First Annual Opportunity Drawing Fundraiser To help continue the success of the Butterfly Club we are holding its first annual Opportunity Drawing Fundraiser. Each Butterfly Club member will be receiving 10 tick-ets to be purchased or sold at $2.00 a piece for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize is an iPod shuf-fle with DMX speakers & $50 iTunes gift card. Other great prizes are a $150 Circuit City gift card, Best Buy gift cards, Target gift cards, jewelry and many more items! The drawing will be on August 1st and the winner will be announced in the August newsletter. Please contact the Home office with any questions. Happy Selling! Summer Office Attire Those hazy, lazy days of summer can T-shirts, especially with logos or offen-make a business suit feel as comfort-sive print, unless it the Community Cat-able as a suit of armor. Fortunately, alysts of California logo. you can make a professional statement and still beat the heat with these tips. Look Around How Casual Is Summer Business-As acceptable forms of summer busi-Casual? ness-casual attire may vary from office to office, it's important to get to know Business-casual may include chino the fashion sense of your particular trousers, pencil skirts, relaxed button-workplace. When in doubt, take note down shirts and linen, polo or knitted of what others are wearing in your of-shirts. fice or consult your supervisor. Become familiar with your company's dress Office-Fashion Don'ts code and -- no matter how hot it gets Tank tops or sleeveless shirts. -- don't push it. Halter tops. Modified from Beverly West’s article on Monster.com Flip-flops. Overly revealing attire. Jogging suits or workout attire Maria DeLeon...................6 YEARS Joanne Moffett Luat Nguyen.....................5 YEARS Luz Velarde......................4 YEARS Sandra Gayles...................3 YEARS Lori Krieger Estella Hill........................2 YEARS Steven Menicucci Cynthia Castonguay...........1 YEAR Chue Her Sharon Johnson Jose Landero Steven Lawrence Diana Ragan Community Catalysts of California 6050 Santo Road, Suite 145 San Diego, CA 92124 Phone: 858-569-1055 Fax: 858-569-1064 www.communitycatalysts.org - 2 - July 2006 - Catalysts News Board Reaches Out to El Centro How do you govern an organization that is spread out from Ukiah to El Centro? That’s the question that our volunteer Board of Directors asked itself. The answer was to make a commitment to either traveling to or having representatives from various offices be part of their quarterly meetings. This July’s meeting will feature a dinner and presentation with a few consumers and staff from the El Centro office. Ukiah Melts in the Heat June 24th, our guests there wishing them a continued and happy office had our life together. Congratulations!! company picnic at the lake. Paul R., brother Sam, and House Manager, Marge Even with the Cloe, took a nice trip to the Trees of Mystery. They heat, many staff, rode the Sky Tram 750ft in the air. They were sure family, and con-glad to get back down to the bottom, but enjoyed the view. It was beautiful seeing all of the old sumers came toenjoy all of the growth redwoods. great food, a The consumers had a bake sale to raise funds for time to socialize a trip or activity. This was a great start on building and cool off with a nice swim in the lake. Glen funds for a dream trip. Bellach took people for rides on his jet ski, which they all loved. It was so HOT, everybody just about Help us welcome our two new consumers, Lloyd P. melted. It was one of those 108 degree days. and Stephen W. We also have three new employ ees, Case Manager Laura Cole, Skills CoachesFabiola and Jose Ruiz have renewed their vows. Donald Lucas, and Margaret Kauhola. We are so She spent many weeks in preparation for this spe-glad to have them with us. Welcome to Commucial occasion. There were about 200 hundred nity Catalyst! Catalysts News- July 2006 - 3 Santa Clara has a New Mrs. Last month's newsletter, I promised everyone that I there to help the newlyweds celebrate such a would give an update of Ann Marie's (aka Edna beautiful occasion. Both bride and groom looked Liongson) big day- her wedding! On Saturday, ravishing and complimented one another. June 10, 2006, Ann's wedding ceremony and reception took place in Antioch, CA, overlooking At the reception, after the guests were seated, hors an angelic golf course of green grass and a d'oeuvres were served. In addition, there were two serene lake. chocolate fountains, one with white, and the other with milk chocolate. The newlyweds sure know Staff all met up in how to spoil their guests with delicious sweets and Milpitas to ride an elegant dinner buffet of prime rib, shrimp together. On scampi, and much more. their way there, an accident During the reception, a slide show was played. occurred in front This segment of the itinerary was very interesting of them, which because it illustrated the newlywed's family caused a delay. background and how they later met. Luckily, they all made it to the Everyone had such a great time. Thank you to the wedding in the nick of time. happy couple for inviting all of us. Congratulations and Best Wishes to a New The ceremony was