Congressional Caucus on Foster Care Visits SHIELDS

The newly created Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth launched its first-ever nationwide listening tour in Los Angeles where Members of Congress learned directly from local experts, foster youth and parents about best practices and key challenges that the 420,000 foster youth face in the child welfare system.

On Friday, February 24, 2012, the Caucus visited SHIELDS for Families to learn about our collaboration with DCFS to implement the successful Point of Engagement (POE) model which was successful in reducing out of home placements by 50% and saving the County millions.

It was a pleasure to host US Reps Karen Bass, Tom Marino, Laura Richardson and many others  to share about our Point of Engagement model for families and children.

Congresswoman Karen Bass giving a shout out on to SHIELDS for Families on KTLA News for our cost-saving model of services for children and families involved with the foster care system!
 

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly features SHIELDS Kathryn Icenhower

Recently, SHIELDS Executive Director Kathryn Icenhower spoke with Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly about the current economic climate in which there is an uncertainty over how comprehensive addiction treatment and support services will be funded in the coming years.

"One of the things that we did from the beginning is that we diversified our funds," Kathy explained to ADAW. "Our treatment programs don't rely solely on treatment dollars," but rather are strengthened by a more comprehensive, wraparound approach.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Missing Youths

SHIELDS Gives Condolences to Alumni Family

Last Friday, February 3, 2012, the daughters of Exodus Alumni Tracy McNeil were killed in a car crash in Hyde Park. “It’s sad that my girls are gone like this,” Tracy said to KCAL9 News while fighting back tears, as she gripped onto one of her grandchildren. “Now I got to explain to [her daughter’s children] where their parents at. They’re gone,” she said, shaken from the loss.

The crash happened at the end of a night of celebrating a friend’s birthday. McNeil’s surviving daughter Christina Williams and her three sisters, Tiesha Turner, 28; Enisha Davis, 20; Jeshai Jones, 19; and two friends were on their way home from a club. “That was our last memory… dancing together, having fun,” Christina said.

Christina went on to say that she fell asleep and woke up in the hospital. A friend driving the SUV had crashed into a tree in Hyde Park. Three of the four sisters were ejected. Christina was the only one with a seatbelt on. Three of the four sisters died and the two friends were still in the hospital, but expected to survive.

“I just still can’t believe it,” says Christina, who was left with bruises and heartbreak. “I miss them. I wish they were here.”

SHIELDS extends our most heartfelt prayers and condolences to Tracy McNeil and her family during this most difficult time. 

A fund has been established via Chase Bank to help with funeral expenses and we highly encourage everyone who can help to support Tracy in this time of need. Any donation amount accepted and greatly appreciated.

Fund Information:
Chase Bank
Tracy M. McNeil
Account Number: 997 466 230

Save Adult Education

CVC Housing Opportunities

January 25, 2012

To the Homeless Service Provider Community:

Century Villages at Cabrillo is the nonprofit steward of a 26 acre supportive housing community in Long Beach. Supported by a collaboration of some 15 nonprofit and government agencies, we surround our resident veterans and families with the supportive services needed to break the cycle of homelessness and provide dignified permanent housing.

We are writing to alert you to immediate housing opportunities within our supportive housing campus in Long Beach. As of January 25, 2012 we have the following housing opportunities available:

Permanent Supportive Housing for Families (view flyer) 1—One bedroom apartment at $856. Must be on wait list. Submit inquiry.

Transitional Supportive Housing for Veterans (view flyer) 15—Veteran efficiency apartments in shared housing from $480. Submit inquiry.

Permanent Supportive Housing for Veterans (view flyer) 7—Veteran studio apartment homes at $562–$786. Submit inquiry. 9—Veteran one bedroom apartments in shared housing at $423. Submit inquiry.

Short Term and Transitional Housing For current Short Term and Transitional Housing opportunities on the campus with Catholic Charities, PATH Ventures, USVI’s ADVANCE Women’s Program, New Images and others, please contact the Multi-service Center at (562) 733-1147.

Should you have any questions or would like to refer a family or individual to our community, please contact us at (562)388-8107 or submit an inquiry through our website directly at www.centuryvillages.org.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us to combat homelessness in our community.

