”

Today he credits God for helping to shape him over the course of his lifetime. A husband, father and proud grandfather, he made peace with his father, after twenty years of silence between them, before he died.

Greg offers the following words, “Having a good job can and will change your life. It will keep you focused as it’s done for me, It will keep you out of trouble. I

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Doctor

Josephine Perez m.d.

“If you have a dream, do not give up. If you have a dream, go with it, even if it’s hard, and it will be hard. I know it takes a lot…a lot of commitment, a lot of hard work. There is no easy path to get to where you want to be. A lot of kids get into trouble because you have to delay gratification to get to where you want to be. That’s hard to handle. Have patience.

Think about what you want.

If you have even one supportive person in your life, that’s all it takes. One person for emotional support…if you have that, you’ve got everything.

Never Give Up".

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Dr. Josephine Perez, M.D., brings a message of encouragement to the youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System…

Born to an immigrant farmworker family in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Josephine Perez, M.D. has successfully traveled the challenging path to success. Today she is a Family Practice Physician with a busy practice in the heart of Central California. Her story is woven with the determination that is so necessary to attain your goals.

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he third of eleven children, Josephine’s family immigrated to the United States when she was only two years old. Her father was the provider for the family, where he worked as part of the Bracero program. The Bracero agreement was a partnership between the U.S. and Mexican governments and it permitted Mexican citizens to take temporary agricultural work in the United. States. As a result of one of his employers

STORIES OF HOPE

sponsoring him, her dad was able to bring his family over into the United States. Their first stop was Texas, where there was work, but when Josephine was four, they moved to Central California, for the opportunity for more robust field work. Her mom joined the work crew as did all of the children, as soon as they were able. By the time Josephine and her siblings had reached the age of 9, they were all working in the fields. In the heart of Central California, they harvested grapes and raisins,

When Josephine entered the seventh grade, she developed a true love for science. peaches, plums and berries. Picking, pruning and tying vines became second nature for this family, at a very young age. Though their parents encouraged all of their kids to go to school, their dad and mom only completed the third and sixth grades respectively.

Spanish was the primary language spoken at home, but because of her older brothers, Josephine was able to enter school speaking English. She and her siblings enjoyed and valued school, but Josephine was different. She LOVED school. Her parents realized that she was smarter-than-smart and though they were not familiar with the education system, they supported her and her obvious academic abilities as best they could.

When Josephine entered the seventh grade, she developed a true love for science. Her dad’s friends would slaughter and cook animals and at a time when most other adolescents were out having fun and not even thinking of life and career goals, Josephine would be dissecting the organs of those animals that had been slaughtered. Her interest and intrigue with the science behind these organs was unquenchable.

She went on to attend Fowler High school where her test aptitude prompted her counselors to place her in college prep classes, a move that would prove to be pivotal to her success. While at Fowler High, Josephine was heavily recruited by a representative from UC Santa Cruz.

Though she had never been out of Central California, she made the decision to attend school there. UC Santa Cruz was a good fit for her, especially for her first foray into the real world.

This smaller school with its own community suited her and she continued to excel. By this time, Josephine had unknowingly become an expert at balancing between her two worlds - her rural down to earth upbringing and the word of sophisticated academia and medicine. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, where she received her BS in Biology, Josephine went on to attend UCSF, where her pursuit of medical knowledge only increased.

She learned to effectively navigate through a frequently intimidating system. As the daughter of parents who continued to work the fields, she had now achieved so much, in a far different way than her parents, to whom she remained close. Though Josephine had completed her undergraduate studies with very little debt, she had now taken out a loan for twenty thousand dollars; a life changing endeavor for her family. Yet, her parents continued to demonstrate steadfast faith in her and they trusted her choices.

She continued to excel in her medical studies, yet she still fit in at home.

After graduation from UCSF, Josephine knew she was ready to come home. By this time, she had been gone for nine years. She selected the then-Valley Medical Center on Cedar in Fresno for her family practice residency, which she completed in three years. Dr. Perez then took a job with Fresno County, working at a clinic in Selma, where she could help those in the primarily rural areas. From there, she was asked by Tri County to join the medical group in Kingsburg where she has been a partner for twenty years and remains today.

Dr. Josephine Perez remains close to her family and the next generation of nephews and nieces and has encouraged them to follow their dreams and obtain their education. This third Perez generation includes a deputy sheriff, teachers, nurses, and college students.

She is proud of their drive and initiative and is pleased to serve as their role model.

Dr. Perez works an aggressive schedule, beginning her days at 6AM and working until at least 7PM. Each day with her patients and practice, she demonstrates the same work ethic that her parents instilled in her and all of her siblings at a very young age.

While looking back,

Dr. Perez would like to acknowledge two teachers in high school that took a special interest in her. She explained, “People like me that grew up without the background, made it especially challenging. My parents couldn’t help me. If my counselors hadn’t taken an interest and seen me through their lenses, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I appreciate their action. Mr. Morlett and Mr. Grafali, my history and English teachers at Fowler High School, saw my potential and acted on it. In college, I was fortunate to have Alex and Gloria Gonzalez, dorm parent residents, who took me under their wings. Dr. Alex Gonzalez went on to become the President of Sacramento State and we remain close friends.”

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MICHAEL PRICHARD M.S., LAADC, ICAADC

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE SO SUCCESSFUL? « That question is one that Michael Prichard, Master’s Addiction Counselor and Staff Analyst, never dreamed would be directed to him. Success was never within reach during the first chapter of Michael’s life. »

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orn to teenage parents, one of whom was an alcoholic, Michael seemed destined for tragedy and trouble from the time he entered the world. His mom was 16 when she had Michael’s sister and 18 when he came along. His dad was about the same age. His parents married, and his dad went into the military. Even the service couldn’t change Michael’s dad. He suffered from mental health issues and was a drinker; a volatile combination. While drunk in Korea, he killed a man and served prison time for the crime. When he came home, his parents divorced. Alcoholism, unfaithfulness and domestic abuse were just too much. His dad drifted in and out of the family until Michael turned six. That year, his father was shot and killed in an alcohol involved incident.

