Vol. XVIII, No. 1
January 2003
Check out how to say Happy New Year in different languages on page 7 and share this with the child or teenager you mentor. With something as simple as a New Year greetings, you can help a child understand that even though it is said differently, the meaning and the intent remain the same…
Approximately 200 area junior high and high school students participated in the TUPP (Tobacco Use Prevention Program) public service announcement, cartoon and billboard designs competition held last month. The TUPP staff is looking for locations to display the message depicted in the artwork of the winner. If your company is open to this type of community partnership with the Health Care Agency and youthful members of our community, please call Tiffany Vong and Sherryl Ramos (714)541-1444…
Mentees of Aspen Mentor Bob Walters, performed in the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 22. The two boys provided the guitar accompaniment for the choral presentation of Feliz Navidad. Bob pursued guitar lessons for the two through a collaboration between OCCTAC and CYS-Project Together…
Therapist Spotlight
Margaret Creek, MFTI, ATR, with Pacific Clinics' Orange office, attributes CYS-Project Together mentors with opening opportunities of new experiences and awarenesses for the youth they mentor.
"I see that the most important value of mentors is giving kids a glimpse at different worlds, different role models and widening their experiences. They provide nurturing and consistency," she said. "The `special friend' aspect is very valuable because the mentors are accepting them with all of their warts and loving them for their differences."
Margaret is currently working with two CYS-Project Together mentors under her supervision. She thinks highly of her clients and feels their connections with their mentors are of great benefit. Before finalizing a match, she meets with the mentor several times. Once matched, she follows up on a weekly basis regarding the client's progress and suggests beneficial activities.
Mentors appreciate her support and suggestions and find Margaret to be consistent and professional with her input. They also find that she motivates them to be creative and sensitive in dealing with the client needs. For that reason, she often suggests specific activities to help some clients with anger management and others to nurture intellect through enrichment activities.
Margaret Creek, MFTI, ATR, art therapist with Children & Youth Services' contract agency, Pacific Clinics in Orange, is excited about the quilt project that is in the making by three siblings who are being adopted by different families. Margaret, who firmly believes in art as the perfect child language, hopes that the process will help the children express their feelings as well as create a positive family memory.
According to CYS-Project Together Volunteer Coordinator Veronica Chavez, "I am very appreciative of Margaret's teamwork. She is a strong role model for her mentors, especially those considering human services or human resources as a career. Margaret often calls me to inquire about activities available to clients and communicates consistently and often with her clients' mentors."
Margaret firmly believes that art is a child's language. It not only helps therapists determine what is going on that the child cannot express verbally,
(continued on page 3)
INSIDE . . .
Volunteers are Special Page 3
Calendar of Events Page 4
Annual Holiday Party Page 7
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
Angela Alvarez
Adam Andersen
Yvette Anderson
Aspen Community Services/Santa Ana
Aspen Education Group
Odette Babayan
Vartan Babayan
Raymond Chung
California Cushion
California Cushion & Design Center
Brenda Cepeda
Raymond Chung
College Community Services
Construction Purchasing Assn.
Cornwell Foods
Bob Cote
Jamie & Geronimo Cruz
Curves for Women
DeeDee Degelia
Dr. Chantel Daitch
Lyle Dowley
E--Machines
Richard Elliott III
Adri Estrada
Farmers Insurance
Sarah Fisher
Ford Motor Credit/Orange Branch
Andy Geer
Lorena Gutierrez
Debbie Hao
Young Joon
Michael Khoo
Berlina Lao
Frank Lin
Carol Khoury
Hanna Kuusinen
Antonio Larrea
LA International Church of Christ
LensCrafters/Westminster
Bei Lin
Mission Hospital/Mission Viejo
Ron Natale
Tiffany Nguyen
Tracy Nguyen
Orthodyne Electronics
Pacer Community
Anita Polite-Wilson
Evelyn Prescott
Jeff Quan
Ralph's/Walnut
Julie Raydel
Steve Rhee
Richard Rios
Andy Rosales
Edwin Salazar
Michael Searling
Chris Seifert
Lindsey Shill
Elliott Sousa
Statek Corp.
Gregory Stevens
Derek Suzuki
Mary Torres
Polly Touhey
Irvin Weatherly
Melissa Whitworth
Zhongyu Yan
Zee
Welcome New Mentors
East Maria Balderas
South/Laguna Ernesto Puchadas (rematch)
Aspen/Tustin Colleen Chandler
Nana Ito
West Tonya La Torre
Welcome New Volunteers
West Region Gabi Dendinger
Phyllis Lessimore
Gwenda Hamel
Thanks to Those Who Have Moved On
North Diana Huijsmans
Vanessa Piscazzi
West Jana Elam
JANUARY 2003
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
Volunteers Are Special!
