In the Loop with WestCare California

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A Welcome by our Senior Vice President, Shawn Jenkins

In the Loop with WestCare California

“WestCare Family,

As we celebrate a New Year, it's only fitting that the we take the time to look

back on the many accomplishments we as a team achieved this past year. This

includes the opening of four new in-prison programs at the CA Correctional

Institute (CCI) in Tehachapi, Folsom State Prison (FSP) in Represa, Sierra Con-

servation Center (SCC) in Jamestown and Wasco State Prison (WSP) in Was-

co as well as the opening of our second Custody to Community Transitional

Reentry Program (CCTRP) facility, located in Stockton. We also heard the call

from our community and have responded with several new programs including our Veterans Safe-

way to Work Program (VSWP), which helps Fresno Veterans with finding employment, the Home-

less Engagement Resource and Outreach (HERO) Team, a collaborative effort with other agencies,

who is out working with our homeless on the streets to provide support and navigation with the

goal of gaining permanent housing and Empowering Women Everywhere (EWE), a brand new pro-

gram that will collaborate with faith-based and minority-focused organizations to jointly present

health education programs designed to empower local minority women through knowledge and self

-care. We’ve also enhanced our staff recognition programs with TEAM Tokens, monthly CORE

awards and a new years of service recognition system for our staff with five or more years of ser-

vice with our organization. We were also proud to present several memorable events including the

Spring and Fall graduations at the Tower Theatre in Fresno, the 5th Annual Fresno AIDS Walk and

the 2016 Holiday Party!

But, with a new year on the horizon comes many exciting developments for our programs including

the opening of our 9th in-prison program, located at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP) in Crescent

City and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act 115 Waiver as well ensuring our team is

ready to meet the multi-dimensional needs of the consumer in the communities in which we serve.

To the consumers we proudly serve: You are the reason we exist and we are humbled that

you allow us to take a look behind your curtain of life and give us the opportunity to help you. We

ask the same of you that we do of ourselves. Continue to work hard, believe in yourself and strive

to be better person today than you were yesterday.

To our WestCare staff and family: We are grateful for another year of changing lives one per-

son at a time thanks to your efforts and compassion. Your continued dedication to the consumers

we serve is worthy of celebration and we are thankful for every staff member that has helped make

2016 a year to remember. We would also like to thank your families for sharing you with us as

without them, we would never get everything we do from you and for that we are eternally grate-

ful. With that said, let's make 2017 another amazing year of "Uplifting the Human Spirit!"

Sincerely,

Shawn A. Jenkins,

Senior Vice President,

WestCare California

Shawn Jenkins

A monthly newsletter that covers

the events of our programs in:

Bakersfield - Chico - Chowchilla/CCWF

Corcoran/CSP - Crescent City/PBSP - Fresno

Hanford - Jamestown/SCC - Represa/FSP

Sacramento - San Diego - San Luis Obispo/CMC

Stockton - Tehachapi/CCI - Vacaville/CSP Solano

Wasco/WSP

Issue 51 - Volume 4 - January 2017

Follow us on

In This Issue

1. A Welcome by our

Senior Vice President,

Shawn Jenkins

2. California News

2. Veterans News

3. Treatment and

Rehabilitation News

3 - 4. Criminal Justice

News

4. Staff Recognition Kudos!

4. Question of the Month

5. Mark Your Calendars!

6 - 8. Program Directory

#WestCareCA

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California News

12/10: 18th Annual Fresno County Hells An-

gels Toy Run and Bike Giveaway

We were happy to be a part of the 18th Annual Fresno

County Hells Angels Toy Run! Over 800 bicycles were

collected and assembled by the Hells Angels Motorcycle

Club of Fresno and donated to children from local non-

profits including those from our treatment, housing and

San Joaquin Valley Veterans programs! Thanks to the gen-

erosity of the local Hells Angels, the holidays for the chil-

dren of WestCare were a little brighter this year!

contributed an additional $4,000 to make the total

$9,000, making it possible to provide for nine Veteran

families! We were also thankful to have Assemblyman Jim

Patterson present to share some kind words with our

Veterans as well as representation on behalf of Congress-

man Jim Costa. Following the event, Assemblyman Patter-

son generously contributed $1,000 to next year’s effort

to sponsor one more Veteran family! On behalf of the

families and our staff at SJVV, we would like to thank all of

our donors and dignitaries in attendance for this amazing

gesture to those who have already given so much!

