Stories of Hope - 9th Edition

2024 | ISSUE IX

Freedom Through Education

Fausto’s Journey from a Car Trunk to a Teacher’s Desk

Sunnyside Up

Maritza Turned Dark Days into a Bright Future at Sunnyside High

Grace & Grit

Lee Found Her Purpose by Pursuing a Compassionate Career in Healthcare

Legacy of Care

Anissa’s Inherited Aspiration to Become a Nurse

The Strength to Change, The Courage to Save Louis Breaks the Legacy of Substance Struggles

PRESENTED BY

From West Oakland to Workforce Warrior

Jerry Turns Adversity into Opportunity through Job Training

Out of Turbulence, Into Peace

Vanna’s Transformation through Faith, Education, and Mentorship

Rise Up

From Relapse to Redemption— Vanessa’s Path to a Renewed Life

Not a Typical Love Story

Maria’s Journey of Surviving, Healing, and Rebuilding After Abuse and Addiction

The Power of Voice

After Years of Being Unheard, Lucia Finds Herself by Telling Her Story

Inspiring Growth

Nurturing Youth Potential at the Juvenile Justice Campus

FOCUS FORWARD BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OFFICERS PRESIDENT

Joe Olivares, MSW Superior Consulting Service VICE PRESIDENT

Natalie Dodson, MSW Development Director California Teaching Fellows Foundation SECRETARY

Genesis Wilson Chief Financial Officer Dutch Bros Coffee of the Greater Fresno Area

BOARD MEMBERS

Michael Lopez President Building & Trades Council, AFL-CIO Michelle Engel-Silva Chief Executive Officer Proteus Inc. Stephen Davis, MBA Assistant Director Donor Services Central California Blood Center John Lorance Economic Development Coordinator City of Fresno Dr. Robert Pimentel Chancellor West Hills Community College District Monica Chahal Interim President Clovis Community College Fidel Barraza Account Executive Nexstar Broadcasting Group (KSEE24/CBS47)

2024 | ISSUE IX

CREATIVE TEAM Bertz-Rosa Strategy & Creative Suzanne Bertz-Rosa Creative Director, Writer, & Designer Kathy Kinard Editorial Assistant Kendyl Day Photographer† †

Unless noted

Lorrie Hopper Retired EMERITUS MEMBERS

Susan Anderson, J.D. Retired Matt Rosenfeld Senior VP/Regional Manager Broadcasting Nexstar Broadcasting Group (KSEE24/CBS47) EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Joanna Litchenberg, MSW Chief Executive Officer Focus Forward

STORIES OF HOPE MAGAZINE COMMITTEE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Joe Olivares, MSW Superior Consulting Service

BOARD LIAISONS

MEMBERS

FRESNO COUNTY PROBATION

Joanna Litchenberg, MSW Chief Executive Officer Focus Forward

David Ruiz JJC Deputy Chief Kayatana Davis JJC Assistant Deputy Chief

John Lorance Economic Development Coordinator City of Fresno

FRESNO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Fidel Barraza Account Executive Nexstar Broadcasting Group (KSEE24/ CBS47) Michael Lopez President Building & Trades Council, AFL-CIO Stephen Davis, MBA Assistant Director Donor Services Central California Blood Center

Katherine Martindale Deputy Director FRESNO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Phil Menchaca Director of Alternative Education Joe Hammond Principal II, Court Schools–Alice M. Worsley School FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Diana Trueba Vega Sergeant–Police Community Relations NOBLE CREDIT UNION

Rick Lopez Branch Manager

4 Freedom Through Education A Migrant’s Journey from a Car Trunk to a Teacher’s Desk

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Sunnyside Up Dark Days into a Bright Future

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Grace & Grit Lee Found Her Purpose by Pursuing a Compassionate Career in Healthcare

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Legacy of Care An Inherited Aspiration to Become a Nurse

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From West Oakland to Workforce Warrior

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Out of Turbulence, Into Peace

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Rise Up

From Relapse to Redemption— Vanessa’s Path to a Renewed Life

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Not a Typical Love Story The Difficult Path of Surviving, Healing, and Rebuilding After Abuse and Addiction

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The Strength to Change, The Courage to Save Breaking Free from a Legacy of Substance Struggles

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The Power of Voice After Years of Being Unheard, Lucia Finds Herself by Telling Her Story

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Inspiring Growth

Nurturing Youth Potential at the Juvenile Justice Campus

The Power Within: Tales of Second Chances and New Beginnings Dear Readers, PHOTO: MIAKA HARDCASTLE

This edition of Stories of Hope brings you ten compelling narratives that reveal the resilience of the human spirit. These are stories of transformation, courage, and the strength to rise above adversity.

We begin with Fausto Ruiz and Maritza Lua, who turned to education to break free from challenging beginnings. Fausto, who crossed the border as a teenager, became an educator dedicated to helping others reach beyond their circumstances. Maritza, overcoming a childhood of instability, emerged as a student leader determined to advocate for those who, like her, have often felt unheard.

Next, we turn to Lee Johnson and Anissa Garcia, who each followed a calling to provide care through nursing. Lee, facing homelessness in her 50s, showed that it’s never too late to reinvent oneself. Anissa, inspired by her family’s legacy, overcame financial and academic barriers to forge her path in healthcare.

PHOTO: INPOWER MARKETING

Jerry Irvin and Vanna In left behind gang life to become community leaders. Jerry, raised on the streets of West Oakland, now works to create opportunities for those trapped in cycles of poverty.

Vanna, who found redemption after years in a gang, dedicates himself to guiding others toward peace and positive change.

We then explore the complexities of addiction and recovery.

Vanessa Barraza, Maria Tellez, and Louis Angel each faced addiction and adversity, finding their way back through education, perseverance, and community support. Their stories remind us that the path to recovery is never linear but always possible.

We close with Lucia Pineda. After surviving years of abuse, Lucia turned her pain into purpose, using her voice to speak out for those who cannot.

Her story is a reminder that breaking silence can be a catalyst for change.

These stories are woven together by a shared thread of hope and perseverance. They remind us that every struggle is an opportunity for growth and every hardship a step toward renewal. As you read, may these narratives remind you that we are not alone in our journeys. In sharing our truths, we find strength, not just within ourselves, but in the connections we build with one another.

With warm regards,

Joe Olivares Board President and Magazine Committee Chair

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Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

Joanna Litchenberg Chief Executive Officer

2024 • ISSUE IX

Changing Lives Every Day

At Focus Forward, we support youth and young adults in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Our services are provided by passionate individuals from all walks of life and experience.

REENTRY PROGRAM For Youth in the Juvenile Justice System and their Families PIPELINE TO OPPORTUNITY Higher Education Program for Current & Former Juvenile Justice Youth MENTORING For Youth in the Juvenile Justice System and Parlier Unified School District

FOSTER YOUTH SUPERVISION Emergency Overnight & Weekend Supervision for Foster Youth BRIGHT FUTURES For Teen & Young Parents with Children 0-5 years PLACEMENT SERVICES For Youth in the Juvenile Justice & Child Welfare System

In addition to our staff, our team consists of dozens of interns and community volunteers. Through partnerships with Fresno State’s Project Rebound and Impact Justice’s California Justice Leaders AmeriCorps program, individuals with lived experience in carceral systems serve as mentors to support our mission.

INVEST IN CHANGE. INVEST IN THE FUTURE. INVEST IN FOCUS FORWARD. With your support of time or resources, we can help youth and families disrupt cycles of violence, poverty, and incarceration. An investment in Focus Forward is an investment in our community.

focusforward.org

Freedom Through Education

P

acked into the darkness of a car trunk in 1980, 15-yearold Fausto Ruiz could barely move. His body was numb, and his legs were cramped from the tight space he shared with four relatives, all young men. “We could barely fit in there,” he recalled.

