Introducing our New Executive Director Pamela

Fall 2014
Inside This Issue:
A Word from the Executive
Director Pamela Austin,
MSW……………………Page 1
New Beginnings:
A Client Journey………...Page 1
Fundraiser Highlights Gary’s
Fabulous 50s Event……. Page 2
Happy Retirement Yolanda
Hernandez…..…………..Page 2
Community Contribution
Programs………………...Page 3
Giving From the Heart….Page 3
Back to School Success…Page 3
Donation Coupon……….Page 4
Board of Directors:
Officers
Christine Ellis, President
Mark Phillipi, Vice President
Kwan Lee, Treasurer
Laura Fox, Secretary
Introducing our New Executive Director
Pamela Austin, MSW, CFGD
Pamela is excited to take the helm of The Gary Center as she, and her
staff, guide it through a period of growth and reorganization. Expanding the
Behavioral Health program and increasing both outreach and collaboration with
the Center’s local community partners has been successful. “The future looks
bright. We have clients throughout Orange County and in parts of LA County
as well, and we want our programs and strategic planning to reflect this broader perspective. The reality
is that The Gary Center is not only a La Habra agency, but an Orange County agency, which happens to
have its roots and main office in the City of La Habra.”
She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, with an emphasis
on Community Organizing, Policy and Administration (COPA), with a sub-concentration in Public Child
Welfare. She received a BA in Cognitive Psychology from University of California, Irvine and is a
Certified Focus Group Director (CFGD) through the Greely Institute of Colorado. Pamela is also an
ASW, having achieved over half her clinical hours towards her LCSW.
Pamela previously served as the Clinical Director for Behavioral Health with the Wiley Center, in
Riverside County and was the founding CEO of the Orange County Health Needs Assessment (OCHNA)
serving for 15 years. Prior to that, she was a Senior Manager with the consulting firm of DMG, in the
Bay Area and was one of the first authors of the Orange County Annual Report on the Condition of
Children.
In recognition for her achievements and contribution to improving the quality of health in Orange
County, Pamela was awarded the 1999 Health Award, by the Orange County Chapter of 100 Black Men.
She has served on the Board for the Ray of Life Foundation, United Way’s strategic planning team and
the OC Health Safety Net Coalition and is a contributing author for the new public health text book:
Collaboration Across the Disciplines in Health Care, Freshman, Rubino and Chassiakos; Jones and
Bartlett Publishers, 2010.
Members
Mir Ali
Cliff Espy
Janice Frates
Paula McCabe
Denise Stafford
Executive Director
Pamela Austin, MSW
Like us Facebook/TheGaryCenter
Or check out our Website @
www.garycenter.org
Susan came to the Gary Center with signs of Depression and Anxiety. In addition, Susan
presented with a history of panic attacks and trauma. At The Gary Center, she was able to
work with the therapist in being able to process and resolve some of the core conflict of her
anxiety and depression. Although Susan is still in the process of her therapy, so far she has
demonstrated a significant personal growth. Susan has been able to implement calming skills
and replace irrational self-talk. She seems so much confident in being able to confront various
problems and situations. In addition, she is now able to identify emotions and act accordingly;
this understanding has been very powerful for her. Even though, she is currently going
through hard circumstances, she is able to see those circumstances through a positive light
which is a great milestone for her. Susan came into therapy last week and said “I am no
longer a victim. I am a strong and a brave person!” As a therapist, I have been able to witness
the growth that Susan has greatly made during the course of her treatment.
(Client’s name has been changed to respect her privacy)
Gary’s Fabulous 50’s Fall Fundraiser
Throughout the year, The Gary Center hosts or is the beneficiary of several fundraisers
that provide funds for the invaluable programs that we offer to the community. Here is a
glimpse at our Fall Fundraiser event, enabling us to continue our mission.
A special thank you to our generous benefactors, Tom & Vicky Taylor, the planning committee, chaired
by Barbara Pendland-Maun, Gary’s Guild President, Vicky Taylor and auctioneer extraordinaire, and
Cindy Singer. We are very grateful to our Gold Sponsors, California
Wellness and
Shepard Bros., as well as our Bronze sponsors, Jones
& Mayers Law Offices and Vista Community Clinics.
An event of this magnitude requires the
efforts of so many and we appreciate the
members of our Board of Directors, Guild
Members and staff. All profits from this event
go directly into the programs and services we
provide to the community.
Congratulations on your retirement and recognition
Yolanda Hernandez
The Gary Center attended
The Coalition of Orange
County Community
Health Clinics' 40 &
Fabulous Anniversary
Gala. At this grand event,
one of our very own former employees was acknowledged and received an award! Yolanda
"Yoli" Hernandez has worked for The Gary Center
for over 22 years until she retired in September.
Yolanda's feistiness kept the center running and
was a well known fixture with the community. We
are grateful that she continues with the agency as a
volunteer.
Yolanda, you have been a
great asset to The Gary
Center and we will miss
you very much. We always
knew that our clients were
in good hands when they
were being helped by you
because you were patient and sensitive to their
needs. We have appreciated that quality as
well as your loyalty and willingness to accept
assignments that were often beyond your normal duties. We will miss your commitment to
excellence.
Congratulations Yoli!!!
Community Contribution Programs
The Gary Center now has other ways that you can give back to the center. Do you shop
at Ralphs and have a rewards program? How about online through Amazonsmile? Well
now when you link your Ralphs and Amazonsmile accounts to The Gary Center for
every purchase a percentage is donated to us. You may also continue to donate directly
by visiting us online or giving us a call.
Find us on Facebook or visit us at www.garycenter.org
Back To School
Thank you to the many amazing supporters who generously gave
backpacks, school supplies, and donations to The Gary Center to help our
community’s youth in need return to school prepared to learn!
Special thanks to FedEx who made the back to school season more
successful for the youth in our community.
From left to right: Spencer, FedEx Ground Driver; Corey Wells, FedEx Ground/ XSCA
Customer Pickup Coordinator;
Giving From The Heart
This year's Christmas Celebration for the Food Distribution families was quite a success!
We had over 120 children receive gifts as well as our free Food Court, offering a variety:
hot dogs, nachos, croissants, breakfast burritos, flan, cupcakes, hot chocolate and so much
more. We had many Game Booths that offered prizes as well:
Bowling, Bean Bag Toss and Face Painting.
Of course, we know that this is a collaborative event that can only happen with the cumulative
efforts of many. We'd like to thank the staff members who spearheaded the party as well as the
volunteers from Gary's Guild, La Habra High School ROTC members, LKQ Corporation, Toys
for Tots and the numerous Marines that were here to hand out the toys. And to the many vendors who generously donated their items, we are humbled by the outpouring of time, labor, energy and items that brought so much joy to the families that we serve in our community! A
great time was had by all and we sincerely thank you!!
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