Phoenix House » California

Phoenix House’s 7th Annual Triumph for Teens Gala, April 20th

batkins — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:44:34 +0000

We are excited to announce this year’s honorees Zev Yaroslavsky, LA County Supervisor, 3rd District, and the cast and producers of Fox’s “Bones,” for the upcoming Triumph For Teens Awards Gala on April 20th.

Our annual event celebrates the victories of young people over substance abuse and honors entertainment and business leaders for inspiring them to make positive life decisions. Join us as we recognize these teens who have learned the lessons of honesty, responsibility, and concern for others on their road to recovery.

Proceeds will benefit our residential treatment centers, family therapy, and prevention programs in California. To purchase tickets to the event and for more information about our special sponsorship packages, click here or contact Stephanie Horsley at 310-880-0270 or t4t@phoenixhouse.org.

Register Here!

Good News for Kids Gala Benefits Phoenix House

batkins — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:10:58 +0000

On Thursday, November 19, 2009, Phoenix Academy Orange County was one of the beneficiaries of the Good News for Kids Gala, an inspirational and entertaining evening of music, dance, and celebration held each year in Anaheim, CA Becky Baeling, Billboard recording artist with a passion for those less fortunate and a dear friend of Phoenix House, was the featured honoree. The benefit supported Phoenix House and other worthy causes in Southern California.

The event included a silent auction and a reception. Sponsors included: Golden State Foods, Grubb & Ellis, Property Solutions Worldwide, Merrill Lynch, The Orange County Register and United Stationers.

http://goodnewsforkids.org/gala/index.htm

Michelle Huneven reads from “Blame”; Co-Presented by Phoenix House and Skylight Books

batkins — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:09:09 +0000

Skylight will donate 10% of the sales of “Blame” from this event to support Phoenix House’s treatment programs in Los Angeles, which every day help hundreds of youth and adults in our community overcome the trauma of addiction and its related problems.

Sunday, November 22
Start: 4:00 PM
Location: Skylight Books, 1818 North Vermont, Los Angeles, CA

Phoenix House is delighted to co-present a reading with Michelle Huneven of her new book, “Blame,” with Skylight

Blame (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

Books located at 1818 North Vermont Avenue.By mentioning Phoenix House when purchasing the book from Skylight, 10% of the sale will be donated to support Phoenix House’s programs, which helps individuals, families, and communities rise above addiction.

In this gripping tale, Huneven charts the parameters of guilt and how a young, wisecracking intellectual becomes a shadow of her former self. Patsy MacLemoore, a boozy history professor, is helping her boyfriend, Brice, take care of his niece, Joey, whose mother is undergoing cancer treatment. But when Patsy goes on a bender and emerges from a drunken blackout in jail, she learns she’s accused of having run down a mother and daughter in her driveway. After her conviction, Patsy transforms from free spirit into a convict, and Huneven deftly underscores the bizarre trajectory Patsy’s life has taken. Huneven’s exploration of misdeeds real and imagined is humane, insightful and beautiful.

Michelle Huneven is the author of two previous novels, Round Rock and Jamesland. She has received a General Electric Foundation Award for Younger Writers and a Whiting Writers’ Award for fiction. She lives in Altadena, California.

Grace Napolitano at our Completion Ceremony for Women in California

alindsay — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:37:41 +0000

What a wonderful day! On Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Faith Community Church in Whittier, CA, 61 women celebrated their successful completion of Phoenix House treatment programs at Santa Fe Springs and Monrovia in the presence of their families, friends, our staff, and distinguished guests, including U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of the 38th Congressional District of California, Stephen Goya, Assistant Regional Administrator for Parole Region III (keynote speaker), and Yvonne Ali from SASCA Region III (guest speaker).

Rep. Grace Napolitano gave each program graduate an individual Congressional Recognition Certificate and expressed heartfelt wishes for their successful and lifelong recovery. Among those honored by Phoenix House and Congresswoman Napolitano was Suzanne Ostermann who played a special role in establishing the Santa Fe Springs and Monrovia programs 11 years ago.