As they crossed the U.S.Mexico border, Fausto heard the sound of English-speaking voices, a language he didn’t understand. They passed through and continued their over four-hour car ride in the back of a smuggler’s car.

Days earlier, guided by a “coyote,” their first attempt to cross the border had failed, leaving Fausto confused. “I had no idea what immigration was,” he said. This time, when the trunk finally opened in San Fernando, California, Fausto and the others were taken into a house crowded with about 50 other waiting migrants. By evening, after payment was made, Fausto’s group was released at a nearby gas station. His first call was to his family in Parlier, California, who

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were surprised to learn he was in the U.S. They drove through the night to pick him up and brought him to his aunt’s home, where he began his new life in Parlier.

Fausto was born in a small village in Jalisco, Mexico, without electricity or running water. His father spent most of his life working in the United States, leaving Fausto to be raised by his mother and grandparents. “The only world I knew was just my little town,” he said. His plan was to graduate from elementary school, the highest level of education in his hometown, and work in the fields, as most in his community did.

In Parlier, Fausto started picking oranges and pruning grapevines with the goal of sending money back home.

He soon learned he was too young to work legally in the U.S. “You’re underage, and it is illegal,” a rancher told him. Having worked since he was ten, the restriction was unexpected and bewildering.

His grandmother suggested a different path: “You should try going to school.” Initially resistant, Fausto questioned,

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

“How can I go to school if I don’t even know one single word of English?” After a week with no other options, he decided to give it a try.

At Parlier High School, the language barrier proved challenging. “If you were to say ‘hi,’ I didn’t know what ‘hi’ meant,” he recalls.

Marcelo Gonzalez, the track coach, noticed Fausto playing soccer and invited him to a practice. “I hear that you can kick pretty good and that you’re fast,” Gonzalez told him in Spanish. Fausto showed up in jeans and boots.

When he ran a timed lap, his speed caught everyone’s attention, and Mr. Gonzalez said, “I’m going to give you a uniform tomorrow.” Fausto joined the track team and soon became involved in soccer, football, and tennis.

After a strong performance in an all-star soccer game, Fausto drew the attention of college coaches. Fresno Pacific University offered him a scholarship and academic support, and he agreed to try for one semester. Finding the support he needed, he decided to stay. However, as an undocumented student

A Migrant’s Journey from a Car Trunk to a Teacher’s Desk without access to financial aid, he had to work in the fields to support himself.

On August 28, 1987, after a long day working, he rushed to deliver enrollment paperwork to Fresno Pacific before the office closed at 5:00 p.m. Driving his small pick-up truck at nearly 90 miles per hour, he switched lanes to avoid a tailgater and was hit by a semi-truck.

His vehicle rolled several times. Miraculously, Fausto walked away with only a broken collarbone, but the injury sidelined him from soccer, which forced him to leave school.

A year later, he was back practicing soccer when his coaches noticed his progress and invited him to rejoin the team. “Here’s my opportunity again,” he thought. Fausto accepted the coach’s offer and completed his bachelor’s degree. He became a legal resident in his last two years of college and an American citizen in 1999. Encouraged by a professor, he pursued a master’s degree in Spanish at Fresno State, where he gained his first teaching experience as a part-time instructor.

2024 • ISSUE IX

“

How can I go to school if I don’t even know one single word of English?

”

—15-year-old Fausto Ruiz

After earning his master’s degree, gaining teaching experience, and obtaining his teaching credential, he was hired by Parlier High School. “My plans were that one day, if I were to teach high school, I was going to come back to Parlier,” he said. Nearly three decades later, Fausto continues to teach, sharing his story and mentoring students.

“Opportunities will be there, but you have to work as hard as you can to accomplish your dreams.” • 2024 • ISSUE IX

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

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Parlier Unified School District Every Student, Everyone, Every Day

District Annual Accomplishments & Highlights Logros anuales y aspectos destacados del distrito

Measure P will be on the November 5th, 2024 General Election Ballot to support future facility projects including the construction of a Parlier High School Athletic Complex.

La Medida P estará en la boleta electoral de las elecciones generales del 5 de noviembre de 2024 para apoyar futuros proyectos de instalaciones, incluida la construcción de un complejo deportivo en la escuela secundaria Parlier.

District Goal 1: Accomplished Students •

Introduction of the Early College Program (PHS students are able to earn an associates degree over the next four years at Parlier High). Two cohorts in place.

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Rollout of technology devices (IPads and MacBook Airs) for all students, K-12 - Work towards becoming an Apple Distinguished District

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A total of 33% of English Language Learners (EL) in grades 6th through 8th grade scored a 4 (highest level) on the ELPAC state test, Spring 2024. EL Reclassification rates are up. (Reminder that this cannot be shared publicly yet -we can give info just not numbers)

Meta del Distrito 1: Estudiantes Exitosos •

Introducción del Programa de Universidad Temprana (estudiantes de PHS pueden obtener un título de asociado durante los próximos cuatro años en la Preparatoria de Parlier). Hay dos cohortes en marcha.

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Implementación de dispositivos tecnológicos (iPads y MacBook Airs) para todos los estudiantes, desde kínder hasta 12º grado: trabajando para convertirnos en un Distrito Distinguido de Apple

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El 33 % de los Estudiantes Aprendices de Inglés (EL) de 6º a 8º grado obtuvieron un 4 (el nivel más alto) en la prueba estatal ELPAC en la primavera de 2024. Las tasas de reclasificación de EL aumentaron. (Recuerde que esto aún no se puede compartir públicamente; podemos brindar información, pero no números)

District Goal 2: Supportive Environment •

Introduction of Folklorico, Mariachi (SAM Academy), Band, Choir, Piano, and overall expansion of Arts Education Opportunities

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Continued Expansion of Career Technical Education Pathways; over 70% of graduates from Parlier High completed a pathway like medical, criminal justice, web development, welding, etc.

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Introduction of grade level field trips to various colleges and universities for grades 3-12 including Stanford, Reedley College, UCLA, UC Merced, and Fresno State

Meta del Distrito 2: Entorno de Apoyo •

Introducción de Folklorico, Mariachi (Academia SAM), Banda, Coro, Piano y expansión general de Oportunidades de Educación Artística

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Continua expansión de las trayectorias de Educación Técnica Profesional; más del 70% de los graduados de la Preparatoria de Parlier completaron una trayectoria como medicina, justicia penal, desarrollo web, soldadura, etc.

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Presentación de excursiones por grado a varias universidades y colegios para los grados 3º a 12º, incluidos Stanford, Reedley College, UCLA, UC Merced y Fresno State.

District Goal 3: Empowered Community

Parlier Unified School District

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Parlier Panther Post bilingual magazine - six editions to date to properly engage and involve community members

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Introduction of Alumni, Community Empowerment, and Superintendent Student Superstar Awards at Board meetings

Office Hours: Mon - Fri 7:30am - 5:00pm 900 Newmark Ave., Parlier, CA 93648 Phone: (559) 646-2731

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New Mega Panther Mural on the PHS North Gym for students, alumni, and community

https://www.parlierunified.org/

Meta del Distrito 3: Comunidad Empoderada •

Revista bilingue Parlier Panther Post - Seis ediciones hasta la fecha para involucrar y comprometer adecuadamente a los miembros de la comunidad.

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Presentación de los Premios a los Exalumnos, al Empoderamiento de la Comunidad y a los Estudiantes Superestrella del Superintendente en las reuniones de la junta

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Nuevo mural de la mega pantera en el gimnasio norte de PHS para estudiantes, exalumnos y la comunidad

JOIN THE PARLIER PANTHER POST COMMUNITY! ÚNETE A LA ¡COMUNIDAD DE PARLIER PANTHER POST!

