Jun 02, 2021
Lifeline Is a Safe Space
It's Just a Sticker, Right? The History of Safe Space Logos and How They Help Create Safety Submission by K Thomas, Project LIFE Clinical Training Manager You might remember seeing logos on the walls of schools or a sticker on the door of a community provider identifying them as a “Safe Space.” But what does that mean and why does it matter? Can a sticker or a lanyard pin really make someone a more culturally responsive staff member? The history of Safe Space images are important to understand how visible images foster safety. The origin of these images can be traced back to Nazi concentration camps as they used pink and black triangles to identify gay and lesbian prisoners. In the 1970’s, Queer activists began to reclaim these images of oppression as symbols of pride and resiliency. Today, we see the evolution of these images in LGBTQIA+ pride imagery, like rainbow flags and gender icons. At Lifeline, we understand it’s important to create safe spaces for all identities, including our LGBTQIA+ clients. That’s why we’ve created our Lifeline Safe Space logo with the help of Queer leaders in San Diego County. Our logo shows the outline of the iconic Lifeline tree, with the colors of the progressive pride flag inside to honor the lives of Black, Brown, and transgender communities. We hope that when our LGBTQIA+ clients, community members, and staff see our new logo it will be a visible reminder that at Lifeline, we train our staff on cultural humility and work towards change together.At Lifeline: We see you. We hear you. We’re here for you.
May 12, 2021
Club Crown Heights Youth Lead Neighborhood Cleanup
Lifeline Community Services partners with Mayor Sanchez & Green Oceanside forNational Campaign Mayor Esther Sanchez met with Club Crown Heights (CCH) youth in Lifeline's after-school program at Crown Heights Community Resource Center to highlight reasons why they should care about Earth Day and taking care of the planet. Each CCH youth got their own Earth Day action kits to take home and also participated in the neighborhood cleanup hosted by the Mayor, Green Oceanside and Lifeline. As part of a national campaign,Mayor Sanchezchallenged the Oceanside community to take action for the planet and be MORE sustainable. This nation-wide competition among Mayors measures the sustainable actions taken by its community members. Lifeline is proud to have our Club Crown Heights youth leading the charge! Learn More >
May 10, 2021
Recent San Diego CECO Grant Provides Youth with Sports Equipment
The San Diego County Employees Charitable Organization (CECO) recently helped provide needed sports equipment for youth in Lifeline's Club Crown Heights (CCH) after-school program. Currently, 74 youth are enrolled in CCH and will benefit from the sports equipment provided. After months of isolation due to COVID-19, sports provide a needed outlet for youth to balance their physical and mental health. The sports equipment will keep youth active, and engaged in sports they enjoy. CECO is funded by the generosity of County of San Diego employees and retirees. Lifeline thanksSan Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization for their generous donation.
Apr 21, 2021
Get to Know our LifeSpring Volunteers!
Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, our LifeSpring program at the Drop in Center is able to support the youth and young adults that stop by every day to receive services. All young adults at the drop-in center have access to case management, crisis intervention, basic needs, referrals to other supportive services, as well as food, internet access, laundry/shower facilities, recreational space, and a welcoming home-like environment. Volunteers assist staff in a variety of ways to make this possible. Administrative volunteers, like Eric (pictured above), assist with clerical tasks in the office and help prepare for audits as needed. Other volunteers include clinical interns providing therapeutic services, food bank shoppers helping with weekly food distributions (seen pictured here), unit inspection assistants accompanying staff during monthly apartment inspections, and youth advocates who provide a welcoming environment at the Drop in Center. We are currently recruiting for several of these positions, if you are interested in learning more visit us www.nclifeline.org/volunteer
Apr 14, 2021
Outdoor Outreach
Club Crown Heights YouthAdventures Outdoor Outreach Supports Youth Through Outdoor Recreation Outdoor Outreach provides youth in San Diego County the opportunity to experience outdoor recreation, environmental education, and stewardship activities who otherwise would not be able to. Lifeline took 2 trips last week with 20+ youth. Youth mountain biked in Oceanside through the San Luis Rey River Trail. From the Valley all the way to the Oceanside Harbor. (approx. 10+ miles). "It was great to see our Club Crown Heights (CCH) youth outdoors again and see them challenging themselves after social isolation. We had youth who had never ridden a bike learn and they picked it up right away, which was my highlight of the trip" says Francisco Flores, Club Crown Heights Program Manager. Read the featured article on LifeWell Blog Learn More About Youth Development >
Apr 02, 2021
Check Your Mood
Good mental health starts with you. How are you feeling? Lifeline’s HERE Now (Helping, Engaging, Reconnecting, and Educating Now) Program brings behavioral health services to local schools in response to the urgent need for teen suicide prevention programs in San Diego County. Check Your Mood Week hopes to create a safer place to learn about suicide and bullying prevention for 7th to 12th graders, parents, and school staff around North County. The partnership between Lifeline, San Diego Youth Services, and SBCS reaches 116 schools in 22 districts within San Diego County. Check Your Mood is conducted in partnership with LiveWell San Diego. Take a Mental Health Test Today! Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety are common and treatable. County. In partnership with LiveWell San Diego, visit their website for more information on "Check Your Mood."
