1. education
2. alumni and reunions

The Quarterly Newsletter of OPCS
4501 E 5th Street, Tucson AZ 85711
(520) 546-0122 www.helptucson.org
Volume 1 : Issue 2
Fall 2014
RESTORING LIVES, REBUILDING FAMILIES, CREATING COMMUNITY
In This Issue
Article
Page
CEO’s Corner
2
Copper Cactus Award Finalist
2
OPCS Team
2
Lowe’s Heroes To The Rescue
2
Bank of America Presentation
3
Hula Hoopla
4
Spotlight on the Staff
5
Alumni Corner
5
Veterans Corner
5
Coming Events
Watch the OPCS Calendar at
www.helptucson.org for
up-to-date information
First Tuesday Tours: Enjoy a Box
Lunch and Tour of select OPCS recovery
communities. Join us on the OPCS bus!
November 4, 2014 11:30-1
December 2, 2014 11:30-1
Starting at: 3168 E. Kleindale Rd.
PLEASE RSVP
Nancy Jones, 989-8093
Email: [email protected]
Please Note:
OPCS Administrative Offices
Have Moved
We are now located at :
4501 E 5th St, Tucson AZ 85711
New Funding Assists Persons
Returning to Tucson
A new, expanded mentoring program, One Step at a
Time 2014, will reach out to adult offenders who
have histories of drug or alcohol abuse and who will,
without this program, be homeless in Tucson/Pima
County upon release from selected ADC facilities.
Approximately 13% of all prisoners released from
ADC annually are released to Pima County, with an
average three year recidivism rate of 24.5%. In order
to reduce this recidivism rate, OSAT 2014 will provide pre- and post- release mentoring
and a menu of transitional services. Volunteer mentors will provide one-on-one mentor
relationships for 300 offenders (mentees) to support safe and successful offender
reintegration into the community. OPCS will carefully select 150 mentors from both
faith-based and secular backgrounds. Twelve lead volunteer mentors will be identified to
act as team leaders for small mentor groups of 8-9 mentors. Mentor recruitment will
begin late 2014 or early 2015.
The Inside Out Recovery Partnership (IORP) is a collaborative effort between the
Pima County Behavioral Health Office, Pima County Sheriff’s Dept., Old Pueblo
Community Services (OPCS) and other nonprofit organizations, with the primary
objective of reducing recidivism for inmates leaving the
Pima County Jail, increasing public safety in Pima
County. The new IORP funding will allow us to reach a
higher risk population than previously, focusing the
program in the mental health step down unit of the
main jail, in addition to the minimum security facility,
and adding an intensive outpatient treatment phase for
the highest risk immediately upon release.
Offenders participating in either of these programs will have access to leveraged services
including: substance abuse counseling, peer recovery support, HIV prevention education,
and community job readiness and will show improved outcomes related to criminality,
substance use, employment/income, housing and ability to reintegrate successfully in
our community. Funding for these programs comes from the U.S. Department of
Justice, Second Chance Act.
Arizona VFW District 5 &
Military Order of the Cootie Sahuaro Pup Tent 2
Presents
River Rat Texas Hold-Em Poker Tournament
To Benefit Old Pueblo Community Services
SAVE THE DATE—Friday, January 23, 2015
OPCS Team
CEO’s Corner
During your last trip to the store, you may have noticed that we are
rapidly approaching the holidays and a new year. Once again we will be
buying special gifts for loved ones, preparing delicious family meals, and
maybe even putting a couple logs on the fire. As you prepare for this
holiday season, I ask that you consider joining us for our 2014 Fall
Fundraising Luncheon on November 20th at the Jewish Community
Center. This is your opportunity to join us in celebrating all of the
accomplishments of 2014, while reaffirming our commitment to serving
our community in 2015.
Executive Staff
Tom Litwicki
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Dreher
Chief Financial Officer
Terry Galligan
Chief Operating Officer
Nancy Jones
By Tom Litwicki, M. Ed.
Program Manager, Veterans
Tucson has struggled with a challenging economic structure for many
years, resulting in a rate of homelessness that is twice the national average.
One out of every 100 Tucsonans experiencing homelessness at some point in their life. Old
Pueblo Community Services serves as one solution to this problem, providing transitional housing,
employment coaching, addiction and mental health counseling for persons who are currently
homeless, along with homeless prevention services such as assistance with first time low-income
homebuyers, foreclosure avoidance, and services that prevent eviction. This has resulted in
approximately 300 persons that would otherwise be on the streets of Tucson in a home each day,
outcomes of up to 80% moving to their own housing upon departure, and up to 72% increasing
their income so that they can stay in their new home. At OPCS, we get results. We hope that you
will join us in eradicating homelessness in Tucson, Arizona.
Program Manager, Vets & Reentry
Copper Cactus Awards Announce Finalists!
Director of Development
Ellyn Langer
Director of Finance
Katy Scoblink
Director of Recovery Communities
Greg Pike
Director of Facilities
Managers
Angela Wilson
Cynthia Alexander-Green
Frances Salcido
Housing Development Manager
Old Pueblo Community Services is proud to be
among the finalists in the TEP Charitable
Nonprofit Business category of the Tucson
Metro Chamber Copper Cactus Awards.
