The Heart of the Center - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018 NEWSLETTER FROM SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN

MESSAGE FROM THE HEART As a cherished friend of the San Diego Center for Children, we are excited to share with the you the first issue of The Heart of the Center where we have the opportunity to proudly share the extraordinary contributions and meaningful engagement from individuals, companies, foundations and other wonderful groups in our community. As the Center enters its 131st year, we have all the more reason to celebrate the numerous ways donors and volunteers like you show such genuine and loyal support to help us continue our mission.

At the Center, we work daily to provide effective and evidenced-based therapeutic and educational services to children and youth with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders and their families. Consistent with our mission to Protect the joy of childhood, Prevent emotional suffering, Incite change, we have embarked in a process to redefine how care can be more effectively delivered to those families and children in need.

Through your compassion, commitment and philanthropy, you show each child and family at the Center that they are valued. The power of your generosity allows those who may be suffering and have lost belief to realize someone is out there rooting for them, empowering them to regain their hope and reach for their greatest potential.

We hope you enjoy this – and future – issues highlighting the impact of your giving that so richly improves the quality of life and well-being for others…together we are creating a community of care.

With much gratitude, Moisés Barón, Ph.D. President and CEO

Gwynn Thomas Chairperson, Board of Trustees

JOYMAKER LOVE The Center recently experienced some incredible in-kind makeovers of our art, computer lab and family rooms. Volunteers from Ascension Leadership Academy SD12 and SD13, Calpine Corporation and Rady Children’s Primary Care Medical group worked long hours and several weekends to make sure these spaces inspire art, fun and play! The votes are in and our youth think these spaces are pretty awesome too!

Ernst and Young employees spent some time in our Center gardens and we are thrilled with the beautiful space that they helped to create! Helping us to maintain these spaces throughout the Center is so important.

For more information on our JoyMaker program, contact Kristi Worley at (858) 634-8342 or kworley@centerforchildren.org

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FROM THE HEART OF A DONOR I became involved with the San Diego Center for Children a little over 20 years ago and quickly became aware of children’s mental health issues – a silent issue neither understood, supported nor publicized.

Lynne and Jim Newman recently pledged to support the Center’s newest initiative, Successful Transitions©.

Because of their wonderful gift, transition-age youth at the Center will receive comprehensive planning and the necessary support as they transition into adulthood. In her own words, Lynne tells us why she and Jim have remained committed to the Center and its mission.

It took nothing more than recognizing that children’s mental health deserved a spotlight for us to start supporting the Center.

The Successful Transitions program is personal for me. My mother died when I was six months old and my father and grandmother did their best, but I saw early on that education was going to be my route to a stable future. Once I left for university I was very much on my own. I did not have the life experiences others had so my education was two-fold, academics and socialization. Having someone to help me make a plan based on my goals, then coach me through those critical years to young adulthood

HEALING HEARTS AND MINDS For the 5th year in a row, the Center was selected by The Century Club as 1 of 10 San Diego organizations to participate in their Champions for Youth program. Through this campaign, we were able to raise over $70,000 for our programs and services! Thanks to our amazing supporters and employees who worked hard to get the word out through peer-topeer fundraising.

We were honored to have the Solis family selected to speak at the annual Farmers dinner event. They shared their family’s incredible journey with their son, Angel, who then closed out the night doing what he does best... singing! We are so grateful for our partnership with Farmers and the Century Club and for our courageous families who communicate the need for our important programs and services that allow our youth, like Angel, to restore hope and transform their lives.

would have been reassuring that I was on the right path to standing on my own. Life is full of transitions and learning how to navigate the changes makes it much easier.

Jim and I decided years ago we wanted to contribute in some way as we became able. We believe that without a healthy, literate population, society cannot move forward. The Center offers the unique combination of both elements to the benefit of youth and families. Knowing this puts a smile on my face and hopefully on the face of each youth being served.

We continue to support the Center because we now see recognition and support come to the forefront of children’s mental health awareness.

Help for children and families is basic to the health and welfare of a community. Progress is being made, mental health is now an acceptable topic.

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SPRING 2018 NEWSLETTER FROM SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY The Center’s Corporate ComMISSIONer program is a network of philanthropic, community-minded businesses that help to fulfill our MISSION to Protect the Joy of Childhood. Prevent Emotional Suffering. Incite Change.

Calpine Corporation is a true champion of the Center through time, talent and treasure. For the past two years, Calpine has shown support as a lead sponsor of the Wacky Wonky Wonderland event and main underwriter for the winter break activities our residential youth enjoy over the holiday vacation! A few Calpine employees are also known to find time on the weekends to volunteer at the Center on special room renovation projects! Calpine’s continued support and partnership with the Center directly works to fulfill our MISSION and provides many JOYful moments for our children and teens.

“Our continued partnership and commitment is based on the really remarkable work the Center does and we are inspired by the amazing people that work there.”

Melissa Mundorff-Johnson

Business Manager, Calpine Corporation

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Southwest Airlines throughout the year! As a year-round Corporate ComMISSIONer, Southwest Airlines serves as a true advocate of the Center and works on behalf of our children and families struggling with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders through volunteerism, workplace giving and corporate sponsorship.

“Southwest Airlines is proud to support the San Diego Center for Children and their long-standing commitment to the San Diego community. It is important to Southwest employees to be involved with organizations that they know are making an impact in their community.”

Lidia S. Martinez

Corporate Community Affairs and Grassroots Manager, Southwest Airlines

THE HEART OF OUR MISSION! May is Mental Health Awareness month and your commitment and support has helped make the San Diego Center for Children the leading behavioral health care provider that it is today. We are so grateful to you for your support in helping to make mental health care a priority in the lives of our children and families.

Did you know...

More than 105,000 children and teens in San Diego County are dealing with a mental health disorder and 80% may not receive the help they need? Donate today and help the Center to continue to provide the critical programs and services our children and families need and deserve.

Donate online at CenterForChildren.org

Artwork drawn by a 10-yearold child receiving therapy through our Family Wellness Center. She was asked, “What does therapy mean to you?”

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!

1887 Founders Society Join the 1887 Founders Society today! Through an annual gift of $1,000 or more you will become a member of a group of generous, visionary and community-minded friends, like you! 1887 Founders Society members enjoy special benefits throughout the year!

Contact Kristi Worley, Senior Development Manager for more details at (858) 634-8342 or kworley@centerforchildren.org.

The Iris Auxiliary has been supporting the Center for nearly 40 years and funds raised provide the “extras� that help the children have the same experiences that other children enjoy. For more information about Iris and how you can become a member please contact Rosemary Hansen at 619-328-5771 or rhans1020@yahoo.com.

3002 Armstrong Street San Diego, CA 92111