www.billwilsoncenter.org

need to beself-sufficient. This expansionwould be complete their educations,andlearnthe skills they’ll can begintowork on employment preparedness, friends.Once theyarein Transitional Housing,they situation, onthestreets,or couch surfingwith list. Youth onawaiting listmay beliving in anunsafe Transitional Housingcurrentlyhasasix-month waiting with learningdisabilities. to De Anza Collegewhich hasprograms foryouth northern partofthecountywillplacethemcloser positive factor;andforyet others,living inthe living fartheraway frompast“friends”willbea housing inthetown theygrewupin;forotheryouth, expansion willallow themtobein transitional housing intoNorthCounty. For someyouth, this In thecomingyear, wehopetoexpandtransitional experience tomeettheirneeds. methodology toindividualize each youth’s learning We expecttocustomizeboththecontentand that therehasbeennocontinuityintheireducation. out, attendedschool sporadically, ormoved sooften positive experiencesinschool—many have dropped LetterMost oftheyouth intheschool willnothave had work, individual tutoring,andindependentstudies. schools. We willuseacombinationofclassroom youth, includingyouth who have failedtraditional Community School, willprimarilyserve homeless The newcharter school, The RobertoNavarro get ourcharter school upandrunning. continue theschool foranotheryear untilwecan fromincluding Bill Wilson School. They have agreedto and consolidatingseveral ofitsalternative schools, The SantaClara CountyOfficeofEducationis closing stages ofopeningacharter school by September2003. Sparky Bill Wilson CenterNews We areintheplanning the comingyear. new opportunitiesin are exploringseveral develop, andchange. We we alsolearn,grow and lives. As anorganization, grow, andtochange their opportunity tolearn, We offerpeoplethe Wilson Centerisallabout. Opportunity iswhat Bill C OUNSELING • H OUSING Best regards, Opportunity iswhat we’re allabout. in thenegatives—or wecanfocusontheopportunitiesoffered. Each year challenges us inadifferentway. We cangetmired funded throughtwo grants thatwehopewillbeapproved. Carol FindsHerWay Home Drop-In Center offershope. place tohang outorablankettokeepwarm. The Center provides morethanamealfortheday, a in Chicagoattendinghighschool. The Drop-In to reconcilewithherparents andnow isathome After counselingwithstaffmembers, shewas able Carol nolongerhastosearch for a placetosleep. drugs, andotherdangers.” That means we can lessen their exposure to predators, streets. the on are they time of length the in decrease a is result the information, and education support, Center Coordinator. “When we can provide them with we did with ‘Carol’,” said Christine McNulty, Drop-In “It is important that we reach youth at a young age, like him totheBill Wilson Drop-InCenter. if she wanted to know freedom, then she should go with man was offering anything but freedom. He told her that A 22 year-old veteran of the streets warned her that the to beindependent. She listened with a mixture of skepticism and a desire prostitution. through self-reliance her promised He an older man stalked and eventually approached her. would scramble for a place to sleep. From a distance, That night would be the first of many nights when she found herselfalone,scaredandvulnerable. away, she miles 2,000 than more parents her With corner was the Aunt’s idea of appropriate punishment. street dark a on her behavior.Abandoning reckless girl’sthe to stop a put to able be would she that ents lier,girl’syoungpar- the her to promise a made Aunt the empty streets of downtown San Jose. Six months ear- On a winter’s night, a 13-year-old girl is abandoned on • E DUCATION continued onpage 4 • A DVOCACY Summer 2002 Safe Place Community Outreach

