Aspiranet Blog

Grass Roots Advocacy Day in Sacramento

2012-04-23T16:05:00.001-07:00

We headed to the State Capitol last week to participate in the Association of Regional Center Agencies' (ARCA) Grass Roots Day on April 18.

We descended on the Capitol Building in downtown Sacramento bright and early, ready to advocate for key issues affecting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, across the state. We started the day with a briefing from ARCA and got to know our meeting groups.

We reviewed our talking points and briefed ourselves on background information for our State Legislator meetings. We distributed piles of letters and petitions written by concerned Californians who want to ensure that our most vulnerable populations are protected and provided with the care they need.

Then, we whisked ourselves away to countless meetings around the capitol building. At every meeting, we shared personal stories about how budget cuts have affected individuals from the Developmental Services system. We urged our legislators to "stop the bleeding" and do whatever they can to protect against additional cuts.

Sharing stories in the office of Senate Majority Leader, Ellen M. Corbett

Words from Representative Paul Fong: I want to represent the most vulnerable. I'm a social justice and civil rights advocate. That's why I'm here in Sacramento.

Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr. Chair of the Human Services Committee.

"Quilt" of artwork in Jim Beall's office, provided by special needs students in his district.

We were pleased to work with the Community Membership and Media Program at Hope Services, conducting participant interviews, taking photos and recording the day via ustream.

Hope Services Community Membership and Media Program interview between Toby Ames and David Forsderer.

We had a wonderful and informative day in Sacramento advocating alongside ARCA. We take our role as a provider of services for families with autism and other developmental disabilities through our Family Focused Support Network in the Silicon Valley very seriously. We aim to provide the highest quality care possible. Sometimes that means we step away from our day-to-day responsibilities to travel to Sacramento and beyond to lend our voices in support of our clients.

A huge thank you to Sheri Reynolds, Director of the Family Focused Support Network at Aspiranet for welcoming our digital media team to her advocacy activities in Sacramento.

Friday Favorites: April 13 2012

2012-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! Here are some of our favorite finds from around the web this week in the world of child welfare, foster care and more.

Favorite Share: People Passing the Pinwheel. You guys made our month with your enthusiastic response to our Pass the Pinwheel effort in support of Child Abuse Awareness month. This image made its way around the web this week at lightning speed. If you haven't shared it yet, what are you waiting for?

Favorite Foster Parent: Foster Parenting at Midlife. When your nest is empty, why not fill it up again? That's what Jude Cockerton did and she doesn't regret it for a moment.

Favorite Person: Samantha LaGrasse. She's a social worker, a blogger, and as of this week, a television news personality. She amazes us with her advocacy and her willingness to take on additional responsibilities to get the word out about her work with emancipated foster youth.

Favorite Words: Robin Campbell talks about working with Dave Thomas. Can you imagine how awesome it was to work with Dave Thomas? What's that you say? You don't spend your free time wishing you could've worked with child welfare legends like we do?

That's strange.

Anyway, you have to read this blog post from Ms. Campbell about her fondest memories working with Dave Thomas for more than 15 years. Sigh.

Favorite Forecast: Sunny and 70 degrees in Northern California this weekend? You know where to find us! (Hint: it begins with Farmer's and ends with Market.)

Have a great weekend everyone!

PS - If you have any links you think we should include in Friday Favorites, send 'em our way!

Try this: Autism Screening Quiz

2012-04-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

80% of internet users use the web to look for health/medical info*.

Big number, huh?

We thought so too.

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, we created a new online tool designed to help parents screen their children for behaviors associated with autism. Our goal was to meet concerned parents online and give them a reliable tool to quickly assess concerning behaviors. Based on their responses to our age-related true/false questions, we connect parents to resources and provide direction for their next steps.

Click here to take Aspiranet's Online Autism Self-help Screening Quiz.

Our Family Focused Support Network (FFSN) provides intensive case management, in-home behavioral services and counseling to assist families and children who are challenged by autism and other developmental disabilities. The quiz was developed by Sheri Reynolds, the Director of FFSN and one of the country's leading youth autism therapy experts.

You can always contact us with your questions or concerns.

Disclaimer: While the Autism Screening Quiz can help you identify behaviors that could suggest a child has autism, it is not a diagnosis tool or a treatment for autism. If you are concerned about your child’s development, please contact us

*Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project trend data for online activities.

Upcoming Fresno Events Highlight the Needs of Foster Youth

2012-04-03T17:29:00.002-07:00

About the author: My name is Samantha and I am Aspiranet’s Program Manager for THP-Plus and HPRPin Fresno. For the last 1 ½ years, I have helped youth emancipating from foster care successfully transition to adulthood. I have spent my career as a social worker (15 years!), working with children and families who need help in healing, even though the task often seems giant and the hurt is incredible. Seeing a child get the chance for a better life makes the challenges seem small and the hard work well-worth it. You can connect with me on facebook or twitter.

One of the most powerful teaching tools I have encountered in providing services to youth has been listening to their experiences and learning from their journeys. Nothing is as impactful as hearing former foster youth recount their stories from foster care and the incredible lengths they’ve gone to overcome their personal hardships.