Veterans News

12/7: 6th Annual Gill Ranch Storage

Presentation

For the sixth year in a row,

representatives from Gill

Ranch Storage, LLC pre-

sented our San Joaquin Val-

ley Veterans (SJVV) pro-

gram with $5,000 to split

between five veteran fami-

lies to spend on gifts and supplies to make this a truly

happy holiday season for them and their loved ones. In-

spired by their generosity, “The Friends of WestCare, a

group of local real estate agencies comprised of EVC

Homes LLC, Regional Housing Cooperative, M.C. Real

Estate, Home Rescue Corps and Flores Holdings LLC,

A VSWP Success Story: Larry W.

“Larry came to the Veteran’s Plaza

transitional housing program on

December 1st, 2015. He had no

source of income when he arrived

to the program and had a rough

time adjusting at first. However,

things started to change for him.

He started opening up and would

bring laughter to his peers and

staff. One day, Larry informed me

that he had 25 years of experience

with driving trucks and that he wanted to get back into

the field of truck driving. Then along came the Veterans

Safeway to Work Program (VSWP), which gave Larry the

opportunity to get back into truck driving. He finished his

resume, began applying with various truck driving compa-

nies and was referred to United Truck Driving School as a

refresher. In order to enroll, he needed $800.00 for tui-

tion and a renewal for his Class A Commercial Driver’s

License (CDL). VSWP was able to assist Larry by covering

the cost of both the class and his license renewal. He has

since received a certificate in recognition of successful

completion of the course! He said that he has so much to

be thankful for this holiday season! Larry is currently

working with an Employment Specialist at the Fresno VA

as he continues his job search.” - Curtis Combs, Case

Manager, Veterans Safeway to Work Program

Larry W.

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Treatment and Rehabilitation News

12/20: Holiday Tamales

Our MLK Residential staff and residents got into the holi-

day spirit by making tamales for the site to enjoy on their

Christmas holiday. They had a wonderful time making

these delicious treats while listening to Christmas music in

both English and Spanish. Some were making them for the

very first time. All in all, they made 400 tamales!

someday be on the outside. And remember that golden

ticket from Willy Wonka? That was given to me.

WestCare has become part of my dream too. WestCare

is my crossroad to a new beginning, my launching pad to

the second chapter of my life. I look forward to finding a

true love, a true companion and that pot of gold some-

where over the rainbow. My dreams may just be dreams,

but dreams do come true if you believe in them.”

– Danny R.

“Believe in Your Dreams” by Danny R.

“Since my release, I sit back and

ask myself, ’Am I dreaming? Am I

going to wake up soon to a wake

up call of shotgun blasts, shriek-

ing alarms and watch guards run-

ning to the scene of yet another

incident?’ Instead, I am waking up

to a comfortable bed, the sound

of birds, warm friends and looking forward to being with

the warm non-judgmental loving K-9’s at the rescue cen-

ter. So, if this is a dream… After close to four decades of

being away from society (Longer than I’ve ever been free),

I’ve seen there are a few things in common between

caged animals and caged humans. They all seek love,

someone to trust and to not be forgotten. The difference

I found was goals. I learned that having goals is what helps

me survive. The dream, my hope and my goal was to

Criminal Justice News

SCC Gingerbread House Contest

“Last month during the week

of Christmas, the men that

we serve at Sierra Conserva-

tion Center participated in a

gingerbread house competi-

tion. This life-skill building ac-

tivity helped the inmates to

have positive group interac-

tion, create team work and

build prosocial skills with their

peers while engaging in friend-

ly competition. Each ginger-

bread house was carefully

crafted by each counselor's

caseload. Each group of in-

mates had to plan, divide and

execute their design and ulti-

mately present their house to one another. For each

morning and afternoon session, a certificate was awarded

(as well as bragging rights) to the top houses selected for

‘Best in Show’, ‘Most Original’ and ‘Most Creative.’ The

inmates had a blast participating in something that many of

us take for granted... AND they were able to eat their

creations once they had been judged of course! Our em-

ployees are grateful to have been apart of an activity that

was able to Uplift The Human Spirit!” - Jessie Alcorn,

CBT Facilitator, SUDT Program at SCC

12/22: MLK’s Men Build Something Sweet

The men that we serve at our MLK Residential facility

took part in a gingerbread house making contest for the

holidays. Great work, guys!

CCTRP San Diego Gives Back

“The women that we serve at

the Custody to Community

Transitional Reentry Program

(CCTRP) in San Diego made a

concerted effort to give back to

and have a positive impact on the

community with their volunteer

work with the Santee Santas” (Continued on Page 4)

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(Continued from Page 3)

“Foundation, a local organiza-

tion that provides support and

gifts to families and children in

need. Within the program, the

CCTRP San Diego Crochet

Club worked all year to create

hand made blankets, scarves,

mittens, purses, leg warmers, booties and stuffed animals

to donate to our neighbors at the San Diego Center for

Children for the holidays. Below are just a few of the let-

ters that were written to the recipients of these home-

made gifts:

‘Happy holidays from the ladies at CCTRP. We are very happy to be able to crochet for you children and keep you guys warm.

We love to make you smile. Just know that you are never for-

gotten no matter where you are. We hope and pray that this

brightens your Christmas as it does for us and believe that this

is from the heart. Even though we never cross paths, we truly

love you guys as our brothers and sisters. Never forget that

you are not alone.’ – CCTRP San Diego Crochet Club

‘Dear Little Brothers and Little

Sisters, I hope that you enjoy all

of the items that the ladies and I

have made for you guys. I know

times are tough and sometimes

very lonely. I know how you

feel. I may have never met you,

but I do feel I understand you

because I have been where you’ve been. I was really happy

being Santa’s little elf, crocheting away. I really hope that you

enjoy them and that you really feel that I am with you. Never

give up, especially on yourself. You are truly loved…’

– Darlene N.

‘I really enjoy crocheting for the children because it is some-

thing I can do and make them happy. Especially around the

holidays, crocheting has made me feel more connected to my

children. I also have a sense of accomplishment. I really love

that we have this activity here at CCTRP.’ – Nicole J.

‘Why do I crochet? Well, it is a new hobby and I quickly

learned thanks to some of the sisters [at CCTRP]. I haven’t perfected my crochet skills but I hope to do that soon….’

– Stephanie P.

‘While at Folsom Women’s facility, I was an active member of

the ‘hooks and needles,’ which provided crocheted items for

underprivileged children. I was pleased to learn I would be able

to continue sharing my gift with the children at the Children’s

Center next door. I love to use my God given gifts to help

Raymond Gonzales, SJVV Fresno

“I was caught being good

and helping those that were

displaced from the Califor-

nia Hotel in Fresno.”

- Raymond Gonzales,

Outreach Specialist, San

Joaquin Valley Veterans -

Fresno

Question of the Month:

“What is the craziest thing that

you’ve ever done?”

“Flying in a two-seater airplane through

an Alaskan blizzard.” - Kathy Hayden,

Clinical Services Director,

Administration

Question of the Month for February:

“What was your favorite grade

in school and why?”

Staff Recognition Kudos! Erin Shelton, Housing Services

“Here’s a photo that I took

when I came into the office

and found a cute note and

a Uplifting the Human Spir-

it chip attached to the

note. I recently helped

Christine enter data so

that she had more time

with her clients. : )”

- Erin Shelton, Outreach

Worker, Housing Services

others and give back to the community. Knowing that I am bringing

a smile to a child’s face warms my heart.’ – Nicole L.

