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. 

Making Prevention the Main Ingredient

by Robert Jacobi
Interface Board Member
Managing Director, Main Course California

I have lived, studied, and worked in many countries, and each place taught me something different. My primary passions in life are the art of catering, managing chefs who create delicious food, and playing classical guitar, but I also love to help those who are less fortunate than me and social services have been part of my life for many years.

In the culinary world, proper training is the key to success; and in social services, prevention can be the solution. I studied hotel management in Geneva, Switzerland, worked at the Hotel du Rhone, and was certified at the Cordon Bleu. Soon, I found myself catering high-profile events at the United Nations and the Academy Awards. My European training motivated me to set newer and higher standards of quality, and I learned that a crisis is a turning point, and not always a tragedy. Violence is cyclical, and those who have experienced violence or abuse often perpetuate those dynamics in their own families.  However, in social services and crisis intervention, we have the chance to treat immediate problems, but also to end the cycle of violence one person at a time. Prevention is the cure, and prevention is the future.

In 2001, my family spearheaded the KiD (Kind in Duesseldorf) initiative in Germany. My family has been involved in this initiative for the past 10 years, and my father gives me updates to this day. KiD primarily supports care institutions for children who have a history of physical, psychological or sexual abuse.  When the experience of violence is continuous and becomes an element of daily life, this is extremely dangerous for a child. We must interrupt the cycle and patterns of violence as soon as possible. Situated in the heart of the city of Duesseldorf, the KiD center provides children with new perspectives by temporarily separating the child from unhealthy family or home dynamics, and creating space for them to explore their feelings, memories, and begin healing.

After completing my studies, I moved to Los Angeles and then Carpinteria, where I accepted a job at the Ojai Valley Inn. I fell in love with Southern California and decided to start my own catering business, Main Course California, in 2008. I met one of the directors of Interface, Marti DeLaO, while attending a Rotary Club meeting in Ventura. We discussed my family’s involvement with KiD in Germany, and I discovered that Interface also acts on the principle that prevention is the future. Interface is one of the only local organizations offering prevention programs for kids and teens to reduce their chances of getting in trouble. I was impressed, and have served on the Interface Board of Directors since April 2011.

Interface has locally pioneered a unique model that offers families and kids a one-stop shop to meet their needs for support, called the Family Resource Center (FRC). Currently there are two in operation, one in Santa Paula and one in Oxnard.  Domestic violence and child abuse counseling, parenting support, guitar and art classes, mental health assistance and youth leadership activities are just some of the services available at the Santa Paula FRC. The children who go there often refer to it as simply “El Centro” or “The Center.” That home-like atmosphere is essential for breaking the cycle of violence. Every child who experiences safety and empowerment there could someday become a parent who knows that they have made it through the worst, and that they can handle any struggle that they face.

I would like to see more centers like KiD and Family Resource Centers formed over time. The value of giving kids a “home away from home,” a place where they can go and know they can trust everyone there, heal from past abuse and prevent future violence, is immeasurable.  Prevention should be a main ingredient in any successful recipe for hope, healing, stronger families and communities.

A 2-1-1 operator for a day

by Erik Sternad
Executive Director, Interface Children & Family Services

Ventura County Together (VCT) executed a fundraising campaign last week to help support the 40 organizations in our county serving the hungry, the homeless, those without health coverage and in need of information and referrals. I’ve been a member of VCT for the last two years and in order to do my part in raising awareness and raising money, I decided to make this campaign personal… I spent last week trying to experience some of the many challenges that people in our community go through. I went hungry for a day, I slept in my car, and then I spent a few hours answering calls in our 2-1-1 information and referral call center. These were symbolic gestures meant to bring awareness to the need for basic services in our community, but I also learned a lot along the way.

I’ve wanted to answer information and referral calls at 2-1-1 since I first came to Interface, and I was delighted to handle 9 calls - mostly by myself on Friday afternoon! The gracious 2-1-1 staff helped me navigate the database screens, while I did the talking on the phone. They only put me on Ventura County calls (not the other seven counties we serve with 2-1-1…whew!). I gave referrals for domestic violence shelters, bilingual counseling, rental assistance and animal control. I remember handling these kinds of information and referral calls when I was working my way through graduate school, but it’s been a long time.

The best call that I received on Friday was from a single mother with a young child and two elderly parents. This young woman was the only breadwinner for this family, and she was facing a foreclosure and imminent eviction on their home of over 20 years. You could hear the relief in her voice as we helped her with temporary housing support, credit counseling (to help advocate for her with the bank foreclosing on their house), and CalFresh (food stamps) support, for which she easily qualified given the number of mouths she was feeding on her own.  I experienced first hand that 2-1-1 is a powerful resource. Now another family has a shot at re-making their future because of one phone call, and the community resources that will flow from it.

Moments like that remind me of why I’m honored to work at Interface.

Why would I go without food for 24 hours?

by Erik Sternad
Executive Director, Interface Children & Family Services

In my 48 years on the planet, I’ve never gone without food for 24 hours. That seems amazing now that I have put it in writing. So what would compel me to go without food all day on Tuesday? 