Satoko Obi Shikata is someone special. She is a CYS-Project Together mentor who is willing to take the most challenging children.
She uses her sense of adventure to help the children explore their inner selves and find pathways to positive social interaction. With each of the three challenging CYS clients with whom she has been matched, the soft-spoken Satoko has practiced an attitude of unconditional acceptance and support.
She made contact with CYS-Project Together's South Region/Costa Mesa office two years ago because she was interested in volunteering. She explained that she was Japanese and
that her husband had been placed in Orange County by his company. She said she now had time to reach out to a child in need. It is unusual for a foreign visitor to the U.S. to want to volunteer in the mental health field, her call was a surprise. However, the sincerity in her tone of voice convinced the CYS-Project Together staff to set an interview.
Satoko noted at the time that there is no better way to experience a culture than to reach out a helping hand. Currently matched with her
third child, she has proven to be tremendously kind, compassionate and totally accepting. She worked with her first mentee, an adolescent male, for a year. The second match was productive, but short-lived.
Satoko is currently matched with an 11-year-old boy, who is withdrawn, impulsive and frightened to experience new places. She is firm in her sense of commitment, regardless of the challenges presented by the child.
Demonstrating great insight into their humanity, she has provided all of her mentees with encouragement, trust and the safety to be themselves. She exercises kindness, empathy and a good sense of humor; and the children willingly respond in a positive manner.
Satoko feels that her sense of the American culture has been broadened by her experience as a mentor. She has a deepened appreciation for the challenges families face in dealing with the complexities of our society. She is often amazed, but she always has a smile on her face. She is always there, trustingly and courageously, to take the next step with her mentee.
—This article was contributed by Jonathan Schiesel, Volunteer Coordinator for CYS-Project Together, South Region/Laguna.
Art Therapist Helps Youth To Speak Their Minds Through Expression, Color and Form
(continued from page 1)
but it can also help the child "talk it out" in a multi-dimensional way. According to Margaret, they can say things by making a doll, a sculpture, a drawing or a painting, that are sometimes nearly impossible to express in words.
"Art can demonstrate both tragedy and healing," according to Margaret.
Margaret loves to see how art can precipitate a breakthrough or an "Aha!" in therapy. It can also provide a workable frame of reference for issues and even serve as a tool for the client to solve problems in the future. She described a teenager who was upset about a break up. "I gave the client a piece of paper and told her not to think about it—that her hands would know what to do."
According to Margaret, the client proceeded to tear the paper up into smaller and smaller pieces. Her work of art was only a tiny piece of paper, but her realization was that in the beginning of the relationship, they communicated all of the time. According to Margaret, that was represented by the large piece of paper. Now they hardly communicate at all, represented by the
tiny piece of paper—and the client felt it was okay. "She remembered the tiny piece of paper," said Margaret.
Margaret says she is very pleased with the progress of a client who was distraught and made an imposing fabric sculpture of a demon to represent the demon in her mother, who had started using (drugs and/or alcohol) again. The child came to realize that the demon also could represent the rage inside of herself regarding the family issue.
A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Margaret served as a student intern at Pacific Clinics and is now a full time employee of one and one half years. Her career path began as a retail manager in the fabric industry. Then she migrated to human resources to fulfill her nurturing side.
According to Margaret, when she decided to pursue another career, "I made a conscious decision to choose a field where I could incorporate nurturing, creativity and intellectual stimulation. Art therapy fit all criteria."
—Information for this article was provided by Veronica Chavez, CYS-Project Together Volunteer Coordinator for East Region.
JANUARY 2003
Calendar of Events
The CYS-Project Together Calendar is a collection of affordable, fun, wholesome and interesting events that can be enjoyed by children, teens and adults. To submit an item for the calendar, please call (714)796-0100.
City of Santa Ana
(714)571-4267
Sign up boys and girls 5 to 16 years of age for basketball.
Thursday & Friday
Memorial Center
2120 S. Flower St.
Santa Ana
3-6 p.m.
Saturday
Salgado Center
706 N. Newhope
Santa Ana
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: $10 for the season
Santa Ana Library
26 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana
(714)647-5250
You must show proof of Santa Ana residency to access programs at the library.
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Upper Newport Bay
600 Shellmaker
Newport Beach
Join a naturalist by the campfire for stories, entertainment and hot chocolate.
