Interface's Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter in Over-Drive

We’re so proud that with the help of generous donors, and supportive community partners, we’ve had our Runaway Homeless Youth Shelter open for just about 6 months already! Our original plan was to do a comprehensive review and report out to the community at 12 months, which we still plan to do. However, 6 months in, we have come to a few clear conclusions: 

·         Does our region need a Runaway Homeless Youth Shelter? Absolutely! We’ve sheltered 21 youth already, and we’ve hit capacity (maximum of 6 youth) several times. Because the youth are staying for a relatively short period of time (2 days to a couple of weeks), our occupancy opens up fairly quickly. Now, we’re starting to get calls directly from homeless youth themselves. They’re hearing about our shelter from friends. These youth are especially vulnerable, because there is no adult in their life who is even advocating for them – they must reach out and find shelter and help themselves. 

·         Are youth improving their lives through our work with them? Absolutely! We have over a 95% success rate in returning youth safely back into family homes they know. These youth are getting the medical and psychiatric help they urgently needed. This is taking a lot of careful follow up work to assure that these youth are stable, and that the families are making enough progress in therapy, etc. so that a new crisis doesn’t erupt. We have been surprised by the degree of “follow up” work is needed to help maintain these youth in their homes. 

·         How “serious” are the situations for these youth? Very serious! We’ve been shocked by the level of need and intensity of the youth that are being referred to us: a single teen mother with her infant daughter, a young man who lived in a community park for weeks, a transgender youth who’s family is in crisis over her sexual identity. Youth with complex medical issues, major mental health issues, etc. It’s upsetting to realize that these youth were “out there” getting no service up until our doors opened in the fall. We believe there are many more youth in equally serious situations that will present to us in the coming months. 

·         Does Interface have the resources necessary to serve these youth? Frankly, no! We set a $100K fundraising target for the first year of operations. This is not enough. We’re at $41K raised so far, but we’re finding that the youth being referred to us are far more intensive than we anticipated. This is requiring even more intervention. We’re beginning to dialogue with county partners on potential new funding, but those discussions take months, and sometimes years to bring to fruition. We’re also in need of a 7 or 8 passenger van, so that we can continue to transport youth to their own schools while they are in shelter with us. Right now, we’re burning up the miles on our staff’s own cars!

The program is in over-drive, yes, but it is also successful, safe and healthy. Would you pass this blog on to other friends who you think may have a heart for joining our efforts to meet the needs of these youth?  To all who have helped to make this shelter a reality – from the youth in need across our region, we thank you!

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We got new playground equipment!

Last fall, heavy winds severely damaged the outdoor play structure at Interface’s Safe Haven domestic violence emergency shelter, making it unsafe for use. The damaged structure was removed, but due to budget constraints new play equipment could not be immediately purchased. We recognized that the replacement equipment needed to be commercial grade to withstand the wear and tear it sustains by the nearly 100 children who stay in our shelter each year. Interface worked with community partner Jill Upson, the Executive Director of ACTION (Area Christians Taking Initiative on Needs) to identify possible sources of funding to purchase the play structure, as well as coordinating more than 15 ACTION volunteers who came and helped prepare the backyard for the new play structure.

Through support from Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Simi Valley and the California Office of Emergency Management, Interface was able to purchase the new play equipment along with a safe and durable ground covering.  Both the equipment and ground covering are being installed this week by Swink’s Creation Inc. The new equipment is extremely durable and will serve as a safe and fun outlet for the children residing in our shelter for years to come.

You can help too!  If you are interested in donating to our Safe Haven domestic violence emergency shelter, all you have to do is click here. Your donation will help to offset costs just like this play equipment and other items necessary to help our families feel safe, relaxed and at home in our shelter. 

Happy Father’s Day – Supporting Father Involvement Tips

In honor of Father’s Day and all the beneficial things fathers bring to each and every day; here are some tips to help support father involvement in your organization.