Jacque Cozzens
Program Manager, Veterans
Jeanie Pike
Human Resource Manager
Juliandra Bailon
Program Manager, Reentry
Marc Canales
Employment Services Manager
Michael Melby
Program Manager, SARRTP
Sally Ramsey
Intake and Administration Manager
Yvonna Fields
Program Manager, Reentry
Board of Directors
Gary Henman
President
Lindsey Feldman
Vice President
Scott Patka
Secretary
Robert Brauer
Treasurer
Jeannie Carlisle
Carmen Ciuffetelli
Lyle L. Ford
Melissa Hendrickson
Tom Litwicki
Ex Officio/OPCS CEO
Phillip Fergione
Advisory Board
Dan Haley
Advisory Board
Winners will be announced Thursday, October
30th. OPCS is honored to be a finalist in this category along with the following outstanding
nonprofit organizations:
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Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
Autism Society of Greater Arizona
Ben’s Bells
Educational Enrichment Foundation
Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse
Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona
Handi-Dogs
Interfaith Community Services
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Refugee Focus
SARSEF Southern Arizona Research, Science
& Engineering Foundation
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services
The Habistore
Tucson Botanical Gardens
YMCA of Southern Arizona
Lowe’s Heroes To The Rescue
The four Tucson Lowe’s stores came together in September
to provide OPCS’s newest recovery community with an
outdoor makeover, providing volunteers, tools and materials
necessary to completely redo the courtyard area. From
gravel to plants, they painted, graded, cleared, cleaned and
planted a serenity garden for our Veterans.
THANK YOU HEROES!
 Daniel Barney, Valencia
Road
 Clint Harris, Oracle Road
 Jim Huegle, Speedway &
Kolb
 Steve Hickman, Ina Road
Before
After
Building Futures
Annual Meeting and Fundraising Luncheon
Thursday November 20th
12:00 to 1:00
Tucson Jewish Community Center
To RSVP: Complete and return this half-page (over)
or register online at
www.helptucson.org/help_tucson/calendarEvents/
Luncheon Generously Provided By
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Terry and Mayra Galligan
Bank of America Continues Support of
OPCS’s Community Renewal Programs
Once again, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has recognized OPCS in its efforts to bring affordable housing to those of
low and moderate income. On August 7, 2014, the OPCS Community Renewal Phase II received a grant of $10,000. With this funding, the Bank of America Foundation demonstrates its commitment to strengthen the local communities served by Bank of America.
Through the Community Renewal Program, OPCS purchases blighted
properties and, with the talent of Greg Pike and OPCS Handyman
Services, remodels the homes for resale to lower income members of
the community.
Coach Barb
L to R: CEO Tom Litwicki, Bank of America representatives
Adam Stewart and Tim Curry, Housing Development Manager
Frances Salcido and COO Terry Galligan
Funds provided by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will
be used to provide prospective first-time home buyers with prepurchase counseling, including credit repair and financial literacy.
Buyers will also be required to participate in OPCS’s eight-hour HUDcertified homebuyers program.
Community Renewals brings to the community an opportunity to
place deserving families in their first homes, remove blighted properties from city neighborhoods and increase property values.
Without the continued support of Bank or America, the Community
Renewal Program would not be the success that it is today.
YES, I will join you for lunch on November 20, 2014
Name:
Phone:
NO, I can not attend but would like to MAKE
CHANGE POSSIBLE with this donation:
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Other: _________________________________
$2,500—Building Futures
$1,000—Building Hopes
$750—Building Dreams
$500—Chance for Change
$400—AZ Tax Credit—Married
$200—AZ Tax Credit—Single
$100—Lend a Hand
Contribute $____ per month for ____ months
Please contact me about a multi-year pledge
Email:
Phone:
Thank You!
Hula Hoopla!
August may be hot but that didn’t stop
St. Phillips in the Hills volunteers, Rev. Vicki
Hesse and Laura Gutowski, from getting everyone’s groove on with a Hula Hoop party!
Stephanie Cortes from Cirque Roots was the
hooping hostess for the ladies of Pantano House.
Everyone had a great time laughing, joking and
generally being just a little crazy. Sometimes it
nice just to let go and have fun.
Thanks to Vicki, Laura and Stephanie Cortes for
a wonderful morning of fun and fellowship!
# of Guests:
□ Check Enclosed
Please charge my gift to:
□ Visa □ MasterCard □ AX
$25 minimum per charge.
Card #
Exp. Date:
Code #
Zipcode:
Signature:
Spotlight On The Staff
Employee of the Quarter
House Manager of the Quarter
Michael Melby,
Program Manager
A 3-year veteran of OPCS, Michael Melby
is the definition of a dedicated employee.
Recently Michael took a leadership roll as
Project Manager at the newest OPCS
residence for veterans recovering from
addiction and substance abuse. As
Program Manager for the newly opened
SARRTP community, Michael is more
than ready for the challenges his new position will bring.