Sunnyside Up: “

Ms. Hawkins helped me find my voice and believe in myself. She pushed me to get involved and aim higher.

Ms. Grijalva was tough on me in the best way—she held me accountable when I needed it most.

Without them, I wouldn’t have realized what I’m truly capable of.

”

— Maritza Lua on her Sunnyside High School mentors, Ms. Hawkins, the Campus Culture Director, and Ms. Grijalva, her teacher.

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Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

2024 • ISSUE IX

T urning Dark Days into a Bright Future

M

aritza graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2024.

Her time there was transformative— it’s where she found her voice, sense of purpose, and joy.

It’s hard to imagine that Maritza, who maintained straight A’s through most of high school, had to repeat first grade and didn’t learn to read until middle school. It’s even harder to fathom the challenges she endured along the way.

Born in Fresno in 2005, Maritza is the eldest of three daughters on her mother’s side and one of ten sisters in her father’s large, blended family. Her early years were marked by near-constant upheaval, both geographically and emotionally.

When she was just a year old, her family relocated to San Luis, Mexico, where they lived until she was five.

At age seven, her parents separated, leading to years of instability as Maritza alternated between stints of living with one parent and then the other until she eventually settled with her father at age 13.

In middle school, during a sex education lesson in her science class, students were asked to submit questions anonymously.

“It was a weird time for me when I was kind of realizing everything from my 2024 • ISSUE IX

past, but I never really knew what it meant,” she recalls. “I didn’t understand it, but I had so many questions. And there were a lot of flashbacks.”

At the same time, an essay in her English class hinted at the same buried trauma; she revealed that a family member had been sexually assaulting her during visits and summer breaks. This wasn’t the only abuse—there were also men her mother brought into the home who abused Maritza, unbeknownst at the time to her mother. When the school connected the dots, they intervened, helping Maritza move in with her older sister, Marisol.

Living with her older sister brought a mix of temporary stability and growing tension. Their relationship became strained, with Maritza often feeling more like a burden than a sister.

Despite the challenges at home, Maritza thrived at Sunnyside High School. Her leadership skills shined as she took on cheerleading, theater, and student government roles, serving as class president for her sophomore and junior years. She later took on the role of rally commissioner during her senior year, organizing school rallies and bringing her signature enthusiasm to every event.

was then appointed as one of two student trustees for the Fresno Unified School District, giving her a platform to advocate for thousands of her peers. Her work as a trustee deepened her resolve to pursue a career in public service and advocacy, solidifying her belief in the power of student voices and setting the stage for her aspirations in law and politics.

In her junior year, tensions with her sister during the pandemic led Maritza to move in with her Aunt Patricia across town.

While grateful to her aunt for taking her in, the distance meant she had a daily commute of over an hour each way, taking two buses to and from school.

Halfway through her senior year, Ms. Valdez, a teacher at Sunnyside High School, graciously volunteered to drive Maritza to and from school. This gesture of kindness helped Maritza academically and underscored the strong sense of community that Sunnyside fostered.

Throughout her time at Sunnyside, Maritza found key mentors in Ms. Hawkins, the Campus Culture Director, and Ms. Grijalva, one of her teachers. “Ms. Hawkins helped me find my voice and believe in myself. She pushed me to get involved and aim higher. Ms. Grijalva was tough on me in the best way—she held me accountable when I needed it most.

Without them, I wouldn’t have realized what I’m truly capable of.” Maritza’s gratitude extends to the entire staff at Sunnyside, from janitors and office workers to security guards, teachers, and her principal, recognizing the collective role they played in her journey.

Positivity became Maritza’s defining trait during high school. It wasn’t just a way to cope; it was the driving force behind her success. Now, as she prepares to study political science at UC Irvine, she’s ready to turn her experiences into a career in law and advocacy. She shares, “I want to become a lawyer to be the voice for others who aren’t being listened to. I want to be the change our future needs.” •

Her influence extended beyond Sunnyside when she was selected as one of three students to represent the school in district-wide meetings. Maritza Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

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WE ARE

“

When life no longer works, you don’t stand still—you move forward.

”

—A lesson learned by Lee Johnson from her mother

PHOTO BY AMINA TOURAY

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Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

2024 • ISSUE IX

Grace & Grit Lee Found Her Purpose by Pursuing a Compassionate Career in Healthcare

I

n 2012, at 52 years old, with nothing more than a backpack slung over her shoulder and flip-flops on her feet, Leevonnie Johnson, who goes by Lee, boarded a bus bound for Fresno—a city she had never lived in. Life in Long Beach had unraveled; she’d lost her apartment, job opportunities had dried up, and little was left to keep her there. In that moment, she embodied the quiet conviction instilled by her mother: when life no longer works, you don’t stand still—you move forward.

Lee’s mother, a defense department welder and civil rights activist, often said, “As long as you try, you’re never a failure.” Lee grew up in a closeknit San Diego community, where neighbors kept a watchful eye, and her parents instilled in her a strong work ethic and a sense of integrity.

Lee’s grandmother also profoundly impacted her, shaping her values of compassion and patience. As a child, Lee spent countless hours with her grandmother, visiting her friends and learning the quiet power of kindness.

Lee’s first career as a secretary was stable until the 2008 financial crisis. Around this time, Lee’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer, and Lee, who was living in Long Beach, returned to San Diego to help her mother, who was balancing full-time work while caring for both her husband and her own mother, who had Alzheimer’s. Lee’s father passed away. Her mother died of a massive heart attack at work a year later, and six months after, her grandmother passed.

Caring for her parents left a lasting impact on Lee. At 50, she decided 2024 • ISSUE IX

to change careers and become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

For two years, she struggled to find stable work. Having heard of Fresno’s reputation for affordability and job opportunities, she bought a bus ticket and took a leap of faith.

Lee arrived in Fresno and stayed in a motel. She immediately began searching for a job by going through the phone book and calling local care facilities.

One facility told her to come down immediately. Lee recalls, “I went directly down there. It wasn’t a fancy place, but I stayed there almost all day waiting to be interviewed.” Her persistence paid off when a Registered Nurse finally met with her and hired her on the spot.

Being a CNA was more than just a job; it was an extension of the values she learned from her grandmother and mother. However, the job was physically demanding. Lee wanted to continue caring for patients and pursued a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license through Fresno Adult School. Focusing on school meant that Lee studied more and worked less, and soon, she became homeless. But this did not deter her.

She kept her uniform in a plastic bag, ensuring it stayed clean for her shifts.

Each day, regardless of the weather, she would walk 20-30 minutes to class after working all night. Despite these hardships, Lee didn’t miss a single class.

came up short. Though seemingly insignificant, these gestures carried profound weight—a steadying hand reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

At Fresno Adult School, the support ran deeper. Brenda Starks, the head of the LVN program, along with professors Luz Newell and Christine Doyle, offered guidance that transcended academics.

Dr. Helen Hubbard’s help went beyond mentorship; she provided Lee with a place to stay. “Without these people, I wouldn’t be the nurse I am today,” Lee shares.

Lee stayed fiercely committed to her education. Her checklist for the LVN program became a roadmap; each box ticked, signaling another hardwon step forward. Even as stress took a physical toll—losing patches of hair, a persistent rash flaring—she refused to surrender. Quitting wasn’t an option; she had a goal, and nothing short of finishing would suffice.

In 2018, at the age of 58, Lee achieved what many would deem improbable: she graduated as an LVN. But she didn’t stop there. Lee continued her studies, earning an associate’s degree in public health and setting her sights on becoming an RN, proving that resilience has no age limit. •

Small acts of kindness kept her going.

