The Volunteer View The Monthly Newsletter for Marin County Civic Center Volunteers and Student Interns

VOL 42 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2019

VOLUNTEER NOTES Sandy Wargo Brings Public Information Thankful for You Officer Skills to Fire Team In this season of gratitude, the county's volunteer and intern By Shirley Trimble programs celebrate the people who participate all year. Thanks For the past year, Sandy Wargo has been is called out by CAL FIRE and to the community members who a team member and Public Information Marin responds. Officer(PIO) specialist with the North volunteer their skills, the students “Sandy’s experience from her previous Bay Incident Management Team who serve as interns, and county role at the Novato Fire District brings (NBAY-IMT), which trains under the staff who liaise with volunteers and a wealth of knowledge to the North command of the Marin County Fire mentor students, more services Bay Incident Management Team. On and programs are available to Department. A recent retiree, she brings top of her abilities, she also brings Marin residents. expertise from a fire department career. a positive attitude and tremendous Last year, 8,662 volunteers and NBAY-IMT is composed of several enthusiasm,” said her staff supervisor, unpaid interns served a grand total specialists who can respond quickly Deputy Fire Chief Mark Brown. of 210,049 hours. during an emergency that affects As the PIO, Sandy is the go-to person a large group of people—such as a Board of Supervisors President in charge of keeping up-to-the-minute Kate Sears said interns and fire, earthquake, or flood. The team (Continued on page 2) volunteers “help raise spirits and infuse the county workforce with a renewed sense of mission and Sandy Wargo and incident purpose. Thank you for sharing team members meet with your energy and enthusiasm with the fire chief during the us.” in October. L to R: Phil Johnson,

Holidays WARGO SANDY OF COURTESY PHOTO Spencer Robert, Michael County offices will be closed St. John, Jim Irving, on Thursday, November 28, Marin County Fire Chief and on Friday, November 29, in Jason Weber, Sandy, and observance of Thanksgiving. Jeff Davidson.

CCV STAFF Recent Grad Tells Others' Stories Anne Starr, Coordinator of Volunteers By Tiyona Pariani 415-473-7167•[email protected] Joy Fossett, Internships Coordinator A passion for human connections led These interactions are among Natalie’s 415-473-7447•[email protected] Natalie Dybeck to intern with the Marin favorite parts of her own efforts. Robyn Madias, Human Resources Technician County Human Resources Department 415-473-7407•[email protected] “Interviews are powerful,” said Natalie. where she profiles fellow interns and VOLUNTEERS “While I am asking questions and volunteers for the Volunteer View. Writers: Shirley Trimble, Scott Harrop, learning their stories, they often realize Tiyona Pariani, Natalie Dybeck, Pilar Writing newsletter articles allows her to and learn something about themselves.” Goodman learn individuals’ stories; she gets to see Copy Editor: Pamela Ross Natalie recently returned to her childhood Design Consultant: Eleanor Lau from their point of view and discover Graphic Design Aide: Afsaneh Bohlouli town of Novato after spending the last how their challenges, passions, and Intern Writing Coach: Ed Remitz four years in Los Angeles where she Administrative Aides: Joanne Elder, Deborah triumphs brought them to excel in their attended UCLA. She studied political and Fox, Deborah Gregor county volunteer roles and internships. (Continued on page 2) Sandy Wargo (Continued from page 1) incident information available to team the public face-to-face. Information County's largest wildfire, and in July members, the media, and the public. changes throughout the incident, so I for the in Yolo County, a need to remain prepared and alert.” small incident with 12 team members “I need to know the area involved and responding. (The number of responders connect with the Office of Emergency Every year there are four team depends on the size of the incident.) Services, local incident representatives, trainings, which are announced or CAL FIRE personnel assigned without warning to simulate a real As a fire prevention specialist and to me,” she explained. “I ask a lot of emergency. “We are serving the public PIO for the Novato Fire District questions about vegetation, where the best that we can,” said Sandy. for 18 years (retiring in 2018), people need to go, when streets are Sandy gained experience interacting Each Monday team members check closed and reopened, animal care, with the Incident Team. in by text and email to notify the rest and vouchers. I research maps and of the team of their availability. And For example, Novato was activated location details, and then need to be all year long Sandy’s gear (overnight out-of-county for CAL FIRE during prepared to talk with the media and items, laptop, printer, uniform, the North Bay wildfires for two weeks snacks, bottled water) is ready to go. in October 2017. At that incident, Sandy was on camera and posted There are about 60 team members about the fire for social media. who are always ready for service. “We PHOTO BY RAY DWELLY RAY BY PHOTO have a good understanding of team After retiring, Sandy enjoyed her first members’ individual capabilities, cruise with friends to the Mexican which helps us all do a better job,” Riviera. She is on the 40th reunion claimed Sandy. “I love it and I love the planning committee for Vintage High team. I feel very lucky to be able to School in Napa. She is also remodeling participate and keep my skills sharp.” her American Canyon home and volunteering for a special event for the The team was activated in October American Canyon Parks Foundation. Sandy Wargo for the Kincade Fire, Sonoma

