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"If we are to have any hope for the future, those who have lanterns must pass them on to others."
-Plato
MESSAGE FROM OUR C.E.O.
Our theme this month is the inner light that is shared and passed on by extraordinary people around us. Most recently, we lost our dear Physician’s Assistant, Esther Castellanos, who made a deep impact in the recovery community, especially with our women in Hollister. At her memorial service I was filled with emotion, listening to the heartfelt stories of her family and friends. We love “Dr. C” and grieve deeply with him for the loss of his partner. 55 Years ago, Martin and Nancy Dodd, were another dynamic couple that shared their light, establishing Sun Street Centers, to help the men in Salinas that were shunned by the community, to rebuilding family bonds. Their legacy continues today! Mike Cunningham, highlighted below, is now sharing his recovery, his “light”, with men coming out of jail, trying to rebuild their place in the world. Also, this month, State Representative, Dawn Addis, shared her personal story with the parents at Seaside High School, speaking from the heart in Spanish first, and then in English, she moved us all. As Plato said, the future depends on you sharing your light. I know that each of you are points of light and hope for the recovery community. Thank you!

-Anna Foglia
In Loving Memory of
Esther Angelica Castellanos Villareal
Sun Street Centers has been working closely with the Castellanos for over 25 years, supporting our residential/treatment programs in Monterey County and San Benito County. It saddens us to hear that Esther is no longer with us. She was an essential part of success of our women in long term recovery in Sun Street Centers perinatal program in Hollister. She was kind, caring, empathetic, and contributed to their health and wellbeing. Esther was loving, always willing to listen and help her patients any way she could. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.

We were so happy to be able to honor Esther and Edgar last Fall in a small way for all they have done, as a team, to improve lives and rebuild families in our community. The Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County chose them for their outstanding contributions to our community.
Drug Awareness
Family Event
On Friday, April 14, Sun Street Centers Prevention Department in the Peninsula partnered with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District to host a drug awareness event at Seaside High School for community members. Families were part of an educational and informative presentation to help them better understand the realities of drug and alcohol use among youth in the community.

A special acknowledgement to California State Representative, Dawn Addis and MPUSD Superintendent, Dr. Pk Diffenbaugh for being the keynote speakers for the evening. Dawn spoke passionately about supporting kids who have family members abusing alcohol or other drugs and Dr. Pk Diffenbaugh emphasized the commitment of his school district to help parents and youth with any resources they need.

This event featured community resource agencies, childcare, giveaways and prizes! Thank you to the agencies that came out to support;
City of Seaside - Family & Community Support Program
City of Seaside - Youth Education & Resource Center
Drug Free World
Gathering for Women
Harmony At Home 
Monterey County Rape Crisis Center
Partners For Peace
Seaside Police Department
The Village Project, Inc.
United Way Monterey County
VIDA Project - Building Healthy Communities
"Something valuable that I learned during this workshop
was the information about drugs
and the harm it causes youth."
-Event participant
To learn more about our prevention programs in Monterey County,
visit the link below:
Men's Residential
Story of Success
Photo: (left) Katherine Badgerow, Director of Men's Residential Program in Salinas (right) Michael Cunningham, Reentry Program Manager
Michael Cunningham is a CADC-CAS Counselor who works for Sun Street Centers as the Reentry Program Manager. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and considered himself to be your average party guy in high school. Smoking pot, drinking alcohol and doing cocaine here and there became the normal behavior to him. After graduating high school, Michael attended Sonoma State University and attended 2 semesters. That summer, Michael went back to LA and was introduced to freebase cocaine by a good friend. That became his true first addiction that resulted in the beginning to the end of his college career. 