Following his father’s death, six-year old Michael started on his path to failure and destruction as soon as he began school. Experiencing behavioral problems at school and at home, he was a ‘problem’ no matter where he was. As a young boy, Michael experienced sexual abuse by three separate individuals. Too afraid, too intimated and too lacking in confidence to tell anyone, he kept that secret inside where it twisted and churned, consuming any hope of goodness he may have had. Filled with shame and guilt, he was depressed and anxious, although he was too young to recognize the cause.

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STORIES OF HOPE

At 10, he started smoking and hanging out with older kids. He was violent in school and expelled by age 11. He was burdened with pain and secrets.

At 21, he married the mother of his son.

At 22, she filed for divorce. He went to work

part-time at UPS. He began dating a new woman.

At 12, he started drinking to intoxication and He relapsed.

began having sex at 13.

His mom remarried and he was a good guy. He and his sister now had two older stepbrothers. Michael and his sister did not feel like they fit into the new family.

Feeling isolated and angry, Michael detached emotionally from his family, began to drink more frequently and started hanging out with gang members.

At 13 Michael’s step-brother was diagnosed with

cancer. All family attention naturally turned toward his bother. With limited supervision and family money at his disposal, he began using opioids and meth, and continued to drink heavily. In his pursuit of getting ‘high’, he began suffering severe depressive and manic episodes.

At 14, he was placed on medication for depres-

sion and at 15 he was diagnosed as bi-polar. Though placed on lithium and other medications, he didn’t take it as prescribed and, instead he self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. His rebellion led to severe depression, manic episodes and admission to Renaissance hospital.

At 23, he was using again At 24, he married his girlfriend. He was placed

in two residential treatment facilities and failed outpatient medical de-tox for opiate dependence, not just once, but multiple times.

At 25, he wrecked his car, while driving high.

At 26, he walked off his job at UPS. He was high and arrested for shooting at an inhabited dwelling. He went to jail. His wife filed for divorce. His ex-wife took sole custody of his son. He was placed on felony probation. He entered a year-long treatment program in downtown LA. He began a new relationship. He completed the program but was using heroin for the last three months. He came home addicted to heroin.

At 27, he wrecked another car. He was kicked

out of home by his new girlfriend. He returned to his parents’ house and was using. He was not taking his regular medication. His mom called his Probation Officer. He was sent to state prison.

At 16, he overdosed on meth. His step-brother At 28, he paroled. He relapsed, stopped taking died. His Mom was having difficulty handling him.

At 17, he entered his first re-hab. He started

treatment for alcohol, benzo and opioid dependence.

He relapsed 30 days out. His mom sent him to live with his grandparents. His drug use was off the charts and he was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.

his meds, was in and out of two more residential treatment programs, crashed another car, was homeless and arrested by Clovis Police. He violated parole for drug use and weapons possession. He was sent to Soledad State Prison. Other than pictures of his son, the only mail he received was from his mother, breaking contact with him.

At 18, he was arrested. Charges of assault with

a deadly weapon while under the influence were dropped but the person was injured. He entered the 2nd rehab and was kicked out for fighting after two months. He got his girlfriend pregnant when he returned from his failed rehab attempt but managed to stay sober entering another program to complete his treatment. He went to adult school to earn his high school diploma. He began college. His son was born. He dropped out of college to go to work for his parents. He stayed sober, but remained on psychiatric medication.

He bottomed out.

His heart was broken.

On his success: “Some days I feel like I’m just a convict in nice clothes. It is hard to shake negative images of myself, even in light of current successes.

I felt like I had to be ten times better than the average person just to get a job due to my criminal past. I’m doing things that I never even thought would be possible. I take time for family, for fitness, for spiritual enhancement and continued learning.”

While in prison, Michael Prichard experienced a spiritual awakening. Through Bible-reading, and exercise, his mind and body began to heal. No more drug use. No more medication. He was paroled in 2006.

Since he paroled homeless, his Parole Officer forced him to enter Turning Point Parolee Service Center.

He was hired by Fresno Shower Door while in the program. He continued to attend church and 12-step meetings. He stayed in the program, bought a car and went to sober living for three months. He worked, attended church and meetings daily. His mom recognized the change in him and allowed him to move into his grandfather’s vacant house while he continued to rebuild his life. It wasn’t easy, but he did it.

In 2007, Michael met the woman who would become his wife. A strong Christian woman, they married in 2008 and are still happily married. She escaped an abusive relationship and a severe meth addiction, earned a B.A. and is a Staff Analyst at Fresno County.

Michael was reunited with his son and is still close to him. He is a step-father to two daughters and proudly walked one down the aisle at her wedding. He is a grandfather to three.

In 2008, the economy bottomed out and he was laid off. He enrolled in college and completed the Drug and Alcohol Certification Program in 2011. Who better to have as a counselor than someone who has walked that path? In 2012, he completed his B.A. and in 2015 he earned his Master’s Degree.

In 2016 he earned advancement to the highest levels of Substance Abuse Counselor credentialing, at the state, national and international levels.

In January of 2017 Michael was promoted to Senior Substance Abuse Specialist and was appointed to the Board of Directors for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). In 2018 he has transitioned to a Staff Analyst for Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder services and was elected Vice President of the Membership Board for CCAPP.

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LEE BRAND

MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FRESNO « Fresno Mayor Lee Brand is renowned for being a budget guru extraordinaire, an unapologetic policy wonk, and a resoundingly successful business person. He is motivated to work until the job is completed to perfection.

He is, “Everybody’s Mayor,” a title he has earned, and one that he cherishes. »

So, how did Lee Brand go from being a resident of The Dalles, Oregon to being the leader of Fresno, California?

He admittedly took a few detours along the path.

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powerful political figure in the state’s fifth largest city, Lee Brand is smart, driven and successful. While most people may assume that his journey to this latest political achievement was swift and easy, it was neither. Though he carries himself with all the mannerisms of someone who was born into success, that wasn’t the case for Mayor Lee Brand.

Lee was born April 5, 1949 in The Dalles, Oregon, a tiny town, set along the Columbia River, about 80 miles east of Portland. Travel another 25 miles east from there and you would have found the one-room Brand family home. Not a trendy tiny house, but a one room dwelling where Brand and his family called home. No frills, no space and no indoor plumbing.

Lee Brand’s father, Archie Brand, ran away from his own home at age 16 to join the U. S. Army. While

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stationed in San Francisco, he met Florence Trosi, a feisty Italian, notably the rebel of her Italian-Catholic family. But, love works in mysterious ways and the two young adults married, settled in Oregon, landed jobs as dishwashers and had three children.

