Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Feature: Food and fun support mental health at Caminar

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano recently highlighted the long-standing partnership with our Wellness and Recovery Center (WRC) in Solano. In-kind donations from the Food Bank are an essential part of the support the WRC provides to our clients, and Caminar and our clients are so very grateful for the partnership and generosity.

We invite you to enjoy the feature, Food and fun support mental health at Caminar.

Caminar in the News: The Secret Sauce To Successful Client-Provider Care

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, is an official member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. His latest thought-leadership article recently published, “The Secret Sauce To Successful Client-Provider Care.”

In the article, Cloutier states: “Empathy, understanding, sensitivity and awareness are a handful of the qualities that providers and organizations need to embrace and embody to build strong therapeutic bonds with the clients they are serving. As more research and studies point to the fact that mental health continues to be a crisis in our nation, I hope that behavioral health organizations consider these actions when designing programs to keep client-centered care at the focus of their work.“

We invite you to read the entire article here.

Caminar in the News: H.E.A.R.T. Program on ABC 7

On June 17, ABC 7 featured Justin Ortiz of our H.E.A.R.T. Program, who highlighted the importance of discussing and sharing resources for healthy relationships in the LGBTQ+ community.

According to a recent survey conducted by the H.E.A.R.T. Program—which stands for Healthy Equitable and Respectful Together—individuals have difficulties getting the help they need due to several factors. In order of prevalence, most respondents said these factors impacted them asking for help:

  • Lack of mental health services for prevention and intervention of intimate partner violence

  • Healthy LGBTQ+ intimate relationships are not being represented in the community

  • Isolation from family and friends’ support

  • Cultural/societal stereotypes (such as gender norm constructs)

Additional themes that emerged from the feedback included that intimate partner relationships were not as widely talked about in the community as cisgender or heterosexual abusive intimate partner relationships, and there is a generalized fear of seeking legal help.

H.E.A.R.T. offers resources to the community, including workshops for individuals to attend who are seeking help, and provides a comfortable space to share more information on building healthy relationships.

We invite you to view the 5-minute segment.

For more information about H.E.A.R.T., please call 408.840.7600, email heartprogram@fcservices.org or visit https://www.instagram.com/heartprogramsantaclaracounty/.

In the News: South Bay nonprofit tackles youth mental health issues

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, was interviewed by NBC Bay Area about the youth mental health epidemic and how our FAST program in the South Bay is working to address youth mental health. The FAST program, which stands for families and schools together, focuses on kids who live in low-income or violent neighborhoods in San Jose and has real-life outcomes such as increased self-esteem, improved academic performance, and strengthened family relationships

Please enjoy the interview here.

In the News - Cloutier: Without Prop. 1, our dire housing and untreated mental health crisis will get worse

San J,osé Spotlight recently ran an op-ed by our CEO, Mark Cloutier, explaining that without Prop 1, which is on the ballot in California on March 5, our housing and mental health crisis will become even more of a challenge.

Mark writes, "Prop. 1 is a game changer for our state, one that is finally recognizing the dire needs of its underserved communities. This would open doors for individuals past the stage of needing intervention services. Prop. 1 heralds supplying resources that are vital for mental health and substance use treatment. The reprioritization of funds will require state and county governments to step up to finance sidelined services. It’s time we dedicate proper funding to both issues while unequivocally voting yes on Prop. 1 — that’s the best step forward to treat the most neglected among us.”

We invite you to read the full op-ed. 

Caminar in the News: Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Are You Worried Yet?

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, is an official member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. His first thought-leadership article recently published, “Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Are You Worried Yet?”

In the article, Cloutier states: “We can no longer overlook the abundance of warning signs and risks to adolescent mental health posed by social media. With up to 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 using a social media platform, the issue has become so concerning that the Surgeon General issued a warning. Yet the warning signs continue to mount. “

We invite you to read the entire article here.

Caminar in the News: HUD doles out nearly $2 million for CAP Solano housing projects

The Daily Republic recently reported that the Housing First Solano Continuum of Care agencies and organizations have received nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding is primarily for use with housing projects in Solano County.

Caminar is a recipient of part of that funding: “Caminar received two grants, totaling $253,618, for its programs at Sereno Village, in Vallejo, and Laurel Gardens, in Fairfield.”

You may read the entire article here.

Caminar in the News: The Mental Health Crisis Gripping Our Youth with Mark Cloutier

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, recently spoke with Dr. Graham Taylor, host of the Behavioral Health Today podcast. Dr Taylor and Mark spoke at length about the increasingly pervasive mental health issues that adolescents are experiencing.

We invite you to listen to the 30-minute episode.

The Behavioral Health Today podcast is designed to share unique and relevant topics occurring within our world and communities and bring them a behavioral and mental health perspective.

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."