Feb 01, 2022
VITA Tax Assistance Available Through April 12
Lifeline Offers Clients & Community Members FREE Tax Assistance VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) provides free tax preparation and electronic filing services to North County households with less than $57,500 annual income. In 2021, 21 VITA preparers dedicated 870 hours to help file 223 tax returns for low- and moderate-income residents - returning more than $468,000 to our community. In agreement with COVID-19 measures, Lifeline’s VITA program conducted all-volunteer training online and will offer tax preparation drop-off services and virtual appointments to the public beginning February 2022 running through April 12. For community members, all scheduling is done through 211. Current Lifeline clients can contact our Tax Line at760-509-3430 or email taxes@nclifeline.org. Click HERE to view a virtual postcard created by 211 that contains additional information. Below are a few screening questions for eligibility:
Jan 28, 2022
5 Tips for Managing Mental Health in 2022
5 Tips for Managing Mental Health in 2022 Image credit: Pexels As January comes to a close, you may look back over the month and see you experienced the after "holiday blues" – medically known as seasonal affective disorder. And you're not alone, as according toan article on Forbesseasonal affective disorder is experienced by over 6% of the population or 19 million Americans. To them, the new year finds them “sinking into depression as the season's change”. Some symptoms include sudden changes in weight, appetite, and behavior. Bouts of irritability and fatigue are common. You may even find that you no longer enjoy activities like you used to. Yet there's so much to celebrate this year. Let’s talk through some quick tips to help you step into February refreshed. Accept how you feel The first, and probably the most important, step you need to take is to recognize your feelings. By acknowledging that any feelings of sadness are normal and can be dealt with, you can take the initiative and get to the root of your distress. You can then work toward healing. For example, if you are feeling burnt out, consider taking time for self-care instead of signing up for another friend or family function. A walk in the park or by the beach can help re-center and refresh you. A small action like this can significantly prevent negative emotions, like anxiety, from surfacing. Revamp your lifestyle Image credit: Pexels Exercise, sleep, and diet are the three pillars of good mental health, and the good news is you can start out small. Anything that helps you move (like walking) is good, as is eating processed foods less often and incorporating a variety of grains, nuts, produce, and protein into your meals. Finally, did you know that sleep quality outranks everything else in improving mental health?A post on celebrity sleep schedules by Unfold Todayshows that 76% of the most successful celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez and Tom Brady, sleep at least 7 hours a night. This is because 7 hours is the recommended time of sleep by the National Sleep Foundation for the betterment of your physical and mental wellbeing. If it's difficult to change your current routine or get the recommended hours of sleep a night, the simplest thing you can do is keep blue light-emitting gadgets away from the bedroom so they won't disturb your natural sleep cycle. Prioritize connections When you start feeling down, talk to someone about it. Whether done in person or online, this can relieve stress and, according toresearch from the University of North Carolina, can even extend your lifespan. Meanwhile, if your blues stem from isolation, find a way to spend more time with your loved ones. Lifeline Community Services can help! Check out our variety of services that support, youth, adults, and families on their journey towards self-reliance. Consider therapy If you feel these preliminary steps aren't helping, consider seeking professional help. Given the stigma, this may be a daunting prospect to some. However, thisSymptomFind list of mental health advocatesfrom the sporting world emphasizes how life-changing it can be. The most notable name on the list is arguably Simone Biles. The world's best gymnast admitted to initially resisting therapy due to the stigma. Once she embraced the practice, she found it to be a safe space that helped her process her emotions better. Lifeline’s blog post entitledKatie's Storyattests, therapy can help you in a similar manner as well by improving your happiness, relieving your stress, and equipping you with the skills you need to navigate life more effectively. You can also view Lifeline’s Behavioral Health services on our website as well. Be kind to yourself Image credit: Pexels Finally, don't be too hard on yourself. There are things that will be out of your control. Omicron may prevent you from seeing sorely missed relatives during Christmas. Trips and reservations might fall through. Though nothing can be done about these situations, what you can change is how you handle them emotionally. Be grateful for what you have and what may happen. In this season of kindness, the first person you need to be kind to is yourself — and the first thing you need to prioritize is your mental health. Article contributed by Rosey Justine Exclusively for Lifeline Community Services
Jan 13, 2022
Irene's Story
Irene's Story Irene, a 40-year old single mother, came to Lifeline’s Neighborhood Networks program in May 2021 to get connected with resources that could improve her health care outcomes. Irene has a 14-year old son and a 9-year old daughter. In 2016, she suffered a work-related rotator cuff injury that continues to limit her physical activity. Her current job—a full-time manufacturing position— requires significant use of her arms and for her to stand for long periods, which increases her risk of further injury. Irene was also recently hospitalized with COVID-19, which has left her struggling to recover physically and financially. Neighborhood Networks was able to provide Irene and her children with financial assistance, food, furniture, and referrals to other community resources to help them recover from the setback caused by her hospitalization. Irene has also received support through individual and family counseling, housing resources, and financial workshops. Irene says, “The best part of working with Lifeline is and has always been the support I received from them every time I am in need and all those informational workshops! I even improved my credit score following advice from the workshops I have attended.” One of Irene’s main goals is to obtain her GED in the hopes of improving her ability to find a higher paying job that is better suited to her physical needs. She is enrolled in adult school but is having a hard time completing her school assignments because she doesn’t own a computer. She has been using the computer resources at the adult school during the hours it is available, while juggling her work and family schedules. As a result, she isn’t always able to complete her assignments. Through this WGSD funding, Lifeline was able to purchase a brand new laptop for Irene, ensuring that she always has the flexibility she needs to complete her classwork. Neighborhood Networks has helped Irene to prioritize her health and to work towards goals that will increase her family’s self-sufficiency. She attends all of her medical appointments and follows through on referrals to supportive services for her family. She continues to focus on completing her GED and finding a career that will support her health requirements and her family’s financial needs.
