04 09 newsletter community catalysts of california 403b Investment Change for Community Catalysts of California The slowing economy and volatile stock markets have caused most Americans to lose a substantial amount of their retirement accounts. In doing an annual review of Community Catalyst’s 403(b) plan and looking at making a couple of changes to our investment line-up, we wanted to remind you of the availability of our independent financial advisor who is available to help you review your own investment selections to make sure that you’re on the correct path towards your retirement. Tim Vas Dias owns a branch office of Ameritas Investment Corp. and has been advising us on our plan since it’s inception with The Principal Group. Feel free to give Tim a call at 800-576-5695 xt 2. Employee Anniversaries 11 years Lisa Wark - SC 9 years Vanessa Orr - STK 8 years Martha Castaneda - FSO 7 years Joanne Bradshaw - FSO Cuauhtemoc Lopez - FSO 5 years Christina Coonfield - MDO Samantha Grimes - STK 3 years Vivian Perez - FSO 2 years Tina Ortega - STK 1 year Valerie Kirchgasler - UK Jeffrey Peregrina - SAL Message from your CEO Special election 2009 Special election 2009 One of the outcomes of the “budget deal” passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger is a May 19th Special Election with a number of crucial propositions. Proposition 1A• State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund. Proposition 1b• Education Funding. Payment Plan. Proposition 1c• Lottery Modernization Act. Proposition 1d• Protects Children’s Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget. Proposition 1e• Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget. Proposition 1F• Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years. Without getting into the merits of the propositions or their details, I cannot stress how important the outcome will be for Community Catalysts of California, its consumers and other stakeholders. As a 501c(3), Community Catalysts of California is not permitted to endorse candidates or lobby for passage of legislation. It is our duty, however, to help you and those in the communities we serve to understand the outcomes of this election. Briefly put, without passage of these propositions, we will once again find ourselves in another “budget crisis”. Even with passage, California remains in a position where tax revenues are not sufficient to pay for programs and services. Over the next months we will be providing you with additional information. Thank you for your continuing support and cooperation, Jim Jenkins, CEO Southern California San Diego, San Marcos & El Centro D San Diego Jobs keep pouring in for our San Diego consumers due to the outstanding leadership of our Case Managers, perseverance of the job developers and hard work from our consumers. We would like to congratulate Greg S. who has been placed at Verizon Wireless in Rancho Penasquitos, Rachel C. who was hired at Fry’s Electronics in San Diego and Jonathan E. who is now working at Togo’s Restaurant in Mira Mesa. The success and continuous growth of the Supported Employment program is due to each and every SE team member. Each employee can be counted on to do his or her part of their work and they work cooperatively with others. The SE team is on fire! Keep up the great work! While the SE program continues to grow, so does the Independent Living Services. We would like to welcome our newest ILS consumers Gustavo B. and Peter R. Joanne Panza has been hired to assist our newest Spanish speaking consumer. Welcome Joanne! San Marcos The Consumer Advisory Group had a great time this month when we went to the movies to watch “Escape to Witch Mountain”. The See’s candy sale was also a big success and we raised almost $400! The money will be used for upcoming events to the casino and transportation to the Annual Wheelchair Regatta. The Wheelchair Regatta is a day at the beach sponsored by Silvergate Yacht Club. It is a wonderful day with lunch, music, entertainment and a yacht cruise around the San Diego Harbor. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Krista Hribar at the San Marcos Office. Additionally, we would like to give a warm welcome to our newest Supported Employment employees Maria Marquez and Krissy Simpson. El Centro The El Centro office has been diligent in working with the consumers to become knowledgeable of their rights. The Consumer Advisory Group held trainings on proper money handling. We have also discussed with consumers their roles and responsibilities and the role of the staff. Knowledge is power! The El Centro office continues to grow and would like to extend a big welcome to our newest Supported Living consumer Donald M., Independent Living consumer Maria M., and Supported Employment consumers Mary Ann S. and Cristobal C. We would like to welcome our newest staff member Bryseyda Luna who will assist with the program’s growth. North valley Stockton u stockton If April showers bring May flowers, then Stockton saw some early blooming this March with the sprouting of some new babies! Nicole Barber, NV