INSIDE....
CYS-Project Together Volunteer Recognition and Awards Ceremony Page 1
National Volunteer Week Page 2
CYS-PT Mentor Challenge Page 2
There's More Than One Way to Hug a Child Page 4
"Mentoring has taught me a lot about giving, patience
and perseverance," said Nicole Taylor, who
has volunteered as a CYS Project Together mentor with the East
Region since June 2001. "I started mentoring...
because I wanted an opportunity to give to others in need. It
has taught me to grow in my character, ...to be dependable... to be a young
woman of integrity and teach the mentees the same."
Since she began with the program, Nicole or Nikki as she is often
called, has been matched with 3 adolescent girls. "The first experience was
amazing," said Nikki, recalling how she enjoyed seeing her mentee grow in
her character and self-confidence.
She is currently matched with a teenager who is separated from her family and friends, and now lives with a foster family. According to the youth's therapist, Cheri Bard-Henoch, MFT, the teen needed someone to help her with her self-image, overcome obstacles and prepare her for independent living. With those goals in mind, Nikki has worked with the teen on ways to increase her social comfort so that she feels secure when interacting with others. Nikki is also focusing on skills to help her with her future transition to independent living.
"Nikki has been a wonderful friend and role model to this young lady and has introduced her to many new experiences," according to Veronica Chavez, East Region CYS-PT Volunteer Coordinator. "Together they have had fun with fashion, makeup and hair design and are now making plans to join a Hip-Hop class, since they both love to dance. Nikki's enthusiasm, positive outlook and beautiful smile make her a pleasure to be around." Veronica added that even when Nikki is faced with challenging mentoring situations, she doesn't let that dampen her spirits. She takes it all in stride and focuses on the positive aspects of any situation. Nikki also regularly contacts the teen's supervising therapist to discuss issues and share observations and has found that helpful and supportive.
The therapist is impressed with Nikki's willingness to explore new
adventures with the girls she has mentored. "She took them to
operas, something those young ladies had never experienced before," said
Cheri, adding that Nikki would also take the
girls out on Sundays, "when most mentors would rather be doing their
own thing or be with their family."
continued on page 2
CYS-PT "Star" Volunteers To be Honored April 28
The annual CYS-Project Together Volunteer Recognition and
Awards Ceremony is set for Wednesday evening, April 28, at the UCI
University Club on the UCI Campus in Irvine. This year's theme
is "Celebration of Stars" to honor the star quality of our nearly
200 past and present mentors and volunteers for their dedication and
service over the past year. A special night of celebration, fun, and
surprises are planned. Since seating is limited, invited guests
are asked to RSVP to CYS-Project Together at 714-796-0100 or
e-mail CYSPT@ochca.com no later than Friday, April 23.
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
The contributions of volunteers will be recognized in ceremonies across the U.S. during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24. This year's theme, "Volunteers Inspire By Example" sets the stage for national, regional, and local organizations to applaud the efforts of men, women, and young people. It also serves to encourage others to help solve serious problems through volunteer efforts. The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network sponsors the annual weeklong event.
"President George W. Bush recently stated that `Americans are doing the work of compassion every day...and these good works deserve our praise,'" said Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO of the Points of Light Foundation. He added that "National Volunteer Week is an excellent opportunity to salute our unsung heroes and encourage others to get involved."
Goodwin added, "Volunteering is not just nice, it's necessary." According to the Independent Sector's 2001 Giving and Volunteering Survey, 83.9 million American adults over age 21 volunteered 3.6 hours per week in 2000, which was the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a total assigned dollar value of $239 billion. This number was based on the volunteer hourly rate of $15.40 during the year 2000. The current dollar value of a volunteer hour is $16.54. Assuming that the same number of volunteer hours were served in 2002 as in 2000, the total dollar value of volunteer time for 2002 is estimated at $256.4 billion. The dollar value of volunteer time for 2003 has yet to be calculated.
This is the 30th annual celebration of National Volunteer Week, which began in 1974, when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the Week as an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a Proclamation promoting the Week.
(continued from page 1)
However, Nikki wasn't always sure she was positively influencing her matches. "Sometimes it seemed as though I didn't know if I was making a difference," said Nikki. However, she decided to continue to give her time to these young women and remind them of how beautiful, talented and special they are. She now believes that it did make a difference in the long run.
