Teens in our Residential Treatment Program worked hard refurbishing this table and put so much time and passion into creating something unique! This hardwood table, 4 chairs and green foam pillows are being sold for only $500 and profits will be used for their next woodworking project!

If you’d like to support our teens and be the new owner of this table set, please contact Karitina Morett at kmorett@centerforchildren.org. We ask that you schedule a pick-up day and time from our main campus in Linda Vista.

We’re very proud of our teens who through this project learned important skills, such as exploring new hobbies, teamwork and the benefits of applying their energy through a positive outlet. Major kudos as well to our Residential counselors and recreation team for their immense guidance in helping our teens feel a sense of pride and accomplishment!

“I am truly blessed to be part of this movement of helping kids to succeed. It inspires me as a father and keeps me on my feet. I have been in this field for almost 7 years now and every day I have seen struggles being conquered by every kid that I have worked with.  My encouragement to every kid here at the Center and outside is that our PAST cannot dictate of who we want to become in the FUTURE!  We have a CHOICE so make it COUNT!” 
– Lee Paleafei, San Diego Center for Children C2 Counselor

Our Residential Treatment Program, nationally accredited by The Joint Commission, provides intensive short-term therapeutic residential care to children and teens, ages 6 to 18, who are struggling with a variety of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.

Caring and dedicated staff ensure children and teens in our care receive highly individualized and uniquely designed services to meet their therapeutic goals. Additionally, these amazing staff members prepare youth to continue their treatment success when they transition back into their home, community and school environment.

Earlier this year, 24 staff counselors were promoted to our Counselor 2 (C2) position. Through continuous role modeling and a trauma-informed lens, the demanding role of a C2 is to provide physical care, social and moral guidance, and the numerous skills and tools to help youth under our 24/7 care and supervision overcome significant challenges.

In addition to focusing on their important day-to-day roles, these counselors worked extremely hard to complete multiple tests and trainings in pursuit of this notable promotion. In their new role as C2 counselors, staff members will also help train new counselor recruits and offer mentorship to staff.

The Center’s ability to provide a Career Path Program for Residential counselors, which is coupled with a monetary bonus and career development opportunities, was made possible by a generous gift from former Center Board of Trustees Chairperson, Dr. Keith Wilson, and a wonderful company match by Takeda California. Due to their transformational giving and shared commitment to staff retention, the Center will work toward promoting a total of 40 counselors after their first-year anniversary and 35 counselors in their second-year anniversary.

  

Jeremy was born into a loving and nurturing home, with parents who continue to care about his happiness and well-being. At a young age, Jeremy was diagnosed with autism and suffered from severe anxiety and depression. Jeremy demonstrated struggles in interacting with his peers. These struggles worsened through elementary school of which Jeremy would act aggressively, run out of class and sometimes off school campus.

Due to his struggles, Jeremy was transferred from his local elementary school to the San Diego Center for Children Academy to receive the proper supports needed to address his behavior. Jeremy made positive strides while attending the Academy over a year and was then transferred to a different school. Over this time period, Jeremy unfortunately reverted back to his behavioral struggles and was then admitted to the Center’s Residential Treatment Program at 9-years-old.

When Jeremy first came to Residential, he experienced additional difficulties in learning and following direction. Jeremy realized during his 9-months in receiving therapeutic treatment and residential care that his misbehavior was not helping him, so he decided to make a conscious effort to follow directions and change his life around.

“One of my favorite childhood memories is returning home from Residential. I cannot imagine what I put my parents through during this part of my life. I know I caused them so much trouble. It was a very stressful time for everyone in my family. Despite this stress, my parents always stuck with me and helped me along the way. I am extremely grateful for this.”

Since returning home as a young child, Jeremy has remained a student at the Academy. Jeremy still had his struggles in the beginning and would isolate himself and not participate in school activities. However, now as a high school senior, Jeremy has blossomed into a mature student who considers himself a life-long learner and takes responsibility for his words and behavior.

From the young child he was of having difficulties in learning and interacting with others, Jeremy now holds a high GPA, and is an active member in the Academy’s team athletics and National Honor Society, which recognizes students for their excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Jeremy credits his positive change to his parents, family and the supportive teachers and staff of the Academy.

