Each month, our over 350 team members have the opportunity to recognize the amazing efforts of their colleagues. “Cause for Applause” nominations received by our HR Department are then shared with all team members. Plus, those who were nominated are entered into a raffle to win a gift card at random!

Enjoy this spotlight on Lena Charles, Family Partner at our Family Wellness Center, who was recently recognized by her colleague, Nancy Johnson. 

“As a family partner, Lena did an excellent job being so positive with a child’s mother who is struggling with defeat and depression. Her encouraging and positive attitude was so beneficial and helpful! As a result, the mother was able to follow through with Lena’s recommendations and had a positive outcome.” – Nancy Johnson, LMFT, Clinical Supervisor, Therapist & TBRI Practitioner, Family Wellness Center

     

Our amazing kiddos are back in our Clark Kitchen applying culinary skills taught by Life Skills Department Manager, Tina Reyes-Magnanelli. This time they made omelets!

As part of our culinary program, teens learn how to cook healthy meals that they can easily replicate at home, which is important as they transition into adulthood. Teens learn about the nutritional value for each meal, various cooking techniques, and are a part of the entire process from prepping to cleaning their station.

One youth shared, “My favorite part was eating it! I like making food and making it look good!”

We want to congratulate our Residential team members – 53 counselors – who were recently promoted or celebrated their one-year anniversary at the Center!

Our impact would not be possible without their passion and expertise. We’re so fortunate for their important contributions, and the collective force of our over 350 team members!

If you’re interested in joining our dynamic team, please click here.

It’s been 25 years since Steven Douglass was last on our main campus, a place he had called “home” for 3 years.

We were very honored to have Steven visit all the way from Georgia, and share words of wisdom with children and teens currently in our care. Plus, out of the goodness of his heart, Steven donated a special pizza party for our youth, a tradition he plans to continue every month.

Click the video below to learn more about Steven’s story, and how the Center provided hope and healing when he needed it the most. We thank Steven for sharing his story, and passion for paying it forward.

We are very proud to be celebrating 132 years this month as San Diego’s oldest children’s nonprofit!

Thank you to everyone for helping us accomplish this important milestone – including our generous donors, team members, volunteers, community partners, and the youth and families served through our efforts. 

Thank you to everyone who supported our Champions for Youth campaign!

Through your generosity, we raised $81,000 for our life-changing services. Many more children and families will receive the mental health services they need and deserve due to your donations.

A big thank you to The Century Club and Farmers Insurance Open for selecting us as 1 of 10 nonprofit beneficiaries for their program. They will help grow donations made to the Center by a percentage, which will make our impact even greater!

“Thank You” artwork made by a Center youth

Some of our youth recently gave back to our community by volunteering at Father Joe’s Villages and the San Diego Food Bank.

They had a variety of responsibilities such as sorting food and serving dinner to those in need. One teen looks forward to volunteering again at the food bank as it was “really fun”. 

Last night, we had the great pleasure of attending the Farmers Insurance Open Preview Night to share with Century Club Members about our important efforts in the community!

We are grateful for their continued partnership and commitment toward helping disadvantaged youth as part of their Champions for Youth Program. Through January 27th, they will help grow our donations so that we can create a larger impact in the lives of children!

Please help swing in more donations to the Center by making an impact today – click here. 

  

Bellus Academy once again created JOY for children and teens in our care! Every month, their talented students generously volunteer their time and services to provide haircuts for our youth.

One child shared, “I feel beautiful when they come and I like it because it actually looks good!”

We thank Bellus Academy for all that they do to make our kids feel special! 

Our FFAST Program hosted a very special “thank you” luncheon for children in our community, who generously collected and donated toys for foster youth in our program. These young children wanted to help other children their age so that they could have a bright holiday. We’re very thankful and impressed by their passion to give back!

If you’d like to give back and become involved in our efforts, please click here.