"Nikki is a remarkable young lady," said Cheri, who in addition to supervising Nikki with her current mentee, has worked with her on a previous match. "She has overcome her own obstacles in the past to make her way in the world. She is always working to improve herself and I am amazed at how well centered she is at such a young age."
When asked what would make her experience with our program worthwhile, Nikki responded, "If I could get a child to feel they could confide and trust in me, that would make it all worthwhile."
CYS-Project Together and Aspen Community Service mentors are an impressive group. On a weekly basis, more than 100 responsible Orange County adults volunteer to spend at least 4 hours of their free time with a child or teen just to be a friend and help the youth reach his or her full potential.
Mentors are exceptional people. They voluntarily give of their time and occasionally their hard-earned money, to help a child in need. They make the effort to let a child know an adult cares about them, regardless of the challenges the child may be facing. They model maturity, kindness and unconditional acceptance to the child they mentor and ask for nothing in return. For that and many more reasons, mentors are priceless... and CYS-PT needs more of these special individuals.
Throughout the month of April (National Volunteer Week), we are challenging each CYS and Aspen-Project Together mentor to submit the name of a friend, family member or work associate whom they believe would make a good mentor, to their Regional Volunteer Coordinator. Of course, it is a good idea to first consult with your potential mentor candidate, and perhaps provide them with the CYS-Project Together website address at www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cyspt. If you believe this person would like to learn more about the program and discuss mentoring opportunities with your volunteer coordinator, please submit their name.
Amazingly, something so simple as referring a friend or family member to become a mentor, could have a significant and positive impact on the life of child forever.
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
The CYS-Project Together Calendar is a collection of affordable, fun, wholesome and interesting events that can be enjoyed by children, teens and adults.
15th Annual America's Family Pet Expo
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa
All Buildings and Grounds
www.petexpooc.com
Entertainment and attractions featuring furry, feathered or scaly pets of all
descriptions will be featured at this fun event. Activities include a petting
zoo, pony rides, musical entertainment, pet adoption fair, workshops, a pet
fashion show, a parade of dog and cat breeds and much more.
Time: Friday & Sunday
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Adults $9 Seniors (61+) $8
Children 6-12 $4
Orange County Zoo
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange
(714) 973-6847
www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
Join the zoo inhabitants in a celebration of spring. Activities include sheep
shearing demonstrations, wool spinning and weaving demonstrations,
children's crafts and face painting.
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Event is free with zoo
admission ($1 per person)
Parking: $4 weekends
Yorba Cemetery
625 W. Bastanchury Road
Placentia
(714) 973-3190
www.ocparks.com
All ages are invited to explore the past and present history of the Santa Ana Canyons area. Join docents as they tell the stories of Orange County's founding families buried in the Yorba Cemetery, which was founded in 1858 by Bernardo Yorba.
Time: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
120 Civic Center Dr.
Santa Ana, CA
(714) 547-9645
Explore the historic home of one of Orange County's first female physicians. Featured in this beautifully restored house are the medical instruments Dr. Waffle used to help deliver babies during the late 1800s.
Time: 12 noon-4 p.m.
Cost: Free-Donations Accepted
Tustin Sports Park
12850 Robinson St.
Tustin
(714) 573-3328
Entertainment and an egg hunt will be featured.
Time: 9 a.m.-11a.m.
Cost: Free
Grijalva Park
368 N. Prospect
Orange
(corner of Spring and Prospect)
Meet at the Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance booth
http://www.ocwatersheds.com/watersheds/santaanariver.asp
Docents will conduct 30 to 45 minute tours along Santiago Creek.
Time: Starts at 1 p.m. with additional tours at 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 and
3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grijalva Park
368 N. Prospect
(corner of Spring and Prospect)
Orange
http://www.ocwatersheds.com/watersheds/santaanariver.asp
Dunaj, an International Folk Dance Ensemble, will entertain with an
authentic re-enactment of romantic old California.
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grijalva Park
368 N. Prospect
(corner of Spring and Prospect)
Orange
(714) 744-5597
http://www.ocwatersheds.com/watersheds/santaanariver.asp
Play an instrument, sing, jig, and make music together "Hootenanny style" at
this neighborhood family celebration. Bring a chair, sunscreen, friends, and
an instrument!
