VOICES youth center finds new home | Napa Valley Register

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VOICES youth center finds new home

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

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By JENNIFER HUFFMAN, Register Business Writer

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VOICES youth center is on the move, as the agency for emancipated foster children packs up to relocate to a new home on Lincoln Avenue in Napa.

The organization will move from an Oak Street home, where its lease is expiring, to the former home of a Children’s Cottage day care center at 780 Lincoln Ave.

“We had to move, but in the end this is turning out to be a fantastic building for us,” said Leslie Medine, director of VOICES parent organization On the Move.

“It’s really open,” Medine said. “We really hope to be able to build gardens and make it really like a home.”

On the Move will also run a college career center, called Explorations, in the space.

The new location has other advantages, officials said. It’s located near McPherson Elementary School, where On the Move sponsors a youth program.

As for Children’s Cottage, the day care will consolidate business at its Alta Heights facility on East Avenue, according to a press release.

On the Move and VOICES will spend the next several months remodeling the new building and anticipate the move will be complete by Jan. 1.

The switch was made largely possible by the Napa-based Gasser Foundation. “Gasser bought property for us,” Medine said.

While the foundation owns the building, “We have a long-term lease. We could be there 10 years or more,” Medine said. “To know we will be able to stay for a long time is really great.”

Strong and Hayden Commercial Real Estate negotiated the transaction to sell the Children’s Cottage property to the Gasser Foundation.

VOICES is the outgrowth of a Gasser initiative to improve the welfare of foster care youth who were aging out of the system, often without career or other support. The program helps emancipated foster kids ages 16 to 24 find housing and work, develop life skills and maneuver through public agencies.

“This is a great way to support a program we believe in by diverting assets that would normally be invested elsewhere,” Gasser Foundation President Joe Peatman said.

Besides initial remodeling, On the Move will need help with additional renovations on Lincoln Avenue. “We need lots of volunteers,” Medine said.

11 comment(s)

southnapareader wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:26 AM:

" Congratulations, VOICES! Keep up the good work! Where do I sign up to volunteer? "

vocal-de-local wrote on Nov 4, 2009 1:00 AM:

" This is one of the best programs ever. My mother worked as a probation officer in charge of foster care kid placement for many years. I have some familiarity with what goes on.

Foster kids have often been abandoned in early life, and then when they hit age 18, they're support ends very abruptly. Too often, they become homeless. How sad to be abandoned first by parents and then by a system that fails to recognize the value of continuing support as a child transitions into adulthood.

Best of luck to this organization. They deserve the support of the community. "

ambonizay wrote on Nov 4, 2009 5:16 AM:

" The lease expiring without being renewed at the Oak St home is a classic example of "not in my neighborhood." "

funnyme wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:02 AM:

" Hey ambo, the world is not against you...the new location is centrally located (closer to shops, apartment buildings, schools, bus stops, etc.).

Good morning! "

ambonizay wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:14 AM:

" That is a good company answer, funnyme. Oh sure and in the flood zone and high crime area of Lincoln Av.

Good afternoon! "

sickothis wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:59 AM:

" VOICES rocks. Great people. "

funnyme wrote on Nov 4, 2009 10:22 AM:

" Hey ambo, so since no answer seems to make your day brighter, why don't YOU tell us where would YOU relocate them to?

C'mon, I'm sure YOU got the right answer for this, non corporate of course, but from the point of view of who? Is it from someone who works for VOICES, benefits from VOICES, donates to VOICES, neighbor of VOICES???

C'mon let's hear it! "

ambonizay wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:16 AM:

" Hey funnyme to answers to your fire-line questions are yes, yes, yes, no.

C'mon let's respond! Again, I say, the reason the Oak St house was not renewed was because of "not in my neighborhood from the lease holders.

C'mon. "

Lexme2 wrote on Nov 4, 2009 2:53 PM:

" Sounds like a great program, good luck in your new diggs! "

partofthesolution wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:02 PM:

" VOICES is a unique and special organization. I have seen first hand the opportunities this dedicated group give foster and emanicpated youth! Congrats on your new home, wishing all the best! "

thoughtank wrote on Nov 4, 2009 8:31 PM:

" ambonizay, Thanks for your comments. What you have said is probably true. The reality of "not-in-my-neighborhood" is something that has been around a long time and will only change when group home residents prove themselves to be good neighbors and residents begin to realize the truth of "there but for the grace of God go I..."
Though I am no fan of Joe Peatman's, I'm glad that the Gasser Foundation is making a long-term committment to assisting foster youth in this community.

Both "Voices" and "on the Move" sound like wonderful organizations. I wish them the best of luck in their new quarters. Perhaps this move will motivate more people to volunteer their time and services to these organizations.

As it's right before the holidays, maybe Napans will also donate funds or gifts to the foster youth here. I can't think of a more deserving group. "

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