MODESTO BEE TELLS ABOUT SIERRA VISTA DONATIONS

A story in the November 29 edition of the Modesto Bee tells about how donations to various charities are going so far this holiday season, and included Sierra Vista in the story. To see the complete story, click on the link below.

Click here to see story

SIERRA VISTA ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

Footsteps to the Future

Sept. 16, 2004 - Doubletree Hotel

Each year Sierra Vista Child & Family Services recognizes special people and/or businesses who have been instrumental in the success of Sierra Vista.

This year, awards were given for Community Supporter, Sponsor, Donor, Volunteer, and Angel for the year 2004.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR

2004 - Kraft Foods, Modesto

2003 - Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation

SPONSOR OF THE YEAR

2004 - Reflections Cars Wash & Detail

2003 - Winton, Ireland, Strom, & Green Insurance Agency

2001 - Farmers & Merchants Bank

           County Bank

DONOR OF THE YEAR

2004 - Dennis Walden & Cathy Phipps - Gold Hills Nut

             Company

2003 - E. & J. Gallo Winery

2002 - Foster Farms

1999 - Rick Kindle, Kindle & Associates

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

2004 - Susan Quigley

2003 - Mom's Club of Modesto Central

2002 - Mary Baker

2001 - Ken Nichols and Karen Beeler

1999 - Shirley Keyser

ANGEL OF THE YEAR

2004 - Georgia Pacific

2003 - Steve Gikas

2002 - Jay Cobb/Wild Pigs

2001 - Brenda and Rich Kamper

1999 - Foster Farms

Sierra Vista Employees Honored for a Job Well Done

Sierra Vista Child & Family Services is proud to announce that two staff members have recently been honored, Gus Mendez by the Department of Probation of Stanislaus County and Fernando Granados by the MSW (Masters of Social Work) Department at CSU Stanislaus.

  Gus Mendez was honored by The Department of Probation as the Service Provider of the Year. His award was given in recognition that “Gus understands the difficulties faced by the Probation Department and the Courts in keeping Batterers enrolled in Programs. Gus goes out of his way to ensure that Probationers stay in the program. His efforts are greatly appreciated by the Courts and the Probation Department,” states Supervising Officer Sherry Huskey of the Stanislaus County Probation Department. The award was spurred by Sierra Vista's ability to provide individual services to a destitute client in crisis within 24 hours of the request by a Domestic Violence Intervention Supervising Probation Officer.

  Gus accepted the award, but clearly expressed that he shared it with his staff. “I didn't do this alone. This award represents the hard work and concerted effort of all the staff in our program, who worked together to make the operation better because it is more efficient and consequently more effective. This is a group award!”

  Fernando Granados was honored at the annual Field Supervisor Appreciation event, which is attended by field supervisors from many agencies throughout the San Joaquin Valley , as well as faculty members and graduate students. The Field Supervisor of the Year award is for his excellence in supervising interns. Chuck Floyd, PhD, LCSW and Field Coordinator of the MSW Department stated “Fernando has been a tremendous asset to the MSW Department. He is patient, accessible, and goes the extra mile for his interns. His approach to students encourages self-examination in a supportive and safe environment. We thank Sierra Vista and Fernando for sharing his talents with the MSW Department.”

  The decision for this annual award is made by the department's Field Committee, in consultation with the Social Work Student Association based on nominations made by students and faculty. Fernando enjoyed the experience with the students, saying “It is a pleasure to be a part of the professional growth of the MSW student interns.  It is important to provide a safe environment in which the students are able to explore their knowledge acquired in the classroom, therefore developing and acquiring their therapeutic skills.”

  “We share in celebrating this recognition of outstanding effort by our staff,” said Judy Kindle, Executive Director of Sierra Vista Child & Family Service s. “We know how great our staff is, and appreciate the imprimatur of others in the community. These two are, indeed, special, but at the same time are representative of the wonderful team here at Sierra Vista .”

4th Annual Hearts for Children Dinner Dance

Almost $30,000 was raised to support Sierra Vista Child & Family Services at this beautiful black-tie optional event. Over 200 people gathered at this event and enjoyed food, wine, dancing and both a silent and oral auction.

The table decorations were the talk of the evening. Jan Emerzian and her friends worked to turn a simple broom into a whimsical child centerpiece.

Christmas Party

On December 4, over 300 members of the Sierra Vista family gathered at  the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Modesto, to enjoy a dinner provided and cooked by Steve Gikas.

For several years Steve has provided dinner and presents for children who are residents of Sierra Vista Child and Family Services' group homes and those children placed with foster families through Sierra Vista. This year he expanded his generosity to include those children whose parents are on staff at Sierra Vista.

Why does he do it? "I love to cook and I love children," Steve shared. "I learned how to cook from my mother. She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends all the time. I also enjoy giving back to the community. I like the idea of providing a warm holiday meal and a gift to those who may go without. We (Golden West Nuts, Inc.) have been involved with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services for about four years now. I believe it's a great organization that helps family and children in need."

Steve is one of the founders of Golden West Nuts, Inc., one of the largest independent almond processing companies in the U.S. and is also the founder of California Nuggets in Ripon.

Modesto Bee coverage of this event:

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/7855375p-8737176c.html