Looking back on his earliest years, Lee can remember specific details with perfect clarity. “I can conjure the images of the ceramic guitar that hung on the wall of our one-room house, the Indian artifacts that were strewn throughout the land surrounding where we lived, and the preponderance of spiders,” he explained. “And of course, the outdoor plumbing, otherwise known as the coffee can.” Not a glamorous beginning.

Lee’s grandfather, Archie Monroe Brand, struggled during the Great Depression, having difficulty finding employment. He worked sporadically in the copper mines in Montana. He had experienced a life of

STORIES OF HOPE

struggles that culminated in a divorce and separation from his son. He would rise from his past and he started a small zoo complete with snakes, badgers and an alligator. He found the love of his life, Aila, and remarried. Archie Brand discovered he had a talent for training animals and in fact, eventually toured with a seal to sports shows in the winter and performed his “Sparky the Seal” act at Cuomo Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota in the summer. He became a popular act, even appearing on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”

The family stayed in Oregon for a short time until Brand’s parents joined his Italian grandparents, in a small Fresno house on McKenzie Street.

He was elected to the Fresno City Council and served District 6 for eight years On McKenzie Street, Brand’s family lived in a rented small, two-bedroom, one-bath home on an alley near his grandparents, though they later bought an equally small house just down the block. More relatives lived with Brand’s grandparents, and another uncle lived next door. It was truly a family affair on McKenzie Street where they took up most of the block.

A traditional old-fashioned Italian family, most of the meals they had were cooked by Lee’s grandmother and she ran a tight kitchen. It was beans on Monday, soup on Tuesday, stew on Wednesday, spaghetti on Thursday, fish on Friday, and the weekends were treats of sloppy joes and hot dogs. Every Sunday meant lunch at his grandparents. His Uncle Frank, the hunter, would bring birds for the spaghetti sauce and his grandfather made wine for the family. It was a little slice of Italy on McKenzie Street.

By now, Lee was a young boy and by his own admission, a poor student. Not only was he disinterested, he was a troublemaker in class. His older brother was a super-achiever, creating the perfect atmosphere of inadequacy for Lee.

He nearly hit bottom in sixth grade when his teacher told him he would end up in prison.

Three years later, that self-fulling prophecy was on the way to becoming true when Lee and two friends were arrested for breaking into Yosemite Junior High School.

He was booked at the Fresno County Jail but was later transferred to the ‘Hall of Shame.’ Initially in a cell with two others, their parents came and picked them up, leaving Lee in the cell by himself. His dad came to pick him up without saying a word. He communicated his displeasure with no words and one slap.

Lee was sentenced to a work program and was not allowed to see the other friends who had gotten into trouble with him. He can clearly remember the correctional officer who gave him a shovel and told him to dig a hole, four feet deep. When he was finished, he had to fill it back up. That was the end of Lee’s criminal career.

Three months later, his dad died in a plane crash and Lee’s trajectory changed once again. His mom never recovered from the tragedy, and though she was only 37, she would never date anyone and never remarried.

Lee began to read his senior year in high school. What began as an escape for him, turned into an obsession.

With his newfound love for reading, his grades took an immediate jump. In high school, he was a good half mile track runner and catapulted himself into becoming a good student. He graduated from Roosevelt High School and enlisted in the Air National Guard. He earned three degrees in three years, finishing an MPA degree at USC in 1974. He began his career as a Health Care Administrator at Kings View, where he stayed for four years. In his spare time, he traveled everywhere he could for wind surfing. He pushed himself past the demanding limits that accompanied becoming a good wind surfer. Bicycling became his second passion and he pushed himself beyond all boundaries. He began buying real estate and flipping houses. So began a successful business career that would continue for decades.

He married the love of his life, Trish Anderson, and adopted her daughter. Their family continued to grow as Lee’s business career continued to build. He earned his contractor’s license and went on to co-found Westco Equities, Inc. with partner Ken Warkentin. At one point, they were responsible for successfully managing over four thousand units.

Then came the yearning to serve the community of Fresno. He began on the Fresno Planning Commission, where he would continue to utilize his policy experience and business savvy for the good of Fresno.

After much consultation with Trish and his family, in 2008 he decided to run for office, after one previous unsuccessful attempt. He was elected to the Fresno City Council and served District 6 for eight years.

Elected with a resounding victory, Lee Brand has stayed true to his belief that every success is based on relationships and collaboration.

Lee and his wife, their four children, and four grandchildren, know that Lee Brand’s destiny has always been to lead. His journey continues, with Fresno steadily at the forefront.

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And then, came the big decision.

To run or not to run.

“My dream was to be Mayor of Fresno. I had always told others to never give up. To follow your dreams and if you work hard, you’ll be successful. It was my time to step up,” Lee stated. And step up he did.

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About the Inmate Ward Labor Program Since 2002, the Inmate Ward Labor (IWL) has handed out over 2500 various training certificates to inmates acknowledging skills gained in the program.

In an effort to further advance its rehabilitation mission, IWL created a Pre-Apprentice Program that includes formalized classroom education for inmates, as well as practical application while working on construction projects, starting with a program with fourteen eligible inmates at California Institute for Men located at Chino California in December 2011.

Eligible inmates must have a high school diploma, or be in the process of completing their General Education Development (GED).

The curriculum is categorized into seven chapters: Apprenticeship Orientation; Health and Safety; CPR and First Aid; Blueprints; Industry Awareness and Opportunities in the Crafts; Construction Management; and Heritage of the American Worker.

Development of the Program included collaboration with the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the Local Trade Unions, and the institution’s executive and education staff. Each inmate must attend four hours classroom training and 36 hours of field training per week and must complete 120 hours of classroom training to receive a certificate of completion.

Abraham Hull The past cannot be changed, but you can always work on changing your future. Just ask Abraham Hull.

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A graduate of Fresno’s Hoover High School and Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California, he went on to graduate from a very different institution, the Inmate Ward Labor Program (IWL), at Corcoran State Prison. Abraham credits the Fresno Area Sheet Metal Workers, Local 104, with helping to change his future.

It was the Union, specifically 104, that allowed Abraham to push the ‘reset’ button on his life.

