Sharon's Story: I love my place!

Earlier this year, Sharon's life took a turn for the better. After being unhoused for a year and a half, she finally obtained housing. "I love my place!" says Sharon.   

For months, Sharon tried to secure housing, but as a disabled 62-year-old, her only income was social security disability, and she could not afford a security deposit. More significantly, her credit became compromised ever since her long-time domestic partner transferred ownership of her house to his name. Sharon disclosed that she felt betrayed by her partner long before he compromised the ownership of her home. "He tried to unalive me several times...I felt so defeated," shared Sharon.    

Although unmarried, Sharon believed sharing a home with the father of her child was practical. "I trusted him because I had been with him all these years, and we share an adult child," says Sharon.   

Sharon knew it was up to her to secure her safety. Unfortunately, her home no longer lawfully belonged to her, her son did not believe she was a victim of Intimate Partner Violence, and her only support system, her mom, had now passed away. Sharon was alone. "I was in and out of hospital emergency rooms, and my son did not want to believe it. I had to put my son to the side and do what I had to do to survive because I knew that being on the outside, I could fight back better."   

Sharon compartmentalized her trauma to push through and focused on overcoming the challenges ahead.     

Through a social worker, Sharon found Caminar's Resource Connect Solano (RCS) program, a Coordinated Entry System that ensures all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to housing programs.     

Sharon enjoyed connecting with RCS's Program Director, DeAndre Richard. "DeAndre was so kind to me, and something told me to trust him. They have over 2,000 people in the same predicament as me, and he said, 'Ms. Sharon, I will get you out of your car. We don't have the money today, but I will find you the money for a security deposit.' Two days later, I had an apartment!"   

Today, Sharon finds purpose in sharing her story, "We talk about people who are reported, but what about people my age who are not reported? I will keep fighting and advocating for people – telling my story because this shouldn't happen to people".  

When Sharon first left her abusive relationship, she felt disillusioned and alone. Although challenging, her experience helped her realize the power abusers have over someone and how understandably vulnerable she was. "Sometimes you're in it, and you don't even know you're in it. I didn't realize how bad it was until I got out," says Sharon.    

Sharon understands she cannot save the world but hopes to pass the kindness extended to her forward. "RCS changed my whole life for the better. I live in my own place now, I have shelter, I have a purpose, I have everything I need to fight back." 

Lotty's Story: I have my own spot!

After being unhoused for almost 6 years, this past June, Lotty* celebrated finally having a place for her and her son to call home. "I have my own spot, my own kitchen, my own bathroom, my own bedroom, the baby has his own bedroom, and my rent is very affordable. I am so grateful!" says Lotty.  

Before engaging with Caminar's Resource Connect Solano (RCS) program, a Coordinated Entry System that ensures all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access to housing programs, Lotty was frustrated with the housing system. Lotty has a prior eviction in her housing record and, since then, has struggled to get approved for quality housing.  

Lotty says the staff at RCS were welcoming and interested in her story. The RCS team learned that her previous landlord evicted her after she withheld rent because he failed to properly address a rat infestation. Unfortunately, Lotty did not have legal help, and she lost her case against the landlord. She became unhoused, had few belongings since the rats compromised most of it, and barely enough money for storage. Lotty had few options to change her circumstances.  

"I had to rush out! I didn't have the proper help to move, and they were going to lock me out. The men just put all my stuff on the grass." 

For years, Lotty lived in her car, parking between trucks at Walmart to sleep, sometimes staying with family or friends. As a result of the instability, Lotty lost custody of her son for a few years–the most heartbreaking loss. "He has been back with me now for three years," she said with relief. 

Prior to obtaining housing, Lotty and her son lived in a family shelter, getting by, working to address housing and her health as a chronically ill disabled woman, who has experienced several blood clots since becoming unhoused. "The only thing on my mind was securing housing; that was my main focus. After six years, I finally met my goal, I got myself a place to stay, and when I got it, I could not believe it. I believe it will be two weeks on Friday."  

She explains that the RCS staff worked to assemble a compelling housing application, and to her surprise, it was approved! "The staff at RCS were beautiful! Before, I was throwing money away for application fees just to get denied over and over because I had an eviction on my record." 

Lotty shares that accessing housing has helped her mental health considerably. "Who wants to not have a home, sleep on the streets, sleep in your car, or even be at a shelter no matter how nice they are? Plus, now I don't have to eat out every day! I ate so much fast food, I gained so much weight, and my son's diet was so bad. I can cook here! When I was unhoused, I would have to buy food once a day and hope it would keep me full all day because you can't return for more. Now I have my kitchen, can cook, and can access food all day! Most importantly, I have my own room, and my son has his own room. I am very grateful, so grateful," says Lotty.  

Although grateful, Lotty has dreams of a place that is wheelchair accessible and large enough for her to redecorate with mirrors and furniture like the ones she so tragically lost years ago. "I am going to make it," shares Lotty.   

 
*To honor our program participant's privacy, we used an alias in this story.  

In the News: California’s LGBTQ+ kids in the crosshairs as a surge of bills targeting gender identity reaches record high

Our director of our LGBTQ Programs recently spoke with The San Jose Mercury News about the increasing number of California bills focused on gender identity.

Adrienne Keel, the director of programs at the LGBTQ Youth Space in San Jose, used to coordinate a support group for young people at the city’s Independence High School. For years, Keel said, students would tell her that the group was not just the only reason they came to school — it was the only reason they got out of bed that morning.

“Having a safe adult at school is everything,” said Keel. “If young people do not have confidential spaces where they can talk about how they’re feeling, that has devastating impacts.”

Please read the entire article here.

In the News: Petition demands San Jose school district support LGBTQ students

Our director of our LGBTQ Programs recently spoke with San Jose Spotlight about a petition circulating that demands the San Jose School District support LGBTQ students.

Adrienne Keel, director of LGBTQ programs for mental health nonprofit Caminar, said schools can be the only safe space for students who can’t turn to their families. Yet, districts are reluctant to make public statements or support LGBTQ students for fear of backlash from community members who don’t share the same views, Keel added.

“What is being proposed (in the petition) is, for me, pretty low-hanging fruit in terms of what schools should be doing,” Keel told San José Spotlight. “Schools have a lot of power… They’re not exclusively academic spaces."

Please read the entire article, which includes more quotes from Adrienne.

In the News: H.O.P.E. connects with Fairfield’s low-income and homeless communities

Caminar's Resource Connect Solano team participated in Fairfield Police Department’s Homeless Intervention team's annual free resource event, the Homeless Outreach Partnership Event (H.O.P.E.), in early March. The Reporter documented the importance of H.O.P.E. and the volunteers who came to offer resources for food, public safety services, health, housing, and more. 

Please read the full story here. 

Solano Mental Health Awareness Month Parade

Caminar's Solano Forensic Team participated in Solano County’s Mental Health Awareness Month Car Parade last week. We are grateful the County of Solano put together a robust program of events for this important month, and our team loved participating in the parade.

Thank you to our team for their incredible work and dedication to our programs and clients; Caminar and this population is fortunate to have them!

With More Thanks to our Solano Community Friends at Experience Church

Our Caminar Solano team was overjoyed to receive 45 bags filled to the brim with hygiene products from Experience Church in Fairfield.

The kits contain essentials a client may need, including a comb, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, deodorant, shampoo, socks, masks, and hand sanitizer.

Experience Church donated warm coats to our clients in December, and we are so grateful for their generosity and compassion for members of our community who are struggling.

CAMINAR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR RACIAL EQUITY

Caminar is pleased to announce we are a proud signatory of the Nonprofit Racial Equity Pledge.

 A collective of Bay Area nonprofits working towards racial justice, spearheaded by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN), crafted this pledge.

 "As members of this community and as nonprofit leaders, we both recognize these inequities and commit to action for racial justice. We pledge to take anti-racist stances in our community, and to incorporate core values of racial equity, inclusion, and diversity in our organizations."

We invite you to sign the pledge here. Both individual and organizational signatories are welcomed.

With Warm Thanks to Experience Church

Our Solano Region was delighted to receive 150 warm coats and jackets from Experience Church in Fairfield. These much-needed coats were distributed across all of our Solano County programs and were appreciated by our clients. During a cold and dark time, this gesture of compassion warmed hearts and bodies. We are so very grateful!

A Solano Community Foundation Grant Eases the Transition from the Street to Stable Housing

Caminar recently received a Solano Community Foundation grant (2020–2021). The $10,000 COVID-19 Emergency Response Grant, allocated from a special COVID-19 fund, will deliver direct benefits to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and also participating in Caminar’s Bridge Housing program.

Caminar is actively navigating individuals and families to supportive housing, and permanent housing. Although we work quickly, there are gaps between when the client needs to be housed and when a new unit or home is ready to be occupied. Staff have no resources set aside to pay for single resident occupancy rooms, motels or other short-term housing, and our clients and their families are deeply distressed when there are unexpected delays. Caminar will now be able to assist clients with essential needs and household expenses. Support will include funding for housing (temporary room and board or rent) and other basic needs; household items, nutrition, clothing, and personal care items.

