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Program connects people, sevices
BY HEATHER YOUNG
Two weeks ago the Community LINK, a non-profit that assists students’ success in school and life, moved to a location amongst the population it serves.
The non-profit is now located between Atascadero Junior High School (AJHS) and Atascadero Fine Arts Academy (AFAA) in what was the original Lewis Avenue Elementary School, 6495 Lewis Ave.
Until the move, Community LINK was located on Capistrano next to Bank of America.
“It’s very exciting; we love it,” LINK family advocate Tami Richardson said. “The location is perfect.”
Currently, five people occupy the building, Richardson, LINK family advocate Robyn Shoffner, LINK Executive Director George Dodge, Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC) family advocate and a receptionist from the senior employment agency.
On Monday, two people from the Department of Social Services will move into the building and in June, when the back part of the building is available, other agencies will move in.
“Basically, it was empty,” Dodge said. “Before, they were using it, I guess, people would meet here and it was used for in-house suspension. With the classes getting smaller, they’re slowly moving everything across the street.”
One purpose of Community LINK is to link those in need of certain services with those non-profits, a sort of “one-stop shopping,” according to Shoffner.
“To truly have the one-door method, to reach several agencies,” Shoffner said of the move.
The family advocates work with the students and their families to make a plan to ultimately get the family out of the system and to be self-efficient.
“It’s all voluntary,” Shoffner said, “that the family works with the advocates.”
“The family has a say,” Dodge added. “We don’t tell the family how to solve it.”
The advocates help families get counseling, food, clothing, mental and health counseling and more so the kids are able to focus on school rather than problems at home.
“Sometimes, kids have a hard time in school because they’re hungry,” Richardson said.
Community LINK sends an advocate to Creston, Santa Rosa Academic Academy, San Benito Elementary School and Santa Margarita Elementary School once a week to work with students and families.
“Next year, we will have one at the high school,’ Dodge said. “And depending on funding, we’re going to try and pick up Monterey Road and San Gabriel [elementary schools].”
Community LINK takes anyone who wants the services; there are no requirements to qualify, according to Dodge.
According to a brochure about Community LINK family advocates, they “provide in-home support to families by coordinating services that help remove barriers that interfere with student success and/or health. By removing these challenges, we envision an attendance increase, behavior improvements and enhancement of academic performance.”
“You cannot be a family advocate unless you’re compassionate and dedicated,” Dodge said. “It takes special people.”
The non-profit’s goal is prevention and to begin the facilitation of that, they offer six-week parenting classes.
The next “Parenting the Positive Discipline Way” will begin Tuesday, May 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa Academic Academy, 8655 Santa Rosa Rd. with childcare available.
Parents can register in advance by calling 466-5404 or at the door. The cost is $35 per person or $50 for couples plus $14 for the book. Scholarships are available.
The new office is open during the day and is a resource center for parents and families.
For more information, go to www.atascaderocommunitylink.org, e-mail link93422@sbcglobal.net, call 466-5404 or stop by the office at 6495 Lewis Ave.
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