About Us

"En	hancing the positive quality of life."

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About Us

LIFELINE'S MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY

Lifeline's mission is to enhance the positive quality of individual, family, and community life by providing services that are consistently available, accessible, and responsive to the needs of individuals, families, and groups seeking assistance, and to work with the community to contribute, facilitate, and promote solutions for the enrichment of all.

Services are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Assistance is offered regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, and/or ability to pay.

The following principles form the foundation of Lifeline's approach to service delivery:

	*Valuing* the inherent worth and dignity of all people
	*Identifying* the inherent qualities and strengths within each person
	*Accepting* the uniqueness of each person
	*Recognizing* that human beings are self-determining
	*Appreciating* the social context of behavior
	*Facilitating* the capacity to change with each person

A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1969, a citizen's steering committee in the Tri-City communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Vista, California formed to explore ways of meeting the concerns of local youth and their families. Motivated by the lack of social services available to address increasing drug abuse, social alienation/isolation and family disruption, leaders from local service clubs, organizations, and educational institutions researched ways to provide assistance to youth and families by offering free and confidential professional services. The steering committee sought to create a place where anyone could come, express their concerns, and receive appropriate assistance.

North County Lifeline began in 1969 with a mission to enhance the positive quality of individual, family, and community life. Due to the widespread use of illegal drugs among the area's youth, initial services were focused in this direction. Recognizing that drug abuse is a symptom of more complex problems, Lifeline worked at the individual, family, and community levels to address the underlying issues that precipitated drug abuse.

In 1973, Lifeline was incorporated as North County Lifeline, Inc. The members of the steering committee became Lifeline's Board of Directors. In 1979, Lifeline adopted the name "Lifeline Community Services" to better reflect the agency's community orientation.

Many of Lifeline's current programs and services had early beginnings. In May 1973, Lifeline's Legal Advice Clinic began through coordinated efforts with another local non-profit organization (Lifeline became sole operator in 1976.) Held once per week, a volunteer lawyer dispensed legal advice to those in need. The same year, Lifeline began providing transportation services through use of a donated 7-passenger can. Rides were provided to many people to access medical and social health services. In 1979, North County Transit District (NCTD) provided 3 buses and a contract to expand these services to the elderly and disabled. Lifeline began offering juvenile diversion services in 1982 and created the Juvenile Justice Center, a program for first-time youth offenders. Lifeline's present Executive Director, Shirley Cole, was hired in March of 1982.

Over the past 35 years, Lifeline's services have gained momentum through an increasing number of service contracts, intern and volunteer assistance, and community outreach. Lifeline collaborates with many local organizations, businesses, schools, and the faith community in effort to provide the best possible programs and services to North County residents.

For a list of Lifeline's services, click here.