With new leadership comes opportunity for change and growth. On the heels of completing his first year with EOC, Executive Director Brian Angus has been hard at work meeting with Board Commissioners, employees, and the community to find ways in which to transition the organization into a new era.
The first item of business: revamping the agency's Vision Statement. The journey began in June when agency leaders and Board Commissioners were presented with a working statement. They moved words and changed sentences and, in the end, provided valuable recommendations that strengthened the draft Vision Statement. Angus has since repeated the process with several EOC programs. He aims to meet and receive input from each and every one of the agency's 1,200+ employees by mid September while simultaneously meeting with community groups, leaders, and clients. The end goal is to use that feedback to develop a new Vision Statement by early fall.
"We are undergoing a comprehensive process, but I feel it is imperative to receive feedback from everyone who experiences and embraces the essence of what EOC is and what we do for our community," says Angus. "We want to be the absolute best at what we do, and in order to be the best we must listen to our clients, employees, and community."
The development of a new Vision Statement is just part of the agency's plan for growth and transformation. Since Angus took the helm in August 2010, EOC has undergone various organizational changes including the addition of an Agency and Community Relations Director, and filling two vacant positions: a new Operations Officer and Network Administrator. Soon, the agency will begin developing its strategic plan. Similar to the series of meetings with employees and community members, EOC will host a series of alignment symposiums, interviews, and focus groups. Feedback received and knowledge gained about community needs will be used to create the agency's strategic plan.
Nearly 300 members of the community braved the summer heat to learn about new services offered at our Reverend E. Swillis Neighborhood Youth Center during our Local Conservation Corps' Resource Fair & Community Day.
"Our Neighborhood Youth Center has been open for business to the community for some time, but we needed an event like this to make our mark and show exactly what we have to offer," said Shawn Riggins, LCC Director.
More than two dozen community providers, including our own programs, set up booths and distributed information to guests and providers alike during four-hour fair. "This was a perfect opportunity for us to not only educate the public about the Weatherization program, but also to inform other service providers in our community about how Weatherization services may benefit their clients," said Lisa Rodriguez, Weatherization Program Assistant.
A majority of the providers attending the fair are offering no- and low-cost services to the west Fresno community at Neighborhood Youth Center including health care services and referrals, employment and training assistance, energy assistance, and tutoring.
A Calendar of Events is available on our website, FresnoEOC.org, and at our Neighborhood Youth Center located at 1805 E. California Avenue in Fresno.
Service providers interested in helping west Fresno residents by offering no- and low-cost services at Neighborhood Youth Center are encouraged to contact Shawn Riggins at Shawn.Riggins@fresnoeoc.org.
On any given Saturday, coffee and outreach workers greet youth and young adults who enter Neighborhood Thrift Store in Fresno's Tower District. Some youth are on the hunt for the best deals in town, while others are in search of their first meal of the day, clean clothes, a shoulder to lean on, or temporary shelter. Neighborhood Thrift Store isn't your typical thrift store, but a designated Safe Place refuge, and a Sanctuary and Youth Services' satellite Drop-In Center for homeless and runaway youth and young adults.
For the last year, Tim*, 16, has been on and off the streets. Summertime, he says, is particularly difficult at his home. "I'm out of school and home for the entire summer. My parents and I simply do not see eye-to-eye." He adds, "We argue, we fight, and I leave. Being on the streets is just easier than dealing with the constant bickering."
Tim's situation isn't uncommon. "We see an influx in youth at the shelter during the summer breaks from school and holidays," says Misty Gattie-Blanco, Sanctuary Youth Shelter Manager. "Sometimes it's a quick fix; parents and children simply need to learn how to better communicate. Other times, it's a bit more complicated. Either way, all of the programs offered by Sanctuary and Youth Services are ready to help."
Sanctuary and Youth Services' Community and Outreach Coordinator Joe Martinez says the designation of the Neighborhood Thrift Store as a Safe Place and Drop-In Center, in March, came at the perfect time. "It gave youth in the area ample time to become familiar and comfortable with the staff and the location before going out on summer break," he says. "Now youth don’t have to travel to our downtown location to receive assistance; they can come to this central location and receive the same TLC." The new site also offers recreational activities, live entertainment, and free WIFI access.
Youth and young adults can take advantage of various services offered at both Drop-In Center sites. Neighborhood Thrift Store's Drop-In Center is open every Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; while Sanctuary and Youth Services' Drop-In Center, located at 2336 Calaveras Street in downtown Fresno, is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. At both locations, participants will receive guidance and support from Sanctuary staff that will help them meet their basic needs (temporary/emergency housing, food, clothing, hygiene supplies) through case management support.
EOC has operated the Safe Place project since 1999; it is a recognized model program through our affiliation with the national Safe Place program. All Safe Place partners display a yellow and black Safe Place sign that designates the site as a certified "Safe Place" location; there, youth can gain access to immediate help, shelter, and supportive services. Safe Place locations in Fresno County include Circle K and WalMart stores, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, Holy Cross Women's Center, Poverello House, United Way, city of Fresno parks and recreation centers, FAX (Fresno Area Express) busses, and other youth-friendly sites.
If you're a Fresno County business owner interested in having your business designated as a Safe Place site and/or Drop-In Center, please contact Joe Martinez at 559.498.8543 ext. 103.
*Client's name has been changed to protect their identities
