It takes a village!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

This year your donation will have an even larger impact! If you donate before December 31st, $500 will be added to every new donation and every increased donation from past donors, thanks to the generosity of Chuck and Cathy Williamson - click here .
Shopping can make a difference too - Remember to sign up for
eScrip at Lucky Markets and Amazon Smile. Select Teen Services Sonoma and your eligible purchases will provide a donation to our organization.
Teen Services Sonoma received a $9,000 grant from the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities to support our work on behalf of the young people in Sonoma County.

A LETTER FROM CRISTIN

It is difficult to believe that two months have passed since our lives were impacted by the fires that tore through our valley. I continue to hear so many stories - of losses and sadness, but also courage and kindness. This shared tragedy has deepened our connections to one another and certainly our respect for those on the front lines.

It was heartwarming to witness how our community came together to respond to those in need, and our staff and teens were extraordinary throughout. Teens, some of whom have parents who lost jobs and wages, found time to lend a helping hand either at a food distribution center or a relief fund event, or by cooking for the homeless or repairing bicycles to give away to those who lost bikes and/or vehicles in the fires.

We are proud of what TSS mobilized in response to community needs, just as we are proud of the services we provide every day and most importantly of the accomplishments of our teens. That sense of pride was reinforced as I watched the smiles of families and friends who attended the recent Ready to Work graduation celebration and applauded 15 teens who are now ready for successful employment.

I was struck by a comment made by one of the parents: "Thank you. This may be a small step, but it will make a big difference."

My thanks to all of you who continue to support our efforts in so many ways. You help make the difference.

In appreciation,

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR READY TO WORK GRADUATES!

The smiles were plentiful and with good reason as Cristin Felso, Teen Services Executive Director, welcomed teens, family members, staff, board members, and friends to celebrate the accomplishment of 15 amazing teens. The event was held Friday, November 17th at Saddles Steak House at MacArthur Place.

Over a seven-week period, despite the disruption of classes due to our tragic fires, these young people diligently participated in a series of after-school workshops to learn the skills needed for securing their first jobs. They gained self-confidence; learned about the application and hiring process, money management, and customer service; completed their first resumes; and participated in mock interviews with local business professionals.

Each graduating teen has now been assigned a personal coach and will be completing an action plan as part of the Ready to Work process. Coaches will work with their teens through the job search and placement processes and will continue to support them for the first 90 days of employment.

For the full story and more photos, click here.

TSS MICRO-BUSINESS UPDATES

Lovin' Oven

Between decorating cookies for the No Name Café (left) and baking pies for the big sale (right), the Lovin' Oven has been operating in full swing. The pie sales were a huge success (with pumpkin being the most popular), and next up teens will be teaching the adult volunteers how to decorate cookies for the holidays. There has been a significant increase in the number of teens working for the Lovin' Oven.

No Name Café

The No Name Café continued to be a popular gathering place for Sonoma Valley High students; plus Algebra teacher, Ruben Escamilla, offered after-school tutoring at the café on Tuesdays and Thursdays for any student needing help in math. Due to TSS staff changes, the café will be closed during the month of December, but will re-open in the new year with new faces, new teen employees, and a few food surprises!

Operation Bicycle

Operation Bicycle not only donated 12 free bicycles to those who lost bikes in the fire, but their mobile repair shop has expanded as well. Besides offering weekly service for clients of Sonoma Overnight Support, Adrian Palenchar and his teen crew set up a temporary shop at Sonoma United Methodist Church last month. Community members were encouraged to bring in their bikes for a tune-up to support Teen Services Sonoma.

NEW FACES AT TEEN SERVICES SONOMA

Norma Martinez, Teen Center Coordinator

Norma was born in Mexico and moved to Sonoma at the age of four. She attended Sonoma Valley High where she was involved with many programs including Teen Services, AVID ( Advancement Via Individual Determination), Hispanic Honorary Society, Soccer, Key Club, and more. After completing the Ready to Work program, she served as a Lovin' Oven employee and volunteered at TSS whenever she was not working. She graduated with Honors in 2017 and is now attending Sonoma State University. She was the 2017 recipient of the $500 John Randall scholarship from Teen Services to help with college expenses. Norma is pursuing a double-major in Psychology and Spanish. Because she benefitted so much from Teen Services, she loves having the opportunity to give back and especially enjoys the chance to interact with teens at the center.

Harrison Mantas, No Name Café Coordinator

Harrison was born in Philadelphia, PA, but grew up in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts. It was there at the age of 12 that he entered the nonprofit world, first volunteering and then working at his local Art House Movie Theatre. Harrison went on to study film production in Los Angeles and to work in television. Harrison comes to Teen Services after having worked and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. He is excited for the opportunity to work with young people and to put his experiences as a volunteer manager to good use with Teen Services.