Abraham Hull’s past was troubled, but it is because of that past that Abraham has emerged stronger and smarter, in a different and better way. He explained, “I am not saying I made the best choices, obviously I didn’t, but I’m happy to be where I’m at today. It was hard to change my life, but I wanted to and I did. The Union gave me the valuable chance to really learn a

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skill. It was totally different than my past education and has allowed me the opportunity to move forward with a new and fulfilling career.”

Born and raised in Fresno, Abraham was from a “typical” family with what he believed was a typical “church upbringing.” Even at a young age, he worked hard because he had to, which made things difficult.

But, he believed he could handle it.

He went to Hoover High School, where he stayed on the right path. He got good grades; in fact so good that when he applied to college, it was with a stellar 4.2 GPA. He was accepted into the prestigious St. Mary’s College in lush Moraga, California, where he graduated with a triple major of Economics, Business Administration and Accounting.

He continued to over-achieve.

STORIES OF HOPE

How could such a well-educated over-achiever end up in prison?

The downward spiral began when Abraham was in his 20’s.

HE WAS READY, willing and able to ‘pay his debt’ to society and he did.

He had started a business with his dad.

The market crashed.

His dad walked away and said Abraham was on his own, and he meant it.

He had to fend for himself.

He was stressed out.

He started doing drugs.

He couldn’t make his house payment.

He didn’t know what to do.

He was book smart, but this was real-life.

He got involved with people he shouldn’t have.

He broke into a house.

He was charged with first degree burglary.

He was charged with second degree burglary.

He agonized. He paused.

Abraham Hull then did something remarkable. He stood up and took full responsibility for his actions.

He turned himself in.

HE TOLD THE JUDGE TO DO WHAT HE HAD TO DO. HE WAS READY TO START HIS LIFE OVER AGAIN. Abraham was sentenced to two years, with halftime, and spent six months in Corcoran State prison.

It was a far cry from St. Mary’s but in Abraham’s mind, it was just fine with him. He had made the commitment to restart his life and he was focused on doing just that.

In an ironic twist, after Abraham’s remarkable academic past, Corcoran turned out to be an even better opportunity for his future.

While at Corcoran, he was selected to participate in the IWL Pre-apprenticeship Program. Corcoran is one of many state prisons to offer this opportunity through IWL. As Abraham described, even though he had excelled in high school and college, the welding program at Corcoran, “…did more for me than all of the years combined. The difference between college and hands-on training were completely different worlds for me.” This is a true testament to the program and the Sheet Metal Workers.

Abraham continued, “I believe that the Inmate Ward Labor Program is the only program in prison that gives inmates the chance to have a career where you can support a family when you get out. Without a career, most will go right back to prison because it’s easier to make money illegally for them than to work at a low paying job. If you don’t give them the skills to make money, they’ll go right back to what they were

doing. The IWL does that--it gives them the skills necessary to support a family and be successful.”

While in the Pre-Apprentice Program at Corcoran, Abraham learned how to form and shape metal and he not only liked it, he excelled.

Looking back, Abraham emphasized that this program is designed to genuinely give you a chance. He said, “I had heard of the unions, but this program taught me about the trade and gave me the opportunity to have a career when I got out. I could work toward being an apprentice, a journeyman and then look forward to being a foreman.”

That was nearly nine years ago. Since that time, Abraham has earned his Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from the United States Department of Labor, and the Fresno Sheet Metal Workers. He is currently employed full time as a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker at New England Sheet Metal.

Abraham Hull, a true story of success.

Fresno Area Sheet Metal Workers, Local 104, Warriors of Success.

Abraham credits the Fresno Area Sheet Metal Workers, Local 104, with helping to change his future.

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PA U L A R E YA N FROM FOSTER YOUTH TO SUCCESS “If someone who has not been in the foster care system tries to tell you something, it’s easier to dismiss what they are saying.

Because I’ve been through the system, I can relate” explained Paul Areyan.

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here are foster youth in every county, from every racial group, and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. At any given time, California supports approximately 73,000 foster children. This represents a disproportionately high percentage— nearly 20 percent—of the nation’s total foster youth population.

Paul Areyan was one of those 73,000 foster children.

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STORIES OF HOPE

“Unless you have been a foster youth, it’s difficult to understand the unique needs they have” Born in Long Beach, Paul Areyan entered California’s foster care system at age ten, before eventually going to live with a grandmother. Having been interwoven through the tapestry of the foster care system, Paul grew up knowing he never wanted to become a foster care statistic. Living all around Los Angeles County, it was easy to get swallowed up in the system, even at a young age, even as one of 73,000. His sheer determination kept him going until he made it through high school. His unwavering focus powered him through high school and when he turned 18, he joined the U. S. Army with the goal of becoming a medic. Paul served our great Country and completed a four-year tour of duty, including time in Afghanistan. Though the Army was not where Paul was destined to stay, the medical field was. Paul came home to Fresno, knowing that he wanted to become a registered nurse. He enrolled in the pre-requisite courses needed to get into the RN program, thanks to the NextUp Program at Fresno City College.

Now 24, Paul has been active in Next Up and appreciates the extra help he’s received. “Unless you have been a foster youth, it’s difficult to understand the unique needs they have,” he explained. Paul is using his life experience to help other Next Up participants. He has become a Peer Mentor in the program, especially to foster youth who are Native

Americans like he is.

Veronica Salmeron, Next Up counselor/ coordinator, said Paul is one of the first mentors of the program and they hope to have a full mentor component as the program grows. The program had about 100 students last year and grew to about 160 this year. In the last two years, five students have graduated with an associate degree and one is transferring to Fresno State.

Veronica says an important component of the program is the collaboration with other agencies and school districts in the Fresno area. The school districts help identify foster youth and some are in need of social services.

“Our collaborative efforts with outside agencies is important because foster youth have a high rate of homelessness, may need psychological services and sometimes legal services,” she said.

Paul has been married to his wife, Rachelle, for five years. They have three beautiful baby puppies.

Penny is four, Max is three, and Wednesday (named after Wednesday Addams) is 7 months old. He likes not procrastinating in school and hanging out in the Tower District. He also likes volunteering with Clubhouse teen youth. He volunteers with the Fresno American Indian Health Project and at a camp for Native American foster care youth.

