The Pathways Program has Moved!

The Pathways program has moved locations.  For the past decade, CHS has managed the Pathways program at Norweigen and Sunrise in Modesto.  As of last week, Pathways is now located at 608 E Granger Ave Apt #25 Modesto, CA 95350. 

Pathways, provides housing and support services to young adults 18-21 years old in response to the growing number of youth aging out of foster care or experiencing homelessness. Center for Human Services is so thankful they can continue to provide emergency shelter and transitional living program services, including case management and counseling, educational activities, mental health/substance abuse services and life skills training to youth in Stanislaus County.

Here is a success story from Pathways.

John, an openly gay 18 year old, came to Pathways early in 2009. He’d been abandoned by his mother early in life, raised by an aunt and abused by his uncle. His family had a history of drug and alcohol abuse so John was no stranger to the damage drugs and alcohol can do to a person, to a family.  John sought out the services of the Pathways program, to assist him with the many obstacles he was facing on his path to independent living.

Pathways is a rigorous program.  There are a lot of rules and initially John was very defiant and oppositional.  He had a negative attitude and it only became worse when he was given consequences for not meeting the program expectations. Staff and residents really struggled with him and his temper.  Eventually, John left Pathways because he was frustrated with the rules and high expectations, only to return a short time later. 

With a lot of work and dedication, John, along with the support of Pathways staff and a CHS Mental Health Counselor achieved his goals; employment, licensed beautician and living independently.  John recently returned to Pathways for their monthly dinner (open to the public and all former residents).  He spoke about how he realizes what all the supportive professionals from Center for Human Services were trying to do and how important that was to his success.  They help youth be successful and instill hope.

Pathways and the young people we serve are in need of new and gently used items one would use to fill a new apartment.  Furniture, microwaves, etc.  If you can help with a donation please call CHS at 209.526.1476.   

Valley Apprentice Team Modesto Bee Article

If you didn't see it yesterday, click here for the latest article written about our Valley Apprentice Team, "Valley Heat" in the Modesto Bee.

Yesterday the team met with CHS executive Director, Cindy Duenas, to share their preliminary ideas.  While they would prefer that the specifics of their plan be kept under wraps, we can share with you that is it VERY exciting!  This team is impressive and their combined brain power is going to bring the agency, and our community, great things.

On April 7th "Valley Heat" plans to take youth from our Pathways program to the opening night for the Modesto Nuts!  This will be one of many public appearances so feel free to join us that evening.  Other public appearances will take place on April 28, 2011 at our Put a Cork In It event at Del Rio and at Westside Swing for Kids Golf Tournament at Diablo Grande on May 14, 2011.

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CHS' Valley Apprentice Team Off to a Great Start!

Center for Human Services' Valley Apprentice Team is off to a great start and we couldn't more excited!  Two weeks ago at the Gallo Center, Executive Director, Cindy Duenas drew the names of 5 fantastic individuals to join our team.  Currently, they are busy working on a project their project while helping to build awareness for the agency.  The energy and ideas that come from great minds being in a room together is inspiring and we are enthusiastically anticipating what will come next!  They plan to present their idea to us today!  Stay tuned for more on the teams activity and even blogging from team members themselves.  This is going to be quite a 3 month journey!

Welcome to Center for Human Services blog and thanks for deciding to follow us!  We have so much going on and so much we want to share with you. This is just one more way we thought we could connect with all our friends!

For those that are unfamiliar with our work, Center for Human Services (CHS) is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to change lives and build futures through programs that strengthen and support youth and families.  We provide a variety of services throughout Stanislaus County through the schools, our main office in McHenry Village, and our Family Resource Centers in Oakdale, Patterson, Newman and Ceres.  For 40 years we've been privileged to work with and serve our community.

So, there is so much to talk about!  We do prevention, intervention, treatment, counseling and offer shelter services to our community.  We also host great events/fundraisers like Edible Extravaganza.  This means there is no end to the totally fascinating things we can blog about.  Stay tuned and tell your friends!

Make it a great day!