Stories of Impact

• 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She came to the Club quiet and withdrawn.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.

• Children's Education

  Speaking Clearly

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Children's Education

Community Resources for Children

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Speaking Clearly

At a Napa County childcare center, a little boy named Eduardo appeared to lack age-appropriate expressive language skills. The CRC staff spoke with Eduardo’s parents about options for services; specifically getting his pediatrician to refer him for speech therapy.

CRC staff understands the importance of addressing a suspected speech delay, as it can spill over into other areas. Children who don’t get their needs met verbally may resort to physical aggression. Age-appropriate speech also improves social interactions with peers, a strong correlation to kindergarten readiness. Eduardo now receives speech therapy, preparing him for a lifetime of learning.

• Children's Education

  Racing Toward a Successful Life

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Children's Education

NapaLearns

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Racing Toward a Successful Life

Chris began attending New Tech High his sophomore year. He had heard about New Tech from friends who also struggled with school. With his ADHD disability, it was hard for Chris to concentrate. But when he started project-based learning, school became more engaging, he began to build his confidence and his grades went up.

New Tech requires students to do an internship and Chris did his at a local auto body shop. He had been interested in cars since he was four and wanted to find a career in the auto racing field. Upon graduating from New Tech, Chris enrolled at the NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina.

• Children's Education

  Moving through Adveristy

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Children's Education

On The Move

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Moving through Adveristy

SM is a Latina raised in Napa. While enrolled at Napa High School, she began struggling to keep up. Her principal introduced her to Leadership Academies run by On The Move. SM immediately found a community of young people experiencing similar challenges.

While participating in the Leadership Academies, SM’s grades improved. She graduated with honors and remained connected to On The Move when she left for college. Last year, On The Move launched a drop-in recovery center for adults with mental illness. When seeking a director, OTM contacted SM. Her degree and passion aligned with the needs of the program and she was hired as program director.

• Children's Education

  Embracing Higher Education

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Children's Education

Summer Search

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Embracing Higher Education

Supported by Summer Search, a young man from a low-income background was also able to embrace higher education as a goal. And, as a young student, he developed a love of travel sparked by a Summer Search trip to China. After graduating, he left Napa to attend a small liberal arts college. Inspired by his summer trip experiences, he found it easy to make friends and connections. While at college, he offered personalized campus tours to any interested Summer Searchers.

Post-graduation, he returned to Napa and is now a user-centered design researcher for a medical consortium. In addition to volunteering as a mentor in many programs, he also chairs the Summer Search Alumni Board.

• Community Health

  Healing Begins at Home

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Community Health

Aldea Children and Family Services

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Healing Begins at Home

Ben was an angry five-year-old foster child who struggled with numerous mental health challenges, including PTSD and mood disorders. His first five years were spent homeless and abused, his parents addicted to methamphetamine. Ben was more violent and defiant than other foster kids and bounced through eleven foster families, feeling more unwanted and isolated with each change.

But when Ben was placed with a special Aldea foster family and received the therapeutic support he needed, he could finally begin to heal. Now Ben lives with his “forever” adoptive family and is embarking upon a brighter future.