We applaud Paul Areyan and thank him for setting an example for foster youth everywhere.

Next Up students receive tutoring, books and access to counselors, and get additional benefits such as meal cards, help with transportation, parking permits and help with car repairs, thanks to an agreement with Les Schwab Tires.

NEXTUP NextUp strengthens the capacity of community college districts, to support the higher education success, health and well-being of current and former foster youth who are enrolled in California’s community colleges.

Less than four percent of foster youth following high school go on to college. From there, the percentage who graduate from college is even smaller. The Next Up Program at Fresno City College, (formerly Promise Scholars) is dedicated to changing those statistics and helping foster youth go to college, stay in college and graduate from college and Paul Areyan is proof that it works!

The program began in the spring of 2016 with funding from SB 1023 which provided $15million to community colleges to provide services to foster youth who usually age out of the system at 18. Twenty-five to 27 community colleges in the state have a Next Up program including FCC’s sister colleges in Reedley and Clovis.

SERVICES 1.

Expands EOPS services to Foster Youth.

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Encourages enrollment, retention and transfer of current/former foster youth at Fresno City College

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One-on-one counseling with a trained counselor to support and address personal, academic and career questions, issues and concerns.

Hands-on guidance and assistance from application through degree completion.

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Priority registration

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Textbook grant

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Monthly meal cards

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Monthly bus pass or gas card

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Automotive maintenance assistance

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10. Payment of Health Fees 11.

Associated Student Body (ASB) Card

12. End of term unmet need grant

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Arnold Trevino Go back in time with Arnold Trevino’s beginnings.

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is mother, a proud mom, giving unconditional love to her son. That may sound typical for a mom, but considering the path that he has taken, it is nothing short of a miracle that she now has the opportunity to beam with pride, at the mention of Arnold.

Growing up in Porterville, Arnold’s life was on a normal trajectory, he was a good kid, studied hard, and played football his freshman year. Following practice, Arnold and three friends were walking down the hallway of his high school; their sneakers squeaked on the shiny floor and with the clang of slamming lockers, a new friend stopped them. This new friend was in the “cool” group that always talked about parties, girls, drinking, all the things that Arnold and his friends had steered clear of. The new friend opened his hand to display rolled cigarettes in his glistening palm. As Arnold explained, “At the time, I didn’t even know what they were. It wasn’t until I heard someone whisper, ‘if you smoke it, you would feel good and start seeing things.’”

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ARNOLD WAS ALL-IN! And, so began his journey from ordinary kid to lifer.

He continued in school, but everything about him changed. His partying went from weed to beer to bad attitude. He was expelled from school and frequently seen walking around in public, drunk and obnoxious.

He became known as a ‘trouble-maker’ with the local cops and those who knew him.

At 16, Thanksgiving morning, Arnold got into a fight and was stabbed in the chest. While in the hospital, the cops asked him who had stabbed him, but he kept quiet. The tough guys liked his silence and took him in under their wing. By the time he turned 17, he began injecting cocaine and heroin into his veins.

How quickly life had turned.

When Arnold turned 19, he became an irresponsible dad, as he would continue drinking and doing drugs.

He attempted to straighten out by going to Jobs Corps, but found the beer and parties more fun. No surprise, he was kicked out.

At 21, he had a job, but could not lose his attitude or his propensity for alcohol and drugs. He had been drinking and shooting up all day, joined his co-workers in a party, lost his temper, lost a fight and lost his

STORIES OF HOPE

freedom. Arnold would be sentenced to life in prison for stabbing a guy that night.

Vacaville, then Folsom were his new homes. He learned to make wine and followed trouble wherever he went.

He was transferred to Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI), where he was chained up on the bus. He saw real-life passing him by as the bus carried him to yet another concrete home. Cars, kids on skateboards, grandmas and grandpas walking, a bustling McDonalds, were all within his site, but not his grasp.

It was an epiphany for Arnold. He had forgotten all this existed as he spent his first five years in the concrete jungles of maximum security prison where all he came to know were bars, razor wires, and the insanities of prison life. Arnold wanted to go home, he wanted to leave the prison life behind. He was determined to make changes, and for the next ten years, he did well. He got involved in the available programs, underwent therapy, completed anger management and drug abuse classes, all with the goal of going home.

He did very well…until he didn’t.

Arnold Trevino on the impact that Focus Forward has had on his career.

“I met the Chief Probation Officer of the Juvenile Justice Campus following a Project Rebound presentation, while the field director of Fresno State’s Department of Social Work, who places students in internship agencies of their field of interest, spoke on my behalf and introduced me to Focus Forward. In combination, from the connection made through Project Rebound’s presentation and the field director’s connection with Focus Forward made it possible for me to become an intern for Focus Forward. This program allowed me to apply theories and interventions learned in the classroom for the youth’s benefits. I relied heavily upon my Focus Forward supervisor Joanna’s expertise in social work to guide me through the process of applying social work practice with the youth there. If I had questions, she had answers. Michele H. was also an inspiration as she guided me along the enlightening path of family reunification in the Nurturing Parent segment of Focus Forward.

Of course, none of this would have been possible had it not been for Dr. Emma Hughes who provided the opportunity in opening doors and endless possibilities into my future.

I am currently a mentor at Focus Forward within the Juvenile Justice Campus, a co-facilitator at Avenal State Prison’s Insight Garden Program, a student assistant at Fresno State’s Project Rebound, and a second-year student in the Masters of Social Work program at Fresno State.”

Story Sponsored By:

He had a new cellmate, an old friend from the “hood”.

Arnold started shooting up again.

On June 8, 1991, both in the cell, both shooting up, Arnold woke up with a ‘heroin hangover’ and said, “I’m done.” That was his first day of sobriety and he has never looked back.

He came back even stronger.

While in DVI, he became a certified welder and an Aviation Maintenance Technician. In 1992, he earned his high school diploma and two years later, earned his Liberal Arts Degree. “It was the education that turned my life around,” explained Arnold. “The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn! When I arrived in prison, in 1987, all I saw was bars, razor wires, and concrete walls. All that disappeared. Although the prison madness existed all around me, I saw past it. I began to understand the topographies, including the biomes, tundras, and deserts, and I began to understand the chemical reactions that occur between chlorofluorocarbons and the ozone molecules as they clashed together.” In 1994, he spearheaded a Cinco de Mayo celebration to promote cultural awareness in prison. Nane Alejandrez, founder of Barrios Unidos, agreed to work with him. This cultural program eventually grew to include Delores Huerta and Danny Glover, as motivational speakers.

In 2001, he arrived at Soledad, then transferred to Avenal, which he called home for seven years. While in Avenal, he was tapped to help start up a new program, Braille Transcription, earning praise from then Associate Warden Rosemary Ndoh as he became a certified Transcriber.

In 2009, another bus trip, another concrete home, Solano State Prison. Assigned to the yard crew, Arnold took pride in the landscaping project he had created, designed, and planted. He stayed straight and never gave up hope.

Arnold would attend ten Board of Prison Term Hearings.

It wasn’t until his seventh hearing that gave him hope of going home. He was considered no longer a threat to society and suitable for release. The Governor of California however, did not see it that way, and denied him parole.

Two more suitable findings and two more Governor denials soon followed. Arnold, for the fourth consecutive time, would finally be found suitable, and with the stroke of a pen, the Governor said it was time to go home! With $200 gate money and headed for home, his proud Parents awaited his arrival. Arnold’s twenty-five-year nightmare would finally end.

Working as a welder in his first year of release, he decided school is the place to be. On the path to success, committed to helping others, Arnold continues to strive forward through his chosen field of social work. Who better to help those who are walking down the wrong path, than someone who has walked down that same path?

When Arnold Trevino feels like he is in water over his head, he just keeps on treading!

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We care for people.

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STORIES OF HOPE

STOP THE TEXTS. STOP THE WRECKS.

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we believe every student can thrive!

Every day, the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools works to positively impact the lives of the more than 200,000 Valley children we serve. We believe that every child, no matter his or her circumstances and abilities, must have access to a quality education in order to thrive. Through our departments and services, we support programs such as Special Education, Migrant Education, Court and Community Schools and school district financial and educational services with a special focus on these fundamental areas: Career technical education – Allowing students to explore their interests and develop careers skills, while reinforcing their academics, creates a workforce ready to enter the trade jobs that are essential to our community’s success.

Arts – The arts bring joy and creativity to our schools while at the same time requiring rigorous practice, close attention to detail and critical thinking skills.

Poverty – School children cannot prosper in an environment lacking food, shelter and stability. We support community programs and partnerships to decrease the poverty rate in our county.

Intervention – Our schools need active involvement of parents, local businesses, community leaders and citizens to succeed.

Participation in the education process from mentoring to sponsorship of programs is the precursor to positive change.

Civility – Teaching our students to be givers instead of takers is the foundation to build true leaders who respect their neighbors, their community and their country.

Homelessness – Homelessness and poverty go hand-in-hand.

Education is the great equalizer with which we must provide every student in the county.

Early education – Children need access to educational opportunities and school readiness programs before kindergarten to give them a foundation for a lifetime of success.

Changing lives – one future at a time! www.fcoe.org

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STORIES OF HOPE

“I believe we can all make a positive difference in the lives of our children, not only through education, but in a shared interest in the well-being of others.”

Jim A. Yovino Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

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Resource Centers Supporting families and increasing the safety and well-being of children

The concept of a neighborhood resource center has been around for over a century. Its origin stems from Settlement Houses in the 1800s that provided support to immigrants and evolved over the years to incorporate other family preservation and support services, such as parent education and counseling. In present day, the modern neighborhood resource center (also known as a Family Resource Center) is a recognized strength-based, research validated approach used nationally to improve the well-being of children, youth and families.

Neighborhood Resource Centers (NRCs) are value-added to a community. Through support and access to a variety of services and resources, families are strengthened and less likely to experience child abuse and neglect. Core services are neighborhood-specific and focus on enhancing family protective factors that negatively impact stress and family functioning.

Fresno County is benefitting from local NRCs which have been serving families for decades. Recently, those efforts have been expanded to additional service areas. Located in areas that show a high area of family need, these NRCs are currently open and welcoming families.

The success of an NRC is dependent upon connections and collaborations with other community partners and volunteers. Should you as an individual or an organization wish to donate and/or collaborate in any way with an NRC, they are a phone call away.

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Selma NRC Comprehensive Youth Services 1940 E. Front Street, Selma, CA 93662 (559) 230-6305

Sanger NRC Comprehensive Youth Services 1110 Tucker Ave, Sanger, CA 93657 (559) 524-6310

Valley Dream Center (in partnership with Exceptional Parents Unlimited) 1835 N. Winery, Fresno, CA 93703 (559) 492-3324

West Fresno Family Resource Center (in partnership with Centro La Familia Advocacy Services) 1802 E. California Ave, Fresno, CA 93706 (559) 621-2967

Coalinga NRC Westside Family Preservation Services Network 160 W. Elm St, Coalinga, CA 93210 (559) 821-8054

Huron NRC Westside Family Preservation Services Network 16846 4th St., Huron, CA 93234 (559) 945-1022

Counseling

/ Parenting / Addiction / Social Supports / Job Assistance / Food STORIES OF HOPE

KEEPING SIBLINGS TOGETHER allows all the right things to remain the same during a time of major change.

THINK BIG

Foster a Teen IF YOU HAVE WORKED WITH TEENS OR HAVE RAISED YOUR OWN AND ARE LOOKING FOR A REWARDING NEW CHALLENGE

Special Kids

need Special Families

Do you have an extra bed and extra love to share? The Department of Social Services is looking for Resource Foster Parents for Fresno’s most important commodity - children. CONSIDER BEING PART OF OUR TEAM.

Call : 1-877-533-5437 www.Fresno ResourceFamilies.org

We’re pleased to support the work of Focus Forward in the communities we serve.

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The Fresno Housing Authority works to create vibrant communities, build quality affordable housing, and support the success of approximately 50,000 residents throughout Fresno County.

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STORIES OF HOPE

Even in the messiest moments, our kids are always learning.