Jan 06, 2022
Come & Be Counted - 2022 Point-In-Time Count
Come & Be Counted for the 2022 Point-In-Time Count on February 24 If you are a youth experiencing homelessness, you matter & deserve to be counted. Enjoy free food & drinks at Lifeline's House Drop-In Center location! Locations: Lifeline's House Drop-In Center Location: 302 N Indiana Ave, Vista, CA 92084 Date-Time: February 24, 2022 - 11 AM-4 PM Contact Info: Naimah Gloster 760-407-7374 FREE FOOD & DRINKS! YMCA TAY Oceanside Location: YMCA - 215 Barnes Street, Oceanside, CA 92054 Date-Time: February 24, 2022- 11 AM-3 PM Contact Info: April Ortiz 760-908-9647 aortiz@ymcasd.org YMCA TAY Escondido Location: YMCA - 1050 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92026 Date-Time: February 24, 2022 - 2-6 PM Contact Info: Eirene Rocha 760-908-9373 erocha@ymcasd.org
Dec 13, 2021
Mural Project Beautifies Crown Heights
Mural Project Beautifies Crown Heights while Telling Stories of the Community Lifeline launched a meaningful beautification mural project at the Club Crown Heights La Casita Campus in partnership withThe Hill Street Country Club, Oceanside Charitable Foundation, the City of Oceanside, and several commissioned artists. Three professional and commissioned artists with work featured across Los Angeles, San Diego, and globally, partnered with three of Lifeline's Club Crown Heights (CCH) youth to make a mural project at the Club Crown Heights La Casita campus. One of the commissioned artists, Chloe, partnered with CCH former graduate Paulina M. to create a mural that tells a meaningful story. Paulina shared, "The girl pictured represents women working in the fields, and the woman's teardrop falling down her cheek represents families that have been separated from their kids and loved ones. The farmworkers depicted represent the people in the Oceanside community who are farmworkers and don't get a lot of help, and many people don't know that, and it needs to be acknowledged." These murals seek to be not only a source of beautification on the La Casita campus but a means to tell the stories of the Crown Heights Community in a compelling way for generations to come. Click HERE to download the social media kit with all event photos!
Dec 08, 2021
LifeSpring & Resounding Joy Partnership Offers Youth Mental Wellness Programs
The LifeSpring program and Resounding Joy, a music therapy non-profit, are thrilled that we have received a partnership grant from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, San Diego. Grant funds will make it possible for LifeSpring to offer mental wellness programs for youth experiencing homelessness, strengthening the system of care offered to North San Diego County’s transitional aged foster youth and homeless youth. Mental wellness activities includerelationship-building workshops, yoga, and music therapy will uplift youth helping them to focus on taking the next steps towards employment, stable housing, and self-reliance. Thank You, Kaiser Permanente! LearnMore About our Housing & Self-Sufficiency Services >
Dec 03, 2021
Katie's Story
Katie’s Story Katie joined Project LIFE as a mom who had been trafficked. Lifeline first helped with emergency needs and support. Shortly after, Katie moved in to one of Lifeline’s Project LIFE apartments. Since beginning Project LIFE’s transitional housing program, Katie is excelling in several areas. She is employed full-time and has received a promotion in her position. In addition, Katie earned a bonus for being one of the top three employees in her department at work this past year. While working full time, Katie also enrolled in online college courses and is now working towards her accounting certification. To gain confidence and skills, she completed the women’s empowerment course through Leaps to Success. Katie has been fully engaged with Lifeline’s individual support and been in therapy for the duration of her time in transitional housing with Project LIFE. She has developed coping skills, which have helped her manage day to day tasks and feel more resilient throughout her healing journey. As a single mom, Katie has been successful in single parenting her young son. She won an award through the Soroptimist program, which she plans to put towards starting a college fund. As she plans to exit Project LIFE housing, Katie has budgeted and will be moving into her own apartment. We are proud of Katie’s journey on the path to self-reliance! Truly, your support has made this a reality for Katie and many others. Note: Names have been changed to protect client privacy.
