Casa Pacifica – Support Families This Holiday! 🎁

TBS – Supporting Families
In The Community

Casa Pacifica’s Therapeutic Behavioral Service (better known as the TBS program) serves families in both Ventura and Santa Barbara County. TBS offers one-to-one individualized behavioral interventions which they provide in homes, schools, and other community settings for children who are in jeopardy of being removed from their homes.

One of the families we’re currently serving is *Anna and her mom. (*name changed for privacy) Anna just turned 18 and is working on daily living skills and reducing her unsafe behaviors like running away. “A lot of working with Anna has been helping her separate from her mom. They are very intertwined and a lot of her unsafe behaviors are often the result of an argument with her mom,” explained Natalee Coots, Anna’s TBS Specialist.

“She didn’t know how to advocate for herself so we’re teaching her how to better communicate with mom instead of running away or even walking away.” Natalee not only offers Anna support in accomplishing tasks like applying for an ID and buying an agenda book to get organized, but she also is a role model for healthy and safe behaviors.

“I’m her cheerleader and her advocate, I do my best to encourage her – she’s making great strides.”
– Natalee Coots, Anna’s TBS Specialist.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Hopeful Horizons Outreach, Golden State Water Company, and The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters to provide all the supplies needed for a Thanksgiving dinner for 77 of the families we serve.

Natalee said it’s more than just a box of food and a turkey for some, “Anna’s mom is a great cook and Anna is interested in adding the ability to cook to her repertoire of new life skills. This is a great opportunity for them to do a new activity together, practice their communication skills, and share a special meal together.”

As this difficult year comes to a close we find ourselves especially thankful for our community who always shows up for our children and families. We wish you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Gratitude Is Good For You

November is often considered a time of year to be full of good cheer and gratitude. But being thankful is so much more than just a big meal once a year. Research over the last 20 years has consistently shown that gratitude is actually good for you. When practiced regularly feeling grateful can boost happiness, create positivity and increase physical and emotional health. Programs here at Casa Pacifica often involve challenging our youth to recognize the positive things in their lives and promote feelings of gratitude. We recently asked some of our youth what they are grateful for. Here are some of the responses.

“I am thankful for roof above my head, for food, for clothes, for my family, for my friends, for my staff, for animals, for pool, for people caring and listening, for rec therapy, for school.”
– Nate, Age 12

“I am thankful for my staff, family, friends, and my life.” – Brian, Age 9

“I am thankful for my friends because they my family.” – Breydon, Age 13

Doves Are Back!

There are many ways you can support
the children and families we serve this holiday season

Fulfill an Ongoing Need and support the basic year-round needs of the children we serve.

Fulfill a child’s Christmas wish.

Adopt a family and fill a holiday basket with needed items and gifts!

Donate a gift card or host a gift card drive – help sponsor fun activities for our youth!

For more information please visit https://casapacificakidswishes.org/

Youth Update – Trunk Or Treat

Our youth had the BEST time at our annual Halloween party! We added a new feature this year, an amazing Trunk or Treat! The trunks were spectacular! The kids enjoyed pizza for dinner, fun booths, scary games and a TON of dancing! Huge thank you to our amazing Casa Pacifica Angels especially our Children’s Party Co-Chairs Oksana Zussman, Susan Burgos, Tami Cook, Elsa Philip and all the volunteers and staff who helped put together one of our best parties of the year!

Above: Angel Barbara Ito and “Minnie Mouse” gave out treats from their “bat mobile,” Lower left: Angel JoAnna Boskovich aka “Jessie,” and her Toy Story themed trunk. Lower right: CEO Shawna Morris and her niece dressed as everyone’s favorite… Amazon delivery drivers!

Above left: Angels’ President Debbie Simpson and daughter Jackie came all the way from Jurassic Park. Above right: Angel Patty Turnage brought her truck of witches!

Try A New Dish This Holiday

Pan Sauteed Gnocchi with
Morel Mushroom Champagne Cream SauceThis recipe is a modern twist on a classic dish. Shared straight from the kitchen of Yummy Culinary Competition Winner Chef Jeff Downey, Director of Food & Beverage,
Executive Chef The Saticoy Club.For full recipe click HERE.

Register HERE

Can’t wait to give? No problem!
Donate now in honor of Giving Tuesday!

Donate Today

Casa Pacifica’s annual publication Heartlines is here! Click to catch up with some of our alumni, learn more about volunteer opportunities and ways to give, and see the results of your generosity.

Give Stock And Change Lives

A gift of appreciated securities like stocks, bonds and mutual funds can be a great way to support our mission and change our youth and families’ lives.
Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to Casa Pacifica.

Benefits of gifts of stocks and bonds:

Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of the appreciated stock
Receive a charitable income tax deduction
Further our mission today

To make a stock donation or for more information, contact Madeline Sattler, Donor Relations Officer at [email protected] or (805) 366-4422.

Donate Stock Now

Join Our Team!

Want to make a difference in a child or family’s life? Camino a Casa and Casa Pacifica are always looking for motivated people to join our team at one of our four locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Current positions include:

Youth Development Specialist
Special Education Teacher
Bilingual Crisis Care Specialist – Santa Barbara

Visit our website to see all available positions and apply today!

View Available Positions

Ways You Can Help

1. Shop! Shopping online at Target? Who can resist Amazon these days? Put those shopping sprees to good use and shop for our kids! Check out our Target registry or Amazon wish list and have items shipped straight to us. And don’t forget to sign up for Amazon Smile and designate Casa Pacifica as your charity of choice so we receive a percentage of your purchases!

2. Give monthly and change lives year round!
You can give the gift of hope all year long with the ease of monthly giving. Automatic monthly donations provide consistent support that enables Casa Pacifica to serve our most vulnerable children and their families. Even small gifts add up to make a big difference. Please give a monthly gift and support year-round to offer our youth a brighter future. Signing up is easy! Contact Madeline Sattler, Donor Relations Officer at [email protected] or (805)366-4422.

3. Become an Angel or Amigo! These two groups are some of our biggest supporters. The Casa Pacifica Angels help out with our fundraising events and children’s parties throughout the year. The Casa Pacifica Amigos organize fun activities for the kids on the weekends – some favorites are carnival day and movie nights. Annual membership is $50 – join or gift a membership today!

Sign up to become an ANGEL or AMIGO!

Thank you to our Corporate Leaders!

Our Mission
Casa Pacifica restores hope, enhances resilience, and strengthens community connections for children, young adults and families at the most challenging times of their lives.

Donate today!