One bus driver, noticing her struggles, would wait a few extra minutes if she ran late, giving her the time to catch the bus. At the library, Deb Hall, an observant assistant, would quietly cover the cost of copies when she Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

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Your Future Begins at Fresno Adult School

Invest in yourself today and discover the endless possibilities that await you.

@FASAdultSchool

www.fas.edu

Why Fresno Adult School?

Our dedicated staff, supportive learning environment, and diverse programs are here to help you succeed.

Free Classes / Clases Gratis English as a Second Language • Learn English / Aprende Inglés • Prepare for the Citizenship Exam / Prepárese para el Examen de Ciudadanía Adult Secondary Education • Earn your High School Diploma / Obténga su diploma de Preparatoría • Prepare for the GE or HiSet Exam / Prepárese para el Examen GED o HiSET Career Technical Education • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) / Asistente de Enfermer a Certificado LOW COST / BAJO COSTO • Custodian / Conserje (Limpiador General) • Food Service Technician & Manager / Técnico de Servicio de Alimentos y Gerente • Licensed Vocation Nursing (LVN) / Licenciatura en Enfermería Vocacional LOW COST / BAJO COSTO • Medical Prerequisites / Requisitos Medicos Previos • Office Assistant / Asistente de Oficina • Paraprofessional / Asistente de Maestra • Bus Driver / Choter de autobús Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30 am–8:00 pm | Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm (559) 457-6000 | 2500 Stanislaus Street Fresno, CA 93721

ENROLL TODAY

Whether you’re looking to enhance your career, complete your education, master English, or engage in community courses, Fresno Adult School has a program tailored for you.

“

My peers came together and bonded because we were all overwhelmed.

”

­ Anissa Garcia reflects on — the intense start of the LVN program and the camaraderie that developed among her student cohort.

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Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

2024 • ISSUE IX

Legacy of Care: An Inherited Aspiration to Become a Nurse nissa Garcia, a native of Selma, California, has always felt a deep calling to become a nurse — a passion that seemingly runs in her family — her grandmother, mother, and three cousins are nurses.

One might say it’s in her DNA to become a CNA, or Certified Nursing Assistant, which she did in 2019.

“When I was younger, my grandfather often took me along when he picked up my grandmother from work.

She was a nurse at a nursing care facility. I remember watching her as she moved through her day. She was always busy but always kind,” Anissa reminisces. “I would watch as she spoke to the patients, offering comfort and a promise to see them tomorrow.”

For five years, Anissa worked as a licensed caregiver, assisting people in their homes with their daily needs. However, this experience left her yearning for more.

“Family members would come to me with questions, and I didn’t always have the answers. I wanted to help more, to know more.” Her desire to help propelled her to pursue her next goal, becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN); however, this proved more challenging.

Anissa knew what it took to become an LVN; she and her two siblings had watched their single mother go through the process, “Mom worked as a CNA while going through nursing school. The books were thick.” Anissa didn’t realize that not all educational environments were the same.

Anissa enrolled at Fresno City College while working full-time, which added to the challenge. “FCC was sink or swim. My grades were Cs and Bs. My counselor advised me to change my major, but it was heartbreaking because I wanted to be a nurse,” she laments.

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Financial difficulties further compounded Anissa’s situation. The cost of continuing her education was a constant worry, and because she needed to retake classes due to her grades, it was even more challenging for her to stay on track.

Anissa confided her feelings of discouragement and uncertainty about her future in the nursing field with her grandmother, who mentioned that some of her co-workers are going into a workforce center and that Anissa would probably qualify.

She explains, “I went online and found a place near my grandma’s house, so I went in.” The staff at the Proteus Resource Room in Selma provided Anissa with the information required for necessary testing and support to succeed at school and beyond.

“We did some testing about my personality traits and strengths — what would be a good job setting for me,” explains Anissa. “Nursing turned out to be my true career.”

Before starting the LVN program, Anissa had to complete three prerequisite courses, which took about a year.

Anissa started the cohort LVN program at Clovis Adult Education in September 2023. “The first day was overwhelming because they threw everything at you at once. My peers came together and bonded because we were all overwhelmed.” The cohort format, which consists of a group of students in the same program progressing through the curriculum together, worked well for her.

Anissa describes the cohort program as fast-paced. The students attend theory classes on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and go to clinical sites from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. two other days a week. “Those days change because the clinical sites change,” she explains. At each site, the students study a specific

Anissa Garcia flanked by two of her Clovis Adult Education mentors who have been instrumental in Anissa’s educational journey, Elaine Sims, left, maternity instructor and Nursing Department Chair, and Chun Hee McMahon, right, Director of Nursing.

area of medicine, from maternity to geriatrics, including pharmacology, medical/surgical, and leadership. “We follow nurses around and learn what they are doing. We do a care plan and physical assessment. Each clinical site is different,” Anissa explains.

“Our next site will be studying maternity, and our last segment, cardiac, respiratory, and pediatrics. I really like maternity because we have a great teacher, and it’s interesting to know the changes a woman’s body goes through when she is pregnant,” Anissa confides.

Now, as she looks ahead to graduating in May 2025 and taking the state boards to become an LVN, Anissa is more determined than ever to continue her journey in nursing. She knows the road has been tough, but with the support she’s received, she is ready to fulfill her lifelong dream of making a difference in the lives of others. •

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

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From West Oakland to Workforce Warrior

J

erry Irvin grew up in 1980s Oakland, California, when the city’s violent crime and drug offenses surged to four times the national average. For Jerry, violence was more than a statistic.

One of his earliest memories is of his father dragging his mother out of a car by her hair. His sisters, accustomed to intervening, sprang into action. “My oldest sister bit his earlobe off just to make him let her go,” he says. That experience shaped Jerry’s future. “I have five daughters, and I’ve raised them to be strong and independent,” he says. “I’ve always tried to instill peace in my family.”

Growing up in West Oakland came with constant danger. “There were hypodermic needles on the sidewalks on my way to school,” he remembers. By age 12, Jerry was already buying and selling drugs, developing his entrepreneurial instincts.

At 15, Jerry’s involvement in a robbery became a turning point. His gun discharged accidentally, and a bystander called the police. Jerry was arrested, a moment he credits with saving his life.

After his release, Jerry returned to the familiar patterns of violence. He was standing next to his best friend when a simmering feud turned deadly. “[The man] rode up on his bicycle, jumped off, and shot my friend,” he reflected. “One went to jail, and one lost their life.”

Jerry’s mother, fearing for his safety, sent him to South Carolina with his uncle. Columbia was a world away from the Bay Area, and his uncle tried to prepare him for the stark cultural differences. “People down here are different,” his uncle warned. “They will kill you in a minute.” While fishing, a pickup truck approached, shotguns visible through the back window.

“Hey, boy, what y’all doing?” one of the men shouted. Sensing danger, Jerry’s uncle calmly replied, “Just bringing 20

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

my nephew out to fish.” His uncle quickly cut their lines and packed up.

In South Carolina, Jerry faced more hardships, eventually becoming homeless. “I slept in a shelter, showered at the YMCA, and kept telling myself, ‘This isn’t where my story ends,’” he says.

He found work with a moving company and enrolled in business courses, leading him to open his first business, an auto detailing and body shop—his first taste of success.

In 2015, Jerry returned to California, opening a towing company.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he was forced to close. Undeterred, he shifted focus and enrolled in the ValleyBuild Construction Training Program through Workforce Connection. His leadership quickly stood out, and by the end of the six-week program, Jerry was interviewing with the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board. Blake Konczal, Executive Director, and Ashley Matthews, then the Valley Build Project Coordinator, hired him directly into a Project Coordinator role. He held the position for nearly a year and a half before being promoted to Regional Outreach Coordinator for Special Projects.

“They changed my life,” Jerry reflects on his time with the program and the support from Blake and Ashley.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” He adds, “I wish I knew about this program 20 years ago when I came out of jail.”

