2005 September Newsletter Community Catalysts of California A Star has Risen to the Occasion August 2005 Bernice Bellinger Catalysts Annivsaries... Years 11 Maria Dora Lamas Robert Silva 7 Margarita Mendez 5 Karen Holmes 4 Maria Cruz LeeAnn Hatten-Rao Joe Horsley Sandra Rodriguez Joseph Tengonciang 3 Christina Gonzales 2 Maria Del Carmen Zuniga 1 David Bergheim Keltoum Cherki Julie Cisneros Maria Lua Hillary Page Melissa Ringer Community Catalysts of California was excited to announce that Bernice Bellinger was selected as the Star of the Month for August 2005. Although Bernice has only been with Community Catalysts of California for nine months, she has shown a true passion and commitment to her job . She works in the Modesto Supported Living Program as a Personal Attendant and during the last four months has adjusted to many changes within her job duties with undying flexibility. Even though Bernice has to deal with very difficult, and at times, trying situations on almost a daily basis, she always remains positive and committed to doing a great job. Also, in the last few months Bernice has helped support the consumer she works with in dealing with many challenges in his life. With her support, he has confidence in himself and his independence continues to grow. Bernice is a shining example of a person who puts the consumers needs and desires for success first and foremost. She is a person who is patient and looks beyond the difficult situations so that the consumer can continue to succeed. Her consistent and reliable support to the consumer is admirable. Bernice is truly a valued member of the Catalyst team and is our shining star! Congratulations, Bernice Bellinger! Home Office- A New Face in the Crowd The Home Office welcomes new Office Manager Cathy Hansen. Cathy comes to us with over 25 years of experience. She and her husband relocated to the San Diego area from Maine in the last year. Cathy will be responsible for answering the main phones in the Home Office and will be assisting COO, Wendy Forkas with the Butterfly Club, Office Depot orders, recognition awards as well as some HR tasks just to mention a few. We here at the Home Office are very excited to have her join our Catalysts team! Please join us in welcoming her to our wonderful organization! Modesto Rolls into the School Year Modesto Supported Living welcomes two new consumers! Ken and Thelma C. (brother and sister) have joined us. We look forward to beginning service with them the first week of September!! Welcome Ken and Thelma C.! REST Case Manager Philip Henry has disappeared again! He and his family left last week on a “road trip” vacation. Their travels include Canada, Wyoming, South Dakota and all the places in between. Remember to bring us back lots of souvenirs, Philip! The moms and dads of Modesto have been busy this month getting back into the “school mode”. Some have “first-timers” just beginning the school ritual, and more are just trying to ease into the yearly routine. Many already have the homework blues! Also. Modesto staff have been busy getting ready for next month’s CARF inspection. This last month has mostly been filled with making sure we have all our “T’s” crossed, and our “I’s” dotted! Congratulations to Bernice Bellinger, our Modesto Star of the Month! You deserve it! The Cat Community Catalyst Offices What’s happening Stockton Gets a Hole in One Merced Flutters into September ILS Consumer News: The winner for the Safety Meeting was Welcome Stanley J. Stephanie Hernandez. She won a $10.00 gift certificate to Walmart. Congratulations to Don P.! He competed August Our new quarterly 18, 2005 in the Special Butterfly Club win- Olympics golf tourna ner is Robin Ramos. ment at Castlewood Great Job Robin! golf course in Pleasan ton. Don captured the We would like to gold medal in the indi welcome our two vidual 18 hole class. newest team members Sandra Oseguera and Maria Valencia. They are Staff News: both Social Recreational Aides. We bid a sad good-bye to Bao The Merced office would like to say Xiong, Skills Coach. We wish her “Happy Anniversary” to Bob Shelley well as she relocates to Sacramento Cook. They are celebrating their 9th with her family. wedding anniversary. Congratulations to both of them. Also Maria Lua will be with Community Catalysts for one year on September 15, 2005. San Diego Enjoys the Summer’s End During the month of August the San Diego area staff tried to stay cool with a Staff Beach Party. We enjoyed eating, splashing in the water, getting to know family members, and of course EATING. The No Fear water bottles were a big hit and quenched the thirst of everyone. Vacations were another way to beat the heat. Jenna spent 12 days touring Italy and Germany with her brother. Upon her return she tested and recieved the next level for Karate. Look out bad Jenna will get you! Sherie spent a week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her daughter. Michelle and her family went to a resort in Arizona. They all stated they enjoyed the time away t are glad to be back...RIGHT! A group of 20 staff and consumers attended a Padres game and cheered our team on to win over the Mets. Looks like our new stadium is what the Padres needed to get them lead their