Many times, the emotions evident in stories shared have a way of touching the heart and bringing tears to your eyes. For me as a parent, it often reminds me of how protective I am of my own child, and how hard it is to hear of a child who has had to experience unnecessary trauma.

I encourage everyone providing direct services or care to foster youth to come experience first-hand the power that story-telling has in shaping the work we do with foster youth.

We have two events coming up in the next couple of months in Fresno where you can hear directly from emancipated foster youth, as well as experts in the field of foster youth transitions to adulthood. Former foster youth will conduct panels and recount their stories, helping us to more clearly see the obstacles they have faced related to obtaining higher education and becoming independent. Each event will explore the need for ongoing support into adulthood and the importance of permanency for foster youth.

Beyond Surviving to Thriving

The first event, “Beyond Surviving to Thriving: FosteringConnections to Success – AB12” will be held at the University Square Hotel, April 27, 2012, from 8 am to 4:45 pm. This 13^th annual Child Welfare Symposium is sponsored by California State University, Fresno’s Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, and Department of Social Work Education. There is a $75 registration fee, and a $10 fee if CEU credit is desired.

Keynote speakers include Nan Henderson, who will discuss resiliency and positive youth development; Mark Courtney, affiliate scholar from the University of Chicago, discussing his work surrounding the adult functioning of former foster children; and Angie Schwartz, director of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, to speak on AB12 legislation. Visit the CSU Fresno Social Work website for additional information.

Permanency for Older Youth

The second event is hosted by Aspiranet, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, and will be held at the Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center (formerly Grand Occasions) June 21, 2012, from 9 am to 3 pm This 5^th annual youth event, “Partners in Permanency: Walking the Journey Together” will focus on permanency for older youth. Registration is free, with a $25 fee for those interested in earning CEU credit.

Keynote speaker Deborah Gray, clinical social worker and renowned author, will discuss how trauma affects children’s attachment, and share practical methods for parents and professionals to help make the connection with youth. Alfonzo Tucker, a former foster youth and author, will lead a break out session for youth, and share his experience in foster care and how he was able to build support systems on his journey. Visit www.aspiranettransitions.org or contact Kathy Steele at 559-222-4969 for further information.

Please join us at one or both of these events. If you do plan on attending, be sure to let us know on facebook and recommend the event to your colleagues and friends.

These courageous youth are models to us all. They show us that there is hope in some of the darkest places, and we can accomplish so much when we dig deep.

Friday Favorites

2012-03-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! Here are some of our favorite finds from around the web this week in the world of child welfare, foster care and more.

Favorite Article: Mentoring program helps former foster youth thrive. This SF Gate article paints a great picture of the realities former foster youth face when they go to college and highlights a fabulous scholarship program. This quote made us cry: "Guardian scholars are the ones dropped off on the curb by a taxi or a social worker," Sanchez-Zarama said. "Maybe they get a handshake or a pat on the back, and they are carrying what little they have in a Hefty bag or cardboard box, while everyone else is hugging their parents and waving goodbye." Come on, we can do better than this for our youth! Let's get them permanent connections before they go to college.

Favorite Fundraiser: SNBC's Sunset Soiree. A silent auction with a baseball autographed by San Francisco Giants star Pablo Sandoval, two hosted bars with wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, a tasting from Social Kitchen & Brewery all in support of the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center? Sign us up quick! We're pretty sure those 25 dollar tickets aren't going to last long.

Favorite Idea: Making Prom Happen for Foster Girls. We've told you before how difficult it is for some foster teens to go to prom because the expense is not provided for in their government reimbursement. Glamour Gowns Giveaway from CASA in L.A. is a deluxe, two-day event that treats girls in foster care like queens as they shop for a free gown to wear to prom. Love it!

Favorite University Program: Youth in Foster Care Get a Chance at University Education.Way to go, University of Winnipeg! Full scholarships and living expenses provided for foster youth. Yes, please!

Favorite Funny: Raise your hand if you can relate to this dog duo.

Have a great weekend, all. We'll catch up with you next week. We have something HUGE to share with you on Monday.

Creating great fishermen, one teacher at a time

2012-03-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

About the author: My name is Samantha and I am Aspiranet’s Program Manager for THP-Plus and HPRP in Fresno. For the last 1 ½ years, I have helped youth emancipating from foster care successfully transition to adulthood. I have spent my career as a social worker (15 years!), working with children and families who need help in healing, even though the task often seems giant and the hurt is incredible. Seeing a child get the chance for a better life makes the challenges seem small and the hard work well-worth it. You can connect with me on facebook or twitter.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”

In the last 1 ½ years, I have been able to experience social work from a different view, working with young adults who have now left the foster care system and are now trying to make a life for themselves on their own in THP-Plus.

The youth in our program are great! They each have their own personalities, dreams, interests. As social workers, our roles with these young adults are now more about guiding them in their newfound (sometimes daunting) freedom to make choices and decisions for themselves. If you’re a parent or caregiver that has raised children and sent them out into the world, you understand what it’s like to watch them stumble and make mistakes, but come back to you for help.

I’m glad that we are starting to recognize that these former foster youth still need our help just like any other young adult learning and growing. We finally have programs like THP-Plus in place to assist.