Now, Jerry oversees participant and employer outreach for two major programs: the Greater Sierra Forestry

Corps and Valley Build Construction, training over 150 participants annually.

“I don’t just give them skills; I help them see a path forward,” Jerry says, focused on helping participants break free from poverty and instability.

Workforce Connection partners with employers to ensure graduates

Ashley Matthews, the former ValleyBuild Project Coordinator, recognized Jerry’s potential and supported his career growth as his supervisor and mentor.

have jobs lined up, transforming lives, families, and communities.

Under Jerry’s mentorship, the programs have assisted residents in multiple counties. His priority is ensuring that participants leave with job security.

“I don’t want anyone leaving here wondering what comes next,” he explains. “Their future should be secure.”

“If I can help one person improve their situation, they can uplift their families and communities,” he says.

“That’s how we change the cycle.”

For Jerry, this work is deeply personal.

“It’s not about me anymore,” he says.

“It’s about giving young people the tools to build something better for themselves and their families.” His next goal? Expanding support for single fathers, using his own experiences to help them succeed both as parents and professionals. “The fact that I get paid to do this is just a bonus.” • 2024 • ISSUE IX

“

I f I can help one person improve their situation, they can uplift their families and communities. That’s how we change the cycle.

”

—Jerry Irvin

2024 • ISSUE IX

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

21

Out of mid the chaos of 1975 Vietnam, Vanna (pronounced Vonna) In was born to an ethnic Cambodian family.

The family was on the run and forced into the countryside. In 1978, they fled to Thailand. Because of Vanna’s father’s military service, they were able to immigrate to the United States, initially settling in Texas.

his brother, whom he looked up to and was already involved in gang activities.

Vanna’s initiation into gang life was as brutal as it was transformative. At the age of 16, in March 1992, he was “jumped in” by a group of 2-5 members who pounded on him as a rite of passage.

This violent initiation was followed by a hug, signifying his acceptance into the gang family. For Vanna, this moment was powerful. The gang offered a sense of identity, validation, and purpose.

Growing up as the youngest of six in a family deeply scarred by the trauma of war, Vanna’s home was anything but a sanctuary. Domestic violence was a constant presence; his mother, overwhelmed by her own suffering, was violent toward all six children, while his father directed his anger and violence primarily at the older siblings.

The unpredictability of these outbursts created an environment where Vanna and his siblings never knew when the next beating might occur, leaving them in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety.

By age 16, Vanna was fully initiated, marking the start of a turbulent period of robberies, fights, and other criminal activities, culminating in a fatal driveby shooting in 1993. On a November night, just before Thanksgiving, Vanna and three other gang members attended a party that quickly turned hostile with a rival gang. After leaving the party, they decided to return and retaliate. What followed was a fatal drive-by shooting that claimed a life, forever altering Vanna’s trajectory. On December 29, 1993, Vanna was arrested.

Vanna learned early on that taking what he wanted was an acceptable way to survive. By the age of five, Vanna was already stealing. Once he began elementary school, he started acting more aggressively, fighting and being delinquent.

Though Vanna initially faced the juvenile justice system, the severity of his offense—second-degree murder—along with his involvement in gang activity, resulted in his case being transferred to adult court. Although he did not pull the trigger, Vanna admitted to instigating the altercation that culminated in a fatal drive-by shooting. He plead no contest. Despite being tried as an

Vanna’s gang life began after his family moved to California in 1987. He followed 24

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

adult, the court sentenced him to the California Youth Authority in August 1994.

Vanna experienced a religious awakening that changed the course of his life. This moment of clarity, rooted in his newfound Christian faith, prompted him to take responsibility for his actions and begin distancing himself from gang life. The realization of the harm he had caused, not just to others but also to himself, became the catalyst for a deep and lasting transformation.

Vanna fully embraced his rehabilitation. He pursued education, earning his high school diploma in 1995, and engaged in vocational training in landscaping, welding, and warehouse inventory. By the time he was released, he had accumulated 23 college credits.

2024 • ISSUE IX

“

It’s better to build a boy than mend a man.

”

—Vanna’s guiding philosophy, a paraphrasing the timeless words of Frederick Douglass

Into Peace After Vanna’s release in October 2001, he faced the challenges of reintegrating into society. Initially, it was difficult to find steady employment. Still, his persistence paid off when he connected with Hope Now, a Christian organization that provided him with the support and opportunities he needed. He began working at various jobs, first at a bookstore and later as a lead janitor.

Vanna’s commitment to self-betterment extended to his academic pursuits. He earned an associate’s degree from Fresno City College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Fresno Pacific University.

Since joining Hope Now as a staff member in 2003, Vanna has dedicated himself to mentoring others, helping them find employment, and guiding them away from the destructive choices he once made.

“It’s better to build a boy than mend a man,” Vanna often says. Reflecting on his own experiences, he adds, “What I needed was someone to call me out and to call me in — to call me out on what I’m not doing and give me a pathway to how to do it. That’s what we do at Hope Now.” Today, Vanna’s life is a testament to the power of transformation. A dedicated husband and father of three school-age children, he continues to serve his community in Fresno as a pastor, volunteer coach, and mentor. His commitment to investing in people underscores his belief that when we help others, we not only change their lives but also create ripples of positive change that can transform entire communities. •

2024 • ISSUE IX

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

25

Ensuring all children can reach their full potential “The dreams of every parent for their child’s bright future live in our Fresno County classrooms, starting with healthy families supported by caring and responsible adults across the educational continuum.

Together, it is everyone’s responsibility to do what is right for our children to create positive change, including providing equal access that ensures all can reach their full potential.”

Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher Fresno County Superintendent of Schools

Fresno County Board of Education James Martinez, President Dr. Allen Clyde, Vice President • Bryan Dr. Marcy Masumoto Burton Bryan Burton • Dr. Marcy Masumoto Kimberly Tapscott-Munson

www.fcoe.org

From Relapse to Redemption— Vanessa’s Journey to a Renewed Life t 12, Vanessa Barraza’s world was upended. Her mother called her to the kitchen table and delivered a blow that would change her life: her father, the man she adored, was in jail.

For the next two months, she saw him only in court, his hands and feet bound in heavy chains. But the real heartbreak came later—he chose deportation to Mexico over staying in jail, leaving Vanessa behind. “I was sad at first... then I felt abandoned,” Vanessa remembered.

Her father was gone, and with him, a sense of stability vanished too.

In her teenage years, Vanessa spiraled.

She turned to drugs—first, it was marijuana and alcohol, but soon she was using crystal meth to numb the pain. “I felt happy. I felt good. I felt like I didn’t care that he left me,” she said.

But by 14, addiction was her new reality.

Vanessa’s mother watched helplessly as her daughter grew distant, avoiding any meaningful connection. One night, drawn by a light in Vanessa’s room, she stepped outside and peered through the window. There, she saw Vanessa using meth. In a moment of panic and resolve, she leapt through the open window, catching Vanessa off guard. In a rush, Vanessa tossed her drugs aside.

The next day, her mother took her bedroom door off its hinges—a lastditch effort to protect her daughter.

It wasn’t enough. Her mother needed a plan. She convinced Vanessa to join her on a shopping trip, a seemingly ordinary drive to the mall in Modesto.

But as they approached Turlock, she revealed the truth—Vanessa was going to rehab. Vanessa had no choice but to face her reality head-on.

28

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

At 15, Vanessa met Jose at a birthday party. What started as a slow friendship deepened into something more. At 16, Vanessa was pregnant. Just before her 17th birthday, she gave birth to her son, Julio, and managed to finish high school through an independent study program.

