Turning The Hearts Center’s

May 2016

Connection

Upcoming Events

May 14 & 28

9AM – 11AM Hearts for the Hungry Self-Choice Food Distribution Center Opened

May 4 10AM-4PM WIOA Work Readiness Professional Look Seminar Lunch Provided

May 10 9AM Chula Vista Community Collaborative Monthly Meeting

June 18 Mark our calendar! DAY OF HOPE Returns!! A homeless outreach event Details to come…

Last year 167 families and vets were served through our

Hearts for the Homeless Safe Parking Program. TTHC collaborates with Dreams for Change to provide a free and safe

place for those living out of their cars to park each night, along with needed access to clean bathrooms.

Turning Hearts Through Dignity

Turning the Hearts Center (TTHC) was proud to be a part of launching a new program to service the homeless in the South Region of San Diego. Joining forces with Think Dignity and Dreams for Change, individuals from TTHC’s Hearts for the Homeless Safe Parking Program were able to take a warm shower! See full story on page 3.

345 5th Avenue Chula Vista CA 91910 619-691-9643

turningtheheartscenter.org

Heart

May 26 4PM Turning The Hearts Center Board Meeting

May 18 -19

Camp Oliver Overnight Retreat Earn community service hours while developing leadership skills

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Turning The Hearts Center turningtheheartscenter.org May 2016

Hearts for the Hungry Self-Choice Food

Distribution Center For over 3 years Turning the Hearts Center has fed almost 10,000 individuals through our Hearts for the Hungry program. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month our self-choice food pantry is open from 9AM-11AM, providing individuals living in San Diego County an empowering free grocery shopping experience. With an average of one hundred families each Saturday, people are provided a shopping basket and are invited to “shop” for the items that best fit their unique individual needs.

A special shout out to Uprising Club from Chula Vista High School for providing free shoes, clothing, and hygiene kits for our

Hearts for the Hungry recipients!

Heart for the Hungry is a great place for you and your family to volunteer! Even young children are able to learn and experience the positive change serving brings as they stand with their parent(s) and touch the life of someone in need. Whether you are an avid volunteer or you are new to the volunteer experience, you will not be the same person as you were when you first come. The positive side effects of giving are life changing! Since we have started we have fed nearly 10,000 people! But we didn’t do it alone, nor could we. We need your help! Choose today to make a difference! Be The Change!!

Looking to Volunteer?

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Turning Hearts Through Dignity (Continued from page 1)

The definition of “dignity” is the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect. So in my quest, as a community leader, to implement programs and services that support the needs of people in South San Diego, I had to ask myself, “Is Turning the Hearts Center bringing dignity to those we serve?” The answer didn’t come as quickly as I had anticipated, as I reflected seriously and considered how we honor and respect our community – how we were bringing “dignity”? Out of this self-applied, internal organizational check, a wonderful friendship was established with Think Dignity, another San Diego based non-profit organization. In my first phone conversation with Think Dignity’s Executive Director Anne M. Rios, it was obvious that we shared the same values and had to collaborate! Together with Dreams for Change (another outstanding San Diego based non-profit), we planned an event at TTHC to bring a sense of dignity to a homeless population TTHC hosts 365 days a year! All three organizations felt that participants of the Hearts for The Homeless Safe Parking Program had a right to discover dignity. Think Dignity jumped in brought their mobile hot shower units and collaborated with local barbers and hairstylists for free haircuts! The event was a total success and is now planned to become a regular service provided monthly! At TTHC, we believe that human dignity is the key to turning a human heart. We have seen that dignity leads to self-value - which leads to development of potential - which leads to confidence - which leads to trust - which leads to a turned heart! A turned heart leads to a turned life! Today’s issues that strip one’s dignity are directly tied to the condition of one’s heart. Dignity, not poverty, is the stronghold keeping people from reaching their full potential! That’s why TTHC will continue to fight for the restoration and building of our community through programs that promote individual and family empowerment and restoration! If this is something you too would like to be a part of, consider volunteering at TTHC or become a financial supporter to ensure that TTHC will be able to provide dignity-based services! Marc Lovato Executive Director

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Join The TTHC Family!

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$3 a month = one heart touch!

In honor of our 15th year, help us touch a heart and give…

$15/month = 5 hearts

$150/month = 50 hearts

$1,500/month = 500 hearts

$15,000/month = 5000 hearts

Become a TTHC Partner. Touch

someone’s heart today!

Three Ways To Give

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Turning the Hearts Center 345 5th Avenue

Chula Vista CA, 91910

Call 619-691-9643

Donate online @ turningtheheartscenter.org

*Turning the Hearts Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit. *All gifts are tax deductible.

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Turning The Hearts Center turningtheheartscenter.org May 2016

Anti-Graffiti: (Youth): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups and weekend graffiti removal projects. Anti-Theft Program (Ages 13-17): Classes focusing on the consequences of theft/shoplifting. Boys Rise Up Mentorship Program (Ages 9-12): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups for boys focusing on character education, self-esteem, and violence prevention. Boys to Men (Ages 13-17): Weekly empowerment group focused on leadership. Topics include: roles and responsibilities, building healthy relationships, and self-esteem. Career Minded Work-Readiness Program (Youth and Adults): Workforce development and career advice, Comprehensive work-readiness program, and career drop-in center. Change of Heart Substance Abuse Program (Youth and Adults): Classes focusing on the effects of substance abuse and chemical dependency, including one-to-one relapse prevention planning. Chill Out Anger Management Program (Youth and Adults): Weekly anger management empowerment group focused on conflict resolution. Community Service Hours (Youth and Adults): Earn needed community service hours every day of the week. G.A.M.E. Gang Awareness through Mentoring and Education (Ages 13-21): Thirty-two weekly classes for active gang members and at-risk youth focusing on comprehensive gang prevention and intervention. GED/High School Diploma preparation (Ages 16-24): Access to resources to complete and attain GED/High School diploma for out of school youth including on-line GED prep classes and one-on-one tutoring. Girls Rise Up Mentorship Program (Ages 9 -12): Weekly leadership and empowerment groups for girls. Topics include: character education, self-esteem, and violence prevention. Hearts for the Hungry Food Distribution Center (Adults): Provides food and resources for families in need. Opened 9AM to 12noon the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Hearts for the Homeless Safe Parking Program (Families and Adults): Nightly from 6PM-6AM, park for free in a safe place with access to clean bathrooms Men on the Rise Life Skills Coaching Program (Ages 18-21): Weekly male empowerment and mentoring sessions that focus on goal setting, and college and career-exploration. Parenting from the Heart (No age limit): Weekly parent education and empowerment groups offered in English and Spanish. Women on the Rise Life Skills Coaching Program (Ages 18-21): Weekly female empowerment and mentoring session focusing on goal setting, college exploration, and career identification.

What We Do!