Nevada NON- PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PA I D PERMIT NO. 1334 SANTA ANA, CA 92705 Homes and Services For Abused Children The Work of Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children • Winter - Spring 2008 6148 W. Sahara Las Vegas, NV 89146 1.800.74.FOSTER (743.6783) Rescued from an abusive home, and cared for by Olive Crest. A child’s future changed. www.olivecrest.org Thank you for everything that you have ever done for me. I can truly say that this is one life you have saved. Locations in: Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, San Diego, Las Vegas, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest Emergency Needs for the Children While being a part of Olive Crest, I have had and learned a lot of reasonable and very important lessons. I have experienced many things while being here. But I would have to say that the most important lesson I learned is that if you do not love yourself, then no one else can love you. And how can you ever know what love is if you have never given yourself a chance to know what it is like, This new feature highlights timely and tangible needs of our youth. We understand that our donors have different capacities for giving, and hope this section provides more opportunities to make a difference through inkind support. both from yourself and others? Another thing I have learned is that even though we are not home with our parents, it does not mean that we are bad people. So as I leave my Olive Crest home and my second family, I would like to say again, “Thanks a million,” and in this heart you will never be forgotten. – Love, Vanessa Gift Cards for Clothing Many children arrive at Olive Crest with little or NO belongings. Often clothing, shoes, and undergarments are needed immediately. Your donation of gift cards to stores such as Target and Kohl’s will help clothe and comfort children during a difficult time. Baby Supplies New clothes, blankets, formula, diapers, wipes, and bottles are needed for rescued infants who who often come to us with nothing. These supplies ensure that foster families have all the necessities on-hand when suddenly welcoming a baby into their home. commemorating the need ...... 3 focus on foster care ............................4-5 Contact Lynn Mizell at 702-221-6224, ext.1707, or [email protected] for more information or to make a contribution. Go to www.olivecrest.org to see a complete list of urgent needs in your area! With Hearts & Hands is a publication of Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children www.OliveCrest.org holiday giving ...................... 6 child experiences some type of abuse including rape, physical and Dear Friend, psychological abuse.” Will you wear a blue ribbon? The blue ribbon symbol was established in 1989 when a Virginia grandmother lost her grandson to child abuse. After his death, she tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van to alert her community to the ultimate tragedy of abuse. The color blue represents the bruised and battered body of her grandchild, and wearing it serves as a constant reminder to fight for our children. April is almost upon us and Olive Crest invites you to show your support of the prevention of child abuse by requesting a free blue ribbon sticker at www.olivecrest.org. While there, take a moment to learn about the many ways you can get involved and help break the cycle of abuse. Together, we can save our children and communities from this devastating crime. In 1973, when Olive Crest began, it was a home for four teenage girls. Today, 35 years later, Olive Crest continues to be dedicated to preventing child abuse, to treating and educating at-risk children, and to preserving the family… “One life at a time.”® May: National Foster Care Month foster care month With Hearts I’m excited to share Olive Crest’s first edition of our new newsletter, at how your support and Hands. It is our hope that this format will give you a better look the many programs impacts the lives of our children through a clearer understanding of more personal Olive Crest provides. We’re also introducing new features that share ments, information about our kids by showing highlights such as artwork, achieve and interviews. ally create positive It is important for us to illustrate how your hearts and hands continu . As a supporter change in the lives of kids who have suffered from abuse and neglect The successes of Olive Crest, we consider you a partner in the fight against child abuse. work to overcome that are outlined in this newsletter are because of the children’s hard to