Many thanks to the numerous supporters of our Women and Children’s Services in Los Angeles who were honored during the ceremony with certificates and plaques: Agent Steve Bartholomy, Parole, Pasadena; Dr. Elyse Eskridge, M.D.; Stephen Goya, Administrator for Parole Region III; Agent Dominique Hughes, Parole Pasadena; Shelly Pollard, Santa Fe Springs Parole; Monrovia Fire Department; Monrovia Library Literacy Program, Parole Region III, Pasadena; A & D Transportation; Norwalk Department of Juvenile Justice; Agent Dan Mendez, OSATS; Daniel Ramirez, OSATS; and, last but not least, U.S. Congresswoman, Grace Napolitano, who helped fund our new outpatient program for women at Santa Fe Springs.

Kara DioGuardi on the Huffington Post!

kschmier — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:47:11 +0000

On the Huffington Post’s new Impact page, our friend American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi writes about her passion for Phoenix House and her commitment to helping our kids discover the power of music through the Phoenix Rising Music Program.

Click here to read Kara’s inspiring post.

Celebrating The Recovery Month in September

batkins — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:38:47 +0000

During the month of September, Phoenix House will be participating in numerous events to support National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Take a look of some of what is planned – you are invited to join us!

September 1, 2009, 9:30 am. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Recovery Month Proclamation. Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Board Hearing Room. Los Angeles

September 2, 2009, 11 am—2 pm. Rally for Prevention and Recovery. Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, outside Mall area by Hill St. Los Angeles. Sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, with participation of clients and staff from all regional programs – Phoenix Academy at Lake View Terrace, and Phoenix Houses of Venice, Monrovia, and Santa Fe Springs.

September 4, 2009, 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Recovery Month Celebration at Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles, Lake View Terrace, with awards for art projects, writing contests, and other client activities.

September 9, 2009 – 11 am – 2 pm. Meeting of the Los Angeles Reentry Roundtable at Phoenix House, Lake View Terrace, to discuss collaborative projects pertaining to adult services.

Saturdays in August until September 11, 2009 – Fit for Recovery 7-week program at Phoenix House Orange County, co-sponsored by fitness providers and engaging about 200 participants each week in a range of fitness and wellness activities. 1207 E. Fruit Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

September 11, 2009 – 11 am-2 pm – Recovery Happens Rally for San Diego County, with a banner contest, resource fair, sobriety countdown, and live entertainment. County Administration Center West Lawn, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego CA 92101

“Fit for Recovery” in Orange County – New Program of Wellness and Exercise

batkins — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:56:47 +0000

On Saturday, August 8, Phoenix House Orange County organized a three-hour event called “Fit for Recovery” – the first in a seven-week series. Health-oriented organizations on hand to answer questions and provide information included Kaiser Permanente, LuLuLemon Athletics, 24-hour Fitness, Yoga Works, Massage Envy, Jamba Juice, Rubber Fitness Flooring, Everlasting Fitness Program, and the National Association of Sports Medicine. Over 200 people attended, including about 100 residents of Phoenix House. The events’ participants learned that a daily exercise regimen helps maintain both physical and mental health and is a crucial element in creating a sober living lifestyle. The “Fit for Recovery” community events will continue through September 2009, as a fitting celebration of the 20th annual Recovery Month.

Orange County Register, the largest daily newspaper in the area, published an extensive report about the “Fit for Recovery” event at Phoenix House in Santa Ana, with a heading “Drug rehab residents sweat to stay sober.” The online version of the report is illustrated with a 21-picture slide show.

The 17th Annual Day at the Races to Benefit Phoenix House Teen Recovery Center in Carlsbad

batkins — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:50:21 +0000

When: September 3, 2009
Place: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Star Fiddle Sky Room
Showtime: 12:00 – 5:30pm (lunch served 1:00 – 2:00pm)

Entrance, Buffet, Official Racing Program, Raffle, Silent Auction, Door Prizes, Handicapper

Benefitting: Phoenix House, La Clase Magica, Friends of Del Mar Parks

Tickets: $75 per person (checks are written to order of Children’s Fund of Greater Del Mar; Visa/Mastercard accepted)

