October 2023 Newsletter

Things are really getting exciting this Fall at Penny Lane. This past summer we sent out a well-being survey to all our staff to see what their vision of Well-Being meant to them. Check out the results of our survey! Additionally, we started our Employee Well-Being Committee with staff from all different locations and programs this past month. The vision of the Well-Being Committee is to enhance the well-being of every Penny Lane employee. We will hold events and activities that will contribute to staff’s mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Check it out this month!

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We are excited to share that Rise Up: A Racial Justice Conference is fast approaching.  We want to encourage you to register to attend so you can save your seat! Join us on Wednesday, October 18th at the California Endowment Center as we talk about and collaborate on how we can take action to eradicate racial and social injustice.  This year the theme is Be the Domino.  To learn more about this year's conference or to register, click the link!

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Meet Alex Wheeler a Lawyer at Parris Law firm and Penny Lane Centers Board Member. Alex is a trial lawyer with a diverse practice, including Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Insurance Bad Faith, and Class Action litigation. He also has a beautiful family consisting of his wife Maria of 10 years and 3 beautiful young daughters Aviana (6), Adelaide (3), and Waverly (2).  Between work and family, he is very busy! Click on the link to learn more about Alex this month.

Penny Lane Centers is excited to be able to offer this grant opportunity to our employees and volunteers who are providing behavioral healthcare at Penny Lane.  The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)administers health workforce programs. These workforce programs promote recruitment, expansion, training, and retention of the behavioral health workforce. Click on the link to learn more and apply before November 13th!

In our monthly Wellness Corner our Commerce Family Center Clinic Regional Director, Michael Morellino, shares his thoughts on the Role of Diet and Nutrition on Health and Well-Being. While the role of diet and nutrition on physical health is clear in many areas, the role of diet and nutrition on mental health and well-being is very complex and has yet to be fully understood. This short article will look at some relationships between the two and offer some suggestions on how to enhance both. Check it out this month, a must read!

Penny Lane Centers, in collaboration with DCFS, is offering financial support opportunities for our Lancaster/Palmdale families through a grant program. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance in addressing immediate and housing-related needs for families facing financial hardships. Eligible expenses may include rent/housing assistance, utilities, food, clothing, emergency expenses, and more. Click on the link to learn more and to apply!

In this month’s promotional employee spotlight, we are pleased to introduce you to Andrea Espinoza LMFT PsyD, Regional Director for the Foster Family Agency (FFA), working out of our Lancaster location. Andrea started her career at Penny Lane in February 2016 as Intensive Services Foster Care Program (ISFC) Therapist. After spending two years in this role, she was promoted to the ISFC Clinical Supervisor and has been in this role the past 5 years. Check it out to learn more about Andrea this month!

Each year the Penny Lane TAY Drop-in Centers hold their annual TAYstock event at both the Lancaster and Commerce locations.  This event commemorates the anniversary of our grand opening by celebrating art, music, and community. It allows our young adults and community partners to gather and share resources as well as participate in fun and creative activities. Click on the link to learn more and join us November 4th!

Check all the open positions at Penny Lane Centers this month!