When my co-worker asked me to help with an event Bill Wilson Center trains Safe Place site employees to during National Safe Place Week, I worried about respond to various types of emergency situations. A VTA getting behind in my work. Later, when I found out bus driver in San Jose, for example, asked a teenager who that I would have to wake up at 6 a.m., I was not as was riding the bus for a long time if he needed help. The enthusiastic as I had originally been. boy said that he was afraid to go home because his Dad hit him. VTA contacted Bill Wilson Center and a staff That morning, I dragged myself out of bed before member brought the teenager back to its Runaway and picking up Trang, 14, who is a volunteer in the Safe Homeless Youth Shelter. Place Program. She came out of her house struggling to carry a yellow and black Safe Place sign, which Trang is one of 50 San Jose teenagers in Safe Place symbolizes a safe haven to a child. I got out of the Community Outreach (SPCO) who develop youth leader- car to help her. ship skills through such activities as removing graffiti, At the next house, I walked I realized that these cleaning up parks, and talk- Trang to the front door, where ing to local businesses and to her four girlfriends waited for teenagers could save youth one on one. her. All five wore black and yel- low Safe Place T-shirts. As they the life of a child by “The more resources we giggled with one another, they educating them about have available to youth, the seemed more ready for a slum- more likely they will be to ber party than for a day of pre- how to use Safe Place. find the help they need,” said sentations at elementary and Program Coordinator junior high schools, starting at Franklin Elementary Lyndsey Marks. “The members of SPCO help me to make School. They wanted to walk, and so I left to go pick that possible and, without them, Project Safe Place would up other kids. not be as successful.”

Two hours later, I drove to Franklin and spotted the After a long day of driving, I was tired and ready to colors of bumblebees waiting out front. The group escape to my quiet home. The afternoon had turned swarmed into my car. I asked them how it went. They hot and muggy. As I drove up to my 20th pick-up, a spoke with enthusiasm. school, the temperature seemed to rise. Six SPCO volunteers waited for me. They rushed into the car and “At first, we were kind of nervous because this was began to describe how nervous they had been, how our first time presenting the Safe Place Program,” many times they laughed as they performed their Trang said. “But the kids asked a lot of ques- skits, and how overwhelmed they tions, and so I think they really listened. It were when almost all of the kids was cool.” had questions for them.

The girls did a skit where an adult I realized that these was following a child who escapes teenagers could save into a Safe Place site and asks for the life of a child by help. The site contacts Bill educating them Wilson Center, and someone about how to use comes to pick the child up. In Safe Place. A sense San Jose there are 225 Safe of pride came Place sites, where more than over me as I 200 youth sought help last year. realized that in Safe Place sites include private some small and public facilities such as 7- way I was a Eleven, Round Table Pizza part of that. Restaurant, Valley Transportation —Amy Purdum Authority buses, San Jose School dis- tricts and City of San Jose Libraries. Safe * Safe Place is Place signs are displayed at the facilities. funded by the City of San Jose. page 2 COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY • Bill Wilson Center News Welcome!Chris Halliwell Thank You Bill Wilson Center is pleased to A special thanks to these corporations and announce the addition of a new foundations for their support of the services provided member of the Board of by Bill Wilson Center to the community: Directors, Chris Halliwell. ADC Chris is an independent con- Altos Foundation sultant providing business-to- AMD business marketing services. AT&T Her experience in sales and Cisco Foundation marketing will help Bill Wilson Federated Department Stores Foundation Center build stronger relationships in the community Greater Bay Bancorp Foundation and bolster its finances. The Health Trust “I have personally witnessed how important it is to Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley have resources available to youth who are facing John S. and James L. Knight Foundation difficult times in their lives,” said Chris. “My goal is to KITS-FM Live 105 from their 2001 BFD concert increase awareness of the services Bill Wilson Center Lucile Packard Foundation for Children offers and to expand the number of funding sources Macy’s West available to the agency.” Sharks Foundation Skoll Community Fund Beyond her business obligations, Chris makes time Robert N. and Florence Slinger Fund to work with youth directly. She volunteers in a Wells Fargo Foundation program which teaches14 to 17-year-old girls how to write a business plan. The girls enter their work Our appreciation also goes to the organizations into a competition. and religious groups who have given generously to Bill Wilson Center: For recreation Chris loves running. Last year, she volunteered as the cross-country coach for a local Center for Spiritual Living high school. Corvette Leisure and Social Society Gay Pride Committee Before starting her business as an independent Junior Achievement, Santa Teresa consultant, Chris was a managing partner with Regis Kiwanis Club of San Jose McKenna, Inc., where she led the networking and Stone Presbyterian Church semiconductor partners and practice groups. In her consulting business, she mentors several new Union Church of Cupertino technology companies.