Recent Grad (Continued from page 1) interpersonal communications In October, she was hired as United

and graduated in June. States Congressman Jared Huffman’s ELREDA FATIMA BY PHOTO district scheduler. “I’m really enjoying A desire to give back to Marin led that position,” said Natalie. “It’s a perfect Natalie to begin interning with the mix of communications, event planning, county’s wellness program in the and politics and it allows me to stay in Human Resources Department. That’s Marin and find more ways to give back where she met Anne Starr, coordinator to my community. Plus I can continue of volunteers, who serves as Natalie’s to write for Anne and Joy (Joy Fossett, supervisor for the newsletter role. student internships coordinator ).” "Natalie is a patient listener and an Besides school and work, Natalie outstanding storyteller,” said Anne. enjoys baking treats, creating edible “She brings excellent communications art for friends and neighbors, hiking, skills. It's great to have her on the Natalie Dybeck at UCLA playing soccer, and watching movies. newsletter's editorial team." Natalie’s biggest gain from interning Meanwhile, Natalie began a temporary work is not easy—it’s hard and can be is hearing all the personal stories and job in August with the Marin sad and yet here they are volunteering getting to shine light on people’s hard County Fire Department to work and spreading love and support to work. One article that has particularly on a wildfire prevention parcel tax so many in Marin,” says Natalie. “It stuck with her was about some of the measure for the March 2020 ballot. was lovely getting to show them just county’s volunteer chaplains. “Their a bit of thanks by featuring them.”

November 2019 The Volunteer View 2 Outreach Intern Helps People at Risk for HIV By Pilar Goodman

Vicente Garcia helps people in Marin do it,’ and always has a client-centered has formal training as a laboratory find the resources they need to live well approach,” said Adrian Acosta, a technician. He is working toward a despite being HIV-positive. He has program manager at the Health and certificate in phlebotomy and plans been a Latino Outreach Assistant intern Human Service Department and further study in public health. with the Health and Human Services Vicente’s internship supervisor. HIV Outreach has helped him become Department in the HIV/AIDS program “I enjoy helping my Latino more compassionate. “I’ve been very for eight months. HIV strains don’t community like I enjoy helping happy and feel very fortunate to have discriminate by skin color, nationality, the LGBTQ+ community in the been able to learn many new things that or sexual orientation. More than 36.7 County of Marin,” Vicente said. I didn’t think I’d be able to do,” he said. million people are HIV-positive. It can be monitored and controlled, and people Vicente is also a coordinator for an have lived symptom-free for decades. LGBTQ organization in Marin called GALA, which provides a The program looks for at-risk people safe space where anyone can discuss and helps them access resources their worries with complete trust. such as the medication PrEP, a treatment that can prevent HIV. Vicente enjoys traveling, TERRONES ANDREA BY PHOTO HIV-positive clients are given therapy, dancing, and hanging out with help with food and housing, and friends during his time off. referral to additional organizations, “One of the greatest challenges I’ve including immigration attorneys. faced is coming to this country and Vicente is motivated to help having to learn a whole new language and educate people at risk. (English) and a new culture that was completely different from my own,” “Vicente is a person who always has he said. Born and raised near Mexico a positive attitude, always says, ‘Let’s City, he is a high school graduate and Vicente Garcia En Español Escrito por Pilar Goodman