I have been supporting the Ventura County Together (vctogether.org) fundraising blitz week and been part of the planning committee for this effort for several months. VCT is a group of 40 local non-profits all focused on addressing the unmet basic needs of so many across our county – the hungry homeless, sick and disconnected.

One morning last week as I woke up, this idea hit me:  I needed to devote one day for each of the areas that VCT supports (food, shelter, healthcare, 2-1-1). So Tuesday was a day of fasting, a small sacrifice to “join” those who were also hungry yesterday in our community.

After skipping breakfast, I was fine until about 11:45am when I started to notice the food in my office, and the food that my colleagues were eating here at Interface. I realized what it must be like for kids who went to school hungry on Tuesday, seeing their friends with their Lunchables and sodas, and getting that tight feeling inside – a quiet humiliation, of going without.

At about 1:30pm, I put a sticky note on my “snack drawer” in my office just in case I got distracted and reached for one of the snacks. I didn’t dare look inside the drawer! How could it be that in our country, in one of the wealthiest counties in our state, we have kids hungry this afternoon? What are we doing wrong as a society that we keep plowing forward without stopping to pick up the little ones? I remember that someone once said as a society we are measured by how we treat those who are most vulnerable amongst us. We’ve got work to do.

I received a few encouraging Facebook posts in the afternoon, and the couple of donations that came in that day were especially uplifting. At those moments I didn’t mind being a little hungry – it’s working!

By dinner time I was watching the clock. I always grab a cookie or a bite of something as soon as I walk in the door from work, so I was feeling lost and realized four times that my body had walked over to the snacks on the counter. “You can do it, you only have until 10:30pm,” I told myself. “Why did you eat so late yesterday evening? If you last ate at 6pm we’d be done by now…” Yes, I was actively arguing with myself.

I kept myself busy with a project at home, but when I sat down to read at 9:00pm, I was actually having a hard time concentrating! It took extra effort to focus my thoughts and track the text. My thoughts again went to that hungry child who I imagined at the same time staring at her homework – “got to think, think, think…” What a horrible extra burden to lay on a hungry child.

By the time 10:30pm rolled around, I was so ready to savor that first bite of an Austrian pastry that my wife had made the day earlier. I usually give thanks for my food, but this time, I was sobered by the opportunity to eat.

Maybe that’s what we’ve done, is we’ve forgotten that eating is a gift, an opportunity and a blessing. I hope many join the VC Together effort to raise funds for our local food providers today – they have more mouths to feed these days and without a whole lot of money to do it with. In the end, I just want to find a way to assure that that young girl in my imagination two days ago has food for tomorrow.

(You can learn more and donate online at VCTogether.org or text VCT to 27722. Thank you!)

Our Phones Are Ringing...

...off the hook! 

You may be surprised to learn that Interface Children & Family Services has been providing information & referral services for over 30 years but it has NEVER BEEN AS POWERFUL as it is now by simply dialing 2-1-1! 

I thought it would be nice to share with you examples of calls received by 2-1-1 Ventura County call specialists, in honor of their 6th anniversary celebration held at the beginning of this month and to highlight our just released 2010 Annual Community Report.   

  

An elderly woman we'll call Susan lives in Ventura and was referred to 2-1-1 by a social worker.  Susan called 2-1-1 for resources for her adult daughter who we'll call Jamie.  Jamie is autistic and Susan is concerned about how her daughter will cope if something happens to her mom.  Susan gained information about independent living resources so Jamie can learn to live on her own.  During a follow up call, Susan shared that she was able to connect with resources provided to her by 2-1-1.  Community Action will be able to help her with legal services and the Independent Living Resource Center is offering life skills training so Jamie can learn to be more self sufficient. Susan was happy and appreciative about receiving positive responses from the referral agencies and thanked 2-1-1 for their assistance.

  

A woman we'll call Judy lives in Fillmore and called 2-1-1 for rental assistance.  Judy explained that she receives housing assistance and had just passed her annual housing inspection when she received a notice from the bank.  She spoke with her landlord, who confirmed that the bank’s statement was true - she needed to vacate the premises.  Judy was confused about her housing options and whether her housing assistance would transfer to another home.  During a follow up call, Judy shared that, while she is still very angry about the situation, the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program through the Human Services Agency is helping her relocate and will help her with her deposit and rental assistance.  Judy thanked 2-1-1 for being helpful and patient when she called for assistance.

A man we'll call David lives in Oxnard and called 2-1-1 for rental assistance.  David explained that he was in a bind because his unemployment check was late.  He was frustrated and upset because he had fallen behind in the rent and was worried he wouldn't be able to keep his home.  During a follow up call, David explained that he received his unemployment check and he was able to pay his current rent and make payment arrangements for his back payments.  He had contacted Catholic Charities and although they did not have funds available at the time, they indicated that there would be funds available within the next few days that he could apply for to help pay his back payments. David was very appreciative, stating that his daughter would be able to visit for the summer since he was not going to lose his home.

