THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND CALIFORNIA
JULY & AUGUST 2026
ISSUE 4
VOLUME 14
TEAM BUILDS CONNECTION On Friday, July 17, 2026, the San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) Visalia team participated in a creative team-building activity designed to encourage collaboration, communication, and teamwork. The activity, called Chalk Mural, challenged team members to work together to bring ideas to life through colorful chalk art. Participants rotated teams every few minutes, with each group receiving a phrase and the challenge of creatively illustrating its meaning in a collaborative mural. The activity provided an opportunity for team members to think creatively, share ideas, and build connections while working toward a common goal. Through laughter, creativity, and collaboration, the SJVV Visalia team demonstrated the importance of working together and supporting one another.
As we move through September, I want to take a moment to recognize the continued dedication, teamwork, and commitment each of you bring to WestCare California. The work we do each day is about more than providing services, it is about creating connections, building opportunities, and helping Uplift the Human Spirit throughout the communities we serve. In these last two months, we have seen great examples of what can happen when we work together and strengthen our partnerships. Our team met with the Clovis Police Department’s Homeless Liaison to explore opportunities for collaboration and I, along with our Director of Media & Public Relations, appeared live on KSEE 24 to share information about WestCare’s service domains and highlight the important work being done throughout the Central Valley. Building relationships with community partners and raising awareness of our services are both important parts of expanding our ability to connect people with the services and resources they need. We are also continuing to invest in our Grant Per Diem programs and the environments in which we serve our Veterans. With updated flooring and fresh paint, these improvements help create spaces that are welcoming, comfortable, and reflective of the dignity and respect our clients deserve. Each of these accomplishments reflects a different part of our work, but they all have something in common: people working together toward a shared purpose. Whether you are supporting a client directly, maintaining one of our facilities, developing community partnerships, coordinating services, or representing WestCare in the community, your contribution matters. Thank you for continuing to show up each day with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to our mission. I am proud of the work being accomplished across WestCare California and look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the months ahead.
Jenny Gonzalez Senior Vice President WestCare California
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STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLABORATION On August 18, the Clovis Police Department’s Homeless Assistance Liaison Officer (HALO) visited WestCare to explore opportunities for collaboration. Leadership from our Housing and Veterans departments shared information about our programs, eligibility requirements, referral processes, and the impact of our services in the community today. Building these partnerships supports HALO’s mission of connecting individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk with valuable resources and guidance. With established partnerships with organizations such as Poverello House and Fresno Rescue Mission, Clovis PD is now adding WestCare to its network of community partners.
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HOMEFRONT GETS A REFRESH Our female Veterans residential program, HomeFront, recently received renovations designed to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for the Veteran women who call the apartment complex home. Updates included new flooring throughout the property and a fresh exterior paint job, giving the residence a refreshed experience. Thanks to C & D Flooring and G & C Quality Painting Inc., HomeFront is looking better than ever and ready to continue serving the Veteran women who live there. “The recent renovations at our HomeFront program are about more than improving a building, they’re about creating a safe, welcoming, and comfortable place where veteran women can feel at home. We’re proud to provide an environment that reflects the dignity, strength, and resilience of the women we serve,” said Beverly Novella, Director of Veteran Services.
WE GOT YOUR BACK! Our Youth and Family Tree Program recently helped local youth prepare for the new school year by providing backpacks and essential school supplies purchased through SAMHSA grant funding. The supplies were distributed to families receiving services at WestCare California. Students had the tools they needed to start the school year prepared and confident. For families who were unable to make the drive to the scheduled giveaway day, staff went the extra mile (literally) by personally delivering backpacks and school supplies directly to their schools. On behalf of everyone at WestCare, we wish students the best school year filled with success and core memories!
TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT ON LIVE TV On July 29, WestCare California leadership appeared LIVE on KSEE 24’s Central Valley Today as part of a segment highlighting organizations that are members of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Senior Vice President Jenny Gonzalez joined Director of Media and Public Relations Ciana Torres and Communications Coordinator Ximena Ramos for the interview. The team had the opportunity to share more about WestCare California, its service domains, and the work being done to uplift the human spirit throughout the Central Valley. The LIVE television appearance provided a spotlight for WestCare California’s presence in the community and its continued partnership with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.
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Uplifting the Human Spirit
Welcome to the team!
A special welcome goes out to all our new staff members joining us across the state, from Chico to San Diego. You are valuable! Your passion and commitment will make a huge impact in our communities and in turn make our WestCare team stronger. We are thrilled to have all of you on board as we continue to serve, empower, and Uplift the Human Spirit. Fresno Nason Vallejo Estrada Pedro Valdez Grimaldo Elena Hernandez Francisco Martinez
N. Highlands Christopher Parick De’Jena Phoenix
Fresno Alyssa Wagner Stockton Elizabeth Alvarez Jena Dizon
Bakersfield Arthur Gutierrez Jeffery Small
San Diego Carlos Jimenez
STAFF HIGHLIGHT: JOLIN BORJA-HERNANDEZ Jolin Borja-Hernandez, Outreach Specialist with the SSPG Fox Program in Merced, has been making a meaningful impact through her dedication to connecting Veterans with WestCare’s services. Over the past several months, Jolin has worked tirelessly to spread awareness of San Joaquin Valley Veterans, A Project of WestCare California. She is helping bring more Veterans through the program’s doors. According to Program Coordinator, Manuel Inacio, we’ve seen a 50% increase in enrollments since April, in both Merced and Stockton since hiring Outreach Specialists to the team. Jolin’s consistent outreach and commitment to building connections have played an important role in increasing participation. According to Merced staff, group socials are having a stronger turnout as well. Thank you, Jolin, for your continued dedication to serving Veterans!
“I AM STILL SOBER” : A CLIENT TESTIMONY We recently received a testimony from a former client named Charolette. Her words have inspired us and we hope that by reading this, you will see that even the mundane can have a positive, lasting impact on a person. Charolette said when she first arrived at the MLK facility in Fresno she felt an instant kindness from staff. She knew it would be a place for her to “get her head on straight.” At MLK, our well-known Treatment & Rehabilitation site, she learned how to stay sober through classes and one-on-one sessions with her counselor. Group sessions were especially impactful because previously she had no family near and all her friends were addicted to substances. Charolette was with WestCare for less than a year, which was enough time for her to build stability for herself. It was the mundane and consistency that saved her. Today, she is still sober. She is a Substance Abuse Disorder Counselor herself, dedicated to helping other women with their sobriety journey. We are so proud of Charolette and many like her who have used our services!
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Uplifting the Human Spirit
A YEAR AGO September
2025
MEETING YOU WHERE YOU ARE Our STOP Area 3 program participated in the annual Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) Overdose Awareness Carnival, an event focused on raising awareness about overdose prevention, recovery, and available support services for those incarcerated. Team members spoke with attendees about STOP, answered questions, and highlighted how WestCare California can support individuals as they prepare for reentry into their communities. This is a multi-day annual event that our team is happy to be a part of. This year, they will be in attendance on September 2nd, 10th, and 11th. Through outreach and education, the STOP team continues to meet people where they are, connecting them with the resources and support they need for recovery, stability, and successful reentry while helping to Uplift the Human Spirit.
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? The Living Room, a Project of WestCare California is hosting a lunch fundraiser on Friday, September 25th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. For $15 you will receive a pulled pork sandwich with a side of macaroni and cheese and coleslaw, plus a dessert! All funds go straight to supporting the services at The Living Room. We’re “pulling together” for a cause! Pick up is at 1850 N. Gateway Blvd. Fresno, CA 93727. Orders of four plates or more can be delivered within the Fresno and Clovis area. Don’t miss out, reserve your plate today by scanning the link below. Price increases to $18 on Friday, September 25th.
UPCOMING EVENTS SEPT 26
SOBERSTOCK Join us at Soberstock, a celebration of recovery, hosted by CP4R. WestCare is a proud sponsor and will have booths at the event.This is a free event from 8 AM - 3PM at the Downtown Water Tower (Corner of Fresno & N St.)
Continue the journey online!
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OCT 3
WINGS SPIRIT GALA Our 3rd annual Spirit Gala benefits Wings Advocacy Fresno, a Project of WestCare California. This year, it will take place at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District and features the presentation of our Spirit Awards.
NOV 7
FRESNO AIDS WALK Location: Woodward Park. It’s more than a 5K. It’s a celebration of life and memorial for those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS Registration is $25.
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