Then came another twist. Vanessa was arrested for a DUI and sentenced to house arrest. She was allowed out only for school or work. Recognizing this as an opportunity, Vanessa enrolled at Madera Community College.

At 18, Vanessa and Jose welcomed their second child, Lailani. Two months later, Lailani became gravely ill.

Still on house arrest, Vanessa knew leaving without official clearance could lead to further legal trouble.

But there was no real choice. “I had to go to the hospital,” she recalls.

The diagnosis was cellulitis, a severe bacterial infection. Lailani needed immediate surgery and a prolonged course of IV antibiotics. She remained in the hospital for two months.

In 2018, the couple married, and Vanessa worked hard to provide a stable environment for her children. She was able to balance her responsibilities as a mother while continuing her studies—until she wasn’t.

The relapse was swift and severe; she picked up where she had left off, becoming deeply entangled in addiction. Her husband, recognizing the danger of her behavior and its potential harm to their children, took their children and moved to San Jose.

“I became the absent parent. I became my father,” Vanessa said, confronting the painful legacy she had sworn never to repeat.

Her mother, relentless in her love, intervened again. She called the police, leading to Vanessa’s forced return to rehab. This time, something shifted inside her. She embraced recovery, and when she emerged, Jose was waiting.

He had prepared a new home for their family to make a fresh start together.

Vanessa re-enrolled at Madera Community College, a place she describes as a sanctuary. “School was my safe place,” she said. On her first day back, Vanessa encountered John Yang, the supervisor of the Student Activities Department, who noticed her positive energy and enthusiasm. After bumping into her a few times on campus, he offered her a position in his department.

Vanessa embraced the opportunity, throwing herself into campus activities and leadership roles. She wasn’t just learning; she was transforming.

Inspired by the nurses who had cared for Lailani during those two terrifying months, Vanessa is pursuing a career in nursing. She earned multiple associate degrees in biological sciences, sociology, and social sciences.

Strength isn’t about never falling— it’s about rising every time you do. “Never give up on yourself. Always strive to be a better version of yourself every day,” she shares.

Now, Vanessa stands as proof that it’s never too late to change course, to heal, and to thrive. • 2024 • ISSUE IX

“

School was my safe place.

”

— Vanessa on finding sanctuary and transformation at Madera Community College

2024 • ISSUE IX

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

29

¡TU PERTENCES AQÚI! YOU BELONG HERE

ਇਹ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਕਾਲਜ ਹੈ|

Peb zoo siab txais tos koj

People with a college degree earn a higher income on average.

Don’t wait any longer to change your life.

Do it for your family.

Do it for you.

Madera Community College offers special support programs for:

• First-generation college students • Students from a low-income background • Foster youth • Undocumented students • Veterans • Students with a disability • Students from a farm working background • and more

“

Madera Community College gave me the tools I need to be successful in the medical field.

I am grateful to the faculty and staff for the support they give me to me and all of the students here. It’s a wonderful place to begin your college journey!”

Julio Mora, Class of 2023

Everything You Need to Succeed

Programs are build with regional jobs in mind. Choose from Madera and Oakhurst campus locations. Check-out laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots for free.

Apply for free financial aid to cover fees, textbooks, transportation, utilities, and more. Many students qualiy for free tuition.

Get the support you need to succeed.

Services include tutoring, career support, academic counseling, and more.

maderacollege.edu

(559) 675-4839 outreach@maderacollege.edu

Not a Typical The difficult path of surviving, healing, and rebuilding after abuse and addiction

G

rowing up in the San Fernando Valley of California, Maria Tellez’s encounters with drugs began as teenage experimentation—smoking weed and drinking with friends. At 19, in 2011, she tried meth for the first time.

“I never knew how wonderful the feeling was,” she says, describing how quickly she became addicted.

At 21, Maria met Demitri through a phone chat line.

He loved meth as much as she did, and their lives intertwined in a haze of substance abuse, arrests, and instability. Within a year and a half, Maria was pregnant.

Maria’s mother gave her a painful choice: “Stay here, get sober, and raise your baby, or leave.” She warned that if Maria continued using drugs, she would take the baby to avoid foster care. Hoping to keep her family together, Maria chose to leave, taking the van her mother offered.

With Demitri by her side and no clear plan, they left for Corcoran, California, to stay with a childhood friend.

However, soon after arriving, Demitri insisted they leave.

They drove north and ran

32

out of gas in Fresno over Labor Day weekend in 2015.

Out of money and options, they lived in their van, parking near Dickey Playground and later behind a school on Gettysburg Avenue.

“It was hot—I didn’t know about Fresno heat,” Maria recalls. Six months pregnant and needing care, she walked into the public health building in downtown Fresno, where a nurse connected her to prenatal care and homeless services. While panhandling near a Rite Aid, Demitri was offered work in the fields.

With some income and support services, the family managed to move into an apartment—just in time for their daughter Genesis’s birth.

However, Demitri’s drinking escalated, making their home unsafe. “It became very dark,” Maria says.

Determined to protect herself and her child, she sought help from the Marjoree Mason Center, a shelter for women and children. There, she found safety and began working toward sobriety.

After a six-month treatment, Maria remained committed to sobriety, but Demitri continued to struggle. Despite her hopes that he would change, Demitri’s behavior

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

grew more erratic. Three months after Lucas’s birth in October 2017, Maria decided to leave Demitri again and move back to Los Angeles with her mother. Demitri continued his erratic behavior, occasionally appearing at Maria’s mother’s house. After seven months, Maria returned to Fresno and sought refuge again at the Marjoree Mason Center.

She engaged in counseling and classes to understand her unhealthy relationship dynamics. She accessed resources and enrolled at Clovis Community College (CCC).

Maria’s first day at CCC in 2019 was daunting. She took three buses to get to the campus and arrived feeling self-conscious. “I was embarrassed because I was homeless,” she says. In her first class, a counseling course for parents, she found herself among others facing similar challenges.

“That class was the one that spoke to me,” she says.

Surrounded by people who believed in her potential, she began to see herself as more than her past. She became a student ambassador, using her story to inspire others.

Maria maintained limited contact with Demitri, who

was living in a sober home and beginning to get his life together. During a brief period when they rekindled their relationship, she became pregnant with her third child.

She worried about managing three children alone, but her CCC counselor, Laura, became a pillar of strength, regularly checking in and offering encouragement. “I felt so loved by her,” Maria recalls. The CCC team provided not just academic support but also a sense of hope and belonging.

Maria stayed focused on her stability and education while Demitri continued his recovery. They rebuilt trust but remained separate as Maria prioritized her and her children’s well-being.

Moses was born in February 2022. “Moses had a sober father, a crib, a home—a life I never imagined could be possible,” Maria reflects.

“It took me to change first,” she says. “When I learned that I could love myself, I was able to love someone else.” The couple’s relationship, once defined by chaos, over time, healed, and the couple married in 2023.

2024 • ISSUE IX

Love Story: In Spring 2024, Maria earned her bachelor’s in psychology from Fresno State. She continues to take classes at CCC to stay connected and plans to pursue graduate studies, aiming to work in higher education or social work.

“I wish I could tell my younger self, ‘Your bad day today is not going to be your future.’” •

2024 • ISSUE IX

“

It took me to change first. When I learned that I could love myself, I was able to love someone else.

”

–Maria Tellez

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

33

NAMED A TOP TRANSFER COLLEGE!

6th Consecutive Year!

1

#

IN CALIFORNIA

•

Latinx students’ rate of transfer to a 4-year institution.

•

First-Generation students’ rate of transfer to a 4-year institution.

•

2022 Equity Champion for Black & Latinx students for Excellence in Transfer.

All are welcome at Clovis Community College where we serve over 15,000 students annually. We are committed to student success. Discover our variety of student support services and programs including our Food Pantry, NEW Crush Clothing Closet, Academic Counseling, Career and Transfer Services as well as programs for Disabled Students, NextUp Foster Youth, EOPS and TRIO.