have advocates their challenges. But they are also because our youth were fortunate of life. like you who reached out, gave, and wanted to give them more out mentors, Because of our dedicated foster and adoptive parents, volunteers, n receive members of Kids at Heart and all who give financially, over 5,000 childre love, safety, and healing each year at Olive Crest. and prosper. That is 5,000 individual children that you are helping to mend, grow, inspiring. Kids just like Vanessa, whose story on the cover is nothing short of I hope to But remember, there are even more children who need us in 2008. once again count on your commitment and support in the coming year. child abuse prevention “Every 9 seconds a April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month Did you know that each month Olive Crest must turn away more than 100 children who need temporary or permanent homes due to the need for foster families? The need for qualified foster families is a growing problem in this country and in our communities. National Foster Care Month is a nationwide call to recognize the problem and take action. At Olive Crest we know that everyday we work to make a difference in the life of a child. But we also know that with your help we can do more. As a supporter of Olive Crest, please mark this special month by doing one thing to help our foster children. No matter how much or little time you have to give, you can help change the life of a child in foster care. Learn more about Olive Crest’s foster programs on page 4. On behalf of the kids, thank you. The stories that our children bring with them are often Donald A. Verleur II Chief Executive Officer horrendous and heart wrenching. We cannot look away, Olive Crest faces these problems head on, working daily Olive Crest is proud to be a part of COA’s community of excellence. Accreditation attests that an organization meets the highest national standards and is delivering the best quality services to the community it serves. 2 to change the lives of these children. One life at a time ® 3 Bringing families together and changing lives forever ome call them foster parents. We call them heroes. Offering their home, love and encouragement, foster families place hope in the hearts of children who are unable to live with their birth families due to allegations of abuse and neglect. Kids in our foster family program come from a different population than those served by our residential programs and require a lower level of care. Our foster program provides families for newborn babies, children, and kids in high school. Their ages and stages may be different but they all desire the same thing: to have a loving family that is crazy about them. S The need for qualified foster families continues to rise. Each month, Olive Crest must turn away more than 100 children who need temporary or permanent homes due to the need for foster families. When you hear over 500 children find safety and healing in Olive Crest foster homes every year, it’s hard to imagine we still need more foster families…but we do! Will you consider welcoming a foster child into your home while we help them put the pieces back together? We welcome foster parents from all ethnic, educational, and social backgrounds. Foster parents may be: Individuals Established families Married couples Grandparents Call 1-800-74-FOSTER for information or visit www.olivecrest.org to complete an application online. In our desire to give foster parents every opportunity to care for hurting children, we’ve established several levels of involvement that enable families to participate in the capacity that works best for them. Here are two examples: Emergency Shelter Care Emergency shelter care parents provide immediate care for children who have been detained by Social Services. The goal is to provide care for the child until it is determined whether or not the child will remain a dependent of the court. If the child remains a dependent of the court, parents have the option of fostering the child long term. Length of stay is approximately 1-30 days for newborn through teenage children. Respite Care In Nevada, there are in 4,050 children foster care That’s enough kids to occupy every single room in the Mandalay Bay Hotel! Other Ways to Help Foster Kids: • Learn more about foster care and tell a friend. • Invite an Olive Crest representative to speak to your organization about foster care. • Volunteer for child care during foster parent trainings. • Contribute a donation to Olive Crest to help fund our foster program or join Kids at Heart to support the needs of our