EVERY MILESTONE MATTERS Learn more at:

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FRESNO CITY COLLEGE 1101

EAST

UNIVERSITY AVENUE

FRESNO, C A

93741

RECOGNIZED FOR

NOTEWORTHY PROGRAMS INCLUDE

•

California’s first community college and second in the nation, established in 1910

•

Hispanic-serving Institution

•

Largest nursing program in California

•

Leon S. Peters Honors Program

•

Transfer agreements to University of California and California State University campuses

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

HOME OF CHAMPIONS The Fresno City College Athletic Department is nationally recognized and have consistently earned State Championship Titles and conference championships in wrestling, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, volleyball, badminton, baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football, men’s tennis and men’s golf. In addition the college has cheer/stunt, cross country, women’s golf, softball, swim & dive, track and field, women’s tennis and women’s water polo.

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•

Career & Technology Center Dental Hygiene Paralegal Performing Arts 25-Month Business Administration Program Respiratory Care Radiologic Technology Registered Nursing Health Information Technology Fire Technology 2+2+3 Law School Pathway General Motors Automotive ASEP Police Academy DREAM Center Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Electrical Systems Technology Welding and Fabrication

STORIES OF HOPE www.fresnocitycollege.edu

Always First!

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I

N CAL IFO HER T R JUS R O T

N

Northern California District Council of Laborers Oscar De La Torre Business Manager

Building our communities, building California.

36

STRENGTH

S

Our communities can’t grow and prosper without them.

HO

CE

F LABO R IL O ER NC

They have professional training, skills and experience to do these jobs right, on time and within budget. They build the projects Northern Californians’ need.

ISTRICT C OU AD I N

R NO

Northern California Laborers - union construction workers - and their contractors build the schools that educate our children, the hospitals that care for us, the offices and buildings where we work and live. They build transportation systems - from highways and subways to airports and bridges - that help businesses succeed and keep California on the move. Laborers provide the safe, efficient infrastructure Northern California needs to grow and prosper.

www.ncdclaborers.org STORIES OF HOPE

Laborers Training & Retraining Trust Fund for Northern California

Our Training Program is designed to provide basic, as well as advanced, instruction in a variety of construction skills.

For more information call:

925.828.2513 www.norcaltc.org

1001 Westside Drive San Ramon, CA 94583

Commitment

Trainees learn from instructors who have many years of experience in the construction industry. Classes are equipped with modern equipment and tools; a strong emphasis is placed on operation and safety.

Classes range from one to six weeks. A typical course format entails approximately 45 minutes of classroom instruction per day with the remaining time spent on “hands-on� training. All training is done under the direct supervision of a certified instructor.

Integrity Quality Teamwork Balance FOCUS FORWARD THE MAGAZINE

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WE ARE NOBLE

WE ARE NOBLE CREDIT UNION! “Noble” is our promise. It’s our promise to treat members with kindness, dignity, honor, and respect.

Our commitment is to our members, to help them make sound financial decisions.

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STORIES OF HOPE

Trustworthy, honorable, dependable, reputable.

Those are four of the words to describe the commitment that we have been providing members for over 76 years.

The Credit Union was established in 1941 as Fresno County Employees Credit Union to represent the founding sponsor organization, the County of Fresno. In the 1980s, we began to welcome members from local businesses and organizations, which led us to convert to a federally chartered credit union in the 1990s and alter the name to Fresno County Federal Credit Union. Early in 2017, the Credit Union changed the name to Noble Credit Union, a name that represents the principles of the Credit Union, and describes our commitment to the members.

“The name Noble represents our core values to our members and to our team,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Ryan. “We honor our members’ dignity and treat their needs with the utmost respect. We are dedicated to improving the financial strength of our members. Our commitment to team values is absolute, and we all contribute to being part of something special.”

Noble’s mission is to provide low cost financial services to its members in a culture of dignity, honor, and respect. This has resulted in a Net Promoter Score of 94% - indicating very positive and enthusiastic support from its membership base.

Serving just over 85,000 members from eight full-service branch locations (five in Fresno, one in Clovis, one in Selma, and one in Madera), Noble has a variety of products and services that continue to save members money.

Noble’s greatest virtue remains our most competitive difference: we are cooperatively owned by the members and exist only to serve their needs. Thousands of our neighbors benefit from big-bank services without any big-bank strings attached. In fact, generations of Central Valley residents have achieved financial stability, and flourished, as members of Noble Credit Union.

If you’re interested in being part of a financial institution that exists to serve you with lower loan rates, higher savings rates, no fees for the financial services you need and personalized service, you’ve come to the right place.

NobleCU.com | (559) 252-5000 FRESNO | CLOVIS | MADERA | SELMA

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MELODY ROMERO Foster CHILD suCCess story

Food…Water…Shelter…Love…Security. What if you had none of these basic human needs? What if instead, your first thought each day was, “How am I going to survive today?”

This is Melody Romero’s Story Eleven years ago my life changed forever thanks to the foster care system. Until the age of seven, I knew nothing but fear and the need to survive. That all changed when the foster care system and the Proteus Foster Family Agency stepped in and placed me with a new family.

I still remember the first day I met my new family. I exited my mother’s green Suburban holding my little

“I will always appreciate Proteus Foster Family Agency for finding a forever family for my sister and me.”

sister Allison’s hand when everyone rushed out the front door ready to meet us. I thought, “Wow this is

I am now 19 years old, working at an amazing job

a big family!” They welcomed me and my sister into

as a paraeducator and attending Reedley College.

I plan to become a Special Education Teacher and

their family with open arms. Three years later, my

help children in need just as I was once helped.

foster parents adopted my sister and me, securing

Without the constant love, support, and guidance of

that we would never be separated. I will always

my family, I wouldn’t be able to accomplish my goals

appreciate the Proteus Foster Family Agency for

and dreams. Thanks to the Proteus Foster Family

finding us a forever family.

Agency and my family, I can pursue my dreams. The future looks bright.

I have learned a lot from my family that I take with me every day. My mom taught me hard work and perseverance.

My dad taught me to have fun and

make wise choices. My four brothers and four sisters taught me that family will always have your back.

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STORIES OF HOPE

FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY Is your MIssIon to serve?

The Proteus Foster Family Agency believes every child deserves a stable, loving home. Since 1997, it has been the mission of the agency to provide a safe, loving, and secure home environment for children in foster care.

BECOME A FOSTER PARENT Today, hundreds of children are waiting for placement into foster homes in our communities. Sadly, there is a shortage of certified foster homes desperately needed by so many. If you have the heart to serve and want to provide a child a life without fear, chaos, and uncertainty... BECOME A FOSTER PARENT. The Proteus Foster Family is committed to certifying foster homes, matching children with foster families, and ensuring all necessary support is given to the children, its foster parents, and its families.