Becky Gaba, PhD, Executive Director of the Northern California region explains the positive impact and relief that Solano County clients will feel from this grant:

“[Your grant is] a significant resource for those moving from a short-term housing solution into suitable, permanent housing… helping to cover the cost of first-month rent and the purchase of necessary move-in supplies.”

With this generous grant from the Solano Community Foundation, housing delays and potential risks are greatly reduced. We look forward to passing this benefit on to clients. We would like to thank the Solano Community Foundation for this infusion of funds, so very appreciated by our staff and clients during this uncertain year.

Caminar Awarded $150,000 Kaiser Permanente Grant To Address Homelessness in Solano County

Caminar is honored to have been awarded a $150,000 Kaiser Permanente grant to address homelessness and strengthen our operations of Resource Connect Solano.

Resource Connect Solano is primarily funded through a contract with Solano County Department of Behavioral Health and is the coordinated entry system connecting individuals and families experiencing homelessness to housing throughout Solano County.

The grant will support building capacity among homeless providers, bridging the gap to housing through one-time subsidies, and easing the transition from life on the streets. Individuals and families facing the life-threatening experience of the loss of stable housing will benefit from housing assistance, personalized peer education, and mental health support.

Please read the entire announcement here.

Carol finds employment and stability with the help of Jobs Plus

For two and a half years, Carol* was homeless and bouncing between living on the streets and Mission Solano shelter. It was a hard life, and Carol needed to find a way to improve her circumstances.   

In October 2019, Carol moved into the Damascus House transitional housing program in Fairfield, CA. Along with the stable housing, Carol began to receive from case-managed care from Caminar. 

Carol also began working with our Caminar Jobs Plus team to secure employment with better pay and ample hours. With the help of her Jobs Plus employment specialist, Carol found a job at Walmart with more hours. Since January 2020, Carol has worked as a Walmart cashier, and her employment specialist continues to provide support to ensure success in this new job. 

At Walmart, Carol receives health benefits, an employee discount, and earns enough to save a portion of each paycheck. Recently, Carol was delighted to purchase a car, all in cash she had saved! The next step for Carol will be to secure permanent housing.  

Carol has loved working with her employment specialist, who always encourages Carol with her coaching and positive words. Her employment specialist is equally pleased to be working with Carol, remarking that Carol is a hardworking, dedicated, and optimistic essential employee. Looters targeted the Walmart where Carol works the other day. However, despite all the chaos and turmoil, Carol has remained cheerful; she is grateful to be gainfully employed and working during the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and protests.  

With special thanks to the donors and funders who support our life-changing Jobs Plus program.

*Client name changed to protect privacy. 

A note from Mark: We are all in this together

March 31, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy. 

As you well know, we’ve been sheltering in place in the Bay Area for two weeks now. The gravity of the situation is beginning to sink in for many people, many of whom are experiencing a range of complicated emotions. 

As our former board member, sportscaster Ted Robinson, succinctly shared via Twitter recently: 

“As we fight this physical threat, the country must provide needed mental health resources. Mental health will be a very real challenge in this new world. Sincere hope that the experts will be given a platform to address all of us.”

Indeed, the mental health toll of this public health crisis is very real and will likely persist beyond the physical health threat of COVID-19. 

Please remember you are not alone in any feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, stress, grief, anger, loneliness, or any other emotions you may be experiencing as a result of our current reality. These are unprecedented times, and the emotional roller coaster you or your loved ones may be feeling is normal and common.

One of our clinicians recently wrote, 

“The clients I was most concerned about, the ones with intense anxiety, were handling it better than expected. They all told me they felt they weren’t alone in their anxiety. Where they once felt isolated with intense feelings of powerlessness and uncertainty, they now realize everyone else has the same feelings and ‘we’re in this together.’ I reminded them this is resilience and a coping strategy that we can all learn from.”

I hope you can find your own resilience in knowing you are not alone. We are all in this together. Please look after your mental health and the mental health of your friends and family. I have included many resources at the bottom of this email that may be helpful.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Caminar and our divisions. We appreciate you and wish for you good physical and mental health. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Take good care of yourselves,

Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH
Chief Executive Officer

From Our CEO: Update on COVID-19 and Mental Health Resources

March 25, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope you are faring well and staying healthy during this time. As a public health professional, I want to add my voice of support to our public health leaders who are communicating the importance of sheltering at home and other strict containment measures. The goal of these measures is to “flatten the curve” so that the number of people needing acute medical care does not exceed our healthcare systems’ capacity to provide that critical care.