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
7351 Heil Ave.
Huntington Beach
(714)841-2000
Call at the beginning of January to enroll in one of the candy making classes. Up to 20 kids can get together and learn how to make candy from start to finish.
Time: After school
Cost: $5
Westminster
(714)898-3311
Little Saigon residents and visitors will celebrate the Asian New Year. Be prepared for crowds, food, firecrackers and a parade.
Time: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
2000 Gene Autry Way
Anaheim
(714)940-2046
Groups of 20 or more may tour the field beginning at the giant baseball cap, then on to home plate and behind the scenes. Individuals may call to make arrangements to join tour groups scheduled. It takes about 90 minutes.
Time: 9:30 a.m. Fridays only
Cost: Free
300 W. Lincoln Ave.
Anaheim
(714)535-7465
The public may skate in this premier ice skating facility seven days a week. Also available are hockey leagues, skating classes, broomball and the Mighty Ducks Pro Shop.
Time: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
Saturday 1-3 p.m.
7-9 p.m.
9:30-11:30 p.m.
Sunday 1-3 p.m.
Cost: Including skate rental
Adults $10.50
Children $8.50
611 Anton
Costa Mesa
(714)384-5500
Sculptor Isamu Noguchi created this tranquil sculpture garden that covers two acres with abstract granite, sandstone and marble works of art with environmental themes.
Time: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Fountain Valley Skating Center
9105 Recreation Circle
Fountain Valley
(714)847-6300
This is roller skating in an old-fashioned wooden rink and this floor has been newly refurbished. Rent some skates or bring your own, if you have the right wheels. They have special games for kids and skate dance competitions for teenagers on weekends. And, if you are a beginner, others will help "baby step" you along the wall, or at least pick you up off the floor. Due to special events schedule, call to confirm rink availability.
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: Admission $5
Skate rental $2
9731 Walker St.
Cypress
(714)826-9494
Cypress was a rural town until the 1960's where Singing Hen Farm owner Calvin Meekhof raised chickens. After he moved the operation to Riverside, he still kept two rows of chicken and black rabbit huts on the property and put them in front of Singing Hen Farm, which is a small dairy grocery placed on the family's egg ranch location.
Time: Monday-Friday
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
9200 Bolsa Ave.
Westminster
(714)894-3854
Located in the heart of Little Saigon, this Asian style façade has become a Southern California landmark graced by the life-size Happy Buddha and images of fortune, longevity and prosperity. Step inside and cool down by enjoying a sugarcane drink or papaya salad. Browse to find a blend of American and Vietnamese products, including blankets, herbs, shoes, clothing and jewelry, reflecting life in the Vietnamese community.
Time: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
12174 Euclid St.
Garden Grove
(714)530-8871
This museum, which protects the historical roots of Garden Grove's first settlers during the 1870's Village Era, is run by volunteers from the Garden Grove Historical Society, who provide a guided tour every third Sunday of the month. You can see vintage farm equipment, a restored house and barn, explore the 17 buildings on the 2-acre site, and step back into yesteryear.
Time: 1:30-4 p.m.
Cost: $1-2 donation
Santa Ana Library
26 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana
(714)647-5250
For youngsters 12 and under, this story hour features wonderful books from new releases to old favorites.
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Grandstand Arena
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa
(949)492-9933
Park in the main lot off of Fair Drive
This is an exciting Saturday night, especially for teenagers.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults $10
Seniors and teens
Under 17 $6
Children 6-12 $3
Fairview Regional Park
2525 Placentia
Costa Mesa
(714)54T-RAIN
The Orange County Model Engineers Club set up a kiddie-sized train and nearly 2 miles of track for youth and children to enjoy.
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free on 3rd Weekend
Santiago Canyon Rd. &
San Joaquin Hills
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Area
Laguna Beach
(714)832-7478
Guided hikes and mountain bike rides are conducted on Saturdays and range from moderately easy to more rigorous. It is a wonderful way to become acquainted with nature. Please call for information on times and other activities.
Time: Please call for times
Cost: Free
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
Main Lot
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa
(949)723-6616
One of the largest arrays of new and used items in the world is available here.
Time: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Adults $2
Children under 12 Free
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Bridge
Pacific Coast Highway South of Warner
Huntington Beach
(714)840-1575
This is a free 2-hour tour across the wetlands and an opportunity to see delicate sea life developing in the marshland and almost extinct aquatic wildlife coming back to life. This is an ecological reserve
and one of the few remaining wetlands on the Pacific Coast. Pelicans, ducks, swans, herons, egrets and least terns abound, so bring you binoculars and a jacket.
