Santa Ana nonprofit celebrates youth shelter’s 10th anniversary and honors local supporters

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS’ HUNTINGTON BEACH YOUTH SHELTER CELEBRATED TEN YEARS OF GIVING MORE THAN 1,100 YOUTH A SECOND CHANCE THROUGH SHELTER SERVICES

CSP’s Huntington Beach Youth Shelter in Surf City Recognized Supporters at Annual Reception and Open House

Huntington Beach, Calif. – On June 7, Community Service Programs (CSP), a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality counseling and support services to struggling OC children and families at their greatest time of need, celebrated their 10th anniversary of re-opening the doors of the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, a short-term intervention “safe-haven” for runaway, homeless and at-risk children ages 11-17. More than 100 community members and CSP supporters proudly gathered for an open house and anniversary reception during an early evening to hear the positive impact and resources the CSP Huntington Beach Youth Shelter has provided over the years to more than 1,100 sheltered youth and their families.

CSP recognized honorees for their notable involvement and support of CSP’s Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, including:

• NuVision Federal Credit Union received the “Outstanding Service Award” for ten years of ongoing work and dedication in helping support the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. NuVision not only supports CSP’s fundraising events, but they have also donated hundreds of backpacks stuffed with school supplies and other treats for the youth housed at the shelter and in CSP’s outreach programs.
• Chief Robert Handy, Huntington Beach Police Department and a Huntington Beach resident,received the “Distinguished Partner Award” for the collaborative work and dedication he has shown in support of the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter and serving children in crisis.
• Car Pros KIA Huntington Beach received the “Philanthropist Award” in recognition for their continued financial support, totaling over $50,000, and their commitment to helping Huntington Beach Youth Shelter youth in crisis over the last five years.
• Alexandra Woravka, a Huntington Beach resident, received the “Unsung Hero Award” for exemplifying a spirit of volunteerism and commitment. Since 2014, Woravka has taken on the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter as her very own, contributing to fundraising events and making sure the shelter is fully equipped with everything that is needed. Woravka also connects with the kids by sponsoring “choose your own menu Friday”. These Fridays have been renamed to “Yaya Fridays” after the shelter’s very own Yaya, Alexandra.
• Elaine Tjalsma received the “Inspiration Award” to celebrate her long-term commitment and contributions to the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. Tjalma brings her therapy dog, Jackson, to visit youth at the shelter on Saturdays. Their visits have a great therapeutic and healing effect on the residents, who are learning to connect with their emotions in healthy ways.
• Mary Louise Shattuck, a Huntington Beach resident, received the “Legacy Award” for her work with Elsa Greenfield, program director of Community Service Programs’ Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. Shattuck campaigned to reopen the doors of the shelter in 2006 and mobilized the community to equip the shelter with needed supplies.
• Steve Engel, a Huntington Beach resident, received the “Stand By Me Award” for “standing by” the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter for the last ten years. Ten years ago, Steve advocated for CSP to be awarded the contract for the house. He has also supported the shelter’s fundraising efforts by endorsing the shelter and encouraging his employer, The Boeing Company, to join in his support.

During the presentations, the I Heart the Shelter “Change for Change” 2016 Hero was introduced. This year, the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter recognized Hector Valdez for mobilizing many community groups to raise $30,000 for the I Heart the Shelter “Change for Change” campaign.

Also at the event, youth at the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter visually displayed the culmination of the I Heart the Shelter “Change for Change” drive by spreading thousands of dollars in change collected in the community and throughout the shelter grounds.

Community Service Programs’ (CSP) Huntington Beach Youth Shelter is an emergency crisis and intervention program for children ages 11 to 17, which provides emergency shelter to homeless, runaway, abused and struggling youth and focuses on reuniting children with their families and helping them find lasting solutions to very complex problems. The Youth Shelter’s program aims to achieve the following goals: family strengthening and reunification, homeless prevention, diversion of at-risk youth from the juvenile justice system, and school drop-out prevention. In addition to providing youth with a safe haven and protection from the dangers of the streets, the shelter also provides youth and their families with professional comprehensive services including outreach and prevention. This event will honor those who have made a positive impact on the shelter, and helped to raise much-needed funds to continue the program. In the past the annual anniversary celebration has raised over $20,000.

Since opening its doors ten years ago this June, the CSP Huntington Beach Youth Shelter has helped over 1,100 homeless, runaway and struggling Orange County youth, most who are trying to cope with issues kids should never face, such as early-childhood trauma, along with their families. The trained staff has an excellent success rate of reuniting children with their families, over 90 percent, by finding solutions to their very complex problems.

The CSP Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, along with the CSP Laguna Beach Youth Shelter, is not just a place to stay, as they provide a place for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth 24/7, 365 days a year.

For more information on Community Service Programs and its Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, please visit www.cspinc.org.

About Community Service Programs

Community Service Programs (CSP) is a nonprofit agency committed to serving children, adults and families living in Orange County. CSP’s model programs assist over 100,000 community members annually, including abused children, struggling families, victims of crime, and those in need of mediation services. For more information on CSP and its programs, visit www.cspinc.org.