I appreciate your ongoing support of Caminar and all the recent messages of encouragement I’ve received. Given the positive response, I will continue to provide updates on Caminar’s response to the COVID-19 situation, as well as resources for you to protect your own mental health in these uncertain times.  

As you know, all of us at Caminar and our divisions provide essential behavioral health services to our most vulnerable neighbors. We are working every day for our community, and are evolving our processes and protocols as the current public health situation warrants. 

We have daily coronavirus task force meetings and constant communications throughout the organization. In the last couple of weeks, we quickly shifted to telehealth services, using email, the phone, or videoconferencing, for the majority of our client meetings. Some clients still do require an in-person meeting, and our offices and residential facilities have strict health screening protocols in place for all employees and clients each time they enter a Caminar property. Our team continues to provide best-in-class, compassionate, and science-based support to our clients. 

While this is a scary time, I am heartened hearing how our clients are using coping skills to manage their conditions. A clinician from our Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley division recently shared:

“I’ve had a few clients who are finding this period of distress as teaching them to ‘be’ with themselves and learning patience. Slowing down has been new for them, and it is also teaching them to seek ways to ground themselves. Overall, it has been a period of getting to ‘know themselves’ and being ‘okay’ in the present moment. There’s a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to become centered.”

I do hope you can find a way to become “okay” in the present moment, as well. I want to remind you to continue to look after your own mental health and the mental health of your loved ones. The following are several resources that may be helpful as you navigate our current situation.

General Coronavirus Resources

California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response: a comprehensive website with resources and information for all Californians

California Local Information: links to coronavirus information for each California county

CDC Coronavirus Information: detailed information, resources, and updates from the CDC

Mental Health Tips

Caminar Facebook and Twitter: regular posts about resources for managing stress

 Virus Anxiety: resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertainty

Mental Health Crisis Hotlines

2-1-1 Bay Area

Butte County Crisis Hotline
1-800-334-6622

San Francisco County Crisis Hotline
1-415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255

San Mateo County Crisis Hotline
1-650-579-0350

Santa Clara County Crisis Hotline
1-855-278-4204 

Solano County Crisis Hotline
1-707-428-1131

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line
Text “HOME” to 741741

Please stay healthy and don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions. Our team can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Most sincerely,
Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH  
Chief Executive Officer

Jobs Plus Celebrates a Year of Success in the Solano Region

One year ago, our Solano Region’s Jobs Plus team launched the new Individual Placement Support (IPS) model intended to provide rapid competitive employment for people experiencing mental health, substance, physical challenges, and/ or those who have been part of the criminal justice system.

In just one year, the updated program has seen great success.

The success wouldn’t be possible without the full support of Solano County Behavioral Health Department Deputy Director Sandra Sinz, LCSW; Administrators over Adult Services Emery Cowan, LPCC, LMHC; and the MHSA team headed by Tracy Lacey, LMFT.

Our Caminar Jobs Plus team, led by Program Director Jennifer Davis, includes highly-committed employment specialists and peer support staff who are embedded in all Solano County BHS clinics and Caminar programs.

This new Jobs Plus program allows placements to be made with creativity, motivation and desire from our clients, and no bureaucratic barriers.

To date, the new Jobs Plus program has made 88 placements. These job placements average 24 hours a week and an average hourly wage of $12.83. Of those served, 40% were part of the criminal justice system and secured gainful employment.

Employment placements were made in the following industries

• Retail:24%

• Food Service:15%

• Warehouse:24%

• Customer Service/Hospitality:20%

• Health Care/Social Service:15%

• Other:2%

Our newly-employed clients say it best:

“If you are consistent with Jobs Club you will learn techniques to pass that interview. I am grateful for my job at Safeway!”

“Thank you for sticking with me until I got my job.”

“I want to thank you all for being so diligent and being there for me, helping me whenever I needed it and just being there for support. You guys are awesome.”

“I feel that Caminar has been very helpful to me in training and the Jobs Plus program. I got along well with the people I was training with. I was able with their help to apply to a job site, & successfully obtained a good job with Pride Industries, which I can continue to work at for many years. I am grateful to my job developer and job coach for all their help. I feel that I have found friendship with both Caminar and Pride Industries, and I hope to be able to continue to do business with both in the future.”

Congratulations to the Solano Region’s Jobs Plus team on a successful year and we wish our clients all the very best in their employment journey.

A Note from Our CEO on COVID-19 and Mental Health Services

March 17, 2020

Dear Friends,

In the face of the rapidly-evolving coronavirus outbreak and current shelter-in-place order in many Bay Area counties, I sincerely hope you are all well. You may be concerned about how this is impacting Caminar and the most vulnerable members of our community, and I want to share our response. 

