Foster Children are Subject of September Program Meeting
Our guest speaker for our September Program Meeting was Paul Ammons, CASA Outreach Coordinator for Voices for Children, a San Diego nonprofit that recruits, trains, and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who speak up for the needs and well-being of children in foster care in our area. Paul is asking us to help spread the word to find more CASA volunteers to help these kids, whose lives are chaotic and who often need to move frequently, changing school districts, being reassigned social workers, etc. And as we know, foster children are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking. They are in need of one stable adult in their life who cares about them and will have their back for a sustained period.
Voices for Children recruits and trains and supports CASA volunteers. Each volunteer is vetted and appointed by a judge to get involved in the life of a child, spend time with them, and report to the court about the child’s progress and needs. Unlike the high caseloads social workers and legal advocated face, a CASA is able to focus on just one child or sibling group at a time. By building a trusting relationship with that child, a CASA is able to help the judge understand not only their situation but also what they like to do, what their favorite subject is in school, or why they are struggling in a certain placement. This helps judges make the most informed decisions for children’s futures.
To become a CASA, no legal experience or prior knowledge of foster care are required; Voices for Children provides all the training needed. Volunteers must be at least 21, able to visit with their case child at least once per month, have a good driving record and pass a background check, and commit to a minimum of 18 months, with average service of 10-15 hours per month.
For more information, visit www.speakupnow.org
Deputy DA Tafreshi Speaks at Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting
September 1, 2022, Vista, CA—Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland hosted the North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative meeting on Thursday, September 1, 9 a.m., at United Methodist Church of Vista’s Fellowship Hall at 490 S. Melrose Ave., Vista. Guest speaker was Deputy District Attorney Brooke Tafreshi, Community Partnership Prosecutor assigned to North County San Diego, who spoke about the new Family Justice Center, “One Safe Place” that opened in San Marcos in July. (PHOTO: Brooke Tafreshi with Soroptimist Kaye Van Nevel, who chairs the Collaborative.)
The center is a place where child, adult, and elderly victims of abuse and their families will walk through the doors and receive acute crisis-care, advocacy, counseling, legal services, connection to shelter and housing, long term mentoring, workforce readiness, and educational opportunities – all under one roof. The goal of the North County Family Justice Center is to provide hope, healing, and justice by creating pathways forward for victims and their families as they move through the process of “surviving to thriving.” Before, victims and survivors had to travel to several different locations across North County to receive a full continuum of support which could be exhausting and a barrier to getting healed. While existing service providers provide excellent services, there was little interconnectivity, and providers often operated in silos, rather than under one umbrella of victim care. For more info see https://onesafeplacenorth.org/
ABOUT THE COLLABORATIVE: The North San Diego County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative is a Program of Service of Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland in partnership with United Methodist Church of Vista. The Collaborative is a diverse group of individuals and community organizations committed to eliminate human trafficking and modern day slavery. Our mission is to raise awareness of human trafficking, provide a platform to share information, improve services, educate ourselves and the public, and advocate for policy and legislation related to human trafficking. Our Collaborative Meetings are held bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the month from 9 am to 10:30 am in the Church’s Fellowship Hall (lower level) at 490 S. Melrose Drive, Vista. Admission is free and all are welcome. Complimentary coffee and pastries are be available.
Soroptimists Donate to Ukraine Relief
August 6, 2022, Vista, CA—Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland (SI Vista NCI) has donated $1,000 from the club’s general fund to aid Ukrainian refugees in Hungary and Ukraine through Soroptimist International of Europe’s War Zone Initiative projects. The money was wired directly to Soroptimist International of Szombathely (Hungary) which will use it to provide families who have fled the war in Ukraine with basic medical supplies. Many Soroptimist clubs in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova have set up funding mechanisms to provide assistance to the 3.2 million refugees who have fled their Ukrainian homeland. Individuals and clubs who wish to donate to any of the Soroptimist global relief efforts can donate to a specific project of their choosing here: https://soroptimist-projects.org/explore-projects/
SI Vista NCI is part of Soroptimist International, a worldwide service organization with the mission of working at local, national and international levels to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and girls. There are more than 72,000 members in 121 countries and 5 federations worldwide. The local club meets twice a month and new members are always welcome. See soroptimistvista.org or call 760-683-9427 for more information.
