Volume 2022 | # 1

Message from the Executive Director

Welcome to 2022. New year, new you, etc. Each new year is a fresh start on the calendar, full of hope and potential. It is the perfect time to connect with friends and family, a time to look back over last year and reflect on the people who have impacted our lives in a positive way. It is also a time to give yourself a pat on the back for making it through the past two years. To be here today, still standing and functioning to the best of your capacity is an achievement in and of itself.

The last two years will surely go down in history books. It’s hard to comprehend how much we went through as a global community in the space of 24 months: wild fires, a pandemic, national lockdowns and curfews, protests for Black rights and the Blue line, job losses, food shortages and for many, the loss of a loved one.

As we move into this fresh, new year full of potential, it is easy to want to move on and forget the last two years and all that they’ve been, but despite the pain and distress there is so much we need to hold onto and take with us into 2022. 2020 and 2021 were full of lessons; we learned how to adapt and change, and we learned how flexible and creative we can be when faced with challenges and limitations. If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that 2022 needs to be different. It is up to us and our choices going forward from this moment.

One way to make a positive change is to find more pleasure and joy every day. Play that song you love so much on repeat; seek out your favorite barrister, sommelier, writer or restaurant; keep something emotionally resonant where you spend the most time like a picture, a book, or a treasured find; read or watch or participate in something that takes your breath away; spend time outside every day; pet a dog or a cat; smile - facial feedback tricks your brain into thinking you are happy even if you’re having a difficult day; and give - your time, a helping hand, a smile, a hug - when we act generously, we feel joyful.

So reader, as you move into the new year, go ahead, indulge yourself! Top your cone with another scoop of ice cream and be ready to make 2022 a year of action. Action to make your world more joyful.

Wishing you a year full of love, laughter, light & positive change.

Sher DeWeese

TIP SPOTLIGHT | Volunteer Makenna

How did you hear about TIP?

I heard about TIP when Dana came to my criminal justice class and spoke about the program. I talked to my mom since it was something that interested me and my mom told me she had been a volunteer for a few years before I was born!

What made you want to be a volunteer?

I wanted to be a volunteer because I have always had an interest in the criminal justice field. Growing up my mom was a medical examiner and my dad was a police officer. Due to this upbringing, I developed an avid interest in this field at an early age. As soon as I turned 16 and was eligible to become a volunteer, I signed up for the first available training academy!

What would you say your experience has been like being a TIP volunteer?

Personally, there is no greater feeling than making somebody's life just a little bit easier, especially on one of the worst days of their life. Being so young, I look at this program as one of the best ways to gain real life experience. This opportunity has taught me to be mature in professional settings and quick thinking in stressful times. I am able to provide resources to my clients and create an environment where we can navigate through the situation together.

What would you say to other teenagers to encourage them to become a TIP volunteer?

Not only is this program flexible towards everyday life, but it also introduces you to foundational concepts of empathy and maturity. The amount of responsibility that is presented on a call will introduce you to the principles of adult life. After being in this program, I feel I have a much more advanced grasp of adulthood compared to others my age. Thus, if you have ever been interested in pursuing a career in the criminal justice field, this is definitely an impressive first step!

What are your plans after you graduate from high school?

After I graduate high school, I plan on attending a 4-year university in California and majoring in social work!

What are a few of your favorite things you do in your free time?

In my free time I love to make jewelry! I have an Etsy shop where I sell earrings and rings with locally sourced crystals. I also enjoy driving by the beach and watching the sunset. I love to be creative and personally I find making art is one of the most peaceful ways to express that creativity.

Tell us a little about your family...

I have two older sisters and a dog named Pepper! Most of my family lives in San Diego County but I also have cousins in New York, Idaho, and Arizona.

We are so fortunate to have Makenna on our team!

Thank you for sharing with us!