very lovely. Tears of joy and Beginning!! tissues were floating all over the place. All of the bride and groom's families and loved ones were Salinas has a Car Wash We would like to welcome our new ILS Coach Vanessa Franklin. This month was an exciting month for Arlene Monroe who received her Associate of Arts Degree on Transfer Studies from Hartnell College. She was also promoted from D.S.S. to ILS Case Manager. Congratulations Arlene! We would like to congratulate Jeannie Leauma our June’s Safety Meeting winner. The Salinas Consumer Advisory Committee had a car wash June 30th at American Legion in Seaside to col-lect funds for their trip to Disneyland in July. The con-sumers are really excited and anxiously waiting for the day of their trip. -4 - July 2006 - Catalysts News MODESTO TRAVELERS and SUPERSTARS Modesto consumer's have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY this past month. Mike B. and Marisa E. recently returned home from a fun-filled week at walkways on her own by the end of the week without, as Marisa claims, "freaking out very bad". Consumers, Thelma and Ken C. spent a week with family members on a short road trip to the Montana area. They had a nice time visiting with several family members, both during the car trip and while in Montana. They were both happy to get back home after the long drive, and were anxious to reunite with their very pampered pooch, "Mrs. T", whom they adopted at the end of last year. their summer camps in the Santa Cruz mountains. Although Mike is an ole pro at the camp routine, Modesto Skills Coach, Dwight this was Marisa's very first adventure of going Mahabir, has once again away for a week and attending a camp. The new managed to awe the Stanislauscamp which Marisa enrolled in just happened to area with his awesome theatricalbe right down the highway from Mike's. The day talents!! This past month, Dwight she was to start her week, Mike was getting ready performed in the lead role of to head home the next day from his camp. "Man of LaMancha". As usual,Marisa and staff surprised Mike by stopping by to Dwight put his heart and soul in visit a few mintues. They were able to spend time another wonderful performance together before Marisa’s camp started. Marisa that earned many awesomearrived home the next week with a whole new adventure to share with her staff and co-workers at her work program. She said she had such a great time, and is already talking about signing up for next summer. The camp took Marisa's group on the popular "Skunk Train" in Santa Cruz during the week, (another first for Marisa) and Marisa claims it was one of the highlights of the week. She is also very proud of accomplishing several steep reviews from the local critics! As if that wasn't enough, Dwight jumped right into another production, playing the first two weeks of July, as Pontious Pilot in "Jesus Christ Superstar". Dwight promises to slow down his celebrity obligations until "Scrooge" in December after he finishes with "Superstar". Congratulations on your success, Dwight! Now get back to work! Coalinga Celebrates a Birthday During the month of June consumers were able to go to the farmers mar-ket and have a day at the mall. They also celebrated a birthday for con-sumer Rick R. for which they had a luncheon at Perko’s. Consumers here in the Coalinga are happy to be on summer vacation from school. The Coalinga office would also like to announce that we have our own bride to be, Susie Ximenez. Congratulations Susie! Catalysts News - July 2006 - 5 Stockton and the Great Outdoors Both the Stockton and Modesto groups had a great time during Stockton's Rancho Seco camping trip June 11th-13th. For the first time in the three years of this event, both Modesto, as well as REST staff and consumers, were able to enjoy some time at the campsite with their fellow friends from Stockton. On June 12th, a big BBQ was attended by many, and consumers and staff met some new faces from other areas, as well as caught up with the already familiar ones. Over 30-40 staff, consumers, friends and family attended the activity, at some point, in the two days! Many staff volunteered their time throughout the event, some bringing family members or friends to spend some R&R time with them for the day, or even stopped in for a couple of hours, just to say hello and have some food. The consumers participated in several arts and craft activities, making personalized hats and mugs. Fishing was a big hit for most of the guys, as well as some females who enjoy the sport, too! Probably the biggest, most popular event seemed to be the EATING!! There definitely was plenty of that, as well as simply relaxing, visiting with each other, and taking a much needed break from life's hurried pace. It was really fun to have so many of us come together and catch up on how everyone is doing, and especially being able to meet some of each programs newer consumers and staff! We hope to make this an annual activity to add to the annual camp out. A big thank you to each of you who helped out in making this such a fun time. We couldn't have done it without you. Stockton recently had a Ray Hyde & REST appreciation party. There was great food, great