Chris is also an instructor for the executive learning programs of the Caltech Industrial Relations Center and the Caltech Entrepreneurial Fellowship program. Her degrees from the University of California, Los Volunteer Opportunities Angeles, include a Master’s in Information Services, and an MBA in Marketing. There are a number of ways you can donate your time and energy “We’re very pleased that Chris has agreed to join our to our agency. See page 7 and 8 board,” said Sparky Harlan, Executive Director for Bill for more information. Wilson Center. “The board is in the process of reshap- ing itself for the future, and Chris’s business marketing background will help us reach into the community.”

Bill Wilson Center News • COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY page 3 SHOP for Bill Wilson Center Macy’s Passport combines tickets to. Send checks to: fashion and compassion to Bill Wilson Center, Attn: raise money for HIV/AIDS Macy’s Passport, 3490 The Alameda, programs. This year, the Santa Clara, CA 95050. event is taking place on 3. Contact Amy Purdum at (408) 850-6156 or Saturday, September 21st at email [email protected] to make special Macy’s stores in Valley Fair arrangements for ticket transactions. Shopping Mall in Santa Clara, and Union Square in San Francisco. Carol Finds Her Way Home, cont. from page 1 Walking into the store on the Findings from the 1999 Santa Clara County Homeless Survey, day of the Passport event, reports that 20,000 people experienced an episode of home- music greets the shopper lessness, of whom 25% were under the age of 18. Children and who can indulge in free food teenagers leave home for many reasons. Sometimes they are and drink. Products are demonstrated and samples are beaten, they are neglected, or they and their families haven’t given away. Shoppers attend star-studded fashion shows found a way to talk and listen to each other. The Drop-In Center that take place throughout the day. opened its doors to these young homeless people in 1998.

A $10 passport ticket is like buying a special license. It There is a lot of talking and listening going on at the Drop-In entitles a buyer to travel into a special day of shopping. Center. Visiting there feels like visiting the home of a friend who On the day of the event, almost all Macy’s merchandise has a lot of brothers and sisters. Entering through the courtyard, is on sale. A ticket provides an additional discount, up to two teenagers relaxed at a picnic table. Inside the Drop-In 20%, on items such as furniture, jewelry and clothing. Center, a Victorian house, Liz Santana, one of two outreach work- ers who takes to the streets to talk to homeless youth, sat with Every time Bill Wilson Center sells a $10 ticket, we keep two girls on comfy sofas, talking over a blaring television as a 100% of the proceeds to use towards our HIV/AIDS volunteer warmed up food. Prevention Programs. If the agency sells 100 or more tickets, we qualify to receive a share of the monies that are Yet, there is more than food to nourish Drop-In Center youth. collected by Macy’s from ticket sales on the day of the On the second floor, there is a room with computers, one with event. Last year, the agency raised almost $5,000 for the E-mail access, and a telephone HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs. so that homeless youth stay con- nected. Here is where they can Purchasing a $10 Macy’s Passport will entitle you to: get help with their resumes for • 20% off women’s, men’s and kids apparel, shoes job applications. They can use and accessories the Drop-In Center mailing • 15% off domestics, housewares and tabletop address as their own, which • 10% off furniture, rugs, mattresses and fine jewelry solves the dilemma of the home- *Exclusions include cosmetics/fragrances, Lladro and Waterford less, who need an address to apply for a job, but need a job to Don’t want to deal with the crowds? Macy’s allows you to get an address. Near the com- pre-shop. Go to Macy’s as early as two weeks before the puters is a row of lockers where event to select your merchandise. Macy’s will put your personal belongings can be stored safely. selections aside for you to purchase on the day of the event or up to a week after the event takes place. Down the hall, evening workshops addressing HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections prevention, pregnancy prevention and Get tickets now and help support Bill Wilson Center’s independent living skills development take place in a living room HIV/AIDS programs. Here’s how: with a bay window and a large couch and chairs. One of many tiles on the wall showed a bubble gum machine and “Life—Get 1. Visit Bill Wilson Center and purchase tickets from Out What You Put In.” the front desk. Bill Wilson Center is located at 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, 95050 Marcus Reposar, the second outreach worker, said: “Once they 2. Send a check to Bill Wilson Center. Please indicate have decided they are ready to get off the streets, we will be there the number of tickets and an address to mail the to show them the way.”

