A Time to be Thankful

This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.

- Maya Angelou

This quote is my new mantra because even though I can't wait for 2020 to be over, I also see rays of hope and encouragement when I watch our teens involved in the programs we have provided together with the Boys & Girls Clubs:

Offering relevant and engaging activities both during their school day and afterward;
Keeping teens connected with one another and the staff;
The Lovin' Oven garden, overseen by Chef Paloma, ready for winter planting with teen participation;
22 students in our current online Ready to Work course and another 8 Creekside students with in-person instruction;
Operation Bicycle doing a great business and open to more teens (we now have 3 teens getting work experience with Adrian, Tom, and Simon); and
On a personal note, I get to hug my grandsons at Thanksgiving... barring a spike in COVID-19 cases either here or in Austin!

Our community has supported Teen Services since its early origins in 1991 and helped us grow and evolve to serve teens in the Valley. The next phase of our evolution will be with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and the possibilities are endless.

While we are experiencing difficult times in so many unexpected ways, there is much to be thankful for. I hope that you find joy in the beauty of Autumn in Sonoma Valley.

In Kindness,

THANKING SOME LONG-TIME FRIENDS

Three years ago, we initiated a TSS Champion Award presented at Cowboy Cab to those members of the community who guide, support, and inspire Teen Services to help Sonoma Valley teens. They are our Forever Friends as they are always there for us. Our 2018 Champions were Chuck and Cathy Williamson and our 2019 recipient was Sonoma Raceway. Had we all gathered last June as planned, that award would have been shared among three super champs, each of whom has volunteered their time and expertise above and beyond expectations. We are extremely grateful to our 2020 TSS Champions!

Steve Cohen

Described as a veteran North Bay restaurateur, chef and instructor, Steve has always focused on developing the next generation of culinary workers - a perfect niche for someone with kitchen talents plus a huge heart and even bigger smile. Steve's history with TSS goes back to 2003 and Operation Youth. He helped Teen Services begin our vocational training program by offering California Safe Food Handling Certification and Knife Skills classes and sharing the art of fine dining service with our Lovin' Oven teens. An extraordinary mentor to teens, he managed to make hard work fun and laughter was a key ingredient in the kitchen. Steve always stepped in whenever and wherever he was needed and all benefited.

Amy Hunsberger

Amy has a serious day job and a serious after-hours cookie hobby. By day, she is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and advises the agency that oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs. When she isn't working, chances are you'll find her baking and decorating cookies with rainbows of icing and spreading cookie joy and volunteering at TSS. During our No Name Café days, Amy joined the Lovin' Oven teens once a month to coach them in cookie projects for sale at the café. She continues to help us for special occasions and has taught many a smiling teen and nervous volunteer how to squeeze out that icing and add some flair to her yummy cookies.

Tom Sours

Tom began volunteering at Operation Bicycle in 2017. As an engineer, he has always loved working on mechanical things and wanted to learn more about bike repair. OB was the perfect solution. He describes Adrian as a great teacher and an interesting guy to be around, but it works both ways. Not only has he become a skilled bike mechanic, he is both patient and inspirational to the teens he is mentoring. Tom has truly become part of our TSS family. He participates in staff professional development sessions to learn more about the teens he works with and even puts his skills to work decorating cookies with Amy and the Lovin' Oven teens. And talk about interesting... ask him about his love of blue grass!

Congratulations to our 2020 Teen Services Champions!!

OTHER NEWS AT TEEN SERVICES

Pick up a check and win an award!

On Sunday, October 25th, Chef Paloma picked up our check at the 2020 Jack London Yacht Club (JLYC) awards in their

Grant Drive-Through Distribution Event. To add to the celebratory atmosphere, grant recipients were encouraged to decorate their cars for the festivities and drive by the judges and JLYC Commodores Jim Burch and Ana Dominguez, who were stationed on the Jack London Saloon porch in Glen Ellen.

With cash prizes at stake, leave it to Paloma to be creative and bring along a little friend. Yep - we got 3rd place with the comment from Ana: "Your cuteness, zero-waste mode-of-transportation, and enthusiasm was not missed by our judges! (the little guy in the basket helped too)"

New teen assistant at OB

We are pleased to welcome Jacob Schepp to Operation Bicycle as our new assistant mechanic. Jacob is a Junior at Petaluma High School and lists lacrosse as his favorite hobby, but he is really enjoying his new job. "I've always wanted to learn how to work on bikes and now I get to do it!"

Adrian is equally glad to have him on board. Come on by and meet Jacob!

Volunteer opportunity

Want to add cookie decorating to your skill set? Here is your chance. On December 12th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, join Amy Hunsberger and our teens to help decorate TSS holiday cookies. To be COVID compliant, we will have LIMITED SPACES, so be sure to sign up soon to join in the fun.

If you are interested in volunteering and discovering the artistic cookie monster that lurks within, contact Casey Richter at casey@teenservicessonoma.org.

Baby Goat Therapy

At our 2019 Cowboy Cab, ten people were lucky enough to take advantage of a very special Buy-a-Spot opportunity - a visit to Redwood Hill Farms and the chance to cuddle a baby goat. Board President Judy Scotchmoor was one of those lucky ones.

Between fires, smoke, and COVID, the trip was postponed several times, but on October 4th, the group was welcomed by farm owner, Jennifer Bice who donated the tour and experience - and what an experience it was! Not only was the farm extraordinary, those goats were just what the doctor ordered for stress reduction and smiles.

Many thanks from all of us to Jennifer and the kids!

Operation Bicycle Gift Cards

Looking for the perfect gift for a bike enthusiast?

Gift cards are now available for sales or services at Operation Bicycle. Gift cards can be applied to any purchase, including service, parts, accessories, and bikes.

Just click here!

JOIN US ON OUR TEENS FIRST JOURNEY

This has been quite a year! We have had to make some quick changes during the past nine months. Remaining mission focused but COVID compliant comes with additional expenses to ensure the health and safety of our teens and staff. Please consider a thoughtful and generous donation to support Sonoma Valley teens.

Our goal is to raise $100K by December 31, 2020. Because of a generous kickoff gift and additional donations from our Board of Directors we are well on our way. Your gift matters!

Help us keep our teens smiling!