Spotlight on 2022 Live Your Dream Awardees
by April Frisby
Member, SI Vista NCI
Diana
2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Amy
2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Jasmine
2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
Rebecca
2022 Live Your Dream Awardee
This month we would like to celebrate our four Live Your Dream awardees. Each is a positive, strong, brave, independent woman who has worked hard to make impressive progress in her personal and professional life. All are stars and serve as shining examples to us all.
Diana Diaz is a single mother to a seven-year-old daughter named Daniella and is studying to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. After applying to a number of competitive colleges across the state of California, Diana recently uprooted her life in San Marcos to accept an offer to train as a Registered Nurse at Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California. With her parents residing in Mexico, Diana is determinedly and single-handedly supporting herself as a full-time student and primary caregiver to her daughter and is on-track to graduate as an RN in 2023.
Amy DeMar was awarded a Live Your Dream Scholarship as an at-large applicant this year, as there was no local Soroptimist chapter close to where she currently resides in Aztec, New Mexico with her five-year-old son, Samuel. Amy is studying Psychology and her ideal role is to become a civilian military psychologist and practice in the field with service members during their deployments. She hopes to help and inspire those suffering with PTSD, giving them the proper tools to live long and productive lives long after the battles are over.
Our next awardee, Jasmine Davis, has been amazingly resilient and persistent, dealing with abusive relationships, overcoming homelessness and recently experiencing the loss of a parent from Covid-19. A loving mother to her three-year-old son, RJ, Jasmine has persevered through tragedy and is now studying for an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology at Miramar College. Her dream role is to work for the Department of Justice, the FBI, or CIA in a cybersecurity-related capacity, serving her country to do what comes naturally to her – helping make the world a safer place and protecting members of the public from harm.
Rebecca Villalobos is a self-employed esthetician and mother of two small children under the age of three. After suffering with low self-esteem in her teen years, Rebecca has used her experience and role as a single mother to aspire to help others. She is studying for an Associate’s Degree in Sociology at Mira Costa College, with a view to attending graduate school at Cal State San Marcos and pursuing a career in the public service sectors
May 5th HT Collaborative
Collaborative Updateby Kaye Van Nevel Our May North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative meeting was held 9 am on Thursday, May 5th at the United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Ave., Vista in Fellowship Hall (lower level). Our guest speaker was Kathleen Thomas, North County Lifeline, Project Life. Kathleen (Kay) Thomas is the Clinical Training Coordinator for North County Lifeline’s Project LIFE providing trauma-reprocessing, intensive case management, victim advocacy, and psychotherapy to individuals who have experienced exploitation and trafficking in San Diego County. Kathleen spoke about the importance of easy access of information to the public. Project Life’s recently produced comprehensive 11 minute video is just that. It is now available on the North County Lifeline Website and on their Facebook page. There is also a webinar available with valuable information on how to get involved in the fight against Human Trafficking (see below). We also discussed contacting prospective applicants for Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards who are survivors of human trafficking for 2023 and the much-anticipated opening of One Safe Place in San Marcos, California in June. |
QuarterMania! Fundraiser Enjoyed by All
VISTA, California, April 7, 2022—Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland held a QuarterMania! Fundraiser on Sunday, March 20 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Vista Optimist Club. Doors opened at noon for check-in, lunch and viewing the vendor booths. The auction started at 1 p.m. Tickets were $30 and included bidding paddle and poker chip, chicken caesar salad, roll, non-alcoholic drink, dessert and coffee. There was an opportunity drawing plus a silent auction with items such as a Charcuterie Board “basket,” handcrafted jewelry by a local artisan and more. Participating vendors include Nice & Bella Jewelry, Popcorn Factory, Hotel Life Sheets, Sweet Treats, Tupperware, unique clothing and food vendors and more. In addition to the auctions, attendees could purchase items, many of which were offered at a 50% discount by the vendors.
The turnout was good and, as usual, many happy guests went away laden with gift baskets won and items purchased.
