[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

April 19

1880 - Pico Oil Spring Mine Section 2 patented by R.F. Baker and Edward F. Beale [story]

Single Mothers Outreach Adding Case Workers, Hours

SCVNews.com | Tuesday, Aug 4, 2015

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost at an end. Maria Clemens, our wonderful Director of Programs and Services returns from maternity leave on August 10, and I think I can speak for all our parents and staff: it can’t come too soon. We’ve missed her!

I also became a grandparent for the first time. Meet Olivia and my daughter Trisha! They live in The Netherlands, so it was very special visit we made in July.

Summertime always brings a much needed pause to catch our breath before the busy Fall season. We’ve been interviewing Masters in Social Work interns from CSUN. We are excited to announce this year we will expand our capacity with four interns, including one second year intern. We also hired Digna Yepez, our second year intern from last year. This means we can significantly grow the numbers of parents who receive individual therapy. Almost 80% of new parents joining our program are suffering from either anxiety or depression or both. We’ve had a wait list of women seeking these services. For many, this is the very first step toward becoming self-sustaining.

With the increase in case workers we will also expand our work hours. Starting in September we will be open Monday – Friday from 9:00 – 5:00 and we hope to stay open late one night per week to accommodate working single parents. We are still working out the details, so stay tuned.

August is also Dancing With Our Stars month. Our wonderful Miriam Robles will dance for Single Mothers Outreach on August 28 at the Performing Arts Center. We bought a block of tickets, so please contact our office (661-288-0117) if you would like to purchase a ticket.

We also have a few ways you can support Miriam by attending special events we’ve planned to help her reach her fundraising goal. You can find more information in the News section.

– DaAnne Smith

On July 7, a group of our single parents and their children were treated to a guided nature hike and live animal presentation at Placerita Canyon Nature Center. Our host, Ranger Frank, taught the group about local plants, insects, animals and birds, and also explained the history of the Oak of the Golden Dream. The parents and kids were treated to pizza at the end of the hike. It was a fun and educational morning for everyone!

Come cheer on the boys in blue and support

JCI Santa Clarita and Single Mothers Outreach in their Dancing With Our Stars campaigns!

For just $40 you get a game ticket and entrance into the all you can eat pavilion!

Click on the flyer for more information!

Join us at the Dancing with our Stars Event

Miriam Robles has worked hard to raise money for Single Mothers Outreach. Please join us in supporting her as she dances her heart out for SMO at the 2015 Dancing with Our Stars event where she will compete against 21 other Santa Clarita nonprofits.

SMO has an extremely limited supply of great seats available.

Donate Your Car, Boat, RV or Motorcycle

to Support Single Mothers Outreach

Single Mothers Outreach has chosen Cars 4 Causes® to process our vehicle and boat donations. Cars 4 Causes® is America’s 1st vehicle donation organization, so rest assured they have the experience necessary to get the most for our cause. Your donations will help us support single mothers and their children. When you strengthen a family you strengthen the community. You can contribute to our mission by donating your car or boat today!

Click on the picture for more information.

Gail Cosico started volunteering at Single Mothers Outreach (SMO) in October 2014. She and her family had relocated to Santa Clarita Valley from Minnesota, and she was interested in becoming more active in this community. One of her first impressions of her new city was the vast array of local news sources delivered to homes. The magazines and newspapers were especially helpful to a newcomer. She recognized the spirit of giving by our residents and was very happy to have settled in the SCV.While researching local organizations on the Internet, she found the SMO website and was immediately drawn to the cause. Being a mom is a critically important job and, even when partnering with a husband, carries immense responsibilities and critical time-management skills. She was aware of the stress that single parenting can cause having lived through the divorce of her parents. Her own children were at an independent stage and she decided she wanted to do something to help single parents with their day-to-day struggles. She had long been a stay-at-home mom and had lived in several different cities as her family had relocated for her husband’s career. She had a college education but had not been employed outside the home in many years. So, she sat down and drafted a resume and visited the SMO office to explore volunteer opportunities. She was immediately impressed with the dedication of the staff she met at SMO – a delightful group of strong and caring women who love what they do and who welcomed her help.