youth on an ongoing basis. Respite parents are available to assist other Olive Crest foster families with short-term foster care. The most common length of time required of respite is two to seven days. The goal is to allow the foster family to travel or take care of family emergencies without upsetting the routine of their foster child. Call 1-800-74-FOSTER to learn about all of our foster programs and volunteer opportunities. Home Again: A Family Reunified One of our biggest needs is for foster families who are willing to participate in reunifying foster children with their birth families. Here’s an example of two families that were changed forever with the help of Olive Crest: In May 2007, an Olive Crest foster family was asked to care for an 18-month-old foster baby named Jessica. Jessica’s parents were transient, and when Social Services took Jessica into custody she was living in a shelter. Her parents were simply not able to provide for their baby. When the foster family heard Jessica’s story, they were quick to open their home to her. While in the family’s care, Jessica’s mom and dad worked hard to complete all the tasks necessary for them to be reunified with their daughter. Meanwhile, Jessica thrived. A mutual affection was shared by Jessica and the foster family’s daughter, who referred to each other as “Sissy” just days after she moved in. The foster family supported Jessica’s birth parents and encouraged them as they completed their tasks. Their genuine desire to see Jessica’s parents succeed was impressive and heartwarming. Everyone played a significant role in Jessica going home last October. The foster family still visits Jessica and supports her family’s success. Olive Crest thanks these families for their outstanding work. one success story We realize that fostering children is a commitment that not everyone can make. But there are still many ways to help, such as: 4 Spotlight on our Foster Programs focus on: foster care Focus On: Foster Care 5 Holiday Giving Highlights John Ritter and Hilary Westrom honored A Miracle of Generosity and Care Our community pulled together and helped make the holiday special for our children, teens and families. 400 guests and sponsors helped raise nearly $140,000 to support child abuse prevention programs in Las Vegas. The event, which honored John Ritter and Hilary Westrom, was held in September at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino. The ballroom was transformed into a psychedelic time capsule with shag rugs and disco balls. Thank you to John Bomgardner, Kelly Brockman, Maria Champlin, Tom Devore, John Ritter, Vince Schettler, and the Young Family for your contributions to Olive Crest’s “Fund a Need” portion of this successful event. Honorees Hilary Westrom and John Ritter lead the way in 70’s attire and peace and love all around. making a difference Olive Crest’s Groovy GalaRaising funds to prevent child abuse Wishes Granted The generous T. Nickolas team did a tremendous job donating coats, toys, and gift cards to the Olive Crest children. Thanks to an outpouring of love and support from the greater Las Vegas community, each and every wish made by over 140 Olive Crest kids and families came true this season! This would not have been possible without our corporate donors: West Star Architects, Stations Casinos, Capstone Brokerage, Marnell Properties, T. Nickolas, Wells Fargo, Plise Companies, Springel & Fink; as well as all of our individual donors who brought joy to our children this season through in-kind and cash contributions. Holiday Parties for our Kids Our friends at American Legion, the Princess Lee Foundation and the Springs Preserve went above and beyond and provided holiday parties and activities for the kids. Families Adopted WestStar Architects staff came together to grant wishes for our teens, and made a monetary donation. Families from our Family Preservation Program and our Family Support Services Programs were “adopted” this holiday as well. Thank you to Lindsey and Mike Slanker, Pat Carney & Jamie Malloy of Green Valley Ranch of Stations Casinos, Jeanna LeFave and Family, Aira Newman and RBF, and Jade Anderson and Capstone Brokerage. Table Sponsors: Child Visionaries Builder’s Capital Inc. Cox Communications Focus Property Group Greenstreet Properties Harrah’s Entertainment KKBR&F Murren Family Trust Ritter Charitable Trust Stations Casinos Child Champions Clayton Mortgage & Investment Landtek Pulte Homes/Del Webb Storage One Child Advocates 1st National Bank of Nevada American Asphalt and Grading Bank of America David M. Carver Family City National Bank Colonial Bank Colliers Goldwater Capital Investments LTD Partnership Macan Enterprises LTD. McFadden Insurance Montecito Companies Nevada State Bank Olympia Group Pardee Homes Piercy Bowler Taylor & Kern Pinnacle Holdings Purdue Marion Tom and Leslie Devore enjoying the psychedelic sights. Quadrant Planning Remington Homes Rossum Realty Silver State Bank The Vista Group Thomas Pucket Creative VTN Walker Landscaping and Concrete Wells Cargo Wells Fargo Leave a Legacy-Change the Future Lori Liakos and Susan Wolfe of Marnell Properties with just a few of the multitude of gifts that were given to the children of Olive Crest. 