Jun 18, 2022
Zuniga's Story
Zuniga has been in Lifeline’s TYH, transitional housing program for nearly two years, and has put in a lot of work to learn independent living skills, maintain full-time work as well as make permanent connections in the community. During her time in this program, Zuniga has learned to stay on top of obligations and responsibilities, especially those related to independent living. According to Zuniga, what has been most helpful in the program, has been support from staff, case management meetings, and “tough love” that has helped her to take responsibility and learn ways she can be successful. “The staff has motivated me to keep going on being independent even when I was struggling and dealing with family issues and was not in a good place mentally.” Before entering the program, and even in the beginning of her time in the program, Zuniga says that she was struggling to hold a full-time job. As of March, she shares she will have been employed full-time with the same company for a year. Additionally, she is learning to budget and is preparing to purchase a car with the money she is saving. “I am thankful for the support and encouragement from LifeSpring and Lifeline Community Services on my journey to self-sufficiency.”
May 12, 2022
Lifeline Highlights the Month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month
One of our resident experts, K Thomas (LPCC, NCC (they/she)) is featured in two interviews discussing the importance of mental health, the services Lifeline Community Services provides, and information about human trafficking in San Diego County. In the May episode of Oceanside Spectrum KCOT, K discusses the challenges that youth have faced with their mental health, particularly since the onset of the pandemic, and the mission and services Lifeline Community Services provides. K is also a guest on the Diving into Healing Podcast from the San Diego Psychological Association. The episode gives an introduction to human trafficking and explores definitions of trafficking, common dynamics, local statistics, and how to identify and report an abuse. Please take some time this month to check in with your mental health, as well as those around you. Lifeline has many resources available for youth and families, including referrals to community partners and other organizations.
May 06, 2022
Lifeline Celebrates National Volunteer Month with Annual Volunteer Awards!
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Lifeline Community Services! This past month of April we had the opportunity to celebrate and highlight the amazing work they accomplished in the last year. Thank you to everyone who attended the Zoom presentation and was able to pick up lunch at the Vista Campus. Thank you to our Title Sponsor who made this event possible: Congratulations to this Year's Award Winners! We appreciate you! Outstanding New Intern Award Winner: Outstanding New Volunteer Award Winner: Happy Lifeliner Award Winner: Team Spirit Award Winner: Mission in Motion Award Winner: Attitude of Gratitude Award Winner: Passion and Purpose Award Winner: Mike Cavataio Volunteer of the Year Award Winner:
Mar 09, 2022
Julia's Story
Julia’s Story Julia is a client of Lifeline’s mental and behavioral health programs. She is still a teenager, but due to her mother’s unfortunate health issues, Julia is now the sole provider for their little family. Thankfully, Julia is a capable and hard-worker who maintains full-time employment. However, she is taking on a lot of responsibility, and just enrolled in community college so she can improve her career options. Over the years, Julia has also worked hard to overcome a history of childhood sexual abuse and multiple family disruptions due to Child Welfare Services involvement. She continues to work with Lifeline to receive the mental health support she needs to process her trauma, build coping skills, and make a better life for herself. Recently, Julia received support from Lifeline to help with food expenses. This allowed her to stretch her budget to purchase school supplies for her upcoming semester instead of worrying about how to budget for the next week’s meals. With support from Lifeline and our generous donors, Julia is looking forward to a successful, self-reliant future.
Mar 05, 2022
Rest Haven Supports Recent Universal Studios & Fleet Science Center Youth Field Trip
Lifeline's Club Crown Heights (CCH) youth had the opportunity to take a field trip to Universal Studios and the Fleet Science Center thanks to the support from grant funder, Rest Haven Children's Health Fund. Field trips like these help provide CCH youth an afterschool outlet that helps build skills and plan for successful futures.
Mar 03, 2022
SDG&E Expands Resources for Youth STEM & Outdoor Outreach Programs
A recent grant from SDG&E supports Club Crown Heights (CCH) youth STEM programs like Outdoor Outreach! Club Crown Heights programs are aligned within a Positive Youth Development model, “Triple E”. Triple E focuses on Education, Employment, and Civic Engagement. In 2016, Club Crown Heights launched a STEM Education Project that encourages students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math subjects. We are grateful for corporate partners like SDG&E who help make programs like this possible.
Feb 16, 2022
Lifeline Hosts COVID-19 Vaccination Day - March 4
Lifeline Hosts COVID-19 Vaccination Day & Weekly Testing Lifeline continues to provide BOTH testing and vaccine clinics in partnership with the County of San Diego every Thursday from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM at ourVista location (200 Michigan Ave.) In partnership with the North County LGBTQ Resource Center and TrueCare, Lifeline will also be hosting asingle-day vaccine clinic on March 4 from 2:00 - 5:30 PM at Lifeline's Vista location (200 Michigan Ave).
Feb 12, 2022
Genentech Helps Bridge STEM Education Gap for Youth
Genentech Helps Bridge STEM Education Gap for Youth Genentech is a longtime and valuable partner of Lifeline Community Services and Club Crown Heights! The Club Crown Heights STEM Education Project was made possible through the very generous funding that launched the program in 2016. Since then, Genentech has continued to support the program allowing Club Crown Heights to consistently increase the size and the scope of the project which addresses the disparity in STEM education for low-income youth, an issue especially prevalent for Hispanic youth and girls of all ethnicities. Genentech staff volunteer their time, talents, and expertise to the tutoring program, reading groups, and lead STEM educational activities. Additionally, Genentech’s leadership – especially that of Paul Garza, Genentech Director and Lifeline Community Services Board Member, and Jaime Gonzales Vallejo, Genentech Upstream Manufacturing Supervisor and Lifeline Community Services Board Member – continue to provide vital support that is enabling Club Crown Heights youth to overcome obstacles, succeed in school, and go on to successful careers. Genentech has continued to provide vital support that makes the Club Crown Heights STEM Education Project possible. Thank you, Genentech!
Feb 10, 2022
Molina HealthCare Food Pantry Provides Weekly Food Distributions
Molina HealthCare Food Pantry Provides Weekly Food Distributions Last summer, Lifeline received a very generous grant that launched the Molina Food Pantry! Since then, Lifeline has been able to provide weekly breakfasts and food distributions to youth experiencing homelessness. Lifeline is grateful for partners like Molina Healthcare for their support as we provide critical services to our neighbors in need! In addition to establishing a new food pantry, the MolinaCares’ grant supports other services the drop-in center offers, including crisis intervention, basic needs, housing placement, and access to showers, laundry, and computers. “Having the MolinaCares Food Pantry at our drop-in center will provide much-needed nutrition for transitional youth and young adults currently experiencing homelessness or at-risk for homelessness,” said Donald Stump, executive director at Lifeline Community Services. “Through this generous grant, the center will provide youth with nutritional snacks, hot meals, food boxes, and gift cards for groceries.”
Feb 01, 2022
VITA Tax Assistance Available Through April 12
Lifeline Offers Clients & Community Members FREE Tax Assistance VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) provides free tax preparation and electronic filing services to North County households with less than $57,500 annual income. In 2021, 21 VITA preparers dedicated 870 hours to help file 223 tax returns for low- and moderate-income residents - returning more than $468,000 to our community. In agreement with COVID-19 measures, Lifeline’s VITA program conducted all-volunteer training online and will offer tax preparation drop-off services and virtual appointments to the public beginning February 2022 running through April 12. For community members, all scheduling is done through 211. Current Lifeline clients can contact our Tax Line at760-509-3430 or email taxes@nclifeline.org. Click HERE to view a virtual postcard created by 211 that contains additional information. Below are a few screening questions for eligibility: