Casa Pacificia – We Wish You Could Have Seen Their Faces!

Wishes Do Come True

In a year of uncertainty, we know one thing for sure – our community cares about our children and families and comes together when they are needed most.

Each November, the children fill out wishlists for both “wants” and “needs”, these are transferred on to red paper doves that are distributed and fulfilled by people in the community. Ongoing campus needs were written on green paper doves. We rely on the donations of ongoing needs received in December to supply us throughout the year – supplies for new intakes, birthday presents, and more. Because of COVID-19 related challenges, many of the businesses we rely on to help us provide gifts were working remotely so they were unable to participate in the same way they normally do.

Two weeks before Christmas, many of our children’s dove wishes and ongoing campus need doves were still unfulfilled. This was unprecedented. We sent out an urgent plea for help and countless individuals and businesses answered the call.

Supporters at MacEnthusiasts, Carden Conejo School, Godiss Love, Synetic Solutions, Skurka Aerospace, Arcutis, Amgen, B&B Hardware, Six Degrees of Influence, and Yardi filled hundreds of dove wishes, buying everything from pillows to electronics needed on campus. Other organizations like Hopeful Horizons Outreach, Telesis Physical Therapy, Rodeo Realty, and Braxton’s Kitchen did toy drives, collecting toys and essentials for our children and families.

PODS Tri Counties supports our youth and families every holiday season and all year long!

Good Shepherd Lutheran School reached out to help. PODS Tri-Counties owner Steve Yapp and Vice President of Operations Al Jonas stopped by and fulfilled all the remaining gift card doves a few days before Christmas, even personally taking and shopping for a handful of doves that were still left unfulfilled. The law firm of Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner fulfilled both family baskets and doves, covering needs both in the community and on campus. Teledyne and Gsolutionz also fulfilled dozens of family baskets, providing much-needed essentials and presents for our families in the community.

Companies like Amgen, Yardi, and Sage forwarded our email to their employees working remotely, garnering critical donations. Generous donors like Amgen’s senior management team and Drs. Lori and Terry Schroeder of the Schroeder Center for Healthy Living even offered to match employee and client donations to encourage giving.

First-time donor Olivia Robles, was originally going to fulfill just a few doves personally but decided to post on Instagram, offering to shop for the gifts if people sent money. To her amazement, she raised over $5,000.

Peter Zierhut of The Gene Haas Foundation called and simply asked, “How much do you need?” Sending a check for $10,000 to ensure the remaining Christmas presents and campus needs were met.

The Gene Haas Foundation donated $10,000 to fulfill Casa Pacifica Kids Wish list items.

Hopeful Horizons dropped off Christmas gifts for our youth and families.

To each of our incredible donors, whether you fulfilled a single dove or dozens, whether you’ve been supporting us for years or are a first-time donor, we were able to provide a special Christmas for the over 400 children and families we serve every day because of you.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to help make sure our children and families felt like people cared.

Because of you…a girl who had her bike hit by a car, got a brand new one.
Because of you…a family didn’t have to worry about saving up to buy a new toaster oven.
Because of you…a youth got a brand new pair of brand-name shoes, their first pair ever!
Because of you…all cottages received essentials like new bedding and hygiene items.

“Providing a special holiday season for the children and families we serve is so important. These gifts and essential items are much more than just that, they are a break from the stress of figuring out how to provide that themselves. These family baskets and presents give them a chance to just enjoy being a kid, enjoy being a family, enjoy being together and the magic of the holiday season. Thank you for loving our children and families.” – Shawna Morris, CEO

Holiday Fun Takes Over Campus

The holidays are a favorite time of year for all of us here on campus. From holiday parties and boutiques for the youth, to a holiday drive by event for our alumni and an ugly Christmas sweater contests for the staff we work to make the holidays a magical time for all. This year was a little different but we didn’t let that stop the fun!

Santa hands out gifts to alumni families. Huge thank you to Rick & Yvette Barlowe for helping make our alumni drive through holiday so wonderful!

Gingerbread house making.

Thank you Camarillo Cupcake for the holiday treats!

Thanks to Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees and Western Berries for our campus Christmas trees!

McDonald’s Cottage elf, Minnie took over the kitchen one night in December to make herself some chocolate pancakes.

Ornament making.

Casa Pacifica Welcomes New
Board Members

Sean Leonard

Celina Zacarias

Casa Pacifica is proud to announce the additions of Sean Leonard and Celina Zacarias to its Board of Directors. Leonard, founder of S.L. Leonard & Associates, brings extensive experience in real estate development and construction. Zacarias brings her diverse background of business experience, currently serving as the Director of Community and Government Relations for CSU Channel Islands. Welcome, Sean and Celina, we look forward to utilizing your wisdom and helping even more children and youth in the coming year!

Youth Update –

Sliding Into The New Year!

It doesn’t usually snow at Casa Pacifica, but that didn’t stop our youth from enjoying a super fun snow Day! Seven tons of snow were brought to our Steven Elson Campus for a day of sledding and snowballs! Youth and staff joined in the festivities and even our CEO couldn’t resist a trip down snowy Mt. Casa Pacifica!

RIGHT: Casa Pacifica CEO Shawna Morris joins a youth for some sledding on Snow Day

CARES Act Tax Incentives Extended

A couple of key provisions of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act were extended into 2021 (and, in one case, increased). Here’s what the new stimulus package means for you in 2021.

Tax Incentives when you give to Casa Pacifica

An expansion of the universal charitable deduction to non-itemizers for cash gifts

For 2021 only, the law doubles to $600 the maximum amount joint filers may deduct. As in 2020, the deduction for single filers or married filers who file separately is $300.

An extension of the cap on deductions for cash contributions

Contributions to public charities are generally limited to a percentage of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI). The CARES Act lifted the cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, increasing it from 60% to 100% of AGI for 2020 and now for 2021.

Donate Now

Please contact Madeline Serrano Sattler at (805) 366-4422 or [email protected] to discuss how your gift can help further Casa Pacifica’s mission.

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
Cottage Supervisor
Child and Family 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!