6 The Olive Crest Holiday Open House was complete with a visit from Las Vegas’ finest. NEW LEADERSHIP This tax season, please remember the Olive Crest kids during your estate and tax planning. Olive Crest welcomes Dean Collins, City National Bank, to our regional Board of Trustees. The mission of Olive Crest’s Child Abuse Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) Fund is to create a legacy of assets from major gifts, life income programs, and trust and estate gifts. By including Olive Crest in your estate and tax planning, you can help ensure that Olive Crest will continue to meet the ever-growing needs of at-risk children and families into the future. For information about joining our Circle of C.A.R.E. Society, please contact Donald Verleur, Chief Executive Officer, at 800-550-CHILD, ext. 1115, or visit www.olivecrest.org. 7 One Life At A Time ® Meet Stephany, age 10 Stephany was an Olive Crest foster child whose adoption was finalized in January 2008! Around Olive Crest pacific california What do you want to be when you grow up? Veterinarian or fashion designer Coachella Valley What is your favorite color? Pink northwest Construction on the new Coachella Valley Children’s Center is underway. Four homes are scheduled to be completed this summer, followed by the Community Education Center in December. What has been your favorite new experience while you’ve been at Olive Crest? Going to New York What is your favorite subject in school? Math If you could have a super power, what would it be? Read people’s minds What are you good at? Gymnastics If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My brothers who were adopted Inland Empire Who do you look up to? My (new) mom Our Inland Empire region was awarded the first-ever Wraparound contract for Riverside County, which makes Olive Crest the only agency to offer this service in Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties in Southern California. The goal of the Wraparound Program is to keep families together through in-home support rather than placing children in residential care. If you had wings and could fly anywhere, where would it be? Paris 04/12/08 Rock-N-Bowl for the Kids Don’t miss this unique, fun-filled event featuring the opportunity to enjoy a great day of bowling with our kids! Call Lynn Mizell at 702-221-6224, ext.1707, for information. Save the date! Save the date! What is your favorite thing to do with your family? Movies 06/03/08 “Fore the Children” Golf Tournament In October, Olive Crest hosted its inaugural “Harvesting Hope for the Olive Crest Kids” wine event, which raised $245,000 to support local programs. Last Fall Olive Crest began offering programs at Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch in Mesa, WA. The campus features homes for foster families and youth, as well as a gymnasium, barn, corrals, and over 15 acres of land for the children and parents to enjoy. Harvesting Hope Hit the links at the beautiful Cascata and enjoy a delicious lunch while you help raise funds for local programs. Call Lynn Mizell at 702-221-6224, ext.1707, for player or sponsorship information. Volunteer Spotlight Paul Combs has been an Olive Crest volunteer for seven years. A real friend to the children, Paul is always available to help with childcare while foster parents are attending training. He has been a part of Foster Parent Appreciation, Rock –N- Bowl and the Harvest Party. Paul is well-known to the Olive Crest staff and is always happy to help however he can. Both a financial contributor and hands-on helper, we salute Paul for his dedication, loyalty, and generosity on behalf of the children. 8 Orange County Pacific Northwest An Olive Crest Masterpiece Drawn by: Athena, age 9 9 bravo! UPCOMING EVENTS 5 MARCH 2008 MAY 2008 Angels for Angels Volunteer Meeting National Foster Care Month Angels for Angels Volunteer Meeting May 1-31–There is an overwhelming need for foster families and we need your help. To learn more, call 1-800-74-FOSTER or visit www.olivecrest.org to complete an application online. Event dates: March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4. Contact Megan Murphy at [email protected], or 702-221-6224, ext. 1704. 