page 4 COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY • Bill Wilson Center News PROFILE : Alex Ponce

Varekai is the latest Cirque du Soleil show If anyone knows about the many successes of Bill Wilson scheduled to come to San Jose in January, 2003. Center, it’s Alexandra Ponce who works for Bill Wilson Center Cirque du Soleil will once again donate tickets on prevention/education. She teaches students how to channel to Bill Wilson Center to sell to its friends—you! their anger, how to cope with peer pressure and how to make Bill Wilson Center’s evening at Cirque du Soleil good decisions. will be Friday, January 24, at 9:00. “I have been involved with Bill Wilson Center on and off for near- Cirque du Soleil is a unique organization. ly 10 years,” said 24 year-old Alexandra, who goes by her Started by street performers, it hasn’t lost its nickname, Alex. “The agency has remained a remarkable place connection with youth. The statement of Cirque even though my role has changed over the years.” du Soleil’s organizational values includes, “to

encourage and promote the potential of youth.” Peer Education One of the ways that Cirque du Soleil supports Alex’s desire to help her classmates cope with their problems this statement is their generosity towards non- brought her to Bill Wilson Center as a senior attending Santa

profit organizations—primarily those serving Clara High School. “One day, my teacher announced that Bill homeless youth. Wilson Center was accepting applications for their Peer Education Training Program starting in the spring,” said Alex. “I Varekai is the story of the universal wanderer. knew that if I went through the training, I could become a peer✎ It is the tale of a young man whose journey into educator at school. So I jumped at the chance to participate.” a magical forest inhabited by colourful creatures of astonishing talent is at once extraordinary, Bill Wilson Center’s Peer Education Training Program consists seductive and exhilarating. In this place at the of five all-day training sessions. The training covers topics such edge of time begins life rediscovered. as media and culture, public speaking, and sexual health. Role-playing allows students to put their newly Varekai features an international cast of more developed skills into practice. than 50 artists, each of whom give their all in this explosive fusion of drama and acrobatics. “Youth learn to reach out to each other,” said Michelle Jurjavcic, Varekai has already astounded hundreds of who staffed the youth committee that developed the spring peer- thousands of spectators with its mix of ancient training curriculum. “They develop skills such as crisis inter- circus traditions and daring new acrobatic feats, vention, grief counseling and suicide prevention. The media many of which have never before been per- covers violent events in schools, like the Columbine tragedy. Programs like Peer Education Training are a small step toward formed on the Cirque du Soleil stage. preventing these tragic events.” Join us in this wonderful opportunity to see In 1995, Alex became a certified peer educator. Not only did Varekai and to support Bill Wilson Center. she become a certified peer educator at Santa Clara high Tickets are $100 each and are the best seats in school, she took her participation to the next level by serving the house. as a board officer for the school’s peer-counseling club. Call Judy Whittier at (408) 650-6132 to purchase “Unfortunately, I was a senior when I joined the club at my tickets by phone (Mastercard and Visa only) or school,” said Alex. “I had just started to become super involved send a check to: when I graduated.”

Bill Wilson Center After graduation, Alex went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree. 3490 The Alameda Striving again to help others, she became a case manager for Santa Clara, CA 95050 a non-profit assisting low-income families with subsidized ATTN: Varekai. childcare services.

