Blog
Building Strong Social Connections: The Role of Parents and Caregivers
by Talitha Agan
Social connection is like the glue that holds society together; it's crucial for personal and community well-being. When we talk about social connection, we mean the different ways people form emotional, behavioral, and physical bonds with others. The influence of parents, caregivers, and the communities we live in plays a significant role in shaping individuals. This blog explores how parents and caregivers play a vital role in nurturing strong social bonds for a healthier society.
The Unseen Faces of Our Community: My Second Point in Time Count Experience
by Talitha Agan
On the morning of January 25, 2024, as many were still snug in bed, I teamed up with a group of volunteers fanning out on the streets of Turlock, California for the Point in Time Count. This yearly event in Stanislaus County in the last week of January aims to grasp and assist those experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that communities getting federal funds from the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program carry out a thorough count of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals. Accurate counts are crucial for understanding the extent of homelessness, guiding policymakers and program administrators in monitoring progress toward the aim of eradicating homelessness. Locally, the count helps customize services to address the unique needs of our county, evaluate our efforts in reducing homelessness, and identify areas where our strategies can be enhanced.
Building Strong Social Connections:
The Role of Individuals
It's important to understand just how crucial social connection is and how widespread loneliness has become. Our relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors are the building blocks of social bonds, and that connection extends beyond just those close relationships. Social interactions are everywhere—in our digital spaces, schools, workplaces, and communities. It's what gives life to our relationships, making them meaningful and impactful. It plays a big role in our well-being, community stability, adaptability, and prosperity.
Empowering Change: Focus on Prevention and Affordable Housing in Stanislaus County
by Talitha Agan
Hosting a successful event is no small feat, and as the Program Manager for Focus on Prevention, I had the privilege of being part of the collective effort to address affordable housing concerns in Stanislaus County. The 12th Annual San Joaquin Valley Affordable Housing Summit, held on September 14, 2023, hosted and organized by the San Joaquin Valley Housing Collaborative, brought together diverse stakeholders to explore innovative solutions and create a more equitable future for our region.
Bringing Neighbors Together: Seasonal Party Ideas to Foster Social Connection
by Talitha Agan
Social connection is the heartbeat that keeps our communities and neighborhoods safe, thriving, and healthy. At Focus on Prevention, we believe that fostering connections, cultivating happy interactions, and nurturing safer neighborhoods isn't just a noble cause but an essential element that shapes our lives. We understand that social connectedness isn't merely a feel-good factor, but is critical to our well-being and health.
Going Beyond Child Protective Services: Social Workers in Stanislaus County Bridge the Gap for Our Foster Youth
by Talitha Agan
In Stanislaus County, social workers in the Adult, Child and Family Services Department play a vital role in the AB12 Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program. The AB12 EFC Program serves foster youth who turn 18 while still in foster care. Due to circumstances beyond their control, many foster youth lack a stable home and family life. For many, once they age out of foster care and are no longer eligible for state support, they are often left to fend for themselves.
My Experience on a CHAT Ride Along
by Talitha Agan
I was recently given the amazing opportunity to partake in a ride along with the Community Health and Assessment Team (CHAT) of the Modesto Police Department (MPD). This program was created to use trained outreach specialists to respond to qualifying 911 calls for mental health crises and similar non-criminal, non-violent incidents. An important mission of CHAT is to provide a bridge between law enforcement and community services when interacting with homeless individuals. On that chilly morning of my ride along in Modesto, CHAT braved more than just the cold temperature. The elements were not on their side as they ventured out in an almost unbearable wind chill and intermittent rain. Despite these trying circumstances, CHAT was ready to make an impact.
Get to Know Your Neighbors: A Guide for Stanislaus County
by Talitha Agan
As a county, we all know that Stanislaus is made up of some wonderful communities and neighborhoods. We love our towns and cities, but one thing that many of us struggle with is feeling connected to our neighbors. It can be hard to know your neighbor, especially when you don’t even know their names. Let’s break down some simple ways to start connecting with your neighborhood.
Get Involved in Local Events
Often, the best way to get involved in your local community is by attending events that are hosted in the area. This could mean anything from farmers markets (like the one in Turlock) to concerts and art shows (like the Art Walk in Modesto)—it just depends on what type of activities you enjoy doing. Additionally, if you have a specific cause that you are passionate about, there may be local events or fundraisers where you can participate and meet like-minded individuals who also care about that cause. Check out the Stanislaus County Events Calendar or the ModestoView for local community events.
Say “Hello” When You See Someone
Who knew that by simply being kind, we could make such a powerful difference in our neighborhoods? Nextdoor recently teamed up with top researchers to uncover how small acts of kindness can help reduce feelings of isolation and here is what they discovered:
- Knowing as few as six neighbors reduces the likelihood of feeling lonely and is linked to lowering depression, social anxiety, and financial concerns related to COVID-19.
- Performing small acts of kindness for neighbors reduces the likelihood of feeling lonely and socially isolated.
- Even the smallest actions, such as saying hello to a neighbor, increased neighborhood unity.