15 Foster Parent Appreciation Breakfast May 3 – Featuring a wonderful breakfast as we celebrate our Foster Parents Contact Megan Murphy at [email protected], or 702-221-6224, ext. 1704. 12 Visionary ($50,000 and above) John A. Ritter, TTEE Champion ($10,000 - $24,999) Builders Capital Inc Focus Property Group, Inc. Green Street Properties LLC MGM Mirage Voice Foundation Station Casinos Bank of Nevada Provider ($400 - $999) Bank of North Las Vegas Mr. Joe Apodaca Mr. John Bomgardner The Astoria Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Steve Brockman Advocate ($5,000 - $9,999) Capstone Brokerage Mr. and Mrs. Calvin J. Champlin Colonial Bank Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Devore National Child Abuse Prevention Month David M. Carver Family LP Mrs. Kim Gunderson Joe Finan Mr. Robert Lychock April 1-30 – Show your support of the prevention of child abuse by wearing a blue ribbon all month long. Order your free blue ribbon sticker now at www.olivecrest.org Goldwater Capital Ms. Teresa Marretti Links for Life Foundation McFadden Insurance Macan Enterprises PamsWay Inc. Mr. Scott Mitchell Remington Homes Nevada State Bank Mr. Ron Ruloff Email Lynn Mizell at lynn-mizell@ olivecrest.org for details. Mr. W. Guy Asher Mr. Bill Boschetto Chicago Title April 12 – Come bowl with the kids! For just $25 per player, your team of 4-5 will receive lunch, an official Rock-N-Bowl t-shirt, and have a great time with the Olive Crest children. Adrienne Cox Consulting LLC Mr. Darrin Badger Clayton Mortgage & Investment “Fore the Children” Golf Tournament Ms. Claudine Williams A Hand Up Ms. Judith Cebulko 3 Westar Architectural Group/NV, Inc. 1st National Bank of Nevada City National Bank JUNE 2008 Mr. Greg Walker 1st National Bank Charitable Foundation Canyon Gate Country Club Rock-N-Bowl for the Kids Thomas Puckett Creative Supporter ($1,000 - $4,999) American Asphalt & Grading Company APRIL 2008 Kristina entered the Young Authors writing contest at her school and won the 4th grade division! Jacob, age 6, earned a place on the principal’s honor roll for his good grades! 3 March 15 – Hosted by the Angels for Angels, this festive picnic for our foster families includes an egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny! To volunteer, contact Megan Murphy at 702-221-6224, ext.1704. Bravo to our kids! Here are a few recent accomplishments: 16-year old Kimberly scored 98% on her art project. Until this year, Kimberly had never taken an art class and had no idea of her talent! Easter Party for the Kids GIFTS RECEIVED Community Bank Mr. and Mrs. Warren Garner GeoTek, Inc. Mrs. Stephanie Holland Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Holmes Mr. Thom Landers Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Lange Ms. Meing-Wei Wu Mr. and Mrs. Edward Murphy Mr. Tim Truebenbach Urata & Sons Cement Inc. Pardee Homes Piercy, Bowler, Taylor, & Kern Plise Companies Pulte Homes A monthly giving campaign June 3 – Hit the links at the beautiful Cascata. Enjoy a delicious lunch while you help raise funds for local Olive Crest programs. Quadrant Planning Our sincere appreciation goes out to our members of Kids at Heart. Your faithful support makes a continuous impact by providing love, healing, and education to at-risk children and families. To join Kids at Heart with your monthly gift, please visit www.olivecrest.org. Call Lynn Mizell at 702-221-6224, ext.1707, for player or sponsorship information. The Montecito Companies, LLC Roesener Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Vincent T. Schettler Silver State Bank Mrs. Lisa Veltre Vista Financial Resources, LLC VTN Nevada Walker Landscape Wells Cargo Ms. Kristie Bond Mr. and Mrs. Rob Santwer Ms. Brandi Ellis ♥ Mrs. Kim Gunderson Mr. and Mrs. John Stocker Mr. and Mrs. Eugene C. Kozlowski Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Teepen Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B. Lange Ms. Stacy Wasser Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Molitch Ms. Sheila White Mr. and Mrs. Edward Murphy Ms. Nancy Yager Mr. and Mrs. Mike Slanker Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Rios ♥ Welcome to our new member who registered between August 1-December 31, 2007 Cash and pledge donations of $400 and above for August 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 10 11
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