AWARD-WINNING HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION

CCCCO Student Success Metrics per 100 students, 2021-22 academic year.

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY BUILDING (AC3) The newly opened Applied Technology Building features state-of-the-art facilities including Occupational Therapy Assistant program lab, Mechatronics lab, science labs, a professional recording music studio, a computer lab, a science lecture hall, quiet study rooms, and a reflection room for prayer or meditation.

Clovis

10309 N (559) 32

Ask about FREE College options at clovis.financialaid@cloviscollege.edu or (559) 325-5239

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North Willow Avenue | Fresno, CA 93730 25-5200 | www.cloviscollege.edu 10309 North Willow Avenue | Fresno, CA 93730

(559) 325-5200 | cloviscollege.edu

The Strength to Change, The Courage to Save Breaking free from a legacy of substance struggles

O

n Christmas Eve, 1993, 14-year-old Louis Angel summoned all his courage to open the motel bathroom door. His mother’s lifeless body was on the floor. The smell of death, a result of her addiction, filled the room.

Torn between resentment and love, he wrestled with deciding whether to intervene. Louis chose to perform CPR. Miraculously, his mother came back just as the ambulance arrived.

This moment seared a determination into Louis’s heart: he would break free from the cycle of addiction that had devastated his family.

Louis’ early childhood was marred by the instability brought on by his parents’ struggles with drugs and alcohol. In 1988, when Louis was just eight years old, both of his parents were sent to prison. He and his two sisters went to live with their grandmother, while his two older teenage brothers had to fend for themselves, finding shelter wherever they could.

The family moved from Reedley to Fresno sometime after Louis’ parents were released in 1990. Within about a year and a half, his parents fell back into addiction. “People began coming over frequently, selling drugs to my parents,” Louis recalls. “Our neighbor was giving my mom and dad drugs to use our kitchen to cook crack.”

Louis felt angry and betrayed by his parents, solidifying his resolve never to follow their example. “While I was in high school, my parents lived on

36

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

the streets; they were drug addicts. My sisters, brothers, and I floated in and out, trying to figure life out. Staying at different places,” Louis explains.

At 16, Louis took his first job at McDonald’s, driven to reunite his family and provide stability. By 18, he had achieved his dream, securing an apartment where his siblings and parents could be a family again. For a brief time, Louis felt a sense of peace.

In 2001, Louis became the father of his first daughter, Jasmine. After the birth of his second daughter, Casira, in 2002, the unthinkable occurred: Louis started down the path of his parents, and just like his parents, he lost everything.

It began as a misguided attempt to strengthen his relationship with the mother of his children, believing that using together might bring them closer.

However, by the time their third child, Hanah, was born in 2004, she tested positive for drugs. Child Protective Services (CPS) stepped in, offering the couple the choice of enrolling in the Volunteer Family Maintenance (VFM) program or risk losing their children.

The parents complied with the VFM program — until the case closed.

Louis’ life continued a downward spiral. In 2005, after being deported to Mexico, his mother died from a heroin overdose. During the trip to claim her body, his aunt and uncle delivered a message that struck him deeply, “Louie, it’s time.” It was a profound moment that led Louis to make the difficult decision to seek help and leave his partner, who continued to use drugs.

His children were placed in foster care.

Fully committed to his recovery and motivated by the hope of reuniting with his children, Louis began to rebuild his life, securing a fulltime job and stable housing.

In 2006, Louis was working at Walmart. Amid his cash register malfunctioning, his eyes locked with the woman in line, Elizabeth, who was there with her mother. Louis felt an immediate connection. It was the beginning of a love story.

Elizabeth’s presence and support were pivotal in helping Louis stay focused on his recovery and bringing his children back home. In 2007, after 18 months of hard work and perseverance, Louis regained custody of his children. The couple has been together since and added a son, Nathan, to their family in 2011.

With Elizabeth by his side, Louis pursued his education, earning an AS in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and a BA in Applied Management. He currently works as a certified drug counselor, helping youth “see their potential—a greater potential than they ever imagined.” Louis’ children are thriving, and he is proud of their achievements and grateful for the positive paths they’ve chosen.

Reflecting on his journey, Louis shares a core belief, “When I got into my mess, I dug my hole, but I learned that I couldn’t do it alone. I trusted my counselors, my babysitter, my teachers, my employers, and my wife.

When they understood where I was at, they knew how to help me. I couldn’t be successful without their help.” • 2024 • ISSUE IX

“

I learned that I couldn’t do it alone.

”

—Louis Angel

2024 • ISSUE IX

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

37

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7) 988 • • •

Call/text 988 for help 24/7 365 days a year No cost/confidential support You will be connected to a trained counselor to provide support in a non-judgmental caring manner to get you the help you need.

Mobile Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Crisis Response (24/7) (559) 600-6000 • • •

Call 559-600-6000 24/7 365 days a year for supports.

No cost crisis supports to Fresno County Residents A team of crisis workers will deploy to help support individuals experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

Fresno County Behavioral Health Access Line (24/7) 1 (800) 654-3937 • • •

Call 1-800-654-3937 24/7 365 days a year Access line helps Fresno County residents get connected to behavioral health services.

Can complete screening on call to help identify care needs, referrals, next steps for help.

hopefresnocounty.com

“

The young woman I am now will never be silenced again.

”

– Lucia Pineda

N

ow, at the age of 19, Lucia Pineda’s story brings her unexpected strength. It’s not an easy one to tell, but the young woman was recently recognized by the Boys & Girls Club as 2024 Fresno County Youth of the Year based on telling her story during a competition in January.

Born in El Salvador, Lucia moved to Orange Cove, California, at the age of three. When she was five, the abuse began at the hands of an unnamed family member, who molested her regularly until she was 15 years old. As a child, she says that she told other family members, but no one believed her.

Lucia explains, “My mother told me I couldn’t tell people because bad things could happen. I had to tell someone, or I would break. But when I told them, I didn’t feel like they were going to protect me. I thought that it was getting worse.” And it did.

By the time she was in seventh grade, she could no longer keep the secret, so she told her middle school counselor. The police got involved, but nothing changed.

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Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

2024 • ISSUE IX

The

Power of Voice After Years of Being Unheard, Lucia Pineda Finds Herself by Telling Her Story “I’ve had five suicide attempts,” Lucia shares. “I believed that I wasn’t worthy of love.”

Lucia was primarily raised by her grandparents. “My grandpa was an incredible man who showed me love; he was a father figure to me,” she shares.

After his death, she and her grandmother moved into a property operated by Fresno Housing. It was there that she found her way to the Boys & Girls Club (BGC), an organization providing youth with a safe, constructive, supportive environment where they can have fun with peers and be guided by trained youth development professionals.

“We have developed a network of dedicated partners, like the Boys & Girls Club, to empower residents and lift up neighborhoods,” shares Tyrone Roderick Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Housing.

“Moving into Fresno Housing was a new life. We lived in a small apartment, which now felt like home. There was a feeling that everything was going to be okay,” Lucia recalls.

Lucia also received the mentorship she sought. “I met Isiah [Lopez] two years ago,” she explains of the Orange Cove BGC Director. “A mentor should make 2024 • ISSUE IX

you feel like you can trust them and tell them things. After a year of bonding, I felt we finally had a connection, and I slowly opened up. He didn’t talk over me. He heard me. He listened. He was captivated and assured me that everything was okay now. Because now, I had someone who could protect me.”

At a previous BGC competition, Lucia told a story about unheard teen voices.

This year, she wanted to share the story of her abuse, transforming her trauma into a source of strength.