Youth in the THP-Plus Program

Back to My Fish Story

Every day in this program, our youth face the same challenges in reaching their goal of self-sufficiency:

Assistance in obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
Learning the ins-and-outs of getting a job and then keeping that job.
Encouragement to further their education and get specialized job training

Do you recognize your own adult children yet?

Sometimes we feel frustrated when we encounter resistance or complacency with our youth. Truth is, we want to see them succeed in life just like we want to see our own children accomplish great things.

When one of my team members presents me with the dilemma of how to get a youth motivated, engaged, and on a path to progress....and nothing seems to be working, I generally offer this advice:

Sometimes a person wants to help himself, but he doesn’t know how to do it.

He may feel scared, or alone, or hopeless. When we want to help a young person to learn to help himself, we have to let that person know that we are here to walk right alongside him. That means walking up and down the aisles of a grocery store and helping that youth to budget and spend his allotted amount of money for the month. Or taking a youth down to an apartment, and sitting with him as he negotiates his rental lease. Then, getting on the computer together and helping that youth find cheap (or better yet FREE) furniture for his apartment.

It takes extra work on our part to walk with youth in their transition from childhood dependency to the world of independent adulthood, teaching them how to “fish”. But, when you show someone you care, an amazing thing happens…they begin to care more, too. Because they know that they are not alone, they are not helpless, and even if they’re scared, someone’s there to support them.

I encourage all of you reading this to lend your support to a young person making that transition to adulthood. You can do that by visiting our THP-Plus website to learn about our opportunities to get involved as a mentor, volunteer or donor.

There are so many ways to help a youth learn how to fish. We just need more teachers.

Aspiranet Foster Family receives exterior paint job from Lancaster Painting

2012-02-29T11:13:00.004-08:00

The Bakers have welcomed 70 children into their home over the last fifteen years. They are giving, patient, kind and forgiving. They accept youth the way they are and help them believe in the limitless possibilities of the future. They give every foster youth tools they need to be their best and prepare them for the twists and turns that life always presents.

Great people like the Bakers deserve recognition for all they've done as foster parents. Thanks to Lancaster Painting of Turlock, that well-deserved recognition came in the form of an exterior paint job valued at $6,000. The Bakers were nominated as recipients of Lancaster Painting's Paint it Forward contest by Aspiranet social workers Sharon Salaiz and Sandra Genova.

Forty community volunteers showed up at the Baker's home Saturday, Feb. 25th ready to paint. In just a few hours, the work was complete. The Baker's home now matches the beauty found inside as they care for foster youth.

Thank you, Lancaster Painting, Light House Communications, Paul's Paint Company and Sherwin-Williams making Paint it Forward a reality.

Please check out the photos from Paint it Forward below:

Beautiful!

lunch time!

Taking a water break

Priming the Exterior

Bobbie Baker

Aspiranet Social Workers Sharon and Gina

If you'd like to partner with Aspiranet, please contact us.

Baskets for Bakersfield Wraparound Families

2012-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Aspiranet's Wraparound program is a true gem. The name perfectly describes the focus of what we do in this community-based in-home program:

Wrap at-risk families with support to give them tools to stay together and be their best.

At Wraparound, our facilitators, parent partners and youth support counselors help families become strong, joyful and healthy. We do whatever it takes to give our families the support they need to overcome their challenges and thrive.

Aspiranet's former employee Gary Simmons appreciates the work we do at Wraparound. During the 2011 holiday season, he approached our Bakersfield office to see how he could provide a donation that would brighten the lives of our families during the often-stressful holiday season.

Our Wraparound staff had a perfect solution. They met the Simmons family at Wal-mart and loaded up several shopping carts with goodies to help ten Wraparound families. Every basket included a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, other food and snacks, family-themed games and toys, blankets and hygiene and household items.

The Simmons Family

Gary Simmons Jr and Sr

Aspiranet staff with their shopping carts

The baskets brightened the lives of ten families working very hard to build a healthy home. We're incredibly grateful for the Simmons family for their $2,000 donation to our Wraparound families. We'll never forget your generosity.

Celebrating the Season: Aspiranet's Holiday Gift Drive

2011-11-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Michelle is Aspiranet's Online Marketing Manager. Since last December, she's been the person behind our social media. In this post, she's sharing her thoughts on Aspiranet's Holiday Gift Drive with Starbucks Coffee Company.

It's that time of year again.

I don't know about you, but the big "C" (and by that, I mean consumerism) at this time of year makes me feel uncomfortable. It desensitizes me to the joys of the holidays, leaving me scrambling to buy gifts and forgetting the best parts of the season.

I forget messy kitchens, standing by my mother's side rolling out pie crust and creaming butter and sugar for the perfect holiday cookie.

I forget crisp winter walks with the newest additions to the family cozy in their strollers, the smells of wood-burning fireplaces in the air.

I forget laughing at my dad trying to trim the Christmas tree with his tiny Walmart saw.

I forget about family and the unique opportunity the holidays present to celebrate it.

Working at Aspiranet, I am constantly reminded that a healthy, happy family is not guaranteed. The holiday memories for nearly 60,000 children in foster care in California this season will be drastically different than my own. They may wake up Christmas morning apart from their siblings for the first time in their lives. Perhaps they'll celebrate with a wonderful foster family, all the time thinking of what their mom or dad is doing that day.