Dec 01, 2021
Lifeline's Holiday Food Distribution
Lifeline was able to assist several families during the Thanksgiving holiday with meals thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. We are grateful for community partners like them, who make the work we do possible. Volunteers gathered to assemble food baskets that families were able to take home and enjoy during Thanksgiving.
Nov 30, 2021
Giving Back During the Holidays
Article contributed by Rosey Justine Exclusively for Lifeline Community Services Despite what TV ads and seasonal movies might suggest, many people tend to feel a bit down during the holidays. Interestingly, studies have shown that the holiday tradition of sharing cheer might be the solution.Helping others makes people feel more confident, and increases their sense of self-worth. This in turn boosts confidence, and can in many cases create a cycle of generosity that benefits more people. The holidays provide an excellent opportunity to do exactly that, particularly during challenging times. The pandemic exasperated the situation of many disadvantaged communities, making intervention programs more important than ever. And in times of difficulty, people learn to help each other, which is why this is the perfect opportunity to give back. The North County Community Image credit: Unsplash Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/k39RGHmLoV8 In 2018, one out of ten people living in North County were livingbelow the federal poverty level. 10% of the population struggles to afford basic needs like room, clothing, and transportation, with youth being among the most affected. Today, North County alone reports more than1,500 homeless individuals. It's also inside one of the areas with the highest rate of sex trafficking in the country. On top battling financial insecurity, many individuals are at an increased risk for human trafficking. Fortunately, different efforts have emerged to combat these issues. How Lifeline Community Services Serves the Community Image credit: Unsplash Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Zyx1bK9mqmA Lifeline Community Services approaches these complex issues by focusing on both prevention and intervention. Our programs build self-reliance among youth, adults, and families through community-based services. Lifeline’s five areas of services include: Behavioral Health, Child Abuse & Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention, Housing & Self-Sufficiency, Human Trafficking Prevention & Intervention, and Youth Development. Each area of service helps provide individuals with the tools they need to become self-reliant. Last year along, Lifeline served over 4,255 individuals across San Diego County. Providing long-term solutions to complex issues also requires adequately equipped professionals. Formal education andtraining in social work and advocacy, for example, allow people to learn the necessary skills to build resilient communities. This is something of particular importance when working with people facing trauma, domestic abuse, and human trafficking. How You Can Give Back Image credit: Unsplash Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Cns0h4ypRyA There are many ways to help others through Lifeline Community Services. This year, Lifeline is offering several unique ways to give including: Crypto Donations, Adopt-A-Family Gift Card Donations, Celebratory Gifts, Monthly Giving, Vehicle Donations, and Stock Donations. Employer matching is another great way to maximize any gift to Lifeline. These gifts support youth and families who may be experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, domestic violence, or food insecurity this holiday. Lifeline is one of the first 10 non-profits in San Diego County offering crypto giving for our donors this year, so take advantage of this unique way to give back this season. Everybody Wins Image credit: Unsplash Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/y3ZY6qFln_g Helping others is a mutually beneficial activity. It has measurable results in society and reinforces individual self-worth and empathy. It also reduces the feeling of loneliness and strengthens people's connection to their community. Prevention and intervention programs are only as good as their teams though. People with a deep understanding of the community, and well-trained in their field, are necessary to provide effective support. This union between short-term and long-term solutions is what allows programs like Lifeline Community Services to achieve such consistent and long-lasting success. We couldn't do our work without your support - Thank you! Give today, and help us continue building self-reliance among youth, adults, and families across San Diego County! Article contributed by Rosey Justine Exclusively for Lifeline Community Services
Nov 17, 2021
Homelessness Awareness Rally
Runaway & Youth Homelessness Awareness Rally In partnership with YMCA Youth Services andSan Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium (SDYHC) a resource fair, walk, and rally in Escondido was held to raise awareness regarding youth homelessness. Special thanks to everyone who came out across San Diego County, and special thanks to Assemblymember Marie Waldron's Office and Office of Supervisor Jim Desmond for attending and providing certificates of recognition. Together we can help end youth homelessness in San Diego. Lifeline is proud to participate in advocacy efforts to help amplify youth voices. Click below to learn more about Lifeline's LifeSpring services and The Drop-in Center for youth who may be experiencing homelessness. LearnMore >