Community Human Services

Pathways is C.H.S.'s newsletter, published biannually in the spring and fall. Free copies are mailed to donors, clients and others who wish to join our mailing list. Our spring newsletter features...

CHS Plans Transitional Living Program for Youth
Gang Violence Prevention
Paths to Follow: "Seeing Life in My Spirit" by Helga Ralston
CATS Program Overcomes Challenges
News Briefs
Recent Gifts
From Our Executive Director
And more!

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CHS' Annual Luncheon was held on Thursday, July 17th at the Embassy Suites Laguna Grande ballroom in Seaside. The event was attended by almost 70 people, including City of Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio, City of Marina Mayor (and CHS Board member) Gary Wilmot, City of Sand City Police Chief Klien, and representatives from Congressman Sam Farr's and Assemblyman John Laird's offices, Nancy Deserpa and Colleen Freeman, respectively.

Attendees were able to hear moving speeches from CHS clients representing Substance Abuse and Runaway and Homeless Youth programs. For Genesis House, "Luther" told his personal story of recovery. He was followed by "Jasmine" from Safe Place, and "June," the first client to graduate from Elm House since it opened last year.

Many thanks are due to Helga Ralston, Executive Assistant, and Florence Shivers-Gilliam, Human Resources Coordinator, for planning the event.

Safe Place hast two new and very supportive advocates who have agreed to donate food to the weekly Drop-In Program at the Monterey Youth Center. Kimm Stidham and her husband, former Pacific Grove City Council Member John Stidham, own Primo's restaurant in Pacific Grove, and both are long-time restaurateurs on the Peninsula.

Kim has volunteered to provide all of the weekly dinners at the Drop-In program far into the future, straight from the kitchen at Primo's, along with Dorothy Maras-Ildiz, who manages all Pebble Beach Co. food and wine expositions which have replaced those held at Highland Inn. Dorothy has volunteer to help out with organizing everything. John Stidham will pick up and deliver the meals.

The dinners include wonderful rice and pasta dishes with meat and vegetables and plenty of fresh fruit.With Primo's providing and organizing dinner, the Street Outreach Counselors will have more time to focus on getting speakers and developing other activities for the program.

Many thanks to CHS Board members and local restaurants who have donated and assisted with the Drop-In program in the past. Your generosity and hard work are much appreciated!

And many thanks to Primo's, Kim, John and Dorothy, for their long-term devotion to the program.

CHS and John XXIII AIDS Ministry team up to propose new program for Monterey and San Benito Counties

In order to address the needs of Monterey and San Benito County individuals with HIV/AIDS, CHS and John XXIII AIDS Ministry have proposed a new program that involve the collaboration of Off Main Clinic, Genesis House, and John XXIII's outreach program.

The "R.A.P.S. Program" (Recovery for AIDS Prevention Services), if funded, would provide African American and Hispanic individuals with HIV/AIDS with outpatient and residential methadone maintenance and recovery services. Funding for the program is being sought from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Tulips are one of the first and best signs of spring and new beginnings. That's why The Circle of Women are selling fresh, beautiful potted tulips this month in order to raise funds for women in early recovery from substance abuse. All proceeds will go toward their $10,000 annual fundraising goal for support of Elm House.

We are pleased to announce that Finance Director Cedric Otsuki will represent CHS at the 2008 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Charity Shoot-Out Qualifier on Saturday, January 19th. He will battle participants from 76 other agencies to win CHS one of the coveted four spots in the GoGirlGo.com Charity Shoot-Out on Tuesday, February 5th. The four charities to participate in the final competition will receive anywhere from $1,000 to $40,000.

The Qualifier will take place at Peter Hay Golf Course, Pebble Beach, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon (Cedric's approximate tee time is 9:45 am). The competition format is "closest to the pin," and the best of two shots will be used as the player's score.

This event is sponsored and hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Supporters are encouraged to be present to cheer on Cedric! Click here for more information.

The Spirit of Christmas is a yearly event for underpriveleged CHS clients and their children under 18. Clients are signed up in advance through their individual counselors.

Gifts are distributed at the event, which will feature food and a bilingual Santa and Mrs. Claus. Over 500 people are expected to attend this year's Spirit of Christmas at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey. Children will begin checking in at 11:45 am.

For more information or to make a donation, call Renee Forrest at (831) 394-4622. You can also purchase gifts from our wish list at eToys.com, have them giftwrapped and shipped directly to our office.

This September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the positive impact of substance abuse recovery in our community and nationwide. SAMHSA, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, designed the celebration to help communities:

In cooperation with other local substance abuse treatment agencies, Sun Street Centers, John XXIII AIDS Ministry and Door to Hope, Community Human Services is sponsoring Lunch at the Train Station in Salinas, CA. At the event, a free lunch will be served to the public, and access to free HIV/AIDS testing and substance abuse information and referral will be provided.

Wed 9/5 Circle of Women go to Sacramento for Recovery Rally on steps of capital

C.H.S. held a public ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Elm House project on Wednesday, June 27, 2007. Many clients, community members, non-profit agency representatives and C.H.S. staff were present to hear words from Carlos Noriega, Board President, Robin McCrae, Executive Director, Zoudensh Northam, Circle of Women Chair, Arlette Grenert, Elm House Program Coordinator, and June, Elm House Resident Council Chair. The ribbon was cut by Carol Chambers of The California Endowment, who provided major funding for the project.

Board member Loren Steck provided music on acoustic guitar while attendees lunched on sandwiches, salad, cookies, bars and sparkling cider provided by Whole Foods. A cake was donated by Layers bakery of Monterey, and board member Annette Yee Steck prepared additional salads.

Reporters from The Monterey Herald, KION and Univision interviewed June and toured the facility. The event was featured in the evening news on KION and Univision, and on the front page of the Local/State section of The Monterey Herald. Click here to read the story from The Herald.

Thanks to all who participated and provided donations to make the event a success!

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Providing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in Monterey County Since 1969.