Kathy Pappas, Lovin' Oven Coordinator

Kathy was born and raised in San Francisco and has lived in Sonoma for the last 26 years. Her work career began as a fashion merchandise buyer, but she soon turned to her real love - cooking. She worked as a personal chef and then started her own small catering business called Party In Style in 2004. She returned to school and enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at Santa Rosa Junior College to hone her skills and in 2012 became a Food Service Specialist for the United States Coast Guard in Petaluma. Kathy's hospitality career began in 2014 with a successful Bed and Breakfast Inn, acting as both manager and lead breakfast chef. She has worked many events including chef demonstrations for the Marin Sonoma Fair, the Harvest Festival and a television shoot for Dinner Impossible on the Food Network.

We are sorry to lose Gabby Petersen as our Teen Center Coordinator, but are excited for her as she begins her new job as HR Assistant for the City of Napa. Happily, she has already volunteered to continue with our Girls' Club, so her smiles and energy will still be with us!

OTHER NEWS AT TSS

Teen Volunteer Corps

A somewhat unexpected outcome from the October fires should have been obvious... teens want to help. As a result, Teen Services Sonoma has initiated a Teen Volunteer Corps to identify areas where our teens can give back to the community where they are needed - now and in the future. Volunteer Manager, Francesca Fifis, is working with Danielle Lovejoy with the AVID program at Sonoma Valley High School to let teens know about a variety of volunteer opportunities. If you need volunteers or would like to help with this effort, please contact Francesca -

francesca@teenservicessonoma.org.

Heart Necklaces

Teens at Teen Services Sonoma are helping raise money for the Fire Relief Fund by making SONOMA STRONG jewelry. Not only are they creating the heart necklaces, they are also assisting with marketing and sales. "The stone heart necklace with a grape charm attached is the perfect symbol for Sonoma Strong ", says designer Marcie Waldron. "The teens wanted to help with the fire relief effort, so are donating their time and talent to help with this project."

More than $2,500 has already been raised for the fund which supports local first responders who lost their homes in the fires. The necklaces will be available at various locations and events around town through December 24th. If you have a place to sell SONOMA STRONG HEARTS, please contact Marcie Waldron (designer) marcieStars@sbcglobal.net or Robin Briskin (sales) robinbriskin@gmail.com .

Cristin accepts the North Bay Leadership Award

Teen Services staff and friends joined Cristin in Santa Rosa last month to accept the North Bay Leadership award for "Empowering the Latino Community."

To read the full story and enjoy the informative video, click here .

Please remember: This year your donation will have an even larger impact! $500 will be added to every new donation and every increased donation from past donors, thanks to the generosity of the Chuck and Cathy Williamson if you donate before December 31 st - click here.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

Individuals
Angela Ryan

Anina Fullet

Annette Lomont

Art & Sandy Fichtenberg

Barry & Ali Ansell

Beth Hadley

Cameron McKinley

Carol Marcus

Chuck & Cathy Williamson

Cynthia Scarborough

David Daniel & his staff

Deborah Olinger

Doug Hanford

Doug Mo & Dr. Marcia Charles-Mo

Ed & Jan Davis

Elisa E. Stancil

Eugene & Loranna Campagna

Francesca Fifis

Gary & Elsa Nelson

James & Jill Kamahele

Janet Engelbrecht

Jean Hopeman Chambers

Jerry & Margo Estruth

John & Sara Donnelly

Jon Randall

Judy Scotchmoor & Roland Gangloff

Kathyrn Perry

Madolyn Agrimonti

Marcie Waldron

Mark Terry

Natalie Kuldell

Ray & Denise Silver

Richard Nowlin

Roger & Kay Rose Heigel

Ronald & Audrey Chapman

Ruthmary Schauer

Sandy Drew

Sherman & Louise Bielfelt

Simon Williams

Steve Cohen

Susan Baldwin

Susanne Grace Spitzer

Tim Boeve

Wayne Schake

Organizations and Businesses

Angora Ridge Foundation

Boden Plumbing, Heating & Air, Inc.

Ceres Project

Community Foundation Sonoma

First Congregational Church of Sonoma

Harvest Home & American Leather

Matthews Schellville Grill

Northern Pacific Corporation

North Bay Leadership Council

Optima Building Services

Saddles Steakhouse at MacArthur Place

Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities

Sonoma United Methodist Women

Sonoma United Methodist Church

Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley

Talbot & Riley Family Fund

Winter Family Fund

THANK YOU TO OUR PIE MAKERS:

Adrian Palenchar

Alondra Perez

Carmen Lopez

Chris Argenziano

Deb Kweller

Donna Dambach

Elsa Nelson

Erica Lee

Glenn Arsenault

Holly Lee

Isamar Botello

Jairo Zuniga

Jeanne Montague

Joelynn Lee

Judy Scotchmoor

Karen Torres

Kim Schuh

Laurie Friedman

Lisa Liff

Lorraine Ashton

Marfney Malik

Marguerite LaDue

Merlise Wan

Norma Martinez

Pam Olson

Patricia Grillos

Pat Meier-Johnson

Rayne Dessayer

Ruth Fatouhi

Sammie Pencil

Sandy Puliod

Silvia Flores

Stephanie Stubbs

Steve Cohen

Susan Baldwin

Susan Tam

Will Liff

See what's happening on our social sites:

(707) 939-1452 | teenservicessonoma.org

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