Our ladies made a difference and we are so proud of them!” -

Michelle White, Program Director, CCTRP San Diego

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Mark Your Calendars!:

1/24 - 26: 2017 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Fresno Registration: bit.ly/FresnoPIT2017

Mark Your Calendars!:

1/24 - 26: 2017 Homeless Point-In-Time Count Madera Registration: bit.ly/MaderaPIT2017

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Program Directory

Fresno Office

1505 N. Chestnut

Fresno, CA 93703

(559) 251-4800

Services: Management, Administra-

tive Support, Human Resources,

Accounting/Billing, Contract Compli-

ance, IT Support, Marketing/Media,

Procurement, Creative Services

Administration

The Living Room

901 E. Belmont

Fresno, CA 93701

(559) 486-1469

Services: Case Management, Hot

Meals Program, Housing Opportuni-

ties for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), Targeted Capacity Ex-

pansion (TCE) Grant, Empowering Women Everywhere

(EWE), Linkage to Testing and Medical Care, Social Support

Education and Prevention

MLK Residential

2772 S. MLK Blvd

Fresno, CA 93706

(559) 265-4800

Services: Men’s/Women’s Short

Term Residential, Men’s/Women’s

Long-Term Residential, Residential

Treatment Program for Women and Children (M’ella), Resi-

dential Treatment Program for Men and Children: Papa Natal,

Residential Multi Service Center (RMSC)

Y-MAX Adolescent Program

410 E. 7th St,

Suite 5, 7, 9

Hanford, CA 93230

(559) 584-8100

Services: Adolescent Outpatient

Drug-Free Program

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Liberty Plaza (Sober Living)

4605 E. Liberty Fresno, CA 93702

(559) 237-3420 Ext. 20367

Services: Sober Living for Women

Bakersfield Residential

2901 S. H Street Bakersfield, CA

93304

(661) 398-4303

Services: Men’s Long-term Residen-

tial, Adult Outpatient Program

Belmont Health & Wellness

611 E. Belmont Fresno, CA 93701

(559) 237-3420

Services: Admissions, Adolescent

Outpatient Drug-Free Program,

Adult Outpatient Program,

Day Reporting Center (DRC)

McKinney Plaza (Sober Living)

1388 & 1398 E. Bulldog Ln

Fresno, CA 93710

(559) 237-3420 Ext. 20367

Services: Sober Living for Men

Crisis Psychiatric Response

Services (CPRS)

209 E. 7th St.

Madera, CA 93638

(559) 673-3508

Services: Mobile emergency

department response services,

Mental health services, crisis intervention, wellness planning, dis-

charge planning, Consumer centered and team based interven-

tions, Service coordination to adults and older adults receiving

services from designated hospital emergency departments within

Madera County who are deemed appropriate for an assessment

for involuntary psychiatric treatment pursuant to California Wel-

fare and Institutions Code Section 5150

Mental Health and Wellness

Supportive Overnight Stay

(SOS)

2772 S. MLK Blvd

Fresno, CA 93706

(559) 512-6802

Services: Provide a safe, supportive

environment to spend the night for

individuals who arrive at an ER with a mental health condition

needing services that don’t require a legal hold, Case Manage-

ment and transportation to ensure client engagement with

outpatient mental health services, Linkages to outpatient men-

tal health programs and supportive services such as housing,

food stamps, general assistance and SSI

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Veterans Services

Merced

399 George Drive

BLDG. F

Merced, CA 95341

(209) 662-6073

Stockton

4545 Georgetown Pl.

Building D

Stockton, CA 95207

(209) 662-6073

Fresno

1617 E. Saginaw Way

Suite 102

Fresno, CA 93704

(559) 255-8838

San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV)

Services: Drop-In and Ancillary Services, Supportive Services

For Veteran Families (Services provided to Veterans through

SSVF include: Short-term case management, legal assistance,

housing counseling services and placement assistance, financial

planning services, financial assistance for move in, eviction pre-

vention, utilities, transportation, childcare and emergen-

cy supplies.)