• Create a welcoming environment that is friendly, inviting, secure, and comfortable for men. Involve men in the design and decoration of the center, including photos of fathers and involvement activities.

• Include the word “fathers” on forms, flyers, and documents.

• Have children draw pictures and write letters about their fathers or other male role models.

• Offer parent education training and classes specifically for men on various topics including child development and communication skills.

• Create father support groups, Daddy and Me classes, male mentoring programs, or Dads Only groups.

• Simply ask fathers to be present, be more inclusive, and actively listen to them.

• Educate staff, mothers, and the community about the value of positive father involvement.

• Model behavior of what father involvement looks like in father-child activities.

• Encourage mothers to bring their husbands, boyfriends, brothers, etc. to meetings and events.

• Establish routines and rituals that involve and recognize fathers.

• Break the cycle of minimizing father involvement.

For more information on supporting father involvement in your organization, visit http://www.familyresourcecenters.net/projects-2/supporting-father-involvement/

 

INTERFACE: 40 YEARS OF HELPING - 40 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING - 40 YEARS OF SUPPORT!

I was reflecting just the other day on the fact that we are already in the holiday season (where DOES the time go?) and how this has been a very special year for Interface – our 40^th year of service!  I came across a quote that so succinctly captured the essence of what we do:  “We never think lightly of those who walk with us on our uphill days.” – Richelle E. Goodrich.

We walk with a lot of kids and families on their “uphill days…” here at Interface Children & Family Services.  It is an honor and privilege to serve and support families as they struggle through their many challenges - helping them up the hills and over the speed bumps in their lives; giving them ways to become stronger and more resilient.

Interface has always been about people – the people we assist and the people who choose to make a career here – a career of service to others.   40 years…! I estimate that represents about 750,000 staff/volunteer days spent in service to our communities…not hours, but days of service: for abused children, homeless teens, parents at their wits end, fathers who don’t know how to rise above a troubled past, grieving seniors looking for support, abused moms and kids, and even other organizations wanting to learn from us as to how to be more effective in their work.

This year we have been inspired and amazed by the number of people who have chosen to become involved in what we do at Interface – people who have busy lives and other things to do, but who want to be there on those “uphill days” for others.  We’ve had folks volunteer to dance, skate, run, walk and collect old shoes to help raise funds to support our programs.  And now, we even have someone who wants to sing for Interface!  Let me introduce you to Ventura vocalist, Loanne Wullaert.

Loanne will be presenting a special holiday concert, Canzoni Invernali Di Amore (Winter Songs of Love) on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.) at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut, Ventura.  She will be performing a collection of seasonal songs and proceeds from the concert will benefit Interface Children & Family Services.  There is a $10.00 suggested donation for the concert and kids under 16 are FREE.  A silent auction will also happen during intermission. 

Recently we asked Loanne some questions about her background, her love of music and why she is giving her time and talent to be there on those “uphill days.”  We found that her story was a wonderful match with what we do at Interface.

When did you start singing and why did you start?

“I started singing when I was 2 years old, when I started playing piano. My first song was Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head. My Mom said I sat down one day and sang it and played it with both hands out of nowhere. My Dad used to play a lot of music when I was young, lots of classical and stuff, and we were not allowed to watch TV. I hated that then, but I consider it a blessing now.”

What vocal training or musical experience do you have?

“My only training really was school choir.  Usually I was told my voice didn't blend, like it was too distinct and stood out too much. Other than choir at school, I did some local theater in Santa Barbara, and I had a band for a short period in Ventura called Sinfonia Illuminada, which took traditional opera pieces and transposed them in to rock.”

How would you describe your “style” of music?

“The songs I sing are songs that speak to me and make me feel a certain way.  Even when I pick a song in a foreign language and then translate it, I always find that it is saying what I felt it did. So I guess, my style is honest? Heartfelt? I don't really know if that can be a style.”