In QuarterMania, each guest gets a numbered paddle and a correspondingly numbered poker chip, which they place in the auctioneer’s drawing basket. The auctioneer displays an item and states the number of quarters needed for a chance to win that item. Usuall the number is between 1-3 quarters for any item. At least one item was auctioned for 4 quarters. Guests may bid on the item by placing the specified number of quarters into a small bucket on their table and holding up their paddle. The buckets of quarters are collected, and the auctioneer pulls a random numbered chip from the drawing basket. The bidder holding the paddle that matches the number pulled wins the item. If the number pulled did not bid, another number is pulled until a winner is found.
All funds raised went into the club’s Service Fund to be distributed as educational grants to women in need.
Live Your Dream Awards Picnic
by April Frisby, SI Vista NCI
VISTA, California, April 4, 2022—On a bright, sunny day at the beginning of March, Soroptimist Vista and North County Inland (SI Vista NCI) hosted a Live Your Dream Awards Picnic at Alamosa Park in Oceanside to announce four recipients of the 2022 Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award. These awards are given each year to qualifying women who have faced obstacles such as violence, poverty, and teen pregnancy and are attending college or trade school to achieve economic empowerment and provide a better life for themselves and their families. Each Soroptimist club then chooses one of their awardees to be eligible to apply for an additional Region award and possibly a larger award at the national level.
The outdoor event brought together the new and past awardees and their families. Raising Cane’s of Vista generously donated their famous chicken fingers, coleslaw and Texas toast for the picnic, and Dr. Bronner’s provided gift baskets for the attending awardees.
This year, SI Vista NCI was able to give a total of $15,500 to four women, two who live and attend local colleges, Rebecca Villalobos and Jasmine Davis, and two out of area, Diana Diaz, (who is originally from San Marcos but relocated to Northern California after being accepted into a nursing program there), and Amy DeMar Sifuentes, who is based in rural New Mexico.
After a bite to eat, Rebecca and Jasmine were presented with their scholarship checks and award certificates, bouquets of flowers, gift cards and large baskets provided by Dr. Bronner’s. The awardees’ children were included and were gifted their choice of board game or Lego toys donated by club members. The two remote awardees, Diana and Amy, were mailed their checks and certificates.
The picnic was also attended by Vista City Council Member Joe Green, who announced an additional generous reward to local winners Jasmine and Rebecca, offering them dinner and tickets to the Moonlight Amphitheater in Vista. In addition to local club members, honored guests included Soroptimist Desert Coast Region Governor Thoralinda Soyland and Governor-Elect Pat Whitacre.
After the award presentation, the children played games in the grass and then headed over to the craft table to make Mother’s Day cards and origami. Overall, the picnic proved to be a wonderful, fun and safe way to honor the women, and the club would like to thank Raising Cane’s of Vista, Dr. Bronner’s and Vista City Council Member Joe Green for their support.
For more information visit soroptimistvista.org or email soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com.
Congratulations to Rebecca and Jasmine, and two our other two out of area awardees, Diana Diaz and Amy DeMar Sifuentes!
Diana
Diana Diaz and daughter
Amy
Amy DeMar Sifuentes and her son
Rebecca Villalobos with Programs Director Eden Weinberger and Club President Melinda Jarrell
Jasmine Davis with Eden Weinberger and Melinda Jarrell
Diana Diaz with her daughter
Amy DeMar Sifuentes with her son
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
March 3rd Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting
by Jackie Huyck, Soroptimist International of Vista & North County Inland
February 21, 2022–Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland will host the North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative meeting on Thursday, March 3rd, 9 a.m., at United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Ave., Vista. The event is free to the public, and coffee and pastries will be provided. The topic will be the new Family Justice Center, “One Safe Place” set to open in San Marcos in April. A video preview of the facility will be shown with discussion afterwards.
For more information contact Kaye Van Nevel at valentinestella147@gmail.com or visit http://www.soroptimistvista.org/ending-violence-against-women-and-girls
The center will be a place where child, adult, and elderly victims of abuse and their families will walk through the doors and receive acute crisis-care, advocacy, counseling, legal services, connection to shelter and housing, long term mentoring, workforce readiness, and educational opportunities – all under one roof. The goals of the North County Family Justice Center will be to provide hope, healing, and justice by creating pathways forward for victims and their families as they move through the process of “surviving to thriving.” Currently, victims and survivors must travel to several different locations across North County to receive a full continuum of support which can be exhausting and a barrier to getting healed. While existing service providers provide excellent services, there is little interconnectivity, and providers often operate in silos, rather than under one umbrella of victim care.
