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Welcome to the March issue of the Walden House Journal In this Issue In Other News The new programs highlighted in this edition create hundreds of new opportunities for people in need of substance abuse and mental health treatment, and re-entry programs providing job skills training, education, and housing. However, our funding for these programs does not cover start up costs. Additionally, it is a goal of the Walden House Board of Directors and Executive Team to improve the pay and benefits of our truly dedicated and deserving staff. If you'd like to join Walden House- to be part of a place where the miracle of change happens every day- click on the link below and you can learn about the many ways to help us. Or if you'd like to speak with someone about giving- whether it is a financial donation, an in-kind donation, or to volunteer, call Ramiro Maldonado in our Development Department at (415) 355-2586. Many thanks. Click here to learn how you can help. Pass it on Know anyone who might be interested in our newsletter? Click here to forward this email to up to 5 friends at once. |
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Greetings, As Walden House supporters, you know that part of the creed we live by is "Giving Hope." Well, we also teach our program participants that “Giving Back” is an important if not essential part of living well in recovery, and there are 3 articles in this edition of the Walden House Journal that cover events and alumni gatherings that were part of our effort to give back to the less fortunate. I am very proud of the staff work that went into these events as well. Walden House is increasingly becoming a company that public agencies and other non-profits look to for help with community needs, and that's exactly who we want to be- the people that others can come to for assistance and expertise. And, speaking of expertise, Managing Director of Development Richard Jimenez and his crew put on a very successful training on re-entry workforce development recently
which was attended by over 200 people from agencies and non-profits throughout California. Successful Community Re-Entry Training 
Walden House held its first annual Re-Entry Workforce Development Training this past November and the free event was a major success, drawing 300 attendees from all over the California criminal justice system. The goal of the event was to address the complex challenges facing men and women re-entering the community after being incarcerated. The experience featured expert trainers, panels and speakers offering practical help on delivering services to overcome these challenges. Content included a course on utilizing Motivational Interviewing techniques as a strategy to engage offenders in treatment and case management programs. One panel discussion on developing gang interventions and violence reduction plans was so popular a dividing wall had to be removed to accommodate the audience. There was a presentation on post-prison shock and how it shapes the re-entry experience, and one on clinical practices that are effective with re-entry clients who struggle with mental health problems. The event brought together a broad range of stakeholders from California’s criminal justice and offender rehabilitation community to share expertise, ask important questions, and discuss the field’s purpose and direction. San Francisco County Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi took time out from his re-election day activities to kick off the day’s events. The keynote address was given by Roderick Q. Hickman, the former California Secretary of Corrections who shifted the Department of Corrections focus from incarceration toward offender rehabilitation. Attendees included members of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and its Division of Addiction and Recovery Services, the Department of Adult Parole Operations, United States Probation, the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Department, the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and its Community Behavioral Health Services, the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department, and a great number of local community based organizations. Walden House is already looking forward to the second annual Re-Entry Workforce Development Training in 2009. 
