Doves for Youth

By on Apr 2, 2018 in Giving, People

Yardi Oxnard teamed up with Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families to bring hope to local, at-risk youth.

About the Non-Profit

Casa Pacifica helps children overcome a broad spectrum of difficult circumstances, from abuse and neglect to complex emotional, behavioral, and family issues. Services are offered to more than 4,000 children from Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, Kern County, San Luis Obispo County and surrounding regions.

The non-profit organization is located on a rural 24-acre campus, providing a serene getaway for recovery from severe emotional, social, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Over 90 percent of the children served by the nonprofit also have alcohol and drug issue that contributed to their placement in Casa Pacifica.

Casa Pacifica youth programs include but are not limited to:

  • Short Term Adolescent Treatment and Therapy – for anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, Illicit substance use, self-harm behaviors, co-occurring disorders, depressive and bi-polar disorders.
  • Foster Care – placement for more than 1,500 children in need throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The organization provides the required 52-hour training program for parents as well as 24/7 emergency support.
  • Casa Pacifica’s Non-Public Special Education School – a WASC accredited, diploma-granting institution for youth in grades 1 – 12 who are dealing with mental health and developmental issues.
  • Transitional Youth Services – for young adults transitioning from Casa Pacifica services into adulthood. These vital services help young adults continue to prepare for the responsibilities of adulthood—including housing and employment assistance–beyond the care and guidance received through Casa Pacifica.

Yardi + Casa Pacifica

Yardi Oxnard has established a relationship with Casa Pacifica through the company’s local non-profit grant committee.

“We asked for 3-5 volunteers to be a part of the non-profit committee. Employees submitted up to two non-profit organizations they would like to donate to. After the committee reviewed the organizations, we narrowed it down to five organizations. Casa Pacifica was one of them,” explains Christen Portillo, Senior Human Resources Generalist at Yardi . She reached out to the coordinator who explained their Dove program.

The annual Dove program takes place around the winter holidays. Casa Pacifica youth were invited to write one wish (either a necessity or a want) on a small dove ornament. The ornaments adorned a tree at the Yardi office. Employees could then select a dove and purchase the gift. The committee collected gifts and Casa Pacifica picked up the gifts for the children.

Yardi employees fulfilled with wishes of about 65 local youth. Portillo was one of the  proud sponsors. It was a small act that adds an even more personal touch to the life-saving services offered through the Casa Pacifica.

“Most of these children have been affected by abuse and neglect,” says Portillo. “Through Casa Pacifica and the programs that they have designed, children can have hope and optimism for a better life.”

Yardi employees are Energized for Good! Join us by exploring ways to give hope and brighter futures through Casa Pacifica.