What inspired you to do this holiday concert for Interface Children & Family Services?

“I was adopted by my mom and dad as an infant, and because of that I have always been aware of how lucky I am. There are so many children in this world with no home, no parents, in desperate situations, without hope or love. I believe that you can change the world by making an impact on just one person and letting them know someone cares. So if I can raise money, or help get toys or shoes or whatever for just one child who has nothing, I am taking the steps to accomplish my goals and dreams to make this world a better place.”

What is your hope or desire for the audience to experience at the concert?

“I would like people to feel my heart, to open their minds to music and the different types of people who create it.  I would love to give people a raised awareness of the things which are really important in life such as love, beauty, and friendship, and to be able to express that to people. I feel that life is so hurried and fast that we often to forget to tell those around us how much they mean to us, and then it is too late. I, myself am guilty of that, and that is why I have been doing these shows, to try to honestly and openly express how I feel, and to let people know who I really am instead of who they perceive me to be.”

 Anything else you would like to add?

“The greatest thing you will ever learn, is to love and be loved in return.” 

We are so grateful to Loanne for dedicating this concert to the support of Interface and all of its programs.  We hope you will come out and support her, and in so doing, help even more people on those “uphill days!”

To pre-purchase tickets to Canzoni Invernali Di Amore or for more information visit:
http://www.venturatheater.net/event/419381-canzoni-invernali-di-amore-ventura/

Faces of Interface . . . Leadership Advisory Council Member, Kevin Fitzpatrick

Rrachel & Kevin Fitzpatrick

“Kevin Fitzpatrick is an extremely driven individual who has the ability to motivate and energize the people with whom he works.”

“Kevin has strong leadership qualities and is a great motivator of people.”

“Kevin really cares about his customers and his friends and it comes natural to him.”

These are all things said about Kevin by co-workers and friends.  We at Interface Children & Family Services count ourselves extremely lucky to have Kevin Fitzpatrick as a member of our Leadership Advisory Council.  Recently, we asked him some questions about why he volunteers his time, talents, and treasures to Interface.

What drew you to Interface?

My dear friend, Ron Wagley, who passed away this past July, was a board member for Interface.  Ron was someone whom I respected and admired.  As the retired CEO of Transamerica Insurance, one would think he would have been too removed from the everyday to give to others.  But Ron was someone who came alongside his friends, showed us through his own life what it was to strive to be the best husbands, fathers, and friends we could be, all in an effort to bring honor and glory to God.  I guess it didn’t surprise me that Ron was involved with Interface – particularly with the programs that helped abused moms and kids.

Once Ron introduced me to Interface, I knew this was a way for me to use my own childhood experiences in a positive way – to turn negative to positive.  I knew the helplessness that these moms and kids experience.  Because of this,  I have a passion to help change the circumstances of others, however I can – especially for children.  Kids have no power or control over the abuse that will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Why has your involvement been fulfilling for you?

The things I’ve been able to do for Interface have helped me live out what my friend, Ron, exemplified – a life filled with service.  My family had the privilege of participating in a holiday gift drive for Interface – providing gifts for kids that they may never have really believed they would receive.  My children delivered the gifts to Interface and it was a great opportunity to teach them about giving.  Through my contacts, we were able to complete some much needed renovations at the emergency shelter – making it a more comfortable and safe atmosphere for people who had to leave their homes suddenly and with nothing.

What else can you say about Interface?

I really want to help spread the word about all the ways Interface helps children and families.  So many people are hurting in so many ways.  Interface helps in multiple ways – all across our communities.  For example, the 2-1-1 program.  I want to make sure that the word is out on that one – access to any type of help is just 3 digits away.
 

And, finally, I want to help people who are busy and self-sufficient see that reaching out to others is something that will make a difference. Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of us – people all around us need our help.  I know from my own experiences what it’s like to need help.  It means so much to me to  be able to provide some well-deserved help to  others now.