NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Pizza Man Delivers!

Here are four of our Certified Peer Support Recovery Coaches wearing their PIZZAMAN tuxedos. Kaden Skillern, Jackie Sanchez, Marco Romero, and Jennifer PATINO, doing incredible work with our teens and young adults at Nate's Place!

A huge thank you to Pizza Man for donating 10 pizzas to Nate's Place!
We so appreciate this donation!

Personal Note from Co-Founder Heidi Allison

As it is National Grief Awareness Week, and the holidays can be particularly difficult for those grieving, I am sharing my own personal experience and what I've learned about grief since losing our only child, and dear son, Nate. Grief is such a complicated experience and I never thought I could survive the loss of Nate... I really didn't think I would survive. It is a pain that resonates so deep in the soul. That being said, I have learned a few things that have helped us navigate this experience since our son passed in January 2022. Not to say that this would help others like it has helped us, but I thought it would be worth sharing:

• Realize that grief comes and goes, ebbs and flows, and you are never fully "over it" or fully done grieving. It softens a bit each year and it becomes easier to deal with over time, but it is always there and that is okay. It is SO important to let yourself cry and express whatever feelings you have.
• A good support system goes a long way. Having people you can talk to, friends, family or a group is so essential. As grief often hits you when you least expect it. Having support through non-judgmental friends and/or family is key. If you don't have that, then joining a grief group can help.
• Talking about the deceased person is SO HELPFUL! Sharing stories, funny memories and experiences you had with them is SO HEALING! We love to talk about Nate, especially with people who knew him!
• Finding Meaning through the Grief: starting our non-profit has been a life-saver as we feel that Nate is with us every step of the way, helping others as he did in his life. There are many other ways to find meaning, whether it is carrying on a ritual that your loved one treasured, doing an activity they loved, planting a tree in their name, and/or finding another way to keep their memory alive. Starting our non-profit to help teens and young adults also helps us focus on others who are in need and try to make a difference in their lives, which is also healing to us. Donating Nate's organs also has helped us heal.
• We will never fully understand the WHY. It is so normal to ask "why, why, why" when grieving, especially when it is a person who has died at a young age. As my mom has said to me many times, "life isn't fair" and we don't know why, at least not now. Letting go of trying to figure it out has been helpful to me.
• Spiritual Beliefs and/or Religion helps many. Many grievers find solace in their faith. I believe that we are connected to Nate spiritually and we will see him again. I also believe that he is here with us, guiding us in helping others and there have been many signs that he is here. That does help in the pain of grief, knowing that there we are still connected and will see him again.
• Remember that our deceased loved ones want us to be happy. I know that our son, Nate, who was such a fun-loving, happy person, wouldn't want us to stop living. He would want us to find the joy in life and to remember that life is a gift. So after we are done crying, we have to get back up and find the joy again in life. I feel that we owe it to Nate, as he didn't get that opportunity.

I don't know if this message helps any grievers out there; I hope it does. I know that grieving is such an individual process but this is what has helped me during the darkest time of my life. I am always available to talk if you are interested. You can reach me through Nate's Place. Hang in there and NEVER GIVE UP, as our son told so many.

Happy Holidays
Love, Heidi

Donation Celebration

Thank you so much Channel Islands Gulls for the generous donation!!! Alexa Garfunkel presented funds to Heidi that will advance our programs and initatives to bring positive change to those we serve.

We added another van!

Demand for help is quickly rising. So is the need to provide transportation to and from our facilities. Your generous giving gets participants the help they seek.

Rising stars!

We are so proud to see three of our inspiring staff working on Master of Social Work degrees. John Herrera Senior Peer Recovery Coach, Peter Tussey intern from CSULA and Jennifer Patino Peer Support Recovery Coach. Their hard work will continue to be a benefit to many for years to come.

Participants sharing awareness for Suicide Prevention Month

Affirmations were created by participants. With assistance from Nate's Place coaches, posted them around Oxnard and Port Hueneme. The goal is to lift people's spirits to Never Give Up!

Our Summer Outdoors Program is Back!

Starting this June, we will resume our exciting outdoor excursions. Surfing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and fishing are popular activities returning from last year. This year, we’re also expanding our offerings to include sports, fitness challenges, job readiness workshops, tours of the local community colleges and other activities and excursions!

Call our office for information to enroll. (805) 628-2552.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental health is critically important to everyone, everywhere. We are taking this time to encourage everyone to do a mental health checkup with the following activities:

• Have conversations with friends and family about their struggles.
• Identify areas you may need help with such as stress management, difficult emotions and challenging situations.
• Start doing things to become a better you.

With the right care, we can all thrive, improve our well-being, achieve stable mental health and lead meaningful lives.

Thank you Oxnard Shores Mobile Home Park Community for hosting a fabulous art show and concert to benefit Nate's Place.

Over $1,700 was raised to help provide services to teens and young adults in need.

Music was performed by Gail and Bill Lennon and was joined by local guitarist Robert Oriol for an eccentric mix of blues, swing and 60’s music in what was a great show! The Lennons have been praised by Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, Glen Campbell, Roger Waters and many others for their musical talent.