Time: 9-10:30 a.m. Groups leave every 15 minutes
Cost: Free
Lake Shore Learning Materials
18679 Brookhurst St. (S. of 405)
Fountain Valley
(714)963-8255
Children 3 and older are welcome to attend the free "Make & Take" workshops where children create their own art and toys while learning new skills.
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Ave.
Newport Beach
(949)717-3800
Children 3 to 7 may join each other for dramatic storytelling and crafts.
Times: 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Ave.
Newport Beach
(949)717-3800
Children 3 to 7 may bring their stuffed animals and enjoy a bedtime story.
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Quotable Quote
"There is a destiny that makes us brothers;
None goes his way alone;
All that we send into the lives of others,
Comes back into our own.
—E Markham
Projects Corner
People of all ages use magnets to post a myriad of communications on the refrigerator, the focal point of family activity and very often, communication central.
This includes messages, works of art, dinner preparation instructions, weekly chores for the family, children's daily responsibility check list, child conduct calendars, and even the weekly grocery shopping list.
Magnets can also be used to create personalized spaces for children and teenagers and a consistent location for communication. Magnets will cling to most metal surfaces and may be used on desks, lamps and magnetized grease boards. Regardless of where they are used, they create a point of reference with a spin-off effect. A magnet with someone's name on it, helps create an atmosphere that says "He or she belongs and can generate a sense of ownership and responsibility.
This can be personalized even more if you make your own magnets. Use a favorite button removed from a piece of outgrown clothing, a small keepsake or even a toy by gluing a magnet on the back. Or you can make one from scratch, fashioned from wood or cardboard, papier mache and a little paint. Here's how.
Personalized Wooden Magnets
1-2-inch wooden disc or shape purchased from a craft store (approximately $1 for 4)
Small metal bar magnets or roll of magnet tape that can be cut to size
Acrylic or poster paints in favorite colors
Quick drying base coat primer
Bonding glue
Newspaper
Paper and pencil
Acrylic sealer
1. Sketch the design you want to paint on the magnet. Determine colors for the design. Be sure to include your name in the design to personalize it.
2. Lay a couple of sheets of newspaper over a table. Put out primer and paint colors you want to use.
3. Lay your wooden shape flat on newspaper and paint it first with quick drying primer. When dry, paint desired design. Paint name on last.
4. Allow to dry and glue magnet on the back vertically to prevent stress on the glue.
5. Spray front only with acrylic sealer.
Papier Mache Magnets
1-2-inch cardboard shape or disc
Small metal bar magnets or roll of magnet tape that can be cut to size
4-quart bowl of water
½-page of a newspaper torn into strips 1/8-1/4-inch wide and 3- 4 inches long
Tissue paper
Acrylic or poster paints in your favorite colors
Enamel base coat primer
Bonding glue
White glue
Paper and pencil
Newspaper
Acrylic sealer
This is more time intensive, but the results are three dimensional.
1. Make paper strips and put in bowl of water to soak for about an hour.
2. Sketch your design on a piece of paper and assign colors. Cut cardboard into any shape you wish such as an oval or perhaps an animal shape.
3. Using wet newspaper strips, wrap your shape thoroughly with two layers of strips, overlapping the edges. Be sure to smooth them out so they adhere to the cardboard. Make sure edges of paper are firmly stuck down.
4. Use the newspaper like modeling clay. Build your design by using the cardboard disc or square as a base. Roll little balls, no larger than 1/8-inch thick out of the wet newspaper, making the shape out of the balls. For example, if you are making a lamb, make the shape of a lamb out of the newspaper balls and fill it in with balls. You can hold in place with white glue. While still wet, cover the whole piece with tissue paper that has been soaked with white glue. Push your design into shape. Again, pretend you are working with clay. Allow to dry and paint it with your favorite colors.
5. Affix magnet vertically to the back and spray with acrylic sealer.
Happy Birthday!
Kevin Su 1/1
Wendy Meyers 1/2
Oscar Zembraski-Gonzales 1/5
Ana Benavides 1/7
Stephanie George 1/9
Annette De Luca 1/18
Zarna Kamdar 1/22
Wendy Cordero 1/26
Denise Nguyen 1/28
Every child, teenager and mentor had a fabulous time at the recent Annual Holiday Party sponsored by the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge.
All children and teenagers attending received a full stocking, an age-appropriate gift from Santa Claus and a goody bag. Helen and Scott Martin, Mattel Toys and the Huntington Beach Fire Department donated all of the toys for this event and for other Children and Youth Services clients in need. The party, which was organized by Valarie and Tom Lemm of the Elks Club, featured face painting and plenty of "kid-friendly" food.
