Do Good

Girls Inc. OC Adapts to COVID-19, Enhances Programming

By Sara Hall

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a number of businesses and organizations to adapt, and one local group has used creativity and innovation to not only continue their work, but enhance it.

Lucy Santana, CEO Girls Inc. OC

Girls Inc. of Orange County, a nonprofit that aims to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold through a variety of outreach programs, has adjusted quickly during this unusual time.

“We felt, in our internal world, that we are essential,” and many families view the organization as a support system for the girls’ mental and physical health, Lucy Santana, CEO of Girls Inc. of OC, said in a phone interview in August.

COVID-19 has highlighted the strength, resilience, and quick-thinking skills in her team, as well as the need for the Girls Inc. services and programming, Santana said.

“We teach our girls to be resilient, so as an organization we have to be resilient and think on our feet,” she said. “People respond differently to stress and chaos and (through efficient teamwork) we’ve been able to overcome.”

They had to be nimble and flexible, she explained. There were a few key elements that helped them pivot to the new process, chiefly her team’s dedication, thoughtfulness, and astuteness.

“We had to make prudent business decisions quickly,” including some cost-cutting measures, she said. “We needed to use the resources had in the best way possible.” They also discovered the passion of their cadre of donors and supporters, as well as how to fundraise in creative ways, she added.

Most importantly during this time of social distancing and isolation, they needed to stay in the girls’ lives. They made regular phone and video calls to check in with the girls, ensuring they were getting what they needed and finding out how they could help.

“Even when things are so disconcerting, we’re still there for girls,” Santana said.

Girls Inc. staff also got creative with how they provided services and programs. They started a YouTube channel and began creating and uploading videos so girls could watch from home. Videos covered a range of topics, most were relevant to the current situation, like how to manage stress or how to keep busy in positive ways.

The Girls Inc. team also virtually continued most of their usual programming. Team members hosted online literacy workshops, family story time and successfully launched five summer camps, serving about 225 girls just in July.

Programs (in summer and some new this fall) included: Custom activities, teaching girls how to be their own SHE-roes, Smart-Ups Shark Tank business simulation, Eureka! a STEM program in a modern virtual setting, BoldBots Summer Camp sponsored by Boeing, and more.

Although they are still working remotely — and will continue until it’s safe for all involved — they’ve found that they can accomplish more and reach more girls using modern technology.

“Our organization is at a critical standpoint,” Santana said. “We have to live our mission statement … to be strong, smart, and bold. We want to be around for many more years.”

For more information, visit www.girlsinc-oc.org

Collaborative Court Gives Young Men a Second Chance

By Sara Hall

An innovative pilot program is giving young men charged with an eligible felony a second chance at life.

The “Young Adult Court” program is a collaboration between agencies within the Orange County Superior Court system and local organizations, like the Orangewood Foundation.

“I am a believer in second chances,” said Orangewood Director of Youth Transition Services, Alicia Daddio. “The justice system unfortunately is not equipped to take a deeper dive into exploring why a young person might have committed this particular crime and justice is a typically a ‘one shoe, fits all’ type of mentality.”

YAC allows them to better understand the youth and customize a course of action for each individual, she added.

The aim of YAC is to support the participants’ personal and professional goals, thereby reducing their likelihood of committing subsequent crimes. The big picture is that the community is safer and the young men can become productive members of society.

Elizabeth Cauffman, Ph.D., a professor of psychological science at University of California, Irvine, helped launch the program in 2018 and is studying the efficacy of the randomized control trial.

The voluntary program is a unique way to treat 18 to 23-year-olds in the justice system, Cauffman said during a recent phone interview.

“When science meets the courtroom that’s pretty exciting,” Cauffman said. Abraham (last name withheld) was charged with a felony when he was 19. He pleaded guilty and spent six months in jail. On June 26, he became the program’s first graduate and his record was wiped clean. He hasn’t been re-arrested, has his own apartment, and is working on getting a new job.

This program is a step forward for criminal justice reform, commented Youth Support Specialist at Orangewood Resource Center, Francisco Martinez, who serves as case manager for all 30 young men in YAC.

“A felony can unfold a perpetual cycle of limited opportunities such as employment and housing barriers,” Martinez said.

An adolescent, whose brain is still developing (including decision-making skills), may make poor choices that result in a criminal record with a felony, Cauffman explained.

“Think of the life trajectory of that person, it’s like wearing a scarlet letter for the rest of your life,” she said.

But they will still be held accountable through YAC.

Participants must arrive on time for court hearings, follow the judge’s recommendations, follow an action plan, and practice and develop accountable behaviors. They also have to meet with probation officers and undergo mental health, employment and education counseling.

“It’s two years of hard work,” Cauffman said.

If they successfully complete the program, they will be rewarded with an opportunity to have their felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed.

At UCI, Cauffman leads a team in a comparative study evaluating what works and what doesn’t, and how it can improve.

Orangewood serves as the social service provider, offering personalized, one-on-one case management for the young men which can include assistance and resources to secure employment and housing, earn a GED, and develop life skills.

“The dedication and support from Orangewood have made this court possible,” Cauffman said.