60,000 is an enormous number. It's the population of a small city. Just imagine for a week: every single person you come across at the grocery store, at the post office, at work, in the airport represents a foster youth in California. Every person is a life you can impact this holiday.

This year I challenged myself to step away from my computer and do something for Aspiranet foster youth through our Annual Holiday Gift drive with Starbucks Coffee Company.

What an experience!

I carefully selected my ornament (eggnog latte in hand).

I shuffled over to Target and agonized over the perfect gifts. Obviously, Thomas the Tank is the perfect train, but I wasn't sure if Eduardo wanted only a train or the tracks to accompany. In the end, the starter set won.

Learning toys? I wanted something that would keep Eduardo occupied longer than a few minutes. I remembered my love for coloring books as a child and continued my commercial vehicle theme with a Tonka activity book and twistable crayons.

A stop at checkout for some batteries and my experience was complete.

Back at the office, I struggled with writing a personal note to Eduardo. What could I say to a four-year-old to tell him how much I care about him? How should I say that I come to work every day so that children like him can create happy memories of the holidays?

I pause, think of my two-year-old nephew and his infatuation with trains. I know exactly what to say:

Purchasing a gift for Eduardo was just what I needed to refocus on what's important this season. I'd be willing to wager that it will do the same for you.

If you'd like to participate in Aspiranet's Gift Drive with Starbucks, please visit aspiranetheroes.org/giftdrive.

Meet an Aspiranet Foster Family: Robin and Robert

2011-05-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

Robin and Robert are currently fostering four children, ranging from 12 years to 16 years old. They have been a foster family with Aspiranet for over 25 years and have fostered more than 35 children with us.

Please read the Q&A below to learn more about their experience in foster care. It is very inspiring!

Why did you decide to become a foster family?

Robert’s sister-in-law was a foster child. She disclosed her life as a foster child to Robert and Robin, which was not good at the time. Robert and Robin decided that when they were able they would be foster children and make a better life for foster child(ren). When they started fostering they haven’t stopped. They felt that they couldn’t change the system but they could help a least in their own way by fostering a child at a time.

What’s your most memorable moment as a foster family?

There are a lot but the one that stands out in their minds is when a foster girl grew up and asked Robert to walk her down the aisle at her wedding and Robin made her wedding dress.

What is the best part of being a foster family?

The best part is the feeling that you made a difference in a child’s life.

How is your foster child a hero to you?

There have been many heroes in this home. One was a boy who came into the foster home very disconnected with people and his environment. He made no eye contact with anyone. He was very withdrawn and isolated. He spent a year and a half in their home. By the end of that time he would come home from school smiling, laughing, look people directly in the eye, and appeared happy to be alive. He became very sociable, open and connected to his environment. Robert and Robin have seen and experienced the work that this child went through to change. They saw the struggle he went through to reconnect with the world around him and it was amazing and unforgettable.

What would you tell another family who is considering becoming a foster family?

Robert and Robin would tell another family that it is the most challenging “job” anyone could get into but it is the most rewarding. Becoming a foster parent will teach you to become a better parent to your own children. A foster parent will learn to have a lot of patience, and force themselves to learn to laugh at the small things. Being a foster parent has been a very rewarding experience to Robert and Robin and this is why they continue to be foster parents.

Aspiranet Program Spotlight: Family Focused Support Network

2011-04-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

Did you know Aspiranet has more than 35 programs across California working toward our vision of taking collective action to support communities and families as they love and care for children? Our diverse programs range from foster care and afterschool programs to encore career opportunities for retiring professionals.

To introduce our supporters to the life-changing work of our Aspiranet programs, we have created the Aspiranet Program Spotlight. Today, we speak with Sheri Reynolds, Director of the Aspiranet Family Focused Support Network for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. April is National Autism Awareness Month and Sheri has been busy raising her voice as an autism expert. Read on to see what the Family Focused Support Network has in the works...

What does the Family Focused Support Network do?

Family Focused Support Network (FFSN) provides intensive case management and in home behavioral services to families and children challenged by developmental disabilities. Youth referred to the program have severe behavioral issues, such as aggression, hygiene issues, bolting, rigidity and communication issues.

What led you to begin the Family Focused Support Network?

We initially started FFSN to help keep families together and prevent out of home placement. While the program still works with families on this goal, we are now also helping family relationships from deteriorating. We are also focused on helping younger children to learn skills earlier in age that they can use throughout their life.

When you look back on your work, is there an individual story that stands out to you as embodying the success of your program?

I have so many stories that involve youth coming to us while living in their home, disconnected from their family. With our help, the family gains connection, learns skills and increases their relationship harmony. Often, the youth gain social skills that allow them to make friendships. Seeing these success stories time and again makes me a firm believer in the importance and need for our Family Focused Support Network.

What does the Family Focused Support Network have on the horizon?