Regards,

Brett Morales

Director Of Property Management

GoodSearch & GoodShop for Century Villages at Cabrillo. Help raise money for CVC just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com (powered by Yahoo), or shopping online with GoodShop.com

To learn more about CVC and its partners please download our community brochure

For more information, please call (562) 388-8107 

Century Villages at Cabrillo 2001 River Avenue Long Beach, CA 90810 www.centuryvillages.org

Affordable Rent and Other Features of The Alexandria in Los Angeles

• Renovation
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Everything You Need

• Controlled Access
• Increased Emphasis On Security
• Proactive New Management Team
• Located In The Heart of Downtown Los Angeles
• Many Units Have Spectacular Downtown Views
• Incredible Architecture
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• Close To Metro Station
• Limited Subterranean Parking Available
• On-site Laundry Facility
• Spacious Lobby & Communal Areas
• Community Service Programs
• Elevators
• Spectacular Views In Select Floor Plans
• New Appliances Including Kitchenettes In 'Micro-Loft' Floor Plans.
• High Quality Fixtures Including New Ceiling Fans & Light Fixtures
• New Window Coverings
• Large Closets
• Individual Bathrooms

• 501 S. Spring St. Los Angeles CA 90013
• Phone: 866.874.1469   Fax: 213.614.0150

In an effort to continuously improve our product, the developer reserves the right to modify prices, maps, plans, square footage, specifications, materials, features and colors without notice. All maps, plans and renderings are artist's illustrations and may not be to scale.

Assemblymember Holly J. Mitchell Wil Be Wearing Red Feb 3rd, Will You?

National Wear Red Day February 3, 2012 Did you know... That heart disease is still the No. 1 killer of women, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year? Did you know... That heart disease claims the lives of over 433,000 American women each year? Did you know... That we can make a difference? One-in-eight women over the age of 44 has had a heart attack, and more women than men die of a subsequent heart attack. Heart disease risk factors for women are age (post-menopausal), an abnormal blood cholesterol level, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, race, obesity, lack of exercise, stress and a family history of early heart disease.  National Women's Heart Health Day is observed on the first Friday in February of each year and provides an opportunity to promote heart health in women by focusing attention on the risk factors for heart disease. This Friday, February 3 is set aside to help raise awareness in the fight against heart disease in women by wearing the color red. I encourage you to show your support by wearing red. How we can Make It Our Mission to fight heart disease among women: Wear red on February 3, 2012 Help raise funds through donations and fundraisers for lifesaving educational programs and the development of new treatments to fight heart disease Make our peers aware of heart disease, its impact on women and how we can fight back Love our hearts by being physically active, eating a heart-healthy diet and being educated about heart disease and its risk factors If you have any questions regarding National Women's Heart Health Day, please contact my office for further information or visit www.goredforwomen.org/wearredday/. You can also visit my website for additional resources. Sincerely, Assemblymember Holly J. Mitchell 47th Assembly District Website: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/Mitchell Email: Assemblymember Mitchell

Capitol Office: State Capitol P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0047 Tel: (916) 319-2047 Fax: (916) 319-2147

District Office: 300 Corporate Pointe, Suite 380 Culver City, CA 90230 Tel: (310) 342-1070 Fax: (310) 342-1078

Director Darnell Bell Retires

Darnell Bell, MA, Director of Research and Evaluation for SHIELDS for Families, joined SHIELDS in 1992 as the director of youth services and has led the organization’s research and evaluation efforts since 2007. During his tenure, he designed and implemented SHIELDS’ renowned Heros & Sheros program, which serves at-risk youth.

Affectionately known as the “grandfather of prevention” in Los Angeles County, Darnell has more than 38 years of experience leading culture-based alcohol and drug-prevention programs. Before joining SHIELDS, he directed youth programs at the Watts Health Foundation and the Avalon-Carver Community Center. Darnell frequently presents at local and national conferences on his culturally specific curriculum, Winners, and on the importance of culture-based and culturally-specific service models.

Darnell holds a bachelors degree in ethnic studies, sociology and education from the University of Redlands, and a masters degree in urban education and ethnic studies from California State University, Los Angeles. Darnell is famous for being the only male director for 20 years and his love of salsa dancing!

We appreciate Darnell’s service to SHIELDS and the community for over 20 years and we wish him all the best on his retirement!