Regional Manager, has crossed over into “Gramma status” with the arrival of her first grandbaby. Her son and family welcomed a new baby boy, Traye’Von D. Harrell Jr. on March 18, 2009. Traye’Von arrived at 4:02 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs. 6.4 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long! Proud Gramma Nicole has been beaming since his arrival and says that “He is the apple of my eye”. Congratulations to Nicole’s family! Our best wishes to everyone. Two of our Stockton Living Services consumers also welcomed new family members in March. Nancy B. had a baby girl on March 3, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs, 2oz and was 20 inches long. Nancy named her daughter, Marissa Saenz B. This is Nancy’s second daughter. Our warm wishes go out to their family. Also joining the March baby club is consumer Richard G., who became a first time Daddy on March 16, 2009. Richard and his girlfriend are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Krystal G. Krystal weighed 8lbs, 15oz and was 21 inches long. They are excited about becoming new parents and we wish them a wonderful future! With Spring in the air, we are seeing some sunny days in Stockton. Talk of vacation-planning is a frequent topic with many staff, as the nice weather makes us want to get outdoors more. ILS consumer Don P. recently enjoyed a trip to Utah. Don had a great time and always enjoys his visits to the beautiful state. Judy Powell, SLS Case Manager, is doing more than just planning as she has a trip to Sedona, AZ scheduled for the end of April. Come back tan Judy! As we turn the last corner of Spring and venture into the Summer months, the Stockton Advisory has begun to explore several ideas for both fundraising and activities. Consumers and staff are hoping that another camping trip is on the list as they always have a wonderful time and enjoy the short time off of the usual busy routines of everyday life. traye’von d. harrell jr. North Valley Modesto p Modesto The Modesto Advisory is gearing up again for more fundraisers. In May they are planning a Car Show and a Casino Night. We would like to wish a very warm welcome to our new consumers in Modesto; Kim and Allen H., Norma B., Joseph A., and Robert C. On April 25th, Modesto consumer Cheneye W. will be participating in the Special Olympics at JF Kennedy School. Hopefully we will have pictures next month. Have fun Cheneye and good luck! We would like to wish Modesto consumer Marisa E. a belated Happy 30th Birthday! Modesto bee Our very own Dwight Mahabir was featured in an article entitled “RiffRaff serves up White House memoir” in the Modesto Bee on April 3, 2009. The article discusses his role in the one-man show “Looking Over the President’s Shoulder” as the Chief Butler at the White House. To read the full article, please go to http://www.modbee.com/scene/story/651683.html. Gaby Hutchinson Claudia Hutchinson’s daughter Gaby competed in her district for the Poem Recital contest and won! Before getting to the district competition she had to compete against her 4th grade class and her local school level. She recited a poem called “Deep in our refrigerator” by Jack Prelutsky. Congratulations Gaby and great job! Claudia is so proud! Deep in our refrigerator Deep in our refrigerator, there’s a special place for food that’s been around awhile… we keep it, just in case. “It’s probably to old to eat,” my mother likes to say. “But I don’t think it’s old enough for me to throw away.” It stays in there for a month or more to ripen in the cold, and soon we notice fuzzy clumps of multicolored mold The clumps are larger every day, we notice this as well, but mostly what we notice is a certain special smell. When finally it all becomes a nasty mass of slime, my mother takes it out, and says, “Apparently, it’s time.” She dumps it in the garbage can, though not without regret, then fills that space with other food that’s not so ancient yet. y c SouthBay & Redwood coast Santa Clara & Ukiah & Plum house Santa Clara We were very happy to learn in February that Ann Marie Miller won the Jim Jenkins’ 2008 Annual Award of Excellence. Wendy Forkas and Claudia Hutchinson both came to town to join Denise Mansfield, Jennifer Mansfield and Sandra Gayles in honoring Ann Marie with a nice lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Carmen Valenzuela was elected Employee of the Quarter. Congratulations Carmen! Keep up the good work! On February 21st we held our annual CAC workshop. It started with a health and exercise discussion then arts and crafts followed with consumers decorating beautiful picture frames, fans and sun catchers. Lunch followed with pizza, salad and soda. Lastly we discussed upcoming events such as barbecues and day trips. A good time was had by all! Ukiah Yay! Warmer (but windy!) weather is finally here. The trees and flowers are blooming and Ukiah and the surrounding areas look GORGEOUS! March was cold and rainy and so we did a lot of indoor activities. There was a masquerade ball at the Regional Center and the qualifiers for Special