We're working on many different projects right now! Soon, we'll be offering psychotherapy services to families and individuals. We're also getting ready to launch social skills groups in the Greater Bay Area. Lastly, I'm hosting a free public webinar titled "Decoding Autism" Saturday, April 23 at 10am in support of National Autism Awareness month. I'm going to discuss treatment strategies, including the use of the iPad as a component of a comprehensive treatment plan. To register or learn more, please visit the Aspiranet website.

How can we learn more about the Aspiranet Family Focused Support Network?

Visit us on the web or send me an email at, sreynolds@aspiranet.org. I'd be happy to speak with you about the work we do and discuss ways the Family Focused Support Network can help you.

Visit our website...

Aspiranet Program Spotlight: Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center

2011-04-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

In the coming months, we will introduce our readers to the life-changing work of our Aspiranet programs. For the first installment of the Aspiranet Program Spotlight, Michael Funk of the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center took a moment from his jam-packed schedule as the Director of Afterschool, Community, and Youth Development at Aspiranet to participate in a Q&A with us. Please enjoy and ask anything we missed in the comments!

What does the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center do?

SNBC’s mission is to provide support and opportunities to ensure the healthy development of children, youth, and adults in the Sunset District of San Francisco.

In response to a dearth of community-based services for Sunset families, I decided to start a grassroots effort to address issues facing the Sunset community, out of which SNBC was born. Now in its 15^th year of operation, SNBC is still one of the few family-focused agencies in the neighborhood. SNBC continues its focus on improving the life outcomes of local youth, families, and seniors.

SNBC's vision is to connect people to their passion, potential, and community here on San Francisco's West Side. Through our myriad programs, we support the healthy development of Sunset community members and families. Programs include: daily afterschool programs at five public schools and two community-based locations, serving more than 900 students daily with academic support and enrichment activities; technology classes in English and Cantonese for adults; digital arts and media programs for youth and young adults; case management services for at-risk youth; enrichment and skill-building evening classes for adults, and the Sunset Family Resource Collaborative, led by SNBC, which provides support services for families with young children. All programs and services offered by SNBC are known for their exceptional quality and are free of charge.

When you look back on your work, is there an individual story that stands out to you as embodying the success of SNBC?

This past fall, SNBC was selected as one of only 18 national finalists (out of more than 300 applicants!) for the prestigious MetLife Foundation Afterschool Innovator Award. Our afterschool programs at A.P. Giannini Middle School is a national model for afterschool programming—right here in the Sunset!

What does SNBC need to better serve families?

Like many nonprofits in this difficult economy, our needs are largely financial. To continue serving Sunset families, we need ongoing financial support for our programming. SNBC currently serves more Sunset community members than ever before -- each day of the school year, more than 900 youth attend our afterschool programs, and every week, more than 300 adults participate in our evening programs. While our efforts are supporting more youth and adults than ever, we still have waiting lists! Our programs are more popular than ever and we have grown to meet demand, but we must raise funds to support our future programs. In 2011, we must raise an additional $50,000. Every donation, no matter the size, will propel us towards our goal and is greatly appreciated!

What does SNBC have on the horizon?

On Saturday, April 9th, SNBC will host A Victorian Evening, a benefit and fundraiser. The event is also a celebration of SNBC's 15 years and 15,000 youth served. You can support SNBC by joining us at A Victorian Evening for beer and wine, hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, door prizes, poker and blackjack, and a silent auction! Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here. You can learn more about SNBC's A Victorian Evening by visiting our website.

We're excited to welcome the following special guests: San Francisco Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Richard Carranza, Senator Leland Yee, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Speaker Pro Tempore, Phil Ting, San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, and Hydra Mendoza, San Francisco Board of Education President.

Wine and wine cocktails will be served, courtesy of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly.

The menu for the evening includes:

Gourmet Sliders

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rolls

Shrimp Cocktail

Fruit Tartlets

The silent auction includes:
Russian River Getaway - vacation home rental
Private Sunset Flight for two over the San Francisco Bay
Round-trip flights on Southwest Airlines
Tickets to "Uncorked" Wine Events
San Francisco 49ers tickets plus parking pass
San Francisco Giants tickets
Lunch and Capitol Tour with Assemblywoman Fiona Ma
San Francisco Ballet tickets
Sunset Sail on the San Francisco Bay
Lunch for five with bestselling author John Lescroart
VIP Barrel Tasting for six at Peju Winery
Wine from Grieve Family Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Kermit Lynch Wines, and more!

If you cannot attend A Victorian Evening but still want to support Sunset children and families, you can make a gift to SNBC at www.snbc.org.

How can we learn more about SNBC?

Visit our website at www.snbc.org and follow SNBC on twitter and facebook. We update our twitter and facebook often. We're currently running giveaways on facebook for people purchasing and/or promoting our A Victorian Evening event tickets, so be sure to head over and show your support.

Thank you, Michael, for talking with us about the exciting activities over at SNBC. We're happy to feature the great work of SNBC in the first edition of the Aspiranet Program Spotlight.

Ventura Aspiranet in the News

2011-03-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Do you want to learn more about foster care from the perspective of a current parent?

Check out the following links to interviews conducted with staff and families in our Aspiranet Ventura office:

KCLU Radio

Ventura Breeze - page 14

CapsTV - Episode 43

You can always contact us to speak with our recruitment team about becoming a foster parent. In just a few months, you could welcome a child into your home and help them find their inner hero. Take the first step today by contacting us or giving us a call at (877) 380-HERO. We look forward to hearing from you!