Michael dropped out of college, went back to LA, worked consistently, and partied on the weekends. While partying, he was introduced to Methamphetamine and began using it daily – considering himself a ‘functioning addict’. Soon after, he would not only be using, but selling too. From there, his addictive and criminal behaviors lead him to 4 prison terms. Throughout the in-and-outs of jail, he tried to stay sober but would always end up back to using and selling. 
“I was addicted to meth, yes. But it was the lifestyle, and this is where a lot of people get addicted to is the lifestyle that comes with the drug use. For me, it was hanging out with the rockstars, the limo rides, and the backstage shows.”
After Michael served his fourth term, he realized that he needed a geographic relocation. He contacted his sister who was living in Las Lomas and moved in with her and her husband. As part of his parole, he was required to take classes at San Benito Behavioral Health which he successfully completed. The counselors in San Benito recognized his potential and began inviting him to volunteer to co-facilitate groups. Soon after, he was hired as a Peer-Mentor through San Benito Behavioral Health. It wasn't long until Michael decided he want to do more to help and joined the Sun Street Centers Team.
Sun Street Centers has been amazing for me. It’s been a complete change in my life. It has enabled me to become the person I am today which is 180 degrees from where I was at… Helping these people who have been through a similar thing that I went through, helping them to find a place to leave those addictive and criminal behaviors and to help them become productive members of society.
Over the seven years of working for Sun Street Centers, four of the clients he had worked with have been hired to join the Sun Street Centers team. 
“The Social Model element of the program makes Sun Street Centers unique. It empowers the guys in treatment to help the other guys in treatment, like the Resident Council. There are not many programs that offer that element.”
To learn more about Salinas Men's Residential Program,
visit the link below:
Overcoming Alcohol Addiction
Nonprofit Report Webinar
Photo: (right top) Anna Foglia (bottom right) Melanie Brown-Woofter
Every family has been affected by alcohol use. As a matter of fact, over 70 million Americans suffer from alcohol dependence or chronic alcohol abuse. The Nonprofit Report Webinar invited Anna Foglia, CEO of Sun Street Centers and Melanie Brown-Woofter, President & CEO of Florida Behavioral Health Association, as guest speakers to speak about overcoming alcohol addiction. The Nonprofit Report is a weekly webinar on nonprofit organizations, issues and leaders.

Anna and Melanie spoke about accessing judgement-free resources to heal. Before, it was hard for people to seek help due to the negative stigma but things are changing. The general public is becoming more empathetic towards the overall wellbeing of the individuals seeking help from addiction.
"I really think the stigma is lessening and more people are actually talking about it and having conversations. For many years, its been taboo to talk about it, it's something that you had to hide.. In the last few years, we've been more open..." -Melanie
This webinar talked about susceptibility to addiction, the challenges that come with identifying as an alcoholic, and focusing on ourselves and our own self care in different positive ways.
"We encourage individuals in early recovery to be around other people that are in early recovery because that is what our system of social model is all about." -Anna
To see the full Nonprofit Report Webinar,
visit the link below:
Sun Street Centers'
55th Anniversary Celebration
On April 20, Sun Street Centers celebrated at The Barns at Cooper Molera the 55th Anniversary of the agency and the Legacy Circle Members who have made the commitment to ensuring the well-being of Sun Street Centers.
New Legacy Circle Members for 2023

Luis and Ronni Alvarez
Victor Smith
Dean Storkan
Barbara Schilling
Richard Carr
The evening celebration was full of smiles and laughter. The guests enjoyed delicious food and refreshments from The Barns at Cooper Molera. At the end of the night, guests participated in a live and silent auction - all funds raised directly benefit our Building For Recovery Campaign. Special thanks to Scheid Vineyards for the wine and to Griggs Nursery for the beautiful centerpieces donated to the celebration. Thank you to Richard Green Photography and Belmont Entertainment for the support during the event.
The Building For Recovery campaign will help build a Recovery Center focused on homeless adults, youth counseling and family empowerment. Sun Street Centers is here to change the narrative for people who are homeless and suffer from alcoholism or drug addiction by providing 40 men a year with sober living services.
Thanks to our 55th Anniversary Celebration Sponsors:
The 55th Anniversary celebration was organized
with the help of Driscoll's Volunteers.
Co-chairs of Planning Committee:
Cyndy Pierson
Emmett Linder
Mistress of Ceremonies:
Theresa Wright
To learn more about Building For Recovery Campaign,
visit the link below:
Recovery Counseling Education Prevention
Since 1968, Sun Street Centers has been providing the most comprehensive and effective services for education, prevention and recovery of alcohol addiction and drug abuse. Relying on a proven social model developed by our founders, Martin and Nancy Dodd, as well as the compassion and experience of our staff, we welcome all individuals and families to hope, heal, share and thrive with a drug-free and alcohol-free lifestyle.