Foster Parents are provided: } 24-Hour, On-Call Support } Orientation and Evening Trainings } Monthly Reimbursement of $923-$1106 per child

FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY 265 N. Van Ness Ave. Fresno, CA 93701 Phone: 559.499.2535 Fax: 559.499.2540 Email: gbmackie@proteusinc.org Website: www.proteusinc.org

CALL NOW (559) 499-2535

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Serving Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and

41

Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104 WWW.SMW104.ORG 42

Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union No. 104 is the Northern California leader in the fields of: Decorative & Architectural Sheet Metal; Metal Roofs; Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning; and Indoor Environmental Quality designed, built, maintained, and serviced to Sustainable Green Building Standards.

STORIES OF HOPE

DEDICATION PASSION CRAFTSMANSHIP LOYALTY

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Get one-on-one assistance from our trained staff when you meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in staff assisted services!

Search on your own using the computers, phones, copy machines and more at any of our Resource Rooms!

Log on to America’s Job Center of California at Caljobs.ca.gov to access career information and training availability!

High School Diploma and/or GED Assistance Tutoring Career Guidance Skill-Building Workshops Work Experience Opportunities College/Vocational Training

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STORIES OF HOPE

The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board’s (FRWDB) goal is to add to the economic vitality of Fresno County. To accomplish that end, we diligently work to create an environment through the following programs we offer to the community where a qualified workforce is in supply even before there is a demand.

One-Stop Resource Through the FRWDB’s progressive One-Stop Centers, employment and training services are provided to a diverse spectrum of job seekers through a unique combination of five (5) Workforce Connection One-Stop Centers located in Fresno, Coalinga, Reedley, Firebuagh and Selma. At our One-Stop locations job seekers have access to free workshops, information on high demand jobs, career exploration, referrals to community resources, and job board listings.

The FRWDB also has a program specifically to address the needs of the youth in our community – the All Youth One Stop System (AYOS). AYOS provides services for youth, 14 - 24 years old. The focus for the older youth is to prepare them for employment by encouraging continuing education for diplomas, degrees and training certification. The major emphasis for younger youth is to assist them in academic improvements, encouragement to stay in school, and preparation for later employment.

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IF YOU WANT TO

Develop your leadership skills

DO GOOD

Make friends while making a difference

BE INSPIRED

Change your community…and the world

THEN JOIN US!

Change lives by becoming involved today Interested? CALL (559) 349-0220

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF FRESNO SUPPORTS SIX PROGRAMS

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL® Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

LOS GATOS-SARATOGA FRESNO

OVER 29 YEARS SERVING FRESNO COUNTY

HELP US

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY

SHOP AT OUR STORE The Assistance League Thrift Boutique located at 4771 N. Blackstone (2 blocks south of Shaw)

Assistance League’s signature program provides K-8 school children in need with new clothes.

OPERATION BEAR HUG

Provides local emergency agencies with certified safe, toy teddy bears for those who have experienced a trauma.

OPERATION GIFT BOX

Gives individual care packages to house-bound senior citizens and victims of elder abuse during the holiday season.

DREAM DRESS

Provides free formal attire to foster and middle and high school girls in need to attend prom, graduation or other school events.

BUSY HANDS

Gives handcrafted items made by local seniors to those in need.

OPERATION CARING

Provides teddy bears, clothing and other items to victims of sexual assault, child abuse and family violence.

STORIES OF HOPE | www.alfresno.org | assistanceleagueoffresno@gmail.com 46 2037 West Bullard Avenue, PMB 306 | Fresno, CA 93711-1200 | 559.349.0220

SERVICES

CREATING AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY “It was exciting and I learned new skills.”

At-risk youth are more likely than their counterparts to become teen parents.

“What I like best about Focus Forward is that I can actually tell people how I feel.”

Bright Futures

We provide parenting education, support and resources to incarcerated or recently released pregnant and parenting teens, and parents with adolescents touched by the justice or child welfare system.

“It felt like a family. It felt safe.”

“For me, I get one on one family sessions with my mom. They’re helping me a lot to communicate with her.”

“Focus Forward services are different. They don’t just leave you. For me, I have a job waiting for me when I get out. They’ve helped me with my ID. They’re going to get me an UBER to get back and forth to work. They got me interview clothes. If you need something, they’re there.”

Focus Forward actively works

to enroll youth in higher education. Support for this process includes going with youth to their required placement tests, assisting with financial aid applications and being available to help alleviate anxiety for youth who are the first generation in their families' to go to college.

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PREP recidivism rate is 9.9%.

The Fresno County juvenile recidivism rate is 33%.

Through the Education & Employment program, Focus Forward actively supports youth with identifying their natural interests and talents with potential job training. We offer training and testing for Industry Recognized Credentials in Customer Service from National Retail Federation and ServSafe California Food Handler’s Card and Certification).

“What’s helped me the most in this program is working with my social worker. She helps me figure out my triggers and how to process them”.

“I didn’t know if college was for me or not. I want to go to college now.”

“Inmates who participate in correctional education programs have 43% lower odds of returning to prison.”

Those who receive vocational training, are 28% more likely to secure employment.

Research demonstrates

that the rates of mental and substance use disorders among youth involved with the juvenile justice system are high...over 60 percent of youth with a mental disorder also had a co-occurring substance use disorder (Shufelt & Cocozza, 2006). Focus Forward philosophy is to utilizes trauma informed care practices, as often times we learn the underlying causes of the youth’s co-occurring disorders are untreated trauma.

Workshops on:

Career Assessments, Resume-writing, Interview Skills and Job Search

IN GREEN: Actual comments from Focus Forward program participants.

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IF YOU CAN DREAM IT WE’LL HELP YOU ACHIEVE IT

Thousands of local residents know that Noble Credit Union provides low cost financial services and treats every member with kindness and respect. You deserve all the big-bank services without the big-bank strings and fees attached.

Visit a Noble Credit Union branch today!

We’re here to serve.

NobleCU.com | (559) 252-5000 FRESNO | CLOVIS | MADERA | SELMA 48

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY. MINIMUM DEPOSIT OF $5 REQUIRED.

STORIES OF HOPE