Olympics basketball to keep us moving and warm. At the college the music class is turning out to be a big hit for everyone that attends. The Plum House celebrated all things Irish as they celebrate everything over there….with lots of food (and a tad of Blarney, too!). Several people had birthdays. Staff Rodrigo Ruiz, Sharon Knivila and Diana Ragan all got a year older as did consumers Mark and Jean C. Let them eat cake! Lastly, kudos to those of you who participated in Earth Hour and turned off your lights, tv’s, radios, and computers. Well done! ( Central valley Merced & Consumer anniversaries Merced Our consumers in the Social Recreation Program had some exciting events this month. They had a great time at a play (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). They also went to play softball in the afternoon at the park. Consumers are enjoying the events outdoors in the beautiful sunshine. Merced staff would like to congratulate Stephanie Hernandez, Recreation Coordinator, for her eight years of service to Community Catalysts as of March. We also would like to thank our staff for all their hard work! Keep it up! Bobby Cook, Shelley Cook’s husband caught a HUGE FISH measuring 69 inches and weighing in at 100lbs at their friend’s fishing hole in Newman, California. Now that is what we call a Big Catch! Consumer Anniversaries 22 years Fred M. - SD 17 years Bobby Y. - FSO 16 years Peter B. - SM 13 years Diane M. - SM 12 years Michael S. - SC Sergio C. - SC 11 years Dante H. - SC 10 years Kesha W. - SM Robin E. - SC Sharon P. - SC 8 years Ruby T. - EC 7 years Andrew W. - SAL Davina W. - SAL Marcelino P. - SAL Sergio A. - SAL Donald S. - FSO 6 years Julie P. - SC Steven B. - SM Christopher B. - STK 5 years David F. - MCD Ruby M. - SAL Khamtanh K. - FSO Baudelio L. - SAL 4 years Carmen L. - STK Shirleen M. - STK Anglia P. - MCD Jorge M. - MCD David S. - MCD 3 years Cheneye W. - MDO Israel L. - FSO Alicia T. - SAL Janet H. - SAL Tom T. - MOD John G. - FSO Peter R. - SD Marcel B. - EC 2 years Linda A. - VIS Arthur V. - STK Michael M. - MCD Michael M. - SM 1 year Shaquetta J. - SD Brenda E. - SD Lindsey F. - SD Rachel C. - SD Tawnya P. - STK Alexis H. - SD Pamela H. - MCD Lewis N. - SD Brenda E. - SD Julio M. - SAL Ryan F. - SAL Johanna M. - MCD Sheena C. - MCD Laura S. - SC Stephanie C. - SC Mireille H. - SC Samir P. - SC Dawn S. - SC Sherwood M. - MCD Breeanna ober Community Catalysts of California is proud to announce that Breeanna Ober was selected to receive the Catalyst P.R.I.D.E. Award~Leading by Example for March 2009. Breeanna has been with Community Catalysts of California for almost 9 months as a Personal Attendant for the San Diego SLS Program. Breeanna was recognized for her on-going excellence and for going above and beyond her call of duty. In a recent situation where her consumer went through a very difficult surgery, Breeanna was incredibly flexible, compassionate and willing to do whatever it would take to ensure a smooth recovery. She maintained constant communication with her supervisor, other staff and with the consumer’s family and school to let everyone know how the consumer was progressing. Breeanna was a great example to everyone around her and always has the best interest of her consumers in mind. She is encouraging, professional and dependable and is a great asset to the San Diego SLS team. We appreciate the great service and dedication to the vision of Community Catalysts of California that Breeanna has provided and would like to recognize her for her hard work and for Leading by Example. Thanks for Leading Us In the Right Direction! Consumer Catalysts of the Month April 2009 William Patterson William has been with Community Catalysts of California for 3 months in our STAR House residential facility in Elk Grove. When William arrived at STAR House, he was in a wheelchair and required total care. Today William is able to care for his own hygiene, make his bed, and advocate for himself. He has grown leaps and bounds since he first arrived at the house! William currently attends the Elk Grove Senior Center 5 days a week and participates in numerous activities. He also helps out at the STAR House in any way he can. He is the designated door man and loves to help out at meal times. The STAR House staff are very proud of William’s growth and feel honored to help him reach his goals. William likes to attend the Senior Center and he likes to participate in aerobics, bingo, billiards and the Men’s Group while he is there. He also likes to go bowling and eat at Hometown Buffet. William’s other interests are collecting stuffed animals and attending United Methodist Church. William has a great sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. He likes to encourage others and always has a kind word no matter what the circumstances. William has given the word hope a new meaning. He has taught the staff the importance of never giving up. William is a true example of courage and perseverance and that is why he has been chosen for the April Consumer Catalyst of the Month. Congratulations William!