She worried at first that her computer skills were not on a par with today’s office workers but she got encouragement and resources at SMO that helped her quickly get up to speed. She now manages a program called Lynda.com (recently acquired by Linked-In). Lynda.com is an online education company offering thousands of video courses in software and creative and business skills. The tutorials are taught by industry experts. This program is offered free to SMO members to improve their job prospects and build confidence. It has proven to be very popular and has a waiting list for attendance. She has witnessed tremendous growth in the moms who have taken advantage of this and other SMO programs.

Gail says she feels good at the end of every day at SMO. She has learned what a generous community we have in the SCV. She shares “ In all of the cities I have lived and volunteered in, I have never seen the level of generosity I see here. Whether it’s donations of money, diapers, food or volunteering their time, this community is amazing.” She strongly encourages single parents to become a member of SMO to “ learn how your life can be transformed. Even if you are not struggling financially, there is a great opportunity to meet others and learn new ways to improve family life.”

Comment On This Story

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

Click here to cancel reply.

SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES

> NONPROFIT NEWS ARCHIVE

SCAA Announces 2024 Scholarship Award Honorees

Friday, Apr 19, 2024

The Santa Clarita Artists Association has announced the 2024 scholarship award recipients. These deserving individuals have shown excellence in their high school art education and shared their plans to continue their artistic endeavors.

FULL STORY...

June 1: Rare Warrior 24 Race Benefiting Project Sebastian

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024

Join local nonprofit Project Sebastian for an exhilarating day of racing and community support at its Rare Warrior 24 race on Saturday, June 1, at Heritage Park in the heart of Santa Clarita.

FULL STORY...

June 1: Team Dragon Eyes to Host Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival Race

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024

Team Dragon Eyes, affectionately known as TDE, is gearing up to host its highly anticipated Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival race on Saturday, June 1 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.

FULL STORY...

May 4: SCV Concert Band Presents ‘Starry Night’ at CTG

Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024

The Santa Clarita Valley Concert Band will perform a "Starry Might" concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday May 4. The concert, under the direction of Tim Durand, will be held at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.

FULL STORY...

May 18: Samuel Dixon Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser

Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024

Join the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center for their second annual Cornhole Tournament fundraiser where all proceeds will support mental health services to anyone in need.

FULL STORY...