“I wanted to use my story to grab someone’s attention—open your eyes to the reality.” She developed a threeminute speech, which went through seven tedious rounds of revisions.

Months before the competition, Lucia shopped for an outfit. “I knew I wanted an outfit that would give me confidence and make me feel good about myself,” she recalls. She chose a bright red blazer from H&M. “I felt an instant connection more than just looking good. I knew I wanted to represent my strength and fierceness.”

Lucia was the last speaker of the night.

“I was so nervous and anxious, but once I got the mic, my confidence shined.

During my speech, I felt incredible.

Regardless of the night’s outcome, I knew I had done the right thing in speaking out and using my biggest resource, my voice.”

After winning the competition, Lucia felt amazing. “It gave me a bigger confidence boost and helped my journey with self-love. The young woman I am now will never be silenced again.

I have decided that the pain and generational trauma will end with me.”

Lucia recently graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Reedley College, earning an Associate of Arts for Transfer degree.

Her acceptance into UCLA marks the beginning of a new chapter. She plans to major in Political Science and pursue a career in law. Lucia’s ultimate goal is to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves as a lawyer. •

On the day of the competition, Isaiah drove the club members to The Youth of the Year competition at the Zimmerman Boys & Girls Club in Fresno. The spacious gym was filled with an audience of roughly 200 people.

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

41

Beyond Housing Foundation reflects Fresno Housing’s commitment to go beyond housing and promote equity.

Our vision is to create a holistic ecosystem, where every member of the community has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Beyond Housing Foundation offers comprehensive support through: Workforce Development

Educational Scholarships

Digital Literacy & Training

Capacity Building for Individuals and Families

We’ve relaunched with a renewed focus. To keep building this support system for our community, we need your help — whether through volunteering, partnerships, or attending events, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.

Join us at the Annual Wine Fest. It’s a great way to support the cause and connect with others who care about building a stronger community.

Save the Date for the Annual Wine Fest—a celebration of the Central Valley's vib rant food and wine culture, benefiting Beyond Housing Foundation’s missi on to empower loc al residents and inves t in their futures.

April 5, 2025 | The

Grand on the Bluff s

We invite you to joi n us as a sponsor for this memorable evening featuring gourme t food, fine wine, live enter tainment, a silent auction, and more. Your su pport impact on our comm will make a meaningful unity!

For more informa tion, please visit: BeyondHousingFre sno.org

Sponsorship oppo

rtunities availabl

e

beyondhousingfresno.org

Inspiring Growth

F

ocus Forward and the Juvenile Justice Campus (JJC) have been instrumental in supporting and empowering young people through a range of programs and initiatives that cater to their diverse needs. From celebrating special moments to providing developmental opportunities and fostering community spirit, these organizations are dedicated to creating positive experiences that help shape the futures of the youth they serve. Below, we highlight some of the impactful programs and events that have recently taken place.

Celebrating Fatherhood with Creative Expression The Focus Forward Bright Futures program recognizes and celebrates special holidays like Father’s Day. Eleven young people were honored for being parents or taking on parental responsibilities in their homes. They personalized a tumbler cup with creative stickers and paint for their child or sibling. The young people painted their hands 44

Nurturing Youth Potential at the Juvenile Justice Campus

and placed them inside the tumbler, symbolizing picking up the cup and placing it in their father’s hand while saying, “I am here with you.”

Supporting Families through Placement Services

Together, Focus Forward and the Probation Placement Unit helps with long-term reunification efforts, assists families in overcoming barriers to placement, connects individuals to job opportunities, completes Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessments, manages youth crises, operates the community clothing closet, and provides additional support to the Placement Unit. They serve youth minors both in and out of custody, facilitate child and family team meetings, and provide literature and ID vouchers.

Spiritual Growth & Community Connection at Cornerstone Church The Cornerstone Church, hosted by Loto Ministries, held its annual resurrection service. The event aimed

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

to remind youth that they were not forgotten while the world celebrated Easter week. The service included special guest speakers sharing their stories, a live band with beautiful voices from their worship team, and a skit that coincided with the service.

JJC also had three young participants at Cornerstone Church’s Easter service, where they were surrounded by love.

Building Teamwork & Life Skills through Sports

Inside the Juvenile Justice Campus, the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) provides a variety of organized sports for youth throughout the year. Some youth have never had the opportunity to play a team sport outside the facility.

Through participating in these sports, the youth learn the importance of good sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

This helps them build social skills with other youth with whom they may not typically interact inside or outside the facility. Additionally, they also gain confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills.

After leaving the center, some youth continue their passion

for sports in high school and college, and some even receive recognition awards such as the Junior Giants baseball Willie Mac award, which honors outstanding performance on and off the field as a player or coach.

Creating Joyous Holiday Memories

The JJC recreation coordinator, in collaboration with the BGC and several other agencies, created the “JJC Polar Express” as an entry to Chief Kirk Haynes’s annual Christmas decorating contest. Youth and staff spent hours and days during club time and after hours creating a magical display.

As a result, they placed first in the unit entry category and received a pizza party for the youth. Additionally, they hosted their first Fourth of July extravaganza event.

Both youth and staff enjoyed a meal, soda, dessert, and an Icee on a hot 4th of July day. The youth were able to play ping-pong, cornhole, Frisbee golf, and bingo. To cool down, they also had the opportunity to play in the dunk tank and run under the sea serpent sprinkler. • 2024 • ISSUE IX

oung people from the Bright Y Futures program proudly display their hand-painted tumblers, a gift symbolizing their commitment and love for their children or siblings.

Focus Forward staff members work closely with families and youth, providing essential support and resources to help overcome barriers to successful placement and reunification.

ornerstone Church’s C resurrection service, hosted by Loto Ministries, filled the day with faith, testimonies, and worship.

outh and staff celebrate the holidays at the Y JJC — from Christmas to 4th of July — with creative decorations and fun-filled activities.

2024 • ISSUE IX

Through sports, youth gain confidence, communication skills and self-esteem.

Focus Forward: Stories of Hope

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• The Family Urgent Response System (FURS) is a toll-free hotline available 24/7/365, staffed with caring counselors who provide immediate support to current and former foster youth and their caregivers on the phone and, if requested, in person.

• FURS local Mobile Response Teams are comprised of compassionate, trained professionals who are available to provide support during critical moments of conflict or crisis.

• These teams serve as a trauma-informed alternative to 911 or law enforcement and assist in de-escalating conflicts, stabilizing placements, and connecting families to local support services and resources.

• Let your child know that your love is unconditional and make communication a priority.

• Model a healthy, balanced diet by letting your child see you enjoying fruits and vegetables.

• Teach your child how to use 911 in the case of an emergency; help them understand what facts the operator will need, such as location, the emergency, and who is involved.

• Make sure your child understands water safety, and always supervise them when they're swimming or playing near water.

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Magazine Launch Party OCTOBER 30, 2024

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Thank you to everyone who made this edition’s launch possible!

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BECOME A MENTOR

Focus Forward’s Mentor program averages 50 volunteer mentors every year.

We are looking for committed volunteers who can guide and support our youth and families on their pathway to success.

“

I believe that this population needs dedicated and passionate people working alongside youth and families to help them achieve their goals and work towards brighter futures.

”

— KARI MAGARITY FOCUS FORWARD MENTOR

DJ SERVICES

Mark Lozada MAGAZINE PRINTING

H. Markus & Margossian Printing Services, A Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise focusforward.org/volunteer

Fresno Unified School District is in the second year of a five-year, $100 million investment in the Every Child Is A Reader plan. This initiative focuses on improving literacy skills across the district with new curriculum development, teacher training, and resources. The goal is that all students will know how to read by the end of first grade. fOLLOW US ON: WWW.FRESNOUNIFIED.ORG