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Bill Wilson Center News • COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY page 5 PROFILE : Alex Ponce continued from page 5

“I enjoyed my job, but I wanted to work with children and skills with these boys, emphasizing the importance of teens. My job focused on adults,” said Alex. “I remembered working towards peaceful resolution with conflicts they Bill Wilson Center from high school and decided to volunteer.” faced and maintaining a respectful character. I had the boys role model this behavior by having them write and per- Volunteer Program form in a 20 minute presentation to a second grade class.” Alex contacted the volunteer coordinator for Bill Wilson Alex was amazed at their creativity. They preformed a “rap” Center, about opportunities there. “I have all potential vol- song, wrote two skits, and had the second grade class cre- unteers come in for a face-to-face meeting,” said Michelle. “As ate a project with construction paper. “I felt the lesson was soon as I met Alex, I knew she would be a great volunteer.” a success because it was using the method of students teaching students,” said Alex. “Plus the fourth grade boys Alex commented, “The volunteer training process was very were able to be seen as not only role models, but lead- extensive, which was reassuring since we would be working ers by their second grade peers.” directly with youth. I felt prepared to handle any situation that I might face. We received our placements six weeks later at “Actually, the topics that I cover are similar to those that the volunteer graduation. I was thrilled to find out that I was I was taught in the Peer Education Training Program,” placed in the Independent Living Skills Program.”✎ said Alex. “My experience with Bill Wilson Center has truly come full circle. The Center has helped me to grow per- Foster youth rely on the Independent Living Skills Program to sonally and professionally. I am grateful to be a part of an help them prepare for living on their own, once they leave the agency that gives so much—not only to its clients—but to foster care system at the age of 18. According to the National its volunteers and employees.” Foster Care System Coalition, between 25 percent to 40 per- cent of foster children become homeless within 12 months of leaving the system. Many don’t know how to live on their own and when they fail, they can’t go back home.

Independent Living Skills Program changes those odds by teaching foster youth how to find a job, shop for food and take care of themselves. Bill Wilson Center volunteers are key to the success of the program. Compassionate Friends is a support group that meets For example, Alex worked with one of her clients, ‘Joseph’, at Bill Wilson Center every fourth Wednesday of the to improve his grades at school. By teaching him time man- month at 7:30 p.m. When a child dies, family agement, he was able to plan his study time and complete his members experience many different feelings— assignments by their due date. disbelief, sadness, loneliness, fear, anger, regret, guilt and despair. Holding these feelings inside “I recently attended Joseph’s high school graduation,” can be harmful. said Alex. “I was very proud of the fact that this particular youth, who had struggled with school, was graduating with his high One of The Compassionate Friends principles states, school class of 2002.” “We know that expressing thoughts and feelings is part ✎ of the healing process.” The meetings offer a caring According to Deryk Clark, Director of Foster Care and and supportive environment where families can talk Prevention Services, “Alex excelled as a volunteer in the about their grief. Independent Living Skills Program. When we were looking for an individual to work in Bill Wilson There is no requirement to share at the meetings. Center’s Education/Prevention Program, I thought Those who attend are welcome to sit and listen. of her right away.” There is no fee to attend the group, and all family members are welcome. Education/Prevention Program Those who wish to obtain more information about the “My most rewarding experiences with the prevention group can call (408) 241-1090 or send an email to program was working with a group of 4th grade boys who were [email protected]. For more information about referred to my program due to their behavioral problems The Compassionate Friends, visit their national inside and outside the classroom,” said Alex. “I worked on life website, www.compassionatefriends.org.

page 6 COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY • Bill Wilson Center News Wish List We need your help! If you’d like to donate any item on this list, please give For the Infants and Toddlers of Teen Parents: disposable Jeanne-Ann Pine a call at 408-850-6155. Items should diapers, baby equipment (high chairs, playpens, car seats), be new or nearly new. crib sheets, blankets, towels.