“Over the years, I have learned more about myself. I know my strengths and weaknesses. At SDCC Academy, I learned how to control my anger. I want to take this skill into my future to help me succeed. I also learned that I know how to persevere. When I am determined to do something, I will not stop until I complete it. This determination will help me succeed in my future.”

The positive change that Jeremy has experienced over the past years has been remarkable. Jeremy’s maturity, sportsmanship and leadership are not only inspiring to staff of the Academy, but also to his peers who see him as a role model. Jeremy has big plans on the horizon of attending college and entering the healthcare field after he receives his high school diploma this June. We congratulate Jeremy on all of his accomplishments thus far and know there are many more to come in his bright future.

*The child’s name has been replaced in order to protect their identity.

It’s always great to hear from the families we serve about their experiences. A parent who received services with their son through our WrapWorks program shared about our impact.

“I learned how to cope better with the struggles of my son’s actions and behaviors. My child became more helpful around the home on random tasks.”

To learn more about our WrapWorks program, please click this link.

    

        

We’ve had some extreme makeovers on our main campus and yesterday evening we revealed the rooms to our youth and staff!

Because of some incredible volunteers – who came with a vision to create spaces that inspire art, fun and play – we were fortunate to have 3 rooms redecorated in our Residential Program.

These volunteers worked long hours and weekends to make sure these spaces were perfect, and the results are amazing! We now have brand new art, computer lab and family rooms for our youth to enjoy.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers from Calpine Careers, Ascension Leadership Academy (SD12) and Rady Children’s Primary Care Medical Group for all the smiles you create on the faces of our youth!

     

Happy Valentine’s Day from the Center! 

Children in our care enjoyed a very happy day with ladies from the Clairemont Card Club, who led a special Valentine’s card making activity. And, teens in our culinary program, made some delicious chocolate covered strawberries for their peers to enjoy as a Valentine’s snack.

We wish you and your loved ones a day full of happiness and cheer!

    

The past week has been filled with lots of fun activities…like always!

Nancy Macnamara, our Special Project Coordinator, traveled to Sacramento to represent the Center at Legislative Day for CAPSES (California Association of Private Special Education Schools). Calpine Corporation, one of our long-standing supporters, donated 15 scooters to kids in our care and larger scooters for our fantastic recreation team!

Our Academy Panthers Basketball Team #2 dominated their game yesterday with a score of 26-7. And, February is Therapeutic Recreation Month! Nancy Adams, our Community Engagement Manager, is excited about this month and in planning therapeutic art and community engagement activities, which are in full swing throughout the year for our Residential youth.

We’re excited for more fun activities that will happen next week!

    

It has been a fun-filled week of kindness on our Academy campus!

Today, we wrapped up the last day of our participation in The Great Kindness Challenge.  Though, we will continue with our regularly scheduled programs of tolerance, heroism, peace and restorative justice.

Students had a great day creating a special canvas painting with Center supporter, Erick De La Rosa. And, we closed the day recognizing students who completed at least 25 acts of kindness this past week at our weekly school assembly!

We want to thank everyone involved in our daily activities and spirit day themes: San Diego Police Department, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department 28, Erick De La Rosa, Iris Auxiliary to San Diego Center for Children, and Academy therapists and staff members.

   

Kindness matters every day, but especially more so this week as it’s The Great Kindness Challenge! 

Thousands of schools from across the world, including our Academy, are participating in this challenge of spreading kindness and positivity in place of bullying. Our students kicked off the week with a drum circle assembly and had the great honor to hear about the importance of kindness from members of the San Diego Police Department and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Station 28.

We thank our community partners for supporting our students and sharing what kindness means to them!

It’s important to share the impact of our programs and services with all communities.

We’re very fortunate, through the generous support of Mission Federal Credit Union, for the opportunity to share our message with Televisa viewers through a 30-second commercial in Spanish airing now through March.

Thank you, Mission Fed and Televisa, for helping create awareness about our mental and behavioral health services as San Diego’s oldest children’s nonprofit!