Turning The Hearts Center’s

April 2016

Connection

Upcoming Events

April 9 & 23

9AM – 12Noon Hearts for the Hungry Self-Choice Food Distribution Center Opened

April 14 6 – 9PM Fresh Start Mobile Showers Joining with Think Dignity to serve the homeless with free showers, haircuts, and hygiene kits.

April 12 9AM Chula Vista Community Collaborative Monthly Meeting

April 23 11AM – 3PM Day Of The Child Music * Face Painting * Puppets * Health Screenings * and more Free! @ Memorial Park in Chula Vista

So far this year…

Turning the Hearts Center has added nearly 300 new individuals and families to our multiple programs including Hearts for the Hungry,

Substance Abuse, Anger Management, G.A.M.E., and many more! (See page 4 for a complete list of available programs)

The Sky’s The Limit!

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? Would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane? A group of our WIOA youth had that opportunity, and took it. They learned how to overcome their fears and dive into an incredible, life-changing experience with the help of the amazing team from Skydive San Diego. (Full story on page 3)

345 5th Avenue Chula Vista CA 91910 619-691-9643

turningtheheartscenter.org

Heart

April 28 4PM Turning The Hearts Center Board Meeting

2

Turning The Hearts Center turningtheheartscenter.org April 2016

Finding Purpose In Pain: The True Story of Manny Castro “I found myself going in and out of jail, addicted to meth and alcohol.” Diagnosed with a physical disability, Manny Castro suffered through a difficult childhood. “I wasn’t able to do things other kids could do,” stated Manny. As a child, Manny had to wear leg braces, endure multiple surgeries, and missed a lot of school, putting him behind his peers and making him a prime target for teasing. Manny became a victim of bullying. “A lot of anger stirred up inside me,” said Manny. Attempting to fill a void, Manny joined a gang when he was twelve-years-old. “It ended the teasing and gave me respect, power, and a place to belong.” It also began a downward spiral of drugs, illegal activity, and multiple visits to the county jail. In 2004, during a high-speed chase, Manny had his last arrest. With two strikes on his record, he was looking at the strong possibility of spending the next 18 years in prison. Manny hit bottom. He knew it was time to change. While awaiting his sentencing, Manny entered himself into a treatment facility to address his substance dependency. Ten months later, instead of prison, Manny was sentenced to work furlough, allowing him to maintain his employment while serving out his term. Once Manny completed his time, he was released on probation with a requirement to fulfill thirty hours of community service. “So I came to Turning the Hearts Center (TTHC) to fulfill my community hours, and during that process, my heart was turned.” Little did Manny know the full extent of the turn his life was about to take. “I caught a vision, and I became a volunteer,” and Manny never looked back.

Manny Castro Center Manager

After 6 months of volunteering, Manny joined the staff of Turning The Hearts Center. He went on to create such programs as Change Of Heart Substance Abuse, Chill Out Anger Management, and G.A.M.E (Gang Awareness through Mentoring and Education). G.A.M.E is a comprehensive gang prevention and intervention program for ages 12 to 21 designed to educate youth in the dangers and consequences of gang activity from real life experiences of ex-gang members and ex-cons. Today, eleven years after he first came, Manny is the Center Manager for TTHC, dedicating his life to help turn the hearts of youth who are in a similar place as he once was. “I know that there was a purpose in the pain that I went through,” stated Manny. He is a certified Addictions Treatment Counselor, and has received the Males as Positive Forces Award by the California State Legislature. Long gone is the anger that once stirred within him. In its stead, Manny exhibits love, patience, and a gentle spirit. With a warm smile on his face, Manny’s an encourager to all he meets…and he loves a good laugh!

In The News

Turning The Hearts Center was chosen by Smart & Final as the

recipient of their foundation gift of $2,500!

We were honored to be a part of

their Chula Vista Grand Opening.