The North San Diego County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative is a Program of Service of Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland in partnership with United Methodist Church of Vista. The Collaborative is a diverse group of individuals and community organizations committed to eliminate human trafficking and modern day slavery. Our mission is to raise awareness of human trafficking, provide a platform to share information, improve services, educate ourselves and the public, and advocate for policy and legislation related to human trafficking. Our Collaborative Meetings are held bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the month from 9 am to 10:30 am in the Church’s Fellowship Hall (lower level) at 490 S. Melrose Drive, Vista. Admission is free and all are welcome. Complimentary coffee and pastries will be available.
QuarterMania! Fundraiser March 20
VISTA, California, February 17, 2022—Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland will host a QuarterMania! Fundraiser on Sunday, March 20 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Vista Optimist Club, 600 Optimist Way, Vista. Doors open at 12 noon for check-in, lunch and viewing the vendor booths. The auction starts at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $30 and include bidding paddle and poker chip, chicken caesar salad, roll, non-alcoholic drink, dessert and coffee. There will be an opportunity drawing plus a silent auction with items such as a Charcuterie Board “basket,” handcrafted jewelry by a local artisan and more. Participating vendors include Nice & Bella Jewelry, Popcorn Factory, Hotel Life Sheets, Sweet Treats, and more. Guests are urged to bring plenty of quarters. Maximum bid is 3 quarters, so no one spends more than 75 cents on any item. “Bring your kids, friends, and neighbors to this family-friendly event,” said event chair Pat Origlieri. “And bring a roll of quarters!” she added. Additional paddles and quarters will be available.
In QuarterMania, each guest gets a numbered paddle and a correspondingly numbered poker chip, which they place in the auctioneer’s drawing basket. The auctioneer displays an item and states the number of quarters needed for a chance to win that item. Guests may bid on the item by placing the specified number of quarters into a small bucket on their table and holding up their paddle. The buckets of quarters are collected, and the auctioneer pulls a random numbered chip from the drawing basket. The bidder holding the paddle that matches the number pulled wins the item. If the number pulled did not bid, another number is pulled until a winner is found.
Tickets may be purchased online at SoroptimistVista.org or by calling Pat Origlieri 760-724-9674 or emailing her at pat@vistacopy.com. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds support Soroptimist’s Dream programs promoting women’s and girls’ education and empowerment and human trafficking awareness. See soroptimistvista.org.
Human Trafficking Awareness Walk Jan. 29
VISTA, California, February 2, 2022—After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland held its 16th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk and Event on January 29 in Vista as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. “Last January, we had to settle for holding a virtual event, so it’s great to be able to gather in person again,” said Soroptimist member Kaye Van Nevel, who has chaired the Walk every year since 2006. Walkers gathered outside on the grounds of the United Methodist Church of Vista. Van Nevel welcomed the crowd and recognized local dignitaries present, including San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones, and representatives from State Assembly member Marie Waldron’s office and from the San Diego Board of Supervisors Office, District 76, Jim Desmond. Van Nevel then introduced keynote speaker, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. Stephan has long been an advocate for victims of human trafficking, pioneering San Diego’s Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division. Recently her office unveiled an anti-human trafficking training program aimed at the tourism and hospitality industry.
Saving “the best for last,” Stephan ended her talk by announcing the opening this April of a new family justice center in North County called “One Safe Place” in a revamped warehouse in San Marcos. “It has been a dream of mine for 15 years….it will be a state-of-the-art facility…a place of hope, healing and justice in the North County” Stephan said, where survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault can seek justice, begin healing, and reclaim their lives with help from a variety of agencies operating on-site.
The walkers then collected their “Stop Human Trafficking” signs and headed to Melrose Drive, walking from the church to Sunset Drive and back to the church, eliciting honks of support from passing drivers.
Van Nevel and her Soroptimist Club also coordinate the North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative, open to the public which meets every other month at the church. Their next meeting is Thursday, March 3 at 9 am in Fellowship Hall, United Methodist Church, 490 S. Melrose Drive, Vista. Masks required.