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
APRIL 2004
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
(continued from page 3)
Glassel and Chapman
Old Towne Orange
(714) 633-8145
View 400 classic cars displayed around the Orange Circle and
attached streets near the Plaza.
Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center
2301 N. University Dr.
Newport Beach
(949) 923-2275
Join members of the Orange County Astronomers for an inspirational tour of the night sky. This program is open to all ages and will include a presentation and observation with telescopes.
Time: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: Suggested Donation: $2
Orange County Fair & Exposition Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa
(714) 708-3247
www.ocfair.com
An educational expo featuring exhibits, games, crafts, jazz festival, talent search, science and engineering fair and much, more.
Time: Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
*Mentors may use the Harbors Beaches & Parks passes for entry and parking at County of Orange facilities. Special events may have an additional fee.
Welcome New Mentors
South/ Costa Mesa
Jeannie Chui
Laguna
Brenda Adams
East
Ana Gallardo
West
Jennifer Brandt
Shannon Crotts
Paulette Germanose
Thanks to Those Who Have Moved On
South/Costa Mesa
Kristen Langston
East
Theresa Nakagawa
North
Heather Laird
Jeanette Luevanos
Melissa Robles
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." -Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Happy Birthday
Jeannie Chui 4/2
Pat Lucas 4/6
Amy Niles 4/8
Sarah Lee 4/13
Jennifer Coombs 4/20
Denise Wagoner 4/23
Chona Boretti 4/23
Ozgun Tumer 4/29
The staff and clients of Children and Youth Services (CYS) and CYS-Project Together deeply appreciate the wonderful support provided by many local businesses and organizations. Our affiliation with the Mental Health Association of Orange County allows us to accept and distribute community resources that are an important asset in the therapeutic process for all the children we serve. Each month, we extend our thanks and give recognition to our caring donors.
Albertson's Community Partners
Boise, ID
Disney on Ice
Anaheim
DVD Planet
Huntington Beach
Cindy Gill
Corona
Sylvia Goldie
Costa Mesa
Mark Gunderson
Westminster
Lee Lombardo
Santa Ana
Susan Musila
Garden Grove
Ralphs Grocery Store
Irvine
Statek Corporation
Orange
Contributors to This Issue:
Nancy Robins
Veronica Chavez
Diane Prescott
To submit an item for the Newsletter, please call (714)796-0100 or email
cyspt@ochca.com.
APRIL 2004
HIGHLIGHTS CYS-Project Together Volunteer & Mentor Newsletter
Although it was early on a Saturday morning, there was nothing sleepy about the enthusiasm generated by nearly 40 mentors and mentees at they gathered at the Brunswick Orange Bowl in Orange for the first CYS-Project Together mentor outing of the year. Quickly the group got rolling as they sized-up the perfect bowling balls, found their shoes and divided into teams of four, (two mentors and their matches). Soon new friendships were forming, pins were falling and kids were cheering each other on as each ball found its way successfully down the alley (with the help of bumpers). In the midst of high-fives, several strikes and lots of laughter, each team played several games. The day ended with a delightful lunch of pizza and soda in the bowling alley's adjacent game room.
Pictured are mentors (right) Emanuella Sofroni, (2nd row,
from left) Denise Wagoner, Bob Baker and
Brenda Adams, (3rd
row, from left) Stephanie Shelton, Michael Coffey and Pat Lucas
with her mentee.
Children and Youth Services—Project Together
General Information
Phone: (714) 796-0100
Website: www.ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/cyspt
Email: CYSPT@ochca.com
RegionalVolunteer Coordinators/Resource Specialists
East—Veronica Chavez (714)480-6756
North (714)577-5422
South/Costa Mesa—Jonathan Schiesel (714)850-8444
South/Laguna/Mission Viejo—Lee Boon (949)499-8614
West—Diane Prescott (714)896-7509
Aspen—Adrienne Davalos (714)565-2830
Central Staff
Sharon Modaff, Service Chief I (714)796-0100
Nancy Robins, Program Supervisor I (714)796-0115
Martha Murphy, Volunteer Coordinator (714)796-0121
Peggy Evans, Volunteer Coordinator (714)796-0117
Mission Statement
CYS-Project Together is a volunteer mentor program dedicated to enhancing the mental and emotional well being of Children and Youth Services clients.
DTP947
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
CYS-Project Together provides mentors and supportive services to clients of Children & Youth Services
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