Amanda McMickle,
House Manager
Dedicated, caring, understanding, are
just a few of the words people use to
describe Amanda McMickle. As
house manager, she is there for those
who need guidance and an occasional
firm hand in dealing with their
problems. Clients and coworkers
alike respect Amanda for the
dedication and professionalism she brings to OPCS.
Give Someone a New Beginning, Donate Today
Our programs give clients self respect and a sense of value. Helping those
returning from lives of homelessness, incarceration and substance abuse, your
generous support helps OPCS meet this challenge. Together we will all have a
meaningful, long-lasting impact on the lives of many.
Go to www.helptucson.org, click “Donate Now”
or contact: Nancy Jones, 520-989-8093
[email protected]
If you would like to make an IN-KIND donation of Goods and/or
Services please call 520-546-0122
Be sure to check OPCS out at
www.WishListHeroes.org. There you
will find the In-Kind Donations and
Services we are in need of. You can
also use Wish List Heroes to create
crowd funding opportunities to help
OPCS in our quest for needed items.
Www.WishListHeroes.org
OPCS is a 501(c)3 organization. Your gift is greatly appreciated and
may be eligible for the AZ tax credit and Federal tax deduction as a charitable contribution.
Alumni Corner
It’s been a busy summer for the Alumni of OPCS. Thanks
to the Jewish Community Center, clients and alumni of
OPCS were able to enjoy monthly softball games.
Coach Barb
Team captains, Rebecca Benevidez and
Barbara Christiansen, brought energy and
spirit to the games! More than 120 ladies and
gents played over the summer, proof that
staying connected and having fun in recovery
really ROCKS.
The Mission of OPCS Alumni:
Give Back, Stay Connected
And Have Fun!
Coach Becca
In September, members of
the Alumni Association
volunteered at GAP
Ministries to process and sort
donations to their warehouse.
This is a new, monthly commitment for the Alumni
Association—an opportunity to give back and help others
in our community.
Veteran’s Corner
The 22nd annual
HopeFest, will be held
once again at Kino
Veteran’s Sports Park on
Saturday, October 25th.
Food and beverages will be
available as well as services from DES, VA, Project Action, Red
Cross and many other nonprofit social service agencies.
HopeFest is open to all persons in need. This year, for the first
time, there will be a dedicated Veteran’s area located on the
field providing many services
that have not been made
available to veterans in the
past. There will also be a
special entrance for
Veteran’s to allow for easier
accessibility.
Please join OPCS, Tucson
Veterans Serving Veterans
and many other providers and take advantage of all services
available to our persons who are homeless or of low income.
Tucson Chamber of Commerce Honors OPCS at Ribbon Cutting
On Tuesday, September 16th, the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce honored OPCS at a ribbon cutting ceremony for our new
SARRTP residence. Jim Click Automotive Team provided a wonderful
array pastries and coffee for the many guests in attendance. Tom
Litwicki, CEO of OPCS, took the opportunity to present certificates of
appreciation to many of those whose dedication and hard work made this
project a success.
Our sincerest thanks to:
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Brian Rumsey Architecture, LLC
Lowe’s Home Improvement Store’s
The Jim Click Automotive Team
City of Tucson Water Department
The OPCS Facilities Staff
Greg Pike - OPCS Facilities Manager
Michael Melby - SARRTP Project Manager
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
355th CES-EOD Flight Team
It’s time to renew your Fry’s Rewards for 2014-2015!
Shop Fry’s Community Rewards Program!
Buy your groceries and Give to OPCS at the
same time. Link your VIP card to our agency
#64537. Go to the link below, register, click
“Enroll” enter #6453, click OPCS then
Enroll and you’re done. Go to:
https://www.frysfood.com/account/create
We wish to thank Men’s Wearhouse and their
customers for another successful National
Suit Drive. Their efforts brought more than
500 suits the men of OPCS. These suits
provide men transitioning to the workforce the
confidence to meet a prospective employer
and transform their lives. THANK YOU to
the men of Tucson who donated to this effort.
Our Mission Possible
Old Pueblo Group Vision Statement
We envision a future in which all have the opportunity to reside in safe affordable housing and live meaningful self-defined
dignified lives, as part of a healthy, inclusive community.
OPCS Mission Statement
Our mission is to support those persons in our community who are currently struggling with addiction, homelessness, and
mental health concerns, by providing dignified supportive housing options, behavioral health counseling, employment
coaching and peer support. We serve those most often forgotten and under-served in our community, including homeless
veterans, persons retuning from incarceration, and those experiencing long term chronic homelessness.
Old Pueblo Housing Development Mission Statement
We transform the lives of families we serve by helping them achieve the dream of home ownership through education, down
payment assistance, and construction of new homes. Additionally, we support families struggling to maintain the dream of
home ownership by rehabilitating houses, advocating for families facing foreclosure, and advising families on all issues related
to housing.
Diversity Statement
Welcoming all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious preference, or sexual orientation. Employing a diverse
workforce to best meet diverse client needs.