Contact for more information/tickets/donations to silent auction: Elizabeth Urquhart at eurquhart@phoenixhouse.org or (619) 226-2663, ext.02

On September 3, 2009 the Del Mar Kiwanis Club and the Children’s Fund of Greater Del Mar is having its 17th annual Day at the Races. All proceeds go to help children, through three of the Kiwanis Club’s favorite local charities: Phoenix House (Carlsbad Teen Recovery Center), La Clase Magica and the Friends of Del Mar Parks. Those who take part will be able to enjoy a private skybox location, buffet, handicapping seminar, silent auction and raffle.
Your ticket purchase, donation of merchandise, services or cash will go directly to help children in need. Donations with a value range of $10-$49 will be used as door prizes or combined for the auction. Donations of $50 and over will be applied to the very popular Silent Auction. Each item will have the donor’s name and company announced over the Sky Box PA system and written on a description placard while the item is on display (for approximately 3 hours). Items donated for the Silent Auction will have the advantage of being announced several times to the 130 expected attendees and listed in the program.

If you’d like to come, please contact Elizabeth Urquhart at eurquhart@phoenixhouse.org or (619) 226-2663, ext.02

Physical Fitness and Aztec Dancing at the Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles In Lake View Terrace

batkins — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:29:29 +0000

Because physical fitness and regular exercise foster recovery, students at Phoenix Academy in Lake View Terrace take physical education classes that include stretching, running, strength training, team sports (soccer, football, basketball, baseball), and a variety of games. Phys Ed is offered up to four times per week for one-and-a-half-hour sessions In addition, a weight room is available for use either during the fitness classes or at other times, under staff supervision. This summer, Aztec dancing was added to the curriculum.

Andrea, our Aztec Dancing instructor, has been working extremely hard with young women in our Amethyst Unit on traditional dances of Aztec heritage. In each class, the residents go through physical conditioning which is greatly needed since the majority of these dances in the ceremonies last for hours. Some young women learn about their culture and the history of Aztec dancing; others treat the dancing as an experience and an adventure. While learning the steps and gestures of the ancient dances, the students also learn about respect, self-discipline, and mental strength. During practices and performances, the dancers support and encourage each other and they learn the value of teamwork. Community heals.Located in the foothills of San Gabriel Mountains in a suburb of Los Angeles, Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles provides up to 120 teenagers with comprehensive residential substance abuse and mental health services. Phoenix Academy is an evidence-based Modified Therapeutic Community for Adolescents; it is listed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices and is also recognized as a model program by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

West Side Story Project – Speak Up! At The Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles

batkins — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:31:18 +0000

Over the past six months, youth at Phoenix Academy of Los Angeles have participated in the West Side Story Project, a gang-prevention initiative started in Seattle and spreading to other communities throughout the country. This program aims to foster better understanding between those in law enforcement and at-risk youth with the aim of finding peaceful resolutions to conflict and preventing escalation of hostility and violence. In January 2009, Detective Kim Bogucki from the Seattle Police Department, who had originally been involved with initiating the West Side Story Project, came to Phoenix Academy to conduct “ice-breaker” and “role reversal” exercises between police from the Foothill Division of the Los Angeles Police Department and youth under probation and court supervision in treatment at Phoenix Academyof Los Angeles. Detective Bogucki asked each group difficult questions
(“Have you ever been stereotyped or discriminated?” or “Have you ever been a victim of a crime?”). Those who experienced discrimination or were victims of crime would go to the other side – to a new group that soon included both officers and youth. By seeing that they had such shared experiences, both groups came to appreciate the similarities between them. Similarly, in the “role reversal” exercises, the police officers took on the roles of the youth and the youth took on the roles of the police officers, acting out their typical roles and expectations, in such encounters as a traffic stop or a walk through a park.Since January, Phoenix Academy youth have continued the conversation with the same officers, Senior Lead Officers Larry Martinez, Adrianna Mungia and Johnny Walker, in monthly “Speak Up” meetings. The goal is for both sides to learn to treat each other with respect and to understand the difficulties and constraints that each group is facing because of their standard expectations and behaviors. In the coming months, Phoenix Academy residents will move on to other stages of the project, which includes staging the musical, West Side Story.