Invest in the Future. Mentor A Child.

January is National Mentoring Month, and Sierra Vista Child & Family Services joins cities and states across the country in a call for caring adults to become mentors and make a difference in a young person's life.

During January's National Mentoring Month, the Community Moms Guild, a program of Sierra Vista Child & Family Services that encourages mentoring to foster youth, is recruiting volunteers to step up and become catalysts for creating a community of support for foster youth in our community. Sierra Vista will be holding an orientation and sign-up for those who are interested in being mentors on January 17th at 5:00 p.m. at 101 Park Avenue, Modesto CA.

Nationwide, more than 463,000 children live in foster care. In California, which has the largest foster care population than any other state. The number of foster youth has tripled in the last 20 years. Youth living in foster care are among our nation's most vulnerable young people. many have been abused or neglected, resulting in a multitude of emotional and developmental needs. Because the lives of these children in care are often wrought with instability and frequent moves, they can benefit tremendously from the consistent attention of a mature caring adult.

"Mentors serve as vital role models to our foster youth," said Mary Jo Mastin, Director of Foster Care services. "Every child in our care deserves a mentor, someone who is in his or her corner who can be a friend, and advisor, a shoulder to lean on, an open ear, and an inspiration. Our community can make a difference for these children by positively impacting the direction of their lives." Becoming a mentor is one of the best investments you can make for the future.

Each year since its launch, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of the U.S. President and members of Congress. Additional prominent individuals who have participated in the campaign include: Maya Angelou, former President Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Senator John McCain, Quincy Jones, General Colin L. Powell, Cal Ripkin Jr., and Bill Russell.

To Learn more about mentoring a child in foster care or attending the orientation on January 17th, please call (209)523-4573 for more information.

Family Night with Santa

SVCFS North Modesto Family Resource Center held a three-week long event to support family literacy and positive family interaction. Families were treated to a book reading from Santa featuring Christmas stories, photos with Santa, a holiday movie, and each family was given a book to take home courtesy of Casa De Modesto and Barnes & Noble.

Po'g Mahon Toy Run

Po'g Mahon Motorcycle Club fulfilled Christmas wish lists for all of the children in Sierra Vista’s residential treatment homes. This is always one of the highlights of the year for the children living in Sierra Vista’s residential treatment homes.

Make A Special Year-End Gift

 Our children and families need YOU this Holiday Season.


In a perfect world, every child would be nurtured by a loving family and friends, attend a challenging and exciting school, have guidance, encouragement and a secure home. But the sad reality is that not every child has these opportunities, and the thousands of children we serve have had devastating experiences with abuse and neglect. Almost all are in emotional turmoil.


But your gift will help Sierra Vista continue to be a place of healing… a place of hope for the children and families we serve… a place that is committed to caring for them… a place that champions their cause … a place that is empowering and supports them in becoming stronger and healthier… a place that helps rebuild futures and bring families and love together.

Your year-end gift will help us reach out to the nearly 24,000 children and families we serve each year and provide quality services that will help to stop child abuse and neglect, promote healthy development and strengthen families.
So please act now to bring the gift of hope and a smile to the face of a child. Please make your tax-deductible donation, of which 100% goes directly to the children and families we serve, in the reply enveloped provided.


Thank You from Sierra Vista Child & Family Services!


To make a donation visit:  

www.sierravistacares.org/donations-and-events/make-a-donation

Annual Holiday Dinner

Bowen Cardoza, Steve Gikas, Santa, Laurie Gikas, Judy Kindle

Thank You to Steve Gikas, his family and friends for their generosity and hosting once again the Annual Holiday Dinner for the children and families of Sierra Vista Child & Family Services. Every child attending received a gift and was surprised by a visit from Santa Claus himself!

Renegade Classics Toy Run

Thank you to Black Oak Casino & Renegade Classic of Modesto for the 5th Annual Santa Claus Toy Run for Sierra Vista Child & Family Services. Thank you to all those who donated toys and put a smile on the faces of children we serve this Holiday Season.

Leadership Modesto

Sierra Vista Child & Family Services was honered to host the 2011 Class of Leadership Modesto at our Kirk Baucher School.