Your Advocacy Saves THP-Plus

2011-03-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

Throughout the month of February, we put out numerous calls to all of our followers on facebook, twitter, and email to raise their voices on behalf of THP-Plus programs. We asked you to call and write letters to your representatives in California Congress, including Governor Jerry Brown. The response we received was overwhelming. We had many people call us and email us to let us know that they were doing everything in their power to let California leadership know that THP-Plus programs work for former foster youth by giving them the opportunity to live a successful, independent life.

At Aspiranet, we wrote hundreds of letters and visited Sacramento alongside current and former THP-Plus youth to testify before the Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees on Health and Human Services against the proposed $19 million cuts to THP-Plus.

We are so excited to share that your advocacy saved THP-Plus from a $19 million dollar proposed budget cut.

On behalf of THP-Plus youth, we cannot thank you enough for your support throughout the month of February. We know you understand that THP-Plus is a proven program that provides a safe living environment while helping youth achieve self-sufficiency. Thank you for using your voice to communicate the importance of THP-Plus to California leadership.

Are you interested in joining Aspiranet's advocacy efforts? Please contact us to learn more. With 35 programs across the state, we are constantly working to raise awareness of our activities in support of communities and families as they love and care for children.

Aspiranet Advocacy in Action

2011-02-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

This week Aspiranet traveled to the State Capitol in Sacramento on behalf of a program near and dear to our hearts: Transitional Housing Program Plus. THP-Plus provides support and affordable housing to emancipated probation and foster youth who have aged out of foster care between ages of 18 to 24.

Lately you may have noticed our advocacy appeals on behalf of THP-Plus on our website, twitter, and facebook pages asking you to raise your voice in support of THP-Plus by calling and writing letters to legislators. Governor Jerry Brown proposed a $19 million reduction to THP-Plus and we are committed to advocating to preserve the funding to this program.

We arrived at the capitol Tuesday afternoon to an auditorium full of current and former foster youth, social workers, and legislative advocates ready to testify on behalf of THP-Plus to the Senate Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

The goal of the afternoon was to have California State Senators Mark DeSaulnier, Elaine K. Alquist, and Bill Emmerson put forth a recommendation to reject Governor Jerry Brown's proposed reduction to THP-Plus. More than 50 passionate individuals shared emotional stories of the success of the program, with the line to testify reaching the back of the crowded auditorium for close to an hour.

Much of the testimony returned to one simple point again and again: THP-Plus works by giving foster youth the opportunities and resources they need and deserve to be successful.

Aspiranet's own Caryn Romero, THP-Plus Program Manager in Stockton CA shared powerful stories of the success of THP-Plus in her office. Visit our youtube channel to view a live recording.

"I am here in support of THP-Plus funding and want to impress upon you that the former foster youth we are talking about are more than those three words depict. They are individuals with names, a history, goals, dreams and desires...just like my own teenagers.

You will receive a lot of information including statistics demonstrating how supporting these young people has positive outcomes. But I don't need to read those reports because I see those positive results in my office everyday:

Sheila came to us two years ago having dropped out of a four year state university during her freshman year, overwhelmed. She just left our THP-Plus program last week with a degree in audio engineering from Pinnacle college and got to work at the Carried Underwood concert in Stockton this past summer.

Carlos was living at the Salvation Army homeless shelter for men at the age of 19 when he applied to our program. He exited after close to two years working for a window installation company, making almost as much as the case managers that helped him get on his feet..."

The Senate Subcommittee on Health and Human Services decided to bring the issue of THP-Plus funding before the full Senate Budget Committee instead of rejecting Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to reduce funding to THP-Plus. We are confident that the testimony provided Tuesday will help inform our legislature's decision regarding the program in the coming months.

We thank all of Aspiranet's supporters for your advocacy efforts for THP-Plus. In the future, be sure to follow our blog, facebook, and twitter for opportunities to advocate with us. The California families, children, and communities we serve always need your voice.

The Lisa Project Comes to Kern County

2011-02-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?

Head over to The Lisa Project in Bakersfield!

The Lisa Project is an interactive multi-media exhibit allowing visitors to experience the life of an abused or neglected child. A powerful 20-minute audio tour narrated from a child's perspective guides visitors through a room-by-room open house depicting the reality of child abuse and neglect.

The Lisa Project is free and open to the public every weekend in February:

Thursday and Friday: 5pm to 9pm
Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sunday: 1pm to 5pm

Location: Bakersfield Heart Hospital (link to map) at 3001 Sillect Avenue, Bakerfield CA 93308

Aspiranet staff, including our Chief Executive Officer, Vernon Brown previewed the exhibit last week. All attendees said that The Lisa Project is a sobering reminder of our collective responsibility to report abuse and do whatever we can to protect children and strengthen families.

We look forward to seeing you at The Lisa Project this month!

If you have any questions, leave us a comment on this post or call Jana Davis at (661) 859-2135.

