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“Hope is the courage to take one more step, to try one more time, to believe that things will get better,”
-Jonas Salk
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR C.E.O. | |
 |  | Turning Over a New Leaf is one way to talk about Recovery. We all have impactful changes in our lives that cause us to turn the page. On Friday Sept 29, I attended the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County Awards with David Warner, Rob Rapp and Katia Guttierez as we cheered on our nominee, Cyndy Pierson, who was acknowledged as our Unsung Hero for all the personal appeals she made to raise money for our 55th Anniversary and our new Building for Recovery in Salinas. Later that day, I buried my canine companion of 14 years, Vigo, who passed quietly. That night I felt so sick and I woke up in the morning and tested positive for COVID-19. As the “show must go on,” Jorge Rubio, Katia, Teresa and Rob ran our Family Fun Day at the Maya Cinema that Saturday, without me. The following weekend, Marciano Huerta and I attended the NAADAC Conference in Colorado for 4 days and learned the latest on illicit drugs, peer support, and trauma-informed care. Today I was at the Impower Luncheon and was inspired by the life of Lucy Jensen, who reminded us “What Matters Most”. For me, what matters most is my work in recovery, and my family. I’ll miss you, Vigo, my little buddy! And I am so grateful for all the men and women I see in long term recovery!
-Anna Foglia
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Building For Recovery
Donor Gift
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Our list of donors for Building For Recovery continues to grow, with a recent gift donation from Monterey County Health Department for $1 Million. Thank you for your commitment to changing lives!
We are still not at our target goal. If you are interested in being part of the solution, contact us today. This new Recovery Center will provide 40 men and women a year with sober living and 300 individuals a year with counseling (for men, women and youth) and family empowerment services. The Center will include intensive, youth outpatient treatment, as well as recovery groups.
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To learn more about Building for Recovery,
click the link below:
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Monterey County Gives
Sponsor Match
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You can finish the job. All community donations to Sun Street Centers through MC Gives! 2023 will fund the new Recovery Center scheduled to break ground early next year. The project you fund through MC Gives! will directly benefit Monterey County youth and adults who need daily outpatient substance abuse treatment, recovery groups, and sober living units. MC GIves! Campaign will go live on November 9 and ends December 31, 2023, giving you an opportunity to support this BIg Idea.
We have already raised 75% of the funds we need to build a new, 8,000 sq.ft. Recovery Center on our Salinas campus to meet urgent needs of teens and families suffering with substance abuse throughout Monterey County. Please, help us raise the last 25%!
MCGives! challenge donors who donate $500+ before Oct. 18th will be acknowledged in a special Monterey County Weekly run of 20,000 issues that reach more than 60,000 readers in print and online at MCWeekly.com and the MCGives! website.
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To donate a Challenge Gift for our MC Gives! Big Idea,
click the link below:
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Sun Street Centers
Employee Spotlight: Road to Success
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Meet Cuauhtemoc 'Temo' Gandara, Case Management Specialist for our South County Road To Success Program. Temo grew up in the Salinas area for most of his childhood. After elementary school, things changed for him due to life situations. He ended up moving to the South Monterey County area with his siblings and mother. At the time, Temo felt like he had no support or guidance from an adult mentor, but he did have the support from his siblings. After graduating high school, Temo was going from job to job, with no idea what it was he wanted to do.
One day, Temo’s older brother and his friend were going to talk to a military recruiter in Salinas, it was something that caught Temo’s attention – he tagged along with his brother and his friend.
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“At the end of the day, I was the only one that stuck with it. I enlisted in the Navy and did that from 2010 through 2018. I was able to gain a lot of experience. It helped me as a person, to get out of my comfort zone.” | |
When Temo got out of the Navy, he had heard that Sun Street Centers was hiring for a youth program. Temo was already familiar with Sun Street Centers since he had family members that were involved with the agency. He decided to learn more about it, applied and got the job! | |
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“Little by little I notice what the program did. I learned how it was helpful for some of the students. Now, being in this position, I can be that mentor, give them guidance to realize that It’s not just happening to them. I can provide experience and support for them.”
“Growing up we don’t know a lot about what is accessible. So, working with the families, based on their needs, we are able to provide families with resources or support.”
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Based on feedback received by the youth Temo works with, they like the Road to Success Program because they get one-on-one time with their case manager. It helps them feel more comfortable sharing and engaging in the program versus being in a group setting with other people. | |
“I started with Sun Street Centers when the Road to Success Program was relatively new. There were a lot of questions in the air whether the program would last. But the collaboration that we have with the police departments from each of the cities in South Monterey County really helped to establish the program. Eventually, the schools got involved because the students need services like this but there is not a lot of services accessible to youth in South County.” | |
Temo provides extra support for the youth and parents he is working with by letting them know about opportunities that are available for them to get the help they need. The Road to Success team in South County and on the Peninsula is made up of individuals helping change and shape the lives of many families. | |
“We are here to help as much as we can and to work together to provide services for the students and their families in our community.” | |
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To learn more about the Road to Success Program,
click the link below:
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National Recovery Month
City Proclamations
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City of Salinas Proclamation, Pamela Smith speaking | |
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Different local cities recognized and proclaimed the month of September as Recovery Happens Month and called upon our community to support this year's observance by celebrating compelling programs and events.
The Recovery Month observance continues to work to improve the lives of those affected by mental health and substance use disorders by raising awareness and educating communities about the effective services that are available.
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"On behalf of Sun Street Centers, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for recognizing September as National Recovery Month. Recovery has a profound impact on individuals and families, offering hope and opportunities for a brighter future. By providing the right support, tools, and resources, we believe that everyone can embark on a transformative journey towards recovery and live a meaningful life. We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the other agencies that contribute to this vital work. Together we can make a significant difference in ending the cycle of addiction and fostering a healthier, more resilient community."
-Pamela Smith, Sun Street Centers Outpatient Program
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City of Salinas Proclamation | |
City of Hollister Proclamation | |
Thank you for recognizing September as National Recovery Month: | |
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Family Fun Day
at the Cinema
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On Saturday, September 30, Sun Street Centers hosted a Family Fun Day at the Cinema for families in recovery!
150 guests (program alumni, staff, and volunteers) spent the afternoon with their families to enjoy a movie at Maya Cinemas in Salinas. Spending time with family can help improves ones quality of life and helps reduce stress and anxiety. It also strengthens the bond between family members, builds trust and communication, and creates lasting memories that contribute to good mental health.
Thank you to Kristy Nunez and all the National Charity League volunteers, like Sun Street Centers Board Member, Jeannette Witten, for helping put together bags with goodies for the movie guests. Some of the men in our Salinas Residential Program helped organize the bags for the actual day of the event.
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"I just want to thank Sun Street for the event yesterday. My family and myself certainly appreciate it and had a very cool, fun time!"
-Event Participant
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Thank You to our Sponsors for For Making It Happen: | |
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Rest In Peace Vigo
You Will Be Missed!
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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. | | | | |
