A Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) Update from Kenneth R.
Our Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) made possible by the Safeway Foundation and Vons Foundation and offered by San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV), a project of WestCare California, provides vocational assistance to Veterans in need of supplies or training for their desired profession. We’d like to share a letter written by a Veteran that we serve to our wonderful staff that helped him find his upcoming job with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital!
“Greetings brother Combs,
I just wanted to inform you that as of September 3, 2017, I will be working at the VA Hospital full-time. I was offered a position in the laundry room once I completed the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program with the VA. I want to thank Denis and you for all of the time and hard work that you both invested in me. You both gave me opportunities when nobody else did. You looked beyond my legal issues and saw me for the man that I am. I am thankful to have you guys in my life; you are blessings to me. I will always keep in contact with you both just to let you know how I am doing. You both kept me motivated and my head looking to the sky.
If it was not for Denis telling me how the Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) could assist me, I would probably still be unemployed. Denis has a lot of knowledge that can benefit Veterans. I am also thankful that he told me about the CWT program and was an advocate for me getting into that program. VSWP allowed me to purchase the necessary items that I needed for work and got me to my first paycheck by purchasing me a full tank of gas.
If you can pass this message along to the individuals who provided the funding from Safeway: You do not know how blessed I am to have you help the unemployed Veterans that live in the Fresno/Madera area. I know I am not the only one you did this for, but I truly want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You gave me life again. You confirmed to me that everything is going to be alright because there are people that truly care about Veterans.”
– Kenneth R.
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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WestCare California In-Custody Staff Gather to Learn New Skills
In late July, staff from our various WestCare California in-custody programs gathered at our Bakersfield Residential treatment facility for a three day training on the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute’s (UCCI) curriculum for Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for those dealing with substance abuse. The training was facilitated by Kimberly Golden-Andersen, Program Director of our SUDT Single-Level program at Corcoran State Prison (CSP) and Patrick Settles, Program Director of our SUDT Multi-Level program at California Correctional Institution (CCI). In attendance were 14 staff from our programs at CSP, CCI and Wasco State Prison (WSP).
The training was a rousing success as our staff from the various institutions that we serve came together and worked as a cohesive unit. At the end of the training, they had nothing but positive things to say and all agreed that they couldn’t wait to take the things that they had learned back to their programs and get busy.
Our staff at our Bakersfield Residential facility were warm and inviting, which made the training that much more enjoyable for those in attendance. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Susan Harrison, Program Director, Bakersfield Residential, her wonderful staff for all their hospitality and our facilitators for sharing their knowledge! Great work, everybody!
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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A Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) Update from Tristan H.
Our Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) made possible by the Safeway Foundation and Vons Foundation and offered by San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV), a project of WestCare California, provides vocational assistance to Veterans in need of supplies or training for their desired profession. We’d like to share a letter written by a Veteran that we serve to our wonderful staff that helped him keep up with coursework in his EMT course at Alert Medical Training!
“Mr. Combs,
Just wanted to let you know that I am doing great in my EMT course and that without my laptop, none of this would be possible! I am keeping up with my class and homework assignments. The laptop came right on time. I am truly thankful for Safeway donating money to assist veterans like myself. I will continue to keep in contact and call you if I get overwhelmed or stressed out. Yours and Denis’s counseling goes a long way and you both assisted me in navigating myself back on the right path.
Thanks for everything, I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!”
– Tristan H.
We are also happy to share an update from Tristan’s instructor at Alert Medical Training:
“Tristan is a very intelligent individual who participates daily. He is always on time to class and is in uniform. Tristan is one of the top 10 students in class overall. He makes a daily effort and it is always noticed!” – Robert Wankel, Paramedic A6-0908, EMT Program Director, Alert Medical Training
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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A Story of Change by Deborah G.
“On January 17, 2015, I came to Fresno and enrolled with WestCare because I was a drug addict and needed help. I wanted to be a better person and entered into WestCare’s sober living program. One month later, my 25-year-old son Nikolaus was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident in Hawaii. I went to a meeting at WestCare’s program, The Living Room, the next day and collected my 4 month chip in my son’s honor. I kept going to groups and tried to live for my son, Niko. I stayed clean, but had a lot of work to do.
Sad but clean, I attended the first job preparedness class offered by Catholic Charities through Fresno City College in May of 2015. The class given by Dr. Ronda Herb on October 10, 2016 was the motivation behind my successful results. I completed an online course in February of 2017 to become Deborah L Gilleran, RADT (Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician). On March 29, 2017, I began my internship at WestCare California which included facilitating outpatient 12 step meetings and inpatient Wellbriety groups. In the last 10 months, I became involved with Reading and Beyond, where I obtained my GED on May 2, 2017. Upon receiving my GED, I enrolled into a counseling certificate course through California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAP). I am 4 weeks into that class and in 1 year I will receive my certificate for CADC 1 (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.) Along with the course, I will need 3000 intern hours in the drug and alcohol field, which I am blessed to say that I will be able to achieve because I have just accepted a full time job with WestCare California. I am now Deborah L. Gilleran RADT, RMS Counselor Tech!
I have been very blessed to be involved with Catholic Charities, Fresno City College, Reading and Beyond and WestCare California. Thank you all for caring about people in your community!”
Sincerely,
Deborah L. Gilleran
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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A Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) Update from Jose M.
Our Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) made possible by the Safeway Foundation and Vons Foundation and offered at our Veterans Plaza Grant Per Diem transitional living facility for male Veterans provides vocational assistance to Veterans in need of supplies or training for their desired profession. We’d like to share a letter written by a Veteran that we serve to our wonderful staff that helped him get back on his feet!
“Denis and Curtis,
First, let me thank you both for giving me hope again. It’s because of both of you that I am working again and have my Class A driver’s license. Do not let anybody tell you that the program does not work because it worked for me. I use to be strung out on crystal meth, but thanks to God for allowing me to meet you both, I have gotten over that and I am praying that that lifestyle is behind me.
As you both know, I am out and about seeing the world and making good money doing it. You both pushed me to get things done as far as my resume, connecting me to Workforce Connection, mock interviewing me and preparing me to become employment ready. The Veterans Safeway to Work Program (VSWP) did wonders for me! At times, when I did not want to go to school or look for employment, the program and you gentlemen challenged me. Although I am gone, it feels like I never left. I am not just a number to you gentlemen, but you treat me as if I am still a Veteran at the Veterans Plaza. I am able to call and talk to you both about my ex-wife and family issues. You both keep my head on straight and focused.
The VSWP program really does work for us Veterans that do not have a job. Your program assisted my fellow Veterans that came before me and myself by getting us placed in jobs! I am back working and I love driving trucks! I thank you both.”
– Jose M.
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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Veterans at HomeFront Practice Healthy Nutrition
Earlier this month, the Veteran women of our HomeFront Grant Per Diem transitional living facility for female Veterans and Veteran mothers with children, came together and participated in a fun and educational nutrition class. The topic of discussion was eggplants and the nutritional benefits that they offer. Afterwards, they had the opportunity to make a special dish as a group, “The Ultimate Eggplant Lasagna!” This was a great way for them to come together as a community and help boost each other’s confidence while trying something new. They were very supportive of one another and were able to share laughs while building on their life skills which could benefit their health and well-being in the long run.
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