Caminar and our divisions are considered essential services and will continue to operate during this time. Our team is committed to providing compassionate and science-based support to all of our clients and will continue to make this our priority as we adapt to this very fluid situation. Our clinical staff spent today contacting all clients and will shift meetings to phone calls where appropriate. Clients for whom an in-person meeting is essential will be screened for infection before receiving mental health care. 

We recognize this is an unsettling time for many community members. We urge you to look after your own mental health and the mental health of your loved ones as we navigate this unfamiliar territory. We regularly share tips to reduce stress and anxiety through Facebook and Twitter. 

Should you need additional mental health support, please reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. 

2-1-1 Bay Area 

Butte County Crisis Hotline
1-800-334-6622

San Francisco County Crisis Hotline
1-415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255 

San Mateo County Crisis Hotline
1-650-579-0350

Santa Clara County Crisis Hotline
1-855-278-4204

Solano County Crisis Hotline
1-707-428-1131

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line
Text “HOME” to 741741

Please be well, stay healthy, and do let us know if you have any questions. Our team can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Most sincerely,

Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH  
Chief Executive Officer

Solano Region's Cammie Awards Coming in May!

In recognition of Mental Health Month, our Solano region will once again host our Annual Solano County Cammie Awards on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

As always, this gathering will highlight clients who have reached a successful milestone on their journeys toward recovery.

More information may be found on this flyer or by contacting our Solano office at (707) 648-8121.

#GratitudeTuesday: Why we're thankful for you

Because of you, Caminar and our Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley and Project Ninety divisions combined to transform the lives of 20,000 youth and adults this year with prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Thank you!

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day focused on giving back to our communities. We're celebrating #GratitudeTuesday, a day that comes from the heart. We are grateful for you. 

Please enjoy this short message of appreciation from our CEO, Mark Cloutier:

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being and health of our most vulnerable neighbors. Sending you best wishes for a joyous holiday season.

Tom’s Story: Marrying Personal Interest with Employment Opportunity

Tom* came to Caminar Jobs Plus in our Solano Region in March 2019. Within 48 hours, he was enrolled in, and engaged with, our Caminar Jobs Plus Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment program. 

During the engagement process, the Caminar team focused on gathering information and asking questions from Tom’s support team (case managers, therapists, peer specialists, and psychiatrists) in order to best understand Tom’s needs, strengths, and goals. Through this process, the Caminar Jobs Plus team discovered that Tom adores music and loves to frequent music stores. After working on interviewing skills and other career-building skills, Tom’s Employment Specialist took him to a local music store for a visit. Shortly thereafter, and Tom was hired to work at the music store.

We are thrilled to report that Tom’s is thriving in his job — his first job! — and he is delighted to have found employment in an area of tremendous personal interest. Tom’s employer notes that Tom has a great knowledge of music and fantastic customer service skills.

Tom is just one of the many individuals our Caminar Jobs Plus team supports. As of October 1, 2019, the team was actively serving 59 clients. Of those, 34 clients are currently working — a 57% competitive employment rate.

We are grateful to our many donors and funders who help fund life-changing care and support like Tom received. Special thanks, in particular, to the Safeway Foundation for the recent grant award to Caminar Jobs Plus; we can’t do it without you. Thank you!

*name changed to protect client’s privacy

Suicide Prevention Month: We can all help prevent suicide

We can all help prevent suicide. Each year, mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, we also observe National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). The goal of this month and these efforts is to empower everyone in the community to help prevent suicide.

In San Mateo County, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and the Suicide Prevention Committee is partnering with libraries and community agencies in San Mateo County to host 12 events and promote a social media campaign. This initiative aims to equip individuals with words and resources to support people who may be thinking about suicide. Events include support groups, informational presentations, day of prayer, film screenings, craft workshops and lived experience speakers. You may download the calendar of events here.

In Santa Clara County, Behavioral Heath Services is hosting and Mental Health and Wellness Fair on September 13 and also highlights many other important suicide awareness and prevention events on their website.

In addition to helping to amplify the important messages of suicide prevention that will be shared this month, we encourage all to know the three steps to support someone in a serious mental health crisis:

1. Know the signs of someone who is having suicidal thoughts

2. Kind the words to have a direct conversation with them

3. Reach out for help

If you or someone you know considering suicide, please reach out to these 24/7 crisis hotlines:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• National Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741

• San Mateo County/ StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350

• Butte County Behavioral Health Crisis Line (Butte County): 1-800-334-6622 or 530-891-2810

• Solano County Crisis Line: 707-428-1131

• San Francisco Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255

• Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 1-855-278-4204