Vicente Garcia está ayudando a la Vicente está motivado a ayudar y educar A Vicente disfruta viajar, bailar, y salir población de Marín encontrar los a personas en riesgo. “Vicente es una con sus amistades en su tiempo libre. recursos que necesitan a pesar de ser persona que siempre tiene una actitud “Unos de los grandes desafíos que he VIH-positivo. Él ha sido un Latino positive. enfrentado al venir a este país es tener Outreach Assistant intern con el Siempre dice, “Vamos a hacerlo,” y que aprender un idioma nuevo (ingles) departamento de Salud and Servicios siempre tiene un enfoque centrado en el y una cultura completamente diferente Humanitarios en el programa de VIH/ cliente,” dijo Adrian Acosta, el director a la mía,” él dijo. Nacido y crecido un la CIDA por ocho meses. El virus del VIH del programa en un departamento de Cuidad de Méjico, él es un graduado de no discrimina ni por el color de piel de Salud y Servicios Humanitarios y el secundaria, y tiene entrenamiento como uno, nacionalidad, o orientación sexual. supervisor de Vicente. técnico de laboratorio. Él está tratando Mas de 36.7 millón de personas son de obtener su certificado en flebotomía VIH positivo. Puede ser monitoreado y “Yo disfruto ayudar a mi comunidad y planea continuar sus estudios en salud controlado, personas han vivido décadas Latina y la comunidad LGBTQ+ del pública. sin síntomas. condado de Marín,” Vicente dijo. HIV Outreach lo ha ayudado a tener El programa busca a personas en riesgo Vicente también es el coordinador de más compasión. “Me siento muy feliz y los ayuda a encontrar recursos como una organización LGBTQ+ en Marín y muy afortunado de poder aprender le medicina PReP, un tratamiento que llamada GALA, cual provee un hogar nuevas cosas que yo no pensé que ayuda a prevenir el VIH. Personas con seguro para que cual quier persona pudiera ser,” él dijo. VIH reciben terapia, ayuda con comida pueda hablar sobre sus problemas/ y vivienda, y recomendaciones a otras preocupaciones con confianza. Translation by interns Michael organizaciones incluyendo abogados de Tellechea and Andrea Terrones inmigración.

November 2019 The Volunteer View 3 We congratulate these volunteers who celebrate their anniversaries Happy Anniversary! this month and thank them for their ongoing involvement.

23 YEARS 9 YEARS 4 YEARS Drusilla Miller (Novato), Lifelong Learning Reader, Charles Campbell (Corte Madera), Chaplain, Brian Crawford (San Anselmo), Researcher and Novato Library Sheriff's Office; Susan Hewlett (Bolinas), Senior Peer Writer, Civic Center Library; Lindsey Going (San Counselor, HHS; Jerry Riessen (Tiburon), Steward, Rafael), Steward, Parks; Daniel White Sr. (Larkspur), 20 YEARS Parks; Montserrat Sthymmel (San Rafael), Aide, Chaplain, Sheriff's Office Phyllis Fitzpatrick (Stinson Beach), Aide, Stinson Civic Center Library Beach Library 3 YEARS 8 YEARS Lawrence Enos (Inverness), Sally Hutchinson 12 YEARS Katharine Darlington (San Anselmo), (Inverness), English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutors, Sue Mayerchak (Novato), Senior Peer Counselor, Lucio Gonzalez (San Rafael), Stewards, Parks Point Reyes Library; Michael Simon (Tomales), Health & Human Services (HHS) 7 YEARS Volunteer Firefighter, Fire Department 11 YEARS Dennis Conway (San Rafael), Marin Civic Center Tour Docent, Cultural Services 2 YEARS Richard Sievers (Healdsburg), Air Patrol Volunteer, Whitney Hoyt (San Rafael), Education Consultant, Sheriff's Office 6 YEARS Public Defender's Office 10 YEARS David Jeffries (Rohnert Park), Incident Management Team Volunteer, Fire Department 1 YEAR James Campbell (Belvedere), Steward, Parks; Vicente Garcia (San Rafael), HIV Outreach Assistant Jay Hubert (San Rafael), Radio Amateur Civil 5 YEARS Intern, HHS; Pilar Goodman (Ross), Newsletter Emergency Services/Auxiliary Communications Service James Irving (Fairfax), Incident Management Team Writing Intern, Human Resources; Kathleen Safford (RACES/ACS) Volunteer, Sheriff's Office Volunteer, Fire Department (Mill Valley), Ombudsman, HHS

