Jolene Smith and Thomas awarded 2013 Community Solutions Helping Heart Awards
Jolene Smith and Thomas awarded 2013 Community Solutions Helping Heart Awards
State Senator Bill Monning , Community Solutions President & CEO Erin O ’ Brien , Executive Director with 2013 Helping Hand recipients FIRST 5 Santa Clara County , Jolene Smith & Thomas Corona , and Supervisor Mike Wasserman .
Photo provided by the Community Solutions staff
Community Solutions is 189 people strong with 120 working out of the new Gilroy office on Murray Avenue . With a budget of $ 15.8 million for 2012-13 they are a significant player in the world of social services in the South County area . They are also a smart player ! In the world of social services , duplication is a dirty word . Community Solutions , and the other members of the South County Collaborative , work hard at making sure duplication of services is avoided and that just the right amount of overlap is in place . In these times of limited resources this is an essential strategic move .
Community Solutions began in 1972 in Morgan Hill as a social service agency serving the needs of Village Avante . Today , Community Solutions continues its presence in Morgan Hill offering access to all the different counseling and intervention programs .
The Morgan Hill office on Church Street is in the midst of a transition . With the move to the new facility in Gilroy , the Morgan Hill office now has some room to expand . The Morgan Hill site is home to Solution to Violence . It houses the donation center where clothes and household items are received , sorted , and orders filled for clients .
Morgan Hill has a strong and active volunteer base . With the move they will have more room for training and activities . On July 9th a 65-hour , annual training program for Solutions to Violence volunteers began in Morgan Hill .
Morgan Hill is also home to La Casa del Puente , the House of the Bridge , a licensed transitional residential facility that provides an intensive 90- day program addressing the emotional , social , educational , and vocational needs of adults facing significant mental health issues .
Around the halls of Community Solutions in Morgan Hill and Gilroy there is an infectious spirit of optimism that goes with their moniker — Creating Opportunities / Changing Lives . A great example of this spirit is a large quilt made by children who are victims of abuse . The quilt hangs in the staff section of the Morgan Hill building as a reminder of the impact of their work . The quilt is not publicly displayed to protect the identity of the kids . But thanks to the miracles of Photoshop , we can share it with our readers . Community Solutions offers a monstrous array of services :
Children & Youth First 5 , RJP / DRP , Family & Children , Aftercare , Ranch Program , Therapeutic Behavioral Services , FSP Children , FSP Youth , STOP , SOC , SOS .
Adult & Older Adults Adult Traditional Mental Health , Older Adult Traditional Mental Health , Dual Diagnosis , FSP Criminal Justice Services , FSP for Parolees , FSP Adult , FSP Older Adult , La Casa Del Puente , DUI Program .
Solutions to Violence La Isla Pacifica Shelter , Domestic Violence , Sexual Assault , Human Trafficking , Legal Services , Outreach & Education .
Housing & Residential La Casa Del Puente , La Isla Pacifica , THUs , Housing .
A quick translation of some of the alphabet soup tells a lot about what this organization is all about . “ FSP ” goes to full service partnerships . “ THU ” are transitional housing units . “ STOP ” is Supportive and Therapeutic Option Program . Community Solutions is about filling the gaps in local social services , avoiding duplication and making sure those in need get help . Privacy restricts access to many of the success stories at Community Solutions but some videos produced by Community Solutions and some of the guest speakers at community events present a powerful message of success . Community Solution began in 1972 as a community social service response to the needs of Village Avante , a low-income housing project in Morgan Hill . One of the remarkable strengths of Community Solutions has been its ability to adapt to changing social needs , funding structures , community and societal changes . The size , effectiveness and diversity of Community Solutions is a testament to their ability to adapt . The last five years has been a growth cycle for Community Solutions . With growth comes the obligation to evaluate
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