An Oxnard woman we'll call Rosa contacted 2-1-1 after she and her two young children were evicted from their home.  Rosa explained that she is currently employed, but was not able to afford to pay her rent for the past three months because she only made enough money for food and other small bills.  Rosa was staying with the father of her children but was concerned that it was not a safe environment for them. The Call Specialist reviewed resources with Rosa and she was interested in referrals to agencies for help with housing and for her local Neighborhood for Learning (NfLs).  The Call Specialist encouraged Rosa to call back when she is ready for more assistance. 

These were just a few examples of the over 19,000 calls we receive each year.  2-1-1 provides information and referral services relating to counseling, domestic violence, employment, food assistance, health care, housing, legal assistance, senior services, services for children, substance abuse services, and so much more.  Be sure to tell all of your friends about 2-1-1 so they can "BE IN THE KNOW!"

2-1-1 Ventura County is a program of Interface Children & Family Services in partnership with United Way of Ventura County and First Five of Ventura County.  

For more information on ways you can support 2-1-1 Ventura County with a financial donation, please contact Marti DeLaO, Director of Fund Development at (805) 485-6114, x-641. 

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The Umbrella of Mental Health Services

Defining mental health services - now there is a challenge.  Ask the lady sitting in the cubicle next to you and she'll most likely say, "Those homeless men down by San Jon, the schizophrenics, and all those who have bipolar disorder and hear voices."  While there may be some truth to your work neighbor's words, mental health deserves a true definition for all those people unaware of the fact that ADD, ADHD, autism, anorexia, bulimia, and so many others are also mental illnesses.

According to NAMI, mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.  Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder.  Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income.  They are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. They are treatable and most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.  In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery.

Therefore, mental health services for an organization must be vast and comprehensive.  Interface is one of the leading providers of mental health services in Ventura County.  Programs such as the Triple P: Positive Parenting Program; Parent Child Interaction Therapy; Child Abuse Treatment; the Program to Evaluate and Treat Sexual Abuse; Victims of Crime - Surviving to Thriving; the Oxnard Youth Services Bureau; Solutions, Recovery Classroom; Juvenile Drug Court; Child/Youth/Family Focused Emotional Wellness; Early Interventions 0-5 Years - Social & Emotional Wellness; and the Intensive Parenting Treatment Program are examples of the umbrella of mental health services that Interface provides. 

I decided to sit down with Mental Health Director, Joelle Vessels, to learn more about her personal experience and what drives her to do the type of work that most people wouldn't be able to leave at the office.

Where & what did you do prior to joining Interface?

"As a Marriage Family Therapist since 1990, I had a private practice for 11 years providing mental health treatment services to adults, families and children, in addition to contracts providing treatment services in residential treatment centers, shelters, and academic settings.  I’ve provided individual, family and group therapy to children and adults affected by trauma, abuse and mental health issues, conducted community presentations, facilitated workshops and authored a relationship enhancement column for a community newspaper in San Bernardino.  Just prior to coming to Interface, I was a therapist at a non public school working with probation and high risk youth who were gang involved.  I really enjoyed watching my clients come to recognize their potential and begin setting steps to bring them out of poverty or illiteracy.  It was also extremely sad when comforting the parents and family members of a child killed by gang violence."

What made you decide to do the work you are doing?

"It’s kind of hard to put into words what leads someone on the path towards a particular profession like a mental health profession. I suppose it’s a number of personal experiences. I can say that I’ve valued every job I’ve had in this profession and am rewarded by the work. I had been a therapist for 10 years when my oldest son was diagnosed with schizophrenia.  Navigating the various systems was certainly less complicated because of my profession.  Reducing the stigma of mental illness is an underlying theme in why I stay in the work. The stigma experienced by an individual with a biological brain disorder impacts the decisions that individual makes about their day to day life, impacts their self-esteem, what contributions they make to life.  Yep, I’d like to make an impact there for sure."

Given all the challenges involved in the type of work you do, what makes you come to work everyday?

"Interface is doing comprehensive work in the community and I’m a believer in that.  I work for an agency whose mission, vision and values I can support.  And I really enjoy my staff – meeting with them and being a part of the work they are doing with their teams."

Thanks, Joelle, for your insight!  Learn more about the mental health programs Interface provides and be sure to educate your family, friends, and neighbors on mental illnesses because according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 57.7 million or 1 in 4 people in the United States are affected.   

Education For Action

After 35 years as a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Ventura County, Interface Children & Family Services' has a duty to provide the highest quality of services for children and families in our community.
  
Our goal is to educate our readers about the programs and services we provide, while spotlighting our Board of Directors, our donors, employees, volunteers, and most importantly, our success stories.
 
We hope each of you will be touched by the humility, strength, and passion of our many friends who make the work that we do possible.  Because for us, it is your generosity that makes us one of Ventura County's leading nonprofit agencies.

In the words of Herbert Spencer,  "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action."