division. GO PADRES! After a 2 month battle with Housing Authority, and with a lot of advocating by our Supported Living Staff, one of our SL consumers won the battle to have a 2 bedroom apartment. Now the “live in staff” can have their own bedroom. This may set precedence for future HUD Supported Living Placements. Angela and Jenna’s Special Olympics Softball team recently went to a tournament and took 3rd place. Way to go team! alyst News Fresno Recognizes Santa Clara Employee Longevity Tackles the Cathy Taylor-5 Years Visalia Welcome to our new coaches: Mona Beltran, Grace Perez, Nicole Snowden. Football Season Welcomes New Case Manager, Ann Marie Miller’s son, Jordan turned 2. The birthday Staff were pleased to recognize Staff party was held at Lake Elizabeth in Cathy Taylor DSS for 5 years of Fremont. There was a lot of Philipino dedication and service. We have a new Skills Coach named Ma- cuisines varying from deep fried ba ricela Sandoval-Ceja. Welcome Aboard! nanas, miniature eggrolls, to shrimp Fresno staff also had COO, noodles. There were also games be-Wendy Forkas here on the 9th of Our August raffle winner was Lorriane ing played and prizes given out to August for the Butterfly presenta- Halliman. She won a Blockbuster gift card. guests. Not to mention, a cake in the tion and took the opportunity to shape of the number 2. The cake was share birthday cake with her as really moist. they wished her a happy “29th”!! YUMMY! On August 26th, staff attended the Birthday Bashes in Ukiah Forty Niners verses the Tennessee Titans preseason This has been a real eventful month for Ukiah consumers. Randy D., Paul game. Staff said R. David S., and Darryl C. with staff, went to the Summer Games in the the game was Redwoods for three days. They all had a wonderful time meeting new peopretty good and ple, joining in on different activities and for sure want to go again next enjoyed the experi year! ence. There were three consumers with birthday celebrations-Paul R., Darryl C., and Marie G. All celebrated with smiles. Cake and ice cream for all! Staff want to congratulate Glen Bellach who was the August safety meeting prize winner. Board Bulletin- Sempra Energy Grant Sempra Energy has granted $5,000 in support of our Catalyst of the Year Award, Evening by the Bay. Our new grant writer, Steve Lawrence wrote the successful request and worked with Board Member Kevin Casey who got significant support for the submitted grant. Sempra Energy can now be counted as part of our growing family of contributors. On their web site it states, “We recognize that people are our single greatest resource and the key to our success. We embrace diversity of people and perspective, and encourage open sharing of differing views.” Its that kind of commitment that makes them an outstanding corporate partner with us and sets the standard for giving back to the community. We salute them for their generosity and thank Kevin and Steve for a job well done! Consumer Catalyst of the Month- September 2005 Patricia Simons Community Catalysts of California is proud to announce that Patricia Simons as our Consumer Catalyst of the Month for September 2005. Patricia has been with Community Catalysts of California since May 1997. She has gone through many obstacles in her life, from coping with the loss of her father to the loss of her mother. She has been living on her own for over two years now and enjoys collecting coins and stamps. Patti is skilled in many crafts. She creates beaded necklaces, earrings and bracelets, flower centerpieces and key chains. If she is not spending her time working on arts and crafts projects or socializing with friends, she is at the Mountain View Senior Center as a volunteer twice a week or swimming at the YMCA. This is Patti’s second year of being a Consumer Advisory Committee Representative and has greatly improved her communication skills. She is always one of the three top sellers when we have a fundraiser. And has taught one of the arts and crafts workshops. Community Catalysts of California and the Butterfly Club are very proud of Patricia and her achievements. Great Job!! Congratulations, Patricia Simons!! Starting this Month... Consumer Catalyst Anniversaries 14 Years Eric A.- San Diego 13 Years John M.- San Diego Ernesto S.- Fresno 12 Years Paul C.- San Diego 11 Years Jason T.- San Diego Arthur M.- San Diego 10 Years Kathy N.- San Diego Christina C.- San Diego 9 Years Kenneth P.- Merced 8 Years Carla G.- San Diego Michael N.- Santa Clara 7 Years Hector G.- El Centro Luz V.- El Centro Nicole F.- San Diego 6 Years Kathy F.- Santa Clara 5 Years Canh D.- Fresno Martha C.- Salinas 4 Years Randy D.- Redwood Rosemary K.- Merced Johanna M.- Merced Lauri W.- Merced Kenneth W.- Redwood 3 Years Dan C.- Santa Clara Erin G.- Visalia Tammy S.- Fresno Hugo T.- Merced Diane V.- Salinas 2 Years Enrique A.- Salinas Patricia B.- El Centro Ross B.- San Diego Gilbert G.- Salinas Christopher M.- Santa Clara Steffan W.- San Diego 1 Year Megan F.- Redwood Maria G.- Salinas Priscella G.- Salinas Roberto M.- San Diego Omar P.- San Diego Debbie P.- San Diego Community Catalysts of California 6050 Santo RoadSuite 145 San Diego, CA 92124 Ph. 858-569-1055 Fax 858-569-1064 info@communitycatalysts.org