Stories of Impact

• Children's Education

  One Consistent Role Model

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Children's Education

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay

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One Consistent Role Model

Ally was nine years old and in her second foster home when she met her Big Sister, Kathy. When Kathy first met her, Ally was unruly and unable to show affection. Slowly, Kathy encouraged Ally’s natural athleticism, supported her curious mind and embraced Ally as a member of her own family.

In the past eight years, Ally has been in six foster homes. Through all of it, Kathy has been Ally’s one consistent friend and role model. Today, Ally is a senior in high school who gets As and wants to go to college or join the military.

• Children's Education

  A Sense of Home

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Children's Education

Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley

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A Sense of Home

Kevin has been coming to the Club for as long as anyone can remember. His mother left his abusive father when Kevin was only two. He’s spent most of his life moving from house to house. Often, home was a car.

A few years ago the Teen Center flooded and closed for several months. “I thought once again there would be nowhere for me to go.” said Kevin. And when the Center re-opened, “I realized that no matter what happens in my life, I can count on the Club to be home.” Today, Kevin is a high school senior. He’s graduating this spring and on to junior college.

• Children's Education

  A Life Turned Toward the Future

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Children's Education

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga

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A Life Turned Toward the Future

Maria came to the Club when she was 14. Her parents had drug problems and had lost their jobs. They lived on the streets until a St. Helena relative took Maria in. To deal with her homelessness Maria turned to drugs and was eventually arrested.

She came to the Club quiet and withdrawn. Maria worked with the staff to improve her grades by getting academic support (Project Learn). She also worked with the Club's youth diversion staff to get support for her drug habit and self-esteem issues. Maria is now the first in her family to graduate from high school and is in junior college studying criminal justice.

• Community Health

  Rescue Without Words

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Community Health

NEWS

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Rescue Without Words

A former NEWS client noticed another woman being verbally abused by her partner. The former client had a hairbrush in her bag, a NEWS give-away item with its phone number. When she saw a safe opportunity she discreetly gave the women the hairbrush and told her "These people can help you."

A few weeks later the police responded to a call where the woman was so upset she couldn’t speak. She held up the hairbrush to say "Please call them!" By that evening she had found a safe place for herself and her children at the NEWS emergency shelter.

• Community Health

  Hidden Pain

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Community Health

PDI Surgery

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Hidden Pain

Jayla's mom could not figure out why her four-year-old daughter's attitude had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. She was shocked to hear Jayla's teacher reporting outbursts from her sweet-tempered daughter, and her recent attitude change caused a decline in her grades and a strain on her friendships.

Little did she know, Jayla was suffering extreme pain from severe dental decay in seven teeth. After treatment at PDI, Jayla is back to her sweet self and doing well in school again.

• Community Health

  The First Few Days

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Community Health

St. Helena Hospital Family Birth Center

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The First Few Days

Susie’s labor in the Family Birth Unit (FBU) was not progressing as much as her OB-GYN would have liked. But within a matter of minutes before a Cesarean was recommended, Susie was able to deliver her beautiful baby girl.

Unfortunately, soon after delivery a migraine and other unexpected symptoms persisted, making the first few days as a new mother very difficult. “The nurses in the family birth unit were my saviors,” explained Susie. “If it were not for them allowing me to rest and care for our daughter, I don’t know what we would have done.”