The Lisa Project is sponsored by Aspiranet and collaborative partners in Kern County, including the Kern County Department of Human Services, Kern County Network for Children, First 5 of Kern, the Bakersfield Police Department and other community partners.

Third Annual Holiday Toy Drive Results

2011-02-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks, Aspiranet foster families, children, and social workers have shared touching stories with us about our 3rd annual Holiday Toy Drive in partnership with Starbucks. From November to December, 168 Starbucks stores throughout California collected 3,500 gifts for California children in foster care.

While the number itself is impressive, the stories behind that number inspire us to continue toward our vision of "taking collective action to support communities and families as they love and care for children":

In Bakersfield, one woman fulfilled the gift wishes of 19 foster children
In San Bernadino, a former foster child reached out and cheered on a child currently in foster care with the donation of a special toy horse
In Visalia, a man saw a wish ornament bearing the same first name as that of his late father and purchased a skateboard and carrying case for the young boy in his father's memory. The child had been wishing for a skateboard of his own for a long time
In San Bernadino, a man donated his own clarinet along with an offer to provide lessons to a child who wished for the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument

Although we cannot adequately communicate in writing the heartfelt joy, smiles and tears that our foster children and families shared with their social workers upon receiving their Starbucks wish gifts, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank our individual donors and Starbucks partners for their outpouring of generous support.

Are you an organization or individual looking to use your unique voice and talents to benefit children and families in need of support? Please contact us. We'd love to have you join us in our service to the community.

Carrie Ontiveros named AdoptUsKids caseworker of the month

2011-01-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

Carrie Ontiveros of the Aspiranet Bakersfield office has been recognized as AdoptUsKids’ January caseworker of the month. We are proud to have her excellent work recognized by an organization raises public awareness of the need for foster and adoptive families on a national level.

“I had read the caseworker of the month stories on the AdoptUsKids website before but had never imagined that I would be nominated one day,” Aspiranet Adoption Supervising Social Worker Carrie Ontiveros said. “I am honored by my nomination by the Gills family and glad that I was able to help them successfully navigate the path toward adoption.”

Has an Aspiranet social worker positively influenced your life? We are currently planning our activities for National Social Work Month in March and would love to share your story! Please email our Online Marketing Manager, Michelle at mdiemer@aspiranet.org to learn more.

Aspiranet Invites You to Watch "A Home for the Holidays"

2010-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Foster care adoption can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences. During this holiday season we would like to celebrate all foster and adoptive parents by inviting you to watch “A Home for the Holidays,” presented by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, on Wednesday, December 22nd, at 8 pm on CBS.

Our hope is that through the inspirational stories about foster care adoption presented by popular celebrities, you will be inspired to begin the process of becoming a foster parent, or to refer a loving family who may be ready to begin the journey. Your commitment will make a lifelong connection with a child. By sharing your love, parenting skills and support, children can have a better life.

During this holiday season, we would like to thank our foster and adoptive families for sharing love, parenting skills and support so that children can have a lifelong connection through the power of family.

The need for foster families is great.

Nearly sixty thousand children from infants to teens are in foster care in California. Foster families help children reach for their dreams by providing a home, a family, love, laughter and a positive, stable role model. This holiday season, give a child, teen or sibling set the gift of finding their inner hero, and give them a place to call home by becoming a foster parent.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent or to refer a loving family
go to: www.aspiranetheroes.org, 1-877-380-HERO

Aspiranet wishes you and your family a happy holiday season.

Mt. Diablo Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.s) Annual Toy Drive for Foster Youth

2010-12-10T14:34:00.000-08:00

The Greater Bay Area District office of Aspiranet would like to announce The Mt. Diablo Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.s) Annual Toy Drive for our foster youth this holiday season. The "Hog Run" is coordinated by the Mt. Diablo HOG's Director Kevin Navin and Assistant Director Carrie Korinek. It is an opportunity to experience the exciting sights and sounds of Harley motorcycles and their riders as they drop off toys for our foster youth. The event is being held this Saturday December 11, 2010 at 3727 Sunset Lane, Antioch, CA 94509 from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

All the staff of our Greater Bay Area District office would like to sincerely thank the Mt. Diable H.O.G.s and all their Harley owners/riders for their generosity and assistance in helping us bring smiles to our foster children this holiday season.

Gift Drive at the Pointe Cafe in South San Francisco

2010-12-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

The Greater Bay Area District office of Aspiranet would like to announce that David Araj, owner of The Pointe Cafe located inside 400 Oyster Point Blvd, S. SF, CA 94080 is sponsoring a Christmas toy drive for our foster youth this holiday season.

The toy drive will run from 12/1/10 to 12/17/10. Patrons of The Pointe Cafe can obtain a christmas decoration from a display which has a child's name, age, and gift request on it. The unwrapped gift purchase is then returned to the Pointe Cafe Christmas Toy Drive display container. The gifts will be wrapped and presented to each foster child in our Greater Bay Area district before the Christmas holiday.

All the staff of our Greater Bay Area District office would like to sincerely thank owner David Araj and his staff at the Pointe Cafe for their generosity and assistance in helping us bring smiles to our foster children this holiday season.