According to Aspen Community Services/Tustin CYS-Project Together Volunteer Coordinator Ken Cornwell, "The Huntington Beach Elks Club members have donated this holiday party to CYS-Project Together for the last three years as a meaningful way to be of service to children in our communities. I am very thankful to Nancy Bresnan, one of our Mentors, who has coordinated this event for us."
Aspen Community Services/Tustin Volunteer Coordinator Ken Cornwell (center) puts his head together with Mentors Nancy Bresnan (left) and Melanie Lamoureaux (right). They made sure each child received an age-appropriate gift at the Annual Holiday Party.
English Happy New Year
Spanish Feliz Ano Nuevo
Prospero Ano Nuevo
Slovakian Scastny Novy Rok
Chinese Chu Shen Tan
German Prosit Neujahr
Arabic Kul `aam u antum salimoun
Italian Buon Capodanno
Hindi Niya Saa Moobaarak
Hebrew L'Shannah tovah Tikatevu
Russian S Novim Godom
Laotian Sabai dee pee mai
Vietnamese Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan
Gaelic Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit
Greek Eftecheezmaenos o Kaenooryos hronos
But what year is it?
It is:
2003 according to the Western Gregorian calendar
1381 according to the Persian lunar calendar
1423 according to Moslem lunar calendar, based on the Year of Migration of followers of Mohammed, who fled from Mecca to Medina in the Christian year 622
1999 according to strict Christian calendar based on corrected year of birth of Christ in 4 B.C.
2547 according to the Buddhist calendar
2753 according to the old Roman calendar
5116 according to the Mayan calendar, which is considered to be the most
accurate, having to adjust by only one day in 380,000 years. It ends in our year of 2012.
5116 according to the Tibetan calendar, which is very similar to the Mayan calendar
Some calendars start the year by the lunar cycle, others by the solar cycle, many plot time in relationship to smaller heavenly bodies to larger heavenly bodies, and the remainder by religious landmarks and some by political events.
Regardless of how differently time is tracked, all time keeping systems have the same goal of assigning, measuring and evaluating the time mankind spends on earth. Helping to understand time and how it is measured by different cultures can create a better understanding and appreciation of others.
JANUARY 2003
The Back Page
Two Hours & 50 Boxes
Aspen Administrative Assistant Lisa Soria (left) and Biller Ruby Sanchez donated two hours of their work day to help pack food boxes for 50 families, about 200 individuals, in need during the holiday season. Aspen/Tustin Clinic Director Jerry Grosso, Wendy Cordero of Billing and CYS-Project Together Volunteer Coordinator Ken Cornwell, also worked on the project, initiated by Aspen's employees as an annual community service project. Donors included individuals who wished to be anonymous, Aspen/Tustin employees, Cornwell and Grosso. Every holiday season, Aspen therapists, social workers and mentors identify families of Health Care Agency/Children & Youth Services clients, who are in difficult circumstances. This year's food box included a turkey, stuffing, canned goods, bread, fresh produce and dessert. Aspen is a contract agency providing behavioral health services to County clients.
January 2003
Vol. XVIII, No. 1
Published by: County of Orange Health Care Agency/Behavioral Health Services
405 W. 5th St., Suite 436
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714)796-0100
www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cyspt
Central Staff
Sharon Modaff, Service Chief (714)796-0100
Nancy Robins, Program Supervisor I (714)796-0100
Martha Murphy, Editor (714)796-0121
Peggy Evans (714)796-0117
Curtis Livingston (714)796-0100
Volunteer Coordinators/Resource Specialists
East Veronica Chavez (714)480-6756
North Sunney Shin (714)577-5422
South/Costa Mesa Jonathan Schiesel (714)850-8444
South/Laguna Lee Boon (949)499-8614
West Diane Prescott (714)896-7570
Aspen/Santa Ana Adrienne Davalos (714)565-2830
Aspen/Tustin Ken Cornwell (714)508-1919
The Health Care Agency/Behavioral Health Services/Children and Youth Services provides mental health treatment for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed youth and their families throughout Orange County. CYS-Project Together is a volunteer mentor program for CYS children and teens. The program also offers supportive resources to clients and families to assist them in achieving treatment goals. The program operates cooperatively with its community partner, the Mental Health Association of Orange County.
Children and Youth Services/Project Together
County of Orange Health Care Agency
Behavioral Health Services/Children & Youth Services
CYS-Project Together Highlights
405 W. 5th Street, Suite 436
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Address Correction Requested
CYS-Project Together provides mentors and supportive services to clients of Children & Youth Services
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