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


May 10: Second Annual SCV Military Spouse Appreciation Event Hello Auto Group has announced its partnership with the Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative for the second annual Military Spouse Appreciation Event. This event, dedicated to honoring military spouses, will take place on Military Spouse Appreciation Day Friday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anthony Vince Nail Spa at 24250 Town Center Drive #140, Valencia, CA 91355.	SCAA Announces 2024 Scholarship Award Honorees The Santa Clarita Artists Association has announced the 2024 scholarship award recipients. These deserving individuals have shown excellence in their high school art education and shared their plans to continue their artistic endeavors.	May 16: VIA Adds County Leader to Workforce Development Speakers List The Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita is set to ignite innovation and transformation with its VIA Workforce Development Conference 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia on Thursday, May 16. Jorge Marquez, chairman of the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, has been added to the list of speakers appearing at the event. He will serve as the opening speaker at the conference.	May 5: ‘Free to Be Me Festival’ at West Creek Park The city of Santaw Clarita will host the Free To Be Me Festival for its third year at an exciting new location. On Sunday, May 5, from noon to 3 p.m., celebrate Santa Clarita’s special needs communities and their families at West Creek Park, 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354.	L.A. County Offers Help for Workers of 99 Cents Only Stores The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and its regional partners have held the first of several upcoming rapid response events to urgently connect soon-to-be laid off local workers, impacted by the recent bankruptcy and closure of dozens of local 99 Cents Only Stores, to critical workforce services.	Foster Youth Access Banking Program Available in L.A. County Youth in Los Angeles County foster care as young as 13 can open their own checking and savings accounts without an adult co-owner through the Youth Access Banking program.
April 23: City Council to Discuss Measure H Funds, Traffic Improvements The Santa Clarita City Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. The council will meet at City Hall, City Council Chambers, Items on the agenda include: Measure H funding, awarding construction contracts for traffic improvements and updating criteria for speed hump installation or removal.	April 27: Day at The Rocks Family Fun Event Visit Vasquez Rock Natural Area and Nature Center for a Day at The Rocks, a family fun event and tribal celebration of the Village of Mapipinga. A Day at The Rocks will be held Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Princess Cruises Postpones Delivery of Star Princess, Inaugural Cruises Cancelled Princess Cruises, headquartered in Valencia, and ship builder Fincantieri of Monfalcone, Italy have announced the mutual decision to postpone the delivery of the next Sphere Class ship, Star Princess.	Today in SCV History (April 19) 1880 - Pico Oil Spring Mine Section 2 patented by R.F. Baker and Edward F. Beale [story]	TMU Men’s Golf Places 2nd, Women 5th at GSAC Championships The Master's University men's golf team shot a 13-under 275 to finish second at the Golden State Athletic Conference Men's Golf Championships held at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, Ariz.	June 1: Rare Warrior 24 Race Benefiting Project Sebastian Join local nonprofit Project Sebastian for an exhilarating day of racing and community support at its Rare Warrior 24 race on Saturday, June 1, at Heritage Park in the heart of Santa Clarita.
April 27: Drug Take Back Day at SCV Sheriff’s Station Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Station deputies will be taking part in the “DEA National Drug Take Back Day,” Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in front of the SCV Sheriff’s Station, located at 26201 Golden Valley Road.	April 30: COC Hosts Nonprofit Community Resource Fair The College of the Canyons Center for Civic and Community Engagement—in collaboration with COC’s Golden Z Club—invites the community to attend the Nonprofit Community Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 30.	Lady Cougs Outslug L.A. Valley 11-3 College of the Canyons made quick work of visiting L.A. Valley College in a shortened 11-3 home victory that came on a day in which the program unveiled its newly named Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room during a pre-game dedication ceremony.	Retired Professor Continues to Mentor Aspiring TMU Scientists For aspiring scientists at The Master’s University, taking up a student research project is no small commitment.	Public Health Urges Residents to Avoid Vietnamese Hemorrhoid Cream The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents not to use a Vietnamese herbal ointment called “Cao Bôi Trĩ Cây Thầu Dầu” (Castor Oil Hemorrhoid Extract) because it contains lead and can be fatal.	State Apprenticeship Summit Connects Youth to High-Wage Opportunities State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a California Apprenticeship Summit Wednesday to raise awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and career technical education pathways that connect California’s youth to high-wage, high-growth career opportunities.
COC Names Nichole Muro, Angelo Aleman Athletes of the Week College of the Canyons student-athletes Nichole Muro (softball) and Angelo Aleman (baseball) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 8-13.	Wilk’s Sex Education Transparency Bill Clears Senate Committee California State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Wednesday his bill improving transparency between parents and schools’ sexual education curricula passed out of the Senate Education Committee.	Today in SCV History (April 18) 1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]	Metrolink to Hold Public Meetings on AV Line Capacity, Improvements The 76.6-mile-long Antelope Valley Line has the third-highest ridership in Metrolink’s system with an estimated average of 9,000 passengers daily. However, the uneven terrain and single-tracking along the line in some areas forces trains to travel at a slower speed which results in an estimated travel time of approximately one hour between Santa Clarita and Union Station.	June 1: Team Dragon Eyes to Host Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival Race Team Dragon Eyes, affectionately known as TDE, is gearing up to host its highly anticipated Fifth Annual Dragonboat Festival race on Saturday, June 1 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.	Party at the Pit Stop, City Paves Way for 20th Annual Bike to Work Challenge This year marks the 20th year that the city of Santa Clarita has been hosting the annual Bike to Work Challenge. The community is invited to celebrate by riding a bike to work the week of May 13, and stopping by a pit stop on Thursday, May 16.