So although it may seem like a small gesture, saying hello when you see someone around town can make a huge difference in how connected you feel with your neighbors. Even if it’s just a quick wave or smile when passing by on the sidewalk, this small act of kindness will help create an atmosphere of friendliness in our neighborhoods. Plus, it can open up conversations between yourself and other people who live nearby.
Host a Potluck or BBQ
A great way to really get to know your neighbors is by hosting a potluck or BBQ at your house. Not only will this give everyone an opportunity to chat and mingle with each other while enjoying delicious food, but they may even become fast friends after spending time together. Plus, hosting an event like this gives everyone the chance to show off their personality as well as their culinary skills, perhaps the skills you picked up from Chef Emily at the Cooking Demo Booth at the Modesto Farmers Market.
There are so many benefits to getting connected with the people in your neighborhood—from having someone trustworthy who can watch over your home while you’re away to simply having another friendly face that will wave at you whenever they pass by on the street. So why not take action today? Check out Modesto Neighborhood Inc. and Love Stanislaus County Neighbors Program for some more information, and start by attending local events or saying hello when you see someone out and about; before long, you may find yourself surrounded by new friends. After all, every great neighborhood deserves great neighbors.
My Experience With the Unsheltered Point in Time Homeless Count
by Talitha Agan
In late January, I had the opportunity to volunteer my time to participate in the Unsheltered Point in Time Homeless Count in Stanislaus County. This annual event is part of a national effort to count and monitor individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night. The data collected from this count helps communities understand current trends and strategize how best to use resources to end homelessness and meet federal regulations.
During the count, I was able to speak with many people who were currently experiencing homelessness. Conducting these interviews allowed me to gain a better understanding of the challenges that these individuals are facing on a daily basis, as well as their hopes for finding stable housing. It was humbling to talk with them and recognize how much they have been through.
In addition to conducting interviews, our team also did observation counts of homeless individuals in the Turlock area. This gave us an idea of how many people were living without shelter on any given night. We also distributed comfort kits containing items such as hygiene supplies and snacks that could help make life easier for those living on the streets.
While the work was rewarding, it's important to remember that there are other ways for each of us to actively contribute to preventing homelessness and providing assistance to those in need. Prevention is the first step in helping the homeless and those in need. This can be done through our efforts as individuals. We should pay attention to those around us - our neighbors, co-workers, and any signs that someone may be having a hard time. For instance, if someone is going through a mental health crisis, wanting to use drugs, or losing their job, providing help can make all the difference in preventing homelessness. While doing rewarding work with those already experiencing homelessness provides essential support within our communities, it cannot replace the importance of being proactive for those still in need of our assistance. Prevention is key to creating lasting change and progress for those facing homelessness and poverty.
Participating in this homeless count was an invaluable experience for me because it allowed me to gain insight into what life is like for those experiencing homelessness in my community. It's important for all members of our community—both individuals and organizations alike—to get involved and help out however we can so that we can work together towards ending homelessness here in Stanislaus County. Every one of us has the potential to do something meaningful and impactful - volunteering, donating to causes that assist the homeless, or advocating for policy reform are all possible ways to meaningfully contribute. We can't let the magnitude of this challenge prevent us from taking action in our own local communities. Every small act willingly has a ripple effect and together, we can make a difference.
The City of Modesto Receives the Audrey Nelson Award!
Congratulations are in order for the city of Modesto. After a long partnership with the Center for Human Services, a local nonprofit serving youth and families in Stanislaus County, they have been awarded the prestigious Audrey Nelson Award from the National Community Development Association (NCDA). This award recognizes their efforts in developing a new Youth Navigation Center that provides shelter, housing, and comprehensive drop-in services to any youth or young adults in Stanislaus County between the ages of 13-24.
What is The Audrey Nelson Award?
The Audrey Nelson Award is given annually by NCDA to recognize outstanding community development efforts undertaken by organizations or communities that have achieved measurable outcomes for their communities. It is designed to honor an individual or organization's commitment to utilizing best practices and innovative strategies to create positive change within cities and towns nationwide.
The Impact of The Youth Navigation Center
The newly opened Youth Navigation Center provides housing, shelter, meals, case management services, counseling and various support groups—all free of charge—to those aged 13-24 who may be experiencing homelessness. Through this center, young people can access resources that can help them get back on their feet. In addition to providing these much needed resources, the center also gives youth an opportunity to build meaningful connections with other members of their community. This helps to ensure that they feel welcomed and supported as they transition into adulthood.
Why is This Such an Important Accomplishment?
This accomplishment is especially important because it highlights one city’s success story when it comes to addressing issues related to homelessness among its youth population. With poverty being one of the leading causes of homelessness in Stanislaus County, this award acknowledges not only the City's dedication to helping its most vulnerable citizens but also underscores its commitment to creating innovative solutions that will ultimately benefit everyone living in Stanislaus County.
The City of Modesto has made great strides towards addressing issues related to poverty and homelessness among its youth population with the opening of its Youth Navigation Center. As such, it is well deserving of recognition from NCDA for its hard work in partnering with local nonprofits like
The Center for Human Services. We congratulate them on this well deserved award and look forward to seeing what other positive changes they make in our community. Congratulations Modesto!