Experience Corps Fundraiser a Success

2010-11-30T11:50:00.001-08:00

Guests Arriving

This past Saturday, November 20th, Experience Corps Bay Area held its first-ever fundraising event. Held in a private home on a steep hill in Mill Valley, up a harrowing one-lane road, the event was sponsored by Savory Thymes, an organization formed to support arts, cultural and other non-profits through hosting fundraising and networking events.

With an Honorary Committee consisting of the Superintendents of Schools of Oakland, San Francisco and San Rafael, and a Host Committee of community leaders from throughout Northern California, the event was key to both raising funds and furthering awareness of our program and the impact it has on both seniors and children. The organizing committee of David Moren, Michael Lynch, Susan Kraemer, Eunice Nichols and Paul Olsen did the heavy lifting required for such a successful event.

Almost 80 supporters of Experience Corps Bay Area – volunteers, staff, teachers, principals, donors and friends – braved the weather for a tasty locally produced lunch and a program featuring volunteers from Marin and Oakland, Principal Wendi Caporucci from Emerson Elementary School in Oakland, and Eunice Nichols, the former Experience Corps Bay Area Director who presided over its expansion from San Francisco to the 3 cities it serves today.

Paul Olsen

Highlights included the acknowledgement of Aspiranet CEO Vernon Brown, who had raced from a speaking engagement on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento in order to participate; his counterpart Barbara Hood, the CEO of Northern California Presbyterian Homes and Services, the organization that sponsors the Marin operation; Roy Earnest, who runs the Northern California field office of the Corporation for National and Community Service; and School Board members from the cities in which we serve. Other dignitaries at the event included Michael Funk, who brought Experience Corps to California, and remains actively engaged in its success.

Ali Ghiorse of Savory Thymes welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support of Experience Corps. Paul Olsen, Director of Experience Corps Bay Area, acted as emcee, seamlessly weaving together the speakers and their remarks with observations over the short but intensive time he has been with the organization. Susan Kraemer concluded the program by holding the free raffle for the Hawaiian vacation, along with Marin Experience Corps member Ron Benjamin, who donated the raffle prize.

Elsa Kessler

The heart of the program, in many ways, was hearing from the speakers and the stories they told about how Experience Corps has changed their lives, and the lives of the children in the schools where we serve. Elsa Kessler, from Marin, kicked off the speakers with a touching story about the effect her student had on her, and wondering if she had had an effect as great on him, stating, “While it can be difficult to measure the impact of my presence on Daniel, I can say that Daniel has definitely impacted my life.”

She was followed by Principal Caporicci, who made it clear that Experience Corps members have a huge impact on the children they work with, pointing out that her school has gone from a score of 500 to a score of 737, and attributing the partnership of Experience Corps members and a caring staff to that growth.

Susann Calkins

Susann Calkins of Oakland followed up by describing her search to find a program that would support her in doing the work she wanted to after retiring. Susann noted that “It was more difficult than I thought to find a volunteer literacy program with the components I felt helped struggling readers learn best:

Training
Team support- coordinators who served as trouble shooters and liaisons with school leaders, fellow volunteers who continued to learn
Time – ongoing relationship with individual students (in my mind at least 2 sessions/week) and a program that continually evaluated its effectiveness” and urging those in the audience to help get out the word about Experience Corps.

Eunice Nichols

Finally, Eunice Nichols linked each of the stories to the research data proving our impact, to the dozens of people in the room whose lives have been changed by their involvement in Experience Corps Bay Area, and to the real need the program has for sustainable funding.

Eunice noted that through the underwriting of the event by Savory Thymes, and individual donations from friends and family, the event had raised almost $15,000 and a private donor had contributed an additional $15,000 to underwrite some program expenses as well. Eunice challenged those attending to offer further financial support to the program with a call for supporters of Experience Corps Bay Area to match the previous gifts with an additional $15,000 as part of the year-end campaign.

This is the perfect time of year to offer thanks to all who participated in making this event a success, and to all who continue to make the work of Experience Corps Bay Area successful. I am thankful for the opportunity to be, along with you, a part of such an inspiring organization.

Paul Olsen, Director
Experience Corps Bay Area

Learn more about Experience Corps >

Reintroducing Aspiranet.org

2010-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the newly redesigned Aspiranet website!
www.aspiranet.org

We have made it easier for our communities to access the different areas of Aspiranet. Some of the newest features include:

Stories of how we change lives in our day-to-day work
How people can get involved through volunteering, parenting, careers, donations or partnerships
Overview of the counties, corporations, foundations and community-based organizations whose support allows us to work toward our vision
Ongoing updates on Aspiranet news and events
Agency background information and leadership profiles
Ability to explore our network of diverse, statewide services by category, name and location

www.aspiranet.org

New Adoption for Monterey County Parents

2010-11-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks to KION Central Coast News for raising awareness of the need for foster and adoptive families at last night's Question Center. Check out last night's story of adoption in Monterey County

Aspiranet featured on KION46 News

2010-11-17T09:55:00.001-08:00

Aspiranet will be featured on the evening news on KION46 TV tonight speaking about National Adoption Month and answering adoption questions from callers. If you are in the area tune in to the 5:00 and 6:00 Central Coast news in Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz to watch live.

http://www.kionrightnow.com/