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About The Gary Center...
The Gary Center, a non-profit, community outreach center, located in La Habra, CA., was founded in 1971 in memory of Gary Stafford, a young man of 19 who died as a result of drugs. Initially opened as a walk-in drug counseling center, The Gary Center responded to community request and now offers a full array of programs designed to serve the mental and oral health needs of Orange County and the surrounding area, provide educational and employment opportunities and help
to build a stronger community.
An active Board of Directors, composed of a cross section of the local community, oversees all programs. The current President is John Rees, retired captain of the La Habra police force and currently, head of emergency preparedness for the City of La Habra. Martha Lester is the Executive Director. The Center is financially sound and practices generally accepted accounting principles.
There are no unresolved audit issues.
Gary Stafford 1951-1971
Current Programs of The Gary Center:
Youth Intervention Program
- Anger management/life skills for children/adolescents
- Drug and alcohol programs for adolescents
- Legal awareness
- School-Based Counseling in 17 area schools which are without counselors due to State budget cuts
Community Counseling
- Free emergency crisis counseling
- Family, individual and group counseling/ support group sessions
- Domestic violence program for victims
- Domestic violence programs for perpetrators (Probation approved 52 weeks)
- Substance abuse program (State certified and Probation approved 38 week program)
- Child abusers' treatment program (Court ordered and voluntary, 52 week program)
- Parent education program (24 week court ordered or voluntary, runs concurrently with child abusers' program)
Education Programs
- English as a Second Language
- Literacy Development (Spanish)
- 12 week nutrition, parenting, budgeting classes, mandated for food distribution recipients
Health Programs
- Full mouth restoration dental clinic for children and adults. Sliding scale fee based upon household income provides acessable oral health care affordable for even the poorest families.
- Free mammograms
- Free eye exams for children to age 18
Community Assistance Programs
- Weekly food distribution to 150 families; more than 4,700 individuals annually
- Referral services for food, shelter and medical emergencies
- Document preparation and translation for non-English speaking residents
- "La Habra," Providing low income local residents with social enterprise(a bakery/cafe is currently in development), self-employment and job creation activities
  
Food Distribution Program: Serving up to 150 families per week with staples, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Staff
is bilingual and bicultural and includes both licensed and pre-licensed counselors, as well as student interns enrolled in master's programs; dental professionals; along with teaching, clerical and administrative staff. We are also fortunate to have approximately 100 volunteers, without whom our programs could not operate as successfully.
OUR MISSION is to provide high quality and affordable community based services to children, adults and families. Our primary emphasis is on child well-being, educating and supporting the entire family and fostering a healthy community.
Together, with our Board of Directors, we are committed to serving the community, fulfilling our mission and making a difference.
Martha Lester,
Executive Director
A Hand up in Time of Need….
List of Collaborating Partners (including role played by each).
- PDCC Collaborative- Collaboration of dental clinics to serve children 0-5 years of age.
- School nurses- Referral of clients for dental services and counseling.
- La Habra Police Department- Very supportive of the need to serve the needs of services in the community.
- The City of La Habra Community Services Department- Refer volunteers and clients.
- La Habra School District- Partner with district to provide school-based counseling.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, local faith based organizations- Refer clients to our facility.
- St. Jude Medical Center- Partner with and make referrals for medical services. Referrals to counseling and dental.
- Orange County Probation- Partner with probation on Domestic violence and child abuse.
- Orange County Coalition of Clinics- Collaboration of clinics and provides technical assistance and grant management to assist with agency business.
- Orange County United Way- Serve as a cabinet member to collaborate with services and needs.
- And The Gary Center maintains a good relationship with La Habra Youth Employment, including alternative education. We are supported by our local service agencies: La Habra Host Lions, Rotary Club, Kiwanis and Soroptimists Club.
A Hand Up In Time Of Need:
The Gary Center
341 S. Hillcrest St.
La Habra, CA 90631
Phone (562) 691-3263
Fax (562) 690-5063
Email us at Gary@garycenter.org
 
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