company, great fun. There was a knowledge test given at the party and Estella Hill was the winner! She could hardly hold back the tears. Thank-you Ray Hyde & REST staff for everything you do! 15 YEARS Dora N.; El Centro 5 YEARS Latricia W.; Stockton Nick A.; San Diego Mary M.; El Centro Michael M.; Stockton 1 YEAR 14 YEARS Michael H.; El Centro 4 YEARS Anthony H.; Merced Edward R.; Coalinga Lincoln G.; El Centro Lanette F.; San Diego Keith P.; Merced Russell T.; San Diego Eduardo B.; El Centro Joylene L.; Salinas Tia V.; Merced 13 YEARS 9 YEARS Jami S.; San Diego Kurt W.; Merced Carol F.; San Diego Ryan L.; San Diego Albert P.; Ukiah Sandra R.; Santa Clara Annette F.; El Cento David H.; San Diego William D.; Stockton Araceli M.; Salinas 11 YEARS 8 YEARS 3 YEARS Samer M.; Salinas Rene S.; El Centro Mollie W.; El Centro Ruby T.; El Centro Edwin S.; Salinas Karen R.; Fresno Aaron W.; Coalinga Luz Maria V.; El Centro Thanh D.; Santa Clara Michael O.; El Centro 7 YEARS Joe L.; San Diego Jay R.; Santa Clara James C.; San Diego Barbara D.; Santa Clara 2 YEARS Shoua X.; Fresno Lynnette J.; El Centro Melissa F.; Coalinga Monica C.; Fresno Alicia V.; El Centro Greg M.; Salinas Lowella M.; Fresno Charles T.; El Centro Raymond R.; El Centro Juan R.; Coalinga -6 - July 2006 - Catalysts News Fresno has a New Graduate Our Program Leaders Maria Savageau and Shelley Cook wanted to express their sincere appreciation to all Central Valley staff for their dedication and hard work towards our CARF inspection. They were smiling very happily when they asked me to put this in the newsletter. We had a very pleasant CARF experience. Our CARF surveyors Ronda and Mark were great. We particularly enjoyed that they appreciated all the heart that is involved in this type of work. NonProfit Corner By:Steve Lawrence, Director of Development I am happy to report that we were awarded two grants one from the Sundt Foundation and one from the Dr. Scholl Foundation. The Sundt Foun-dation will help support San Diego’s consumers with household goods and supplies, clothing and/or other needed items. The Sundt Founda-tion is the philanthropic arm of Sundt Construc-tion with local offices in San Diego. In addition to the Foundation’s evaluation, their employees also have a say in who is selected for support. They were enthusiastic about the idea of support-ing independent living and invited us to apply again next year. The Dr. Scholl Foundation gave a grant in sup-port of the Darlene Stewart Scholarship Fund. Community Catalysts established the Darlene Stewart Scholarship Fund in recognition of her many years of service in public health and reha-bilitation. Ms. Stewart has also served as a Direc-tor, Vice Chair and Chair of the Boards of Community Catalysts and Community Catalysts Our Recreation Coordinator Stephanie Mogan is graduating with an AA in Criminal Justice in a couple of weeks. Congrats! Our own House Manager Deborah won a National Leadership award. She is now an honorary Chairman to the Business Advisory Council. We are so proud of her! The Consumers are planning a trip to Monterey in July. Bet it's lovely there. of California for over ten years. The Darlene Stewart Scholarship Fund seeks to develop and expand the skills of public health and rehabilita-tion workers as well as to advance and promote educational opportunities for people with disabil-ities. Scholarships may be used for continuing education programs, certificate programs for vocational skills, or for colleges and universities. Application for scholarships will be made avail-able in the near future. In other news, my responsibilities have been ex-panded to include public relations and a public appeal for support. We need to build a broad base of community support. I am also preparing a comprehensive development plan for the board’s consideration. I will continue to write grants and have several pending. As always, thank you for all that you do and I hope to support your hard work and dedication. Catalysts News - July 2006 - 7 Summertime & Healthy Eating Tips Summer provides an excellent opportunity to bring healthful eating and young children together. Parents and child care providers play a critical role in children learning healthful eating habits both through teaching and modeling. They have daily opportunities to prepare and serve snacks and meals. Summer offers more time to involve children in these preparations and occasions that lend themselves to simply having fun in planning and serving healthy foods. The key to success is variety! Fortunately, the healthiest food groups - milk, meat, vegetable, fruit, and grains - include a wide variety of foods to choose from. Re-member the younger the child, the smaller the portions and serve them in a form that is easy to chew and swallow to prevent choking. Variety in Serving Don't forget variety in serving ... ¶ The same peanut butter and jelly sandwich or slice of cheese can be so much more appealing when cut with a cookie cutter shape. ¶ A train of crackers of different shapes with carrot wheels, a pineapple chunk smoke stack, and raisins for smoke puffs can be a delight, as can a banana chunk standing in a ring of pineapple with a half grape on top for