Walden House Women Students 5-Key Charter School Make Thanksgiving
Thanks to Sherriff Michael Hennessy, Chief Al Water, Steve Good Executive Director 5 Key Charter School and Walden House CEO Rod Libbey this a unique collaboration between 5 Keys Charter School, San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, and the Walden House women students. Helped promote the Thanksgiving spirit of helping others who are less fortunate, the women of Walden House prepared a homemade turkey dinner with all the fixings for their incarcerated sisters at the San Francisco County Jail. More than 20 women from Walden House’s Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program, a program funded by CDCR-DARS, and from Walden House’s residential women’s facility, who attend the Women’s 5 Keys Charter School on Treasure Island prepared 40 turkeys, dressing, mashed potatoes, yams and other traditional Thanksgiving day foods, for 170 women at the San Francisco
County Jail. The meal was prepared in the newly renovated commercial-grade production kitchen at Walden House’s flagship facility at 815 Buena Vista East. “We know what it’s like to be in their shoes right now – and we know how important it is to offer hope and love – and some good food! – during the holidays,” said Karen Redus, Director of Adult Clinical Services at Walden House. In addition to dinner, the Walden House women created and delivered a community holiday card to share their positive experiences in treatment and to encourage the incarcerated women to attend re-entry treatment programs upon their release. Most of the Walden House women involved in this project are ex-offenders and recovering drug addicts who are living at Walden House’s re-entry treatment facilities while they complete high school and job training in order to prepare for successful transitions to independent living. The 5 Keys Charter School is a unique collaboration between 5 Keys Charter School, San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, and Walden House. This collaboration currently boasts two locations, one at the Walden House Multi Service Center on Mission Street, and the other at the Women’s 5 Keys Charter School on Treasure Island. These state certified charter schools offer courses for high school completion as well as vocational training opportunities, both of which better prepare clients for a drug-free, self-sufficient lifestyle in the community. Walden House Moves to the Bayview 
We are proud to announce the relocation of Walden House’s administrative offices and warehouse to 1550 Evans Avenue in the Bayview/Hunters Point area of San Francisco. Walden House will also move its outpatient programs, re-entry and vocational services, and the 5Keys Charter School to the new site. The move is part of an agency-wide restructuring effort to better meet client and employee needs, as well as to assure the company’s infrastructure in San Francisco. Walden House looks forward to being part of the city’s redevelopment efforts in the Bayview, and to collaborating with other community based organizations to empower the area’s residents. Walden House’s goal is to eventually purchase the property and develop a Comprehensive Learning The Walden House Central Intake Office and Representative Payee Program will both continue to be located at 1885 Mission Street. Being in both the Mission and Bayview districts will enable Walden House to serve two of the highest-need San Francisco communities at the same time. Walden House values prevention as much as we value treatment. Outreach efforts can touch young lives in meaningful ways and help the next generation make healthy choices. We love engaging with the young people of our community and sharing our struggles with drugs and alcohol. That’s why, in January, when long time friend and former staff member Mike Towaka asked us to come speak to his eighth grade class at Our Lady of Mercy School in Daly City, we jumped at the chance. Two recovering staff members and a client currently in treatment visited Mike’s classroom to share their personal experiences with addiction and to answer questions from the youths. It was a great afternoon of open and honest discussion, and we hope the children got as much out of it as we did. Maybe Mike will invite us back next year! Budget Reductions And The Impact To Walden House As a result of the recent budget cuts by the City and County of San Francisco, Walden House regretfully closed its residential and out patient adolescent programs in January, ending 20 years of high quality youth services in San Francisco. Additionally, funding cuts for adult outpatient services resulted in 10 staff position reductions in San Francisco. It has been hard to lose these employees who were so committed to our mission of giving hope and changing lives. These closure and reduction decisions were difficult ones, but they were necessary to sustain the long term stability of Walden House. We wish our former employees the best as they find new ways to serve the community. During these challenging economic times, it is a real likelihood that additional budget cuts lie ahead, and Walden House senior management intends to absorb those cuts in ways that will minimize the need for further staff reductions. Walden House senior management and the development department are committed to exploring new funding opportunities and partnerships to ensure that vital services continue to reach our community’s most needy populations. Walden House remains committed to providing the best services to San Francisco residents in need of help. Be assured that Walden House programs will weather this storm and will be helping our communities long into the future. Los Angeles Alumni Association 
Recently, Walden House in Los Angeles held its first Alumni meeting to great success, with 35 graduates braving the rain to participate. Elections were held, money was raised, and goals were identified. The members of the Alumni Association would like to share their experience and recovery with the community by speaking at programs and schools. They also discussed plans to help feed and clothe the homeless. It sounds like they are off to a great start. Congratulations to the new officers: Robert Howard, Chair Person; Joseph Dixon, Vice-Chair; Juanita Stoebe, Secretary; Alex Dale, Sergeant At Arms; Irma Guzman, Treasurer; Mark Malik Overton and Denise Boni, Project Coordinators. Los Angeles: Celebration of Achievement 40th Anniversary Celebrations |
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