Mar 30, 2021
Celebrating César Chávez Day
In honor of César Chávez Day, Lifeline offices will be closed to commemorate this labor movement leader’s work that has such a transformational impact on workers in California. We encourage our community partners to learn more through resources available in our blog post (Link in Bio). Lifeline continues to seek out innovative ways to build self-reliance among youth, adults, and families in our community. Educational Resources TheCésar Chávez Foundation's mission is to carry on Cesar’s life’s work of uplifting the lives of Latinos and working families by inspiring and transforming communities through social enterprises that address essential human, cultural and community needs. California Department of Education offers resources for the public to learn about the life, work and vision of César Chávez. Watch the César Chávez Documentary onAmazon Prime Watch the PBS special on Dolores Huertaa portrait of an activist icon who tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice closely with César Chávez.
Mar 25, 2021
2021 Women of Impact Awards
Lifeline's very own Alberta Saavedra(Direct of Youth Development) will be honored this month by State Assembly Member Tasha Boerner Horvath as a 2021 Woman of Impact onFriday, March 26 at 10:00 AM. Her work in the field of Domestic Violence Prevention & Intervention and incredible advocacy will be recognized in an award entitled “Impact in Advocacy.” RSVP at this linkhttp://tinyurl.com/ad76-women-of-impact This award through the California State Assembly was created byAssembly memberTashaBoernerHorvath to recognize women in the 76th District who stand out in their communities as innovators, leaders, and advocates.Nominations came from across the district, with individual submissions of women who have made significant impact to their communitiesin the areas of business/entrepreneurship, military service,education, civic engagement, advocacy, activism, health and human services, community service,arts and culture, and young leadership. In Alberta's 20+ year career at Lifeline, she has created and implemented proven domestic violence programming including intervention for both perpetrators and victims as well as expand and advocate for increased youth programing, juvenile delinquency and gang prevention strategies. She is a firm believer in the power of partnership and thankful for the collaborative effort to address domestic violence and the prevention of gang violence in our communities.
Mar 19, 2021
Support AAPI Community
Following this week's tragedy in Atlanta, Lifeline renews our commitment to amplify the voices of our AAPI colleagues, partners, and friends, and pledge to fight with them against hate. We mourn this senseless loss of life. We encourage you to tune in tonight, at 7:00 pm for a podcast and livestream featuring Oceanside Promise Board of Directors Member, World-renowned Artist and Filmmaker, Sociologist and Community Activist Dr. Thao Ha and other luminaries as they present Stop the Hate: Uplifting the Voice of our AAPI Community - Hosted by Mark Henry. Call in at 1-442-295-6095 Join Facebook Live HERE
Mar 12, 2021
Mental Health & Our Youth Podcast
Lifeline expert,Lalaine (Lala) Oliveria, LMFT, is featured on The ClassicalAcademies Podcastand shares insight and tips for parents when addressing their youth's mental health. Lalaine (Lala) Oliveria has been in the mental health field for over 15 years, with the last 5 years focused on suicide prevention. Now, more than ever, we are experiencing increased stress, grief, anxiety, and isolation. Lalaine (Lala) Oliveria is a licensed marriage and family therapist with Lifeline Community Services. She explains how shifts in normal behavior, such as withdrawal, irritability, anger, and mood changes, can be signs of depression or even precursors to suicidal ideation. Lala shares when to be concerned, how to have tough conversations, and provides recommendations such as listening to understand and validate feelings. Being a youth during this time is tough, an increase in stress, grief, trauma, isolation, and bullying through social media is prevalent. Lala explains thatparents can help their youth who may be struggling with mental health in the following ways: Start the conversation. Show you sincerely care. Listencarefully (listening to understand not to respond). Providea safe space. Being genuine. Do not being afraid to ask tough questions. Talk openly about suicide and depression. Focus yourconcern on the youth'swell-being. Usebody language to show you are present. Validate the youth'sfeelings (active listening) Ex: “I can see how that can make you feel that way.” Key warning signs for parents to be aware of in their youth may include: Changed relationships Increased irritability Withdrawl or display of sadness Themes of death or suicide in writing, social media posts, or music Lack of interest in things that they once enjoyed Loss of motivation or enthusiasm Be aware of what is normal vs. not normal for your youth. Take note of major changes in mood or behavior becausedepression is unique to the individual. Urgent warning signs may include: The youth directly expresses taking their life with an actionable plan. The youth expressing things like: "I want to sleep forever and never wake up." Giving away their possessions If a parent notices any of the urgent warning signs, do not leave your youth alone.Call 911 or PERTH, or Access or Crisis line (below). Potential triggers for youth that parents can avoid may include: Be mindful, acknowledge family history (Ex: has anyone in their family struggled with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation before?) Consider the youth’s history (Ex: have there been any recent diagnosis, instances of bullying, substance abuse, increased sense of hopelessness, etc.) LGBTQIA+ youth are 4x more at risk for suicide attempts. Ask intentional questions that are strengths-based What thoughts are you having? How often do you have these thoughts? How do you cope when you have those thoughts? How can parents take action when they are concerned about their youth? Never leave them alone. Schedule an assessment for the youthright away by their health care physician or PERTH. Explore treatment options and follow-up. For those who are uninsured, try to get connected to long-term services (there is a waitlist for some youth). Help reduce the stigma against therapy including cultural stigmas to mental health and therapy. While caring foryouth, how can adults take care of themselves? Self-care is non-negotiable Self-care is responses and actions we do for ourselves. Create daily healthy coping skills (deep breaths, meditating). Implement mindfulness and grounding techniques. Focus on yourstrengths & what nourishes you. Are you concerned about your mental health or your youth's mental health? Call the Access and Crisis Line at 1-888-724-7240 (free and available 24 hours a day) or visit nclifeline.org/here-now-teen-suicide-prevention