Clothing: Shoes, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, jeans, For Youth Who Are Moving into Housing: Tables, chairs, waterproof jackets, warm jackets, umbrellas, gloves, kitchen equipment (dishes, pots and pans, glasses, utensils), baseball caps, wool beanies, thermal underwear, linens, lamps, beds. tights, stockings, shoelaces, and ponchos. Youth also need new underwear and new socks. For All Bill Wilson Center Programs: Bicycle rack, art supplies, books, event or movie tickets, computers (Pentium Miscellaneous: Toiletries (deodorant, soap, shampoo, IV or higher), printers, videos, Playstation and Nintendo conditioner, hand cream, hair gel, toothbrushes, games, tickets to museums and amusement parks, gift certifi- toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream, razors, nail cates to music stores, playing cards, games, bus/light rail clippers), laundry detergent and bleach, sewing kits, passes, certificates for haircuts—just about any gift water bottles, backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags, certificate can be used in some way. tarps, items to cook with, tools (especially bike repair kits), portable alarm clocks, watches, batteries, Please bear with us if you call with furniture to donate. As we nonperishable food, supermarket gift certificates, don’t have storage space, we can only use furniture when we and fast food gift certificates. have someone moving out of transitional housing.

More Than a Place to Help Others Volunteer Now! “I started as a Safe Place Community Outreach volun- teer at Bill Wilson Center last September. I was search- ing for a place where I could help others and feel that How do I become a Bill Wilson Center Volunteer? I was a part of something spe- cial. What I found at Bill Wilson 1. Call our Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Jurjavcic at Center is respect, courage and (408) 850-6156. determination. I learned to never give up on my dreams. 2. Attend our volunteer orientation.

Safe Place Community 3. Come in for a personal interview. Outreach members taught me to 4. Complete a volunteer application, including finger work as a team. They taught me print check. that people can work together, regardless of gender or race. It’s 5. Participate in a six week volunteer training. fascinating to see how much enthusiasm youth have about helping the community. Join Us! Walk for AIDS! These teenagers fill me with lots of energy to continue Join the Bill Wilson Center team of helping others. I am supposed to be a mentor to these Staff and Volunteers for the 2002 teenagers, but in reality they are my mentors. They Walk for AIDS on October 20th! For have become my heroes and I want to thank them further information about our team, for guiding me.” or if you would like to register for the walk, please contact Michelle —Nora Galvez Jurjavcic at (408) 850-6138 or email [email protected].

Bill Wilson Center News • COUNSELING • HOUSING • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY page 7 Volunteer Information

At Bill Wilson Center, volunteers become our partners. Walk for AIDS Outreach Team*: Outreach at events Together we make a change in the lives of the youth we such as fairs, public events, etc. for the Walk for serve. The more people we have working in our programs, AIDS Silicon Valley. the more youth we can help. We accept both youth and adult volunteers. Macy’s Passport Sales Rep*: Help our agency raise money by selling Macy’s Passports that provide discounts on purchases. If you are interested in contributing your time, Bill Wilson Center has the following volunteer opportunities available: Safe Place Community Outreach: Meet new people, earn community service hours, and make a difference with SPCO. Safe Place Coaches: Be a mentor for youth community Applications due September 21, 2002. volunteers. Must be available weekends and evenings. Mentors for THP: Work with older youth as a mentor in our Bill Wilson School Tutor: Must be available at least one day a Transitional Housing Program. week Monday – Friday, 9:00 am - 11:00 am. Peer Education Training: Train for five Saturdays to develop Street Youth Advocate: Work in our Drop-In Center for street such skills as communication, crisis intervention, and other youth by helping out with food preparation, linking youth topics to help your peers. The Fall 2002 Peer Education with available resources and building positive bonds. Training starts October 5, 2002. Applications available now. Weekday shifts and Saturday afternoons needed. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Jurjavcic, Administrative Support*: Morning hours. Must be familiar at (408) 850-6138 with Microsoft Word, Access and/or Excel. Please note youth volunteers complete a separate training. * These opportunities require only the orientation and not the training.

Bill Wilson Center 3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050 P.O. Box 210 A, Santa Clara, CA 95052 Non-Profit Org. (408) 243-0222 U.S. Postage PAID Board of Directors Santa Clara, CA Anita Wotiz, President Permit No. 464 Nick Livak, Vice President George Delucchi, Treasurer Lisa M. Arieta Stefani Burgett Don Callejon Address Service Requested Mary Emery Sylvia Gallegos James Gordon Chris Halliwell Louis M. Holscher Alex Wilson

Executive Director Sparky Harlan

Associate Director Lorraine Flores

Website: www.billwilsoncenter.org email: [email protected]