 Who’s New & Welcome! 

Dana Bagis (San Jose), Literacy Tutor-Reading Theo Jones (Novato), English Tutor, Novato Library Ashley Pan (Moraga), Literacy Tutor-Reading Buddies Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Pamela Juckas (Novato), Friends of the Family Volun- Intern, South Novato Library Katya Crawford (Kentfield), Marin Teen Girl teer, HHS Katie Rasmussen (San Geronimo), Literacy Ambassador, Human Resources (HR) Camille Krejdovsky (Novato), Marin Teen Girl Tutor-Reading Buddies Volunteer, Point Reyes Library Sierra Cusick (Woodacre), Marin Teen Girl Ambassador, HR Hannah Reiter (San Rafael), Marin Teen Girl Ambassador, HR Jenny Le (San Jose), Literacy Tutor-Reading Buddies Ambassador, HR Rory Daly (Larkspur), Marin Teen Girl Ambassador, HR Intern, Marin City Library Bryanna Ribeiro Mesquita (Novato), Literacy Catherine Farhner (San Rafael), Marin Teen Girl Rosa Leguria (San Rafael), Literacy Tutor-Reading Tutor-Reading Buddies Intern, Soouth Novato Library Ambassador, HR Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Sabrina Robinson (San Francisco), Literacy Leah Fullerton (Mill Valley), Marin Teen Girl Rebecca Mansergh (San Rafael), Teen Shelver, Tutor-Reading Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Ambassador, HR Novato Library Sophia Rocha (Greenbrae), Marin Teen Girl Abbie Gould (San Rafael), Literacy Tutor-Reading Bianca Martinez (San Francisco), Certified Ambassador, HR Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Ambulatory Perianesthesia (CAPA) Nursing Student, HHS Molly Rowe (San Rafael), Literacy Tutor-Reading Zianah Griffin(San Anselmo), Restitution Intern, Carys Matthews (Corte Madera), Marin Teen Girl Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Probation Ambassador, HR Zelina Roxas (Novato), Literacy Tutor-Reading Rachel Hay (Rohnert Park), Adult Probation Intern, Devika Menon (San Rafael), Marin Teen Girl Buddies Intern, South Novato Library Probation Ambassador, HR Xander Santos (San Rafael), Friends of the Family Erin Heckelman (San Rafael), Literacy Tutor-Reading Spencer Michels (San Anselmo), Marin Civic Center Volunteer, HHS Buddies Intern, Marin City Library Tour Docent, Cultural Services Chris Solorzano (Novato), Teen Shelver, Novato Leon Huntting (Sausalito), Financial Abuse Specialist Library Team Volunteer, Health & Human Services (HHS) Amelia Minchin (Mill Valley), Marin Teen Girl Ambassador, HR Alexandra Souza (San Rafael), Marin Teen Girl Ali Iqbal (Novato), Literacy Tutor-Reading Buddies Volunteer, South Novato Library Jessica Onick (Novato), Library Beyond Walls Liaison, Ambassador, HR Amanda Isaacs (Folsom), Archivist Intern, Marin County Free Library Elijah Tolentino Medios (Daly City), Literacy Room, Civic Center Library Jose Oropeza (San Francisco), Literacy Tutor-Reading Tutor-Reading Buddies Intern, South Novato Library Dina Johnson (San Rafael), Marin Teen Girl Buddies Intern, South Novato Library Sophie Zlatunich (Corte Madera), Marin Teen Girl Ambassador, HR Ambassador, HR

November 2019 The Volunteer View 4