a rocket. ¶ A "walk-around" snack of various cereals, pretzel pieces, and a few colorful M&Ms in a bag, or a dab of frosting and a few sprinkles to fancy-up a graham cracker are appealing. Summertime Activities Summer also includes activities that lend themselves to serving food differently: ¶ Make new and favorite fruit juices into popsicles; make fresh lemonade; or flavor water each day with a different fruit juice that adds color and flavor to help encourage drinking extra liquids on hot days. ¶ Bring along tasting bins to help pass "rest break" at the pool or playing in the lawn sprinkler. Simply prepare a plastic container or bag for each child with a variety of fruit pieces to sample. You can have fun simply listening to each other's taste responses; identifying a dozen letters of the alphabet as each selection is named; and, where appropriate, keeping score of the number of" right guesses." ¶ Children can help with the main meal. Provide them with a melon boat or squash boat and guidance/ supervision in cutting selections of fruits or vegetables to serve with a yogurt dip. ¶ Extend children's play using play dishes readied for snack time, adding a paper doily to a serving plate, or providing grown-up fancy napkins. Older children can prepare menus, place mats, checks, play money, and other restaurant features. ¶ Follow-up on story themes by having a foil covered box as a treasure chest with individually wrapped snacks to be selected; a lovely basket decorated with flowers to hold snacks tied with a ribbon; or toddlers imitate The Very Hungry Caterpillar. ¶ Vegetables (new varieties and old favorites) taste oh so different when grilled ...even if they need to be dressed in a bit of catsup or mustard. ¶ The key to success for adults - in teaching and modeling healthy eating habits - and for children in learning healthy food choices - is variety. But, now you know it's not just what you choose, but how you fix it and serve it that puts "fun" into the variety. Enjoy healthful summer eating! For more tips and information, visit www.magellenhealth.com Amy Foisy Community Catalysts of California is excited to announce that Amy Foisy a Sup-ported Living Coach in the San Diego office was selected as the Star of the Month for June 2006. Amy has been with our company for a year and recently due to the increasing needs of her consumers she has been willing to take on additional hours. Amy has become a wonderful asset to the program. Since she started, she has been a wonderful asset to the program. She continuously works extra hours and makes herself available to her consumers on evenings and weekends as needed and appropriate. She is always willing to help and the consumers she works with all enjoy working with her. Amy is very flexible and has filled in at minutes notice. Amy has also been very successful in getting her consumers active within the community. Amy has even assisted a consumer with her goal of losing weight, which included Amy working out with her at the gym and going for walks. Amy is never afraid to step in and “get her hands dirty”. She has assisted in organizing a consumer’s room, which had become a safety hazard. Yet somehow Amy made this task fun for the consumer, and the consumer has even agreed to organize her room on a regular basis. Amy is such a valuable part of the supported living team all while also working another full time job. She has made a positive impact in her consumers’ lives and the Sup-ported Living Program. The Supported Living Program and Community Catalysts of California are lucky to have Amy as part of our team and want to congratulate her on being a star! Congratulations, Amy! Consumer Catalysts of the Month- July 2006 Ross Burchill Community Catalysts of California is proud to announce that Ross Burchill is our Consumer of the Month for July 2006. Ross Burchill was born in Augsburg, Germany and grew up in Baltimore Coun-ty, Maryland. He had a tragic life-altering accident in October 1981 that not only landed him in a coma for six months and another seven months in a semi-comotose state, but some years later, Ross ended up in our ILS program, which, in itself, is a miracle! It took him three years after his accident to re-learn how to feed himself all the while suffering from multiple broken bones to his legs, arms, jaw nose and most of his fingers and other injuries too numer-ous to mention in this short article. Today, we’re happy to say, Mr. Burchill—better known as “Chill”—is living a successful independent lifestyle. Although he still faces many challenges ahead, Chill is a warrior and plans to spend the rest of his life speaking with youth organiza-tions in his area about the dangers of drugs and alcohol as well as the importance of making wise decisions. Chill is thrilled to be a part of our ILS program here in San Diego and he credits his recovery from his numerous surgeries and personal victories to God. Chill is an inspiration to us who know him to persevere no matter what the obstacles and to stay positive even though life sometimes throws you some hard punches. Thanks, Ross, for that continual great smile and that one-of-a-kind sense of humor and quick wit! Congratulations, Ross!