3

Turning The Hearts Center turningtheheartscenter.org April 2016

The Sky’s The Limit! (Continued from page 1) Leading the collaborative charge with Turning the Hearts Center was former US Navy SEAL and Skydive San Diego owner, Jeff Bramstedt. With Jeff’s military contacts and unique life & career experiences, our journey first started with a personal invite from the US Navy Parachute Team “The Leap Frogs” to watch as they practiced landing at and in Qualcomm Stadium. Here the youth were able to witness, not only the amazing aerial acrobatics of these extremely disciplined men, but they also had the opportunity to interact one on one with the team and discuss what it takes to face fears everyday like they do. We then accepted a challenge from Jeff to put into action what we learned and to face our fears from 13,000 feet! I stood at the edge of the runway and watched as one by one these youth did something they once thought they'd never have an opportunity to do! With a new life experience behind them and with Jeff’s encouraging words to break barriers, set goals, and see life’s challenges as stepping stones to personal success, they began to understand that when they face their fears, the sky’s the limit! Michael Jordan once said, “Limitations, like fears, are often an illusion!” I’ve learned through personal struggles that success in life will always require one to take risks and often face your fears – to see limitations as opportunities to learn and excel in new areas! Here’s a few key things I’ve applied personally and like to suggest when facing your fears: * Connect with people who are more successful or have more experience than you! They are where they're at because they have faced their fears and can share their "how to" with you. * Develop a spiritual life! For me, my faith is essential when facing my fears, because I know I'm not in it alone! Every day has been set up for us to go for it! So today, reach new heights and believe that the "Sky's the Limit!"

Marc Lovato Executive Director

!

Join The TTHC Family!

!

$3 a month = one heart touch!

In honor of our 15th year, help us touch a heart and give…

$15/month = 5 hearts

$150/month = 50 hearts

$1,500/month = 500 hearts

$15,000/month = 5000 hearts

Become a TTHC Partner. Touch

someone’s heart today!

Three Ways To Give

!

Turning the Hearts Center 345 5th Avenue

Chula Vista CA, 91910

Call 619-691-9643

Donate online @ turningtheheartscenter.org

*Turning the Hearts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit. *All gifts are tax deductible.

4

Turning The Hearts Center turningtheheartscenter.org April 2016

Anti-Graffiti: (Youth): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups and weekend graffiti removal projects. Anti-Theft Program (Ages 13-17): Classes focusing on the consequences of theft/shoplifting. Boys Rise Up Mentorship Program (Ages 9-12): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups for boys focusing on character education, self-esteem, and violence prevention. Boys to Men (Ages 13-17): Weekly empowerment group focused on leadership. Topics include: roles and responsibilities, building healthy relationships, and self-esteem. Career Minded Work-Readiness Program (Youth and Adults): Workforce development and career advice, Comprehensive work-readiness program, and career drop-in center. Change of Heart Substance Abuse Program (Youth and Adults): Classes focusing on the effects of substance abuse and chemical dependency, including one-to-one relapse prevention planning. Chill Out Anger Management Program (Youth and Adults): Weekly anger management empowerment group focused on conflict resolution. Community Service Hours (Youth and Adults): Earn needed community service hours every day of the week. G.A.M.E. Gang Awareness through Mentoring and Education (Ages 13-21): Thirty-two weekly classes for active gang members and at-risk youth focusing on comprehensive gang prevention and intervention. GED/High School Diploma preparation (Ages 16-24): Access to resources to complete and attain GED/High School diploma for out of school youth including on-line GED prep classes and one-on-one tutoring. Girls Rise Up Mentorship Program (Ages 9 -12): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups for girls. Topics include: character education, self-esteem, and violence prevention. Hearts for the Hungry Food Distribution Center (Adults): Provides food and resources for families in need. Opened 9AM to 12noon the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Hearts for the Homeless Safe Parking Program (Families and Adults): Nightly from 6PM-6AM, park for free in a safe place with access to clean bathrooms Men on the Rise Life Skills Coaching Program (Ages 18-21): Weekly male empowerment and mentoring sessions that focus on goal setting, and college and career-exploration. Parenting from the Heart (No age limit): Weekly parent education and empowerment groups offered in English and Spanish. Women on the Rise Life Skills Coaching Program (Ages 18-21): Weekly female empowerment and mentoring session focusing on goal setting, college exploration, and career identification.

What We Do!