Hanford

410 E. 7th St

Suite 5

Hanford, CA 93230

(559) 584-8100

HomeFront

3605 Eugenia

Fresno, CA 93725

(559) 266-1169

Services: Transitional housing

for female Veterans with/without

children for up to two years,

case management

Veterans Plaza

119 N. Calaveras

Fresno, CA 93721

(559) 241-8751

Services: Transitional housing

for male Veterans for up to two

years, case management,

Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP)

Housing Opportunities

Housing Services

2443 S. Orange Fresno, CA

93725

(559) 241-8753

Services: Assistance with sup-

portive housing to families who

are currently or chronically

homeless, Project LiftOff: Housing programs for low income

families with a disabled family member, Emergency Solutions

Grant (ESG), HERO (Homeless Engagement Resource Out-

reach) Team.

Bakersfield

2901 S. H St.

Bakersfield, CA 93304

(661) 326-0485

Fresno

2772 S. MLK Blvd

Fresno, CA 93706

(559) 265-4800

Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming

(STOP)

Services: Case management, treatment placement in residen-

tial, outpatient and sober living, domestic violence education,

vocational training, pre-employment, job placement services

and transportation from prison to treatment.

Chico

2585 Ceanothus Ave.

Suite 170

Chico, CA 95973

(530) 830-1180

Area 1

Area 3

Sacramento

1804 Tribute Rd.

Sacramento, CA 95815

(916) 564-4400

Criminal Justice

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Program Directory (Continued)

Would you like your program featured in the WestCare Loop? Please send all content to [email protected]

All received content will also be submitted for possible publication in WestCare’s national newsletter, The Express. 8

Re-Entry Hub - Women’s Services: Provides 250 female

inmates where treatment services are based on the Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles with a strong focus on

continued treatment upon parole.

Folsom State Prison’s (FSP)

Folsom Women's Facility (FWF)

300 Prison Rd,

Represa, CA 95671

(916) 985-2561 Ext. 4086

Stockton

1609 N. Wilson Way

Stockton, CA 95205

(209) 642-8488

Custody to Community Transitional Reentry

Program (CCTRP)

Services: Provides treatment services to female inmates (83

in San Diego, 50 in Stockton) who have a minimum of 45 day

and a maximum of 2 years left on their sentence. We provide

an array of gender responsive trauma informed services includ-

ing substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, educa-

tion, vocational and employment readiness.

Long Term Offender Program (LTOP) - Women’s

Services: A cognitive based program that includes substance

abuse treatment specifically structured for long-term offenders

who will not be released in the near future.

Central CA Women’s

Facility (CCWF)

23370 Road 22

Chowchilla, CA 93610

(559) 665-1408

San Diego

3050 Armstrong St.

San Diego, CA 92111

(619) 359-8266

Long Term Offender Program (LTOP) - Men’s

Services: Serves Long Term Male Offenders who will not be

released in the near future. Provides access to cognitive behav-

ior therapy programs, substance abuse, criminal thinking, anger

management and family relationships.

CA State Prison - Solano

2100 Peabody Rd.

Vacaville, CA 95687

(707) 451-0182 Ext. 4411

CA Men’s Colony

CA Highway 1

San Luis Obispo, CA 93409

(805) 547-7900 Ext. 7966

Criminal Justice (Continued from Page 7)

Single Level Substance Use Disorder Treatment

(SUDT) Program - Men’s Services: Provides evidence-

based SUDT programming to male inmates who are high-risk

offenders.

Corcoran State

Prison (CSP)

4001 King Avenue

Corcoran, CA 93212

Wasco State Prison

(WSP)

701 Scofield Avenue,

Wasco, CA 93280

(661) 758-8400 Ext 6181

CA Correctional

Institute (CCI)

24900 Highway 202

Tehachapi, CA 93561

(661) 822-4402 Ext 4503

Sierra Conservation

Center (SCC)

5100 O'Byrnes Ferry Rd.

Jamestown, CA 95327

(209) 984-5291 Ext 5637

Multi-Level Substance Use Disorder Treatment

(SUDT) Program - Men’s Services: Provides multi-level

evidence-based SUDT substance abuse, criminal thinking, anger

management and family relationships programming for male

inmates who are high-risk offenders.

Men’s In-Prison

Rehabilitative Cognitive

Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

Program:

Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP)

5905 Lake Earl Drive

Crescent City, CA 95531

(707) 465-1000