City employees give gifts to children at Casa Pacifica

There are children living nearby who won't be home for the holidays, and city of Thousand Oaks employees are responding to their needs with gifts.

"We received tree ornaments with names and wishes on them," said City Clerk Linda Lawrence.

CD boom boxes, Hello Kitty accessories, Play-Doh sets and rock music CDs are among the 265 ornament requests from Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, she said.

Those requests are being fulfilled by 650 employees in offices including those of the city attorney, city clerk, community and cultural services, city manager, community development, public works, Hill Canyon Treatment Plant, human resources, library and municipal service center.

Because of their efforts, about 100 abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children will feel more like other children this holiday season, said Robin Steinberg, development department assistant at Casa Pacifica.

"The kids are so grateful for anything and everything they get," said Steinberg. "The kids can't believe the care and the kindness they get from others, from strangers-this kindness is very foreign to them."

The children who will receive these gifts are oftentimes at the facility because the adults in their lives have failed them.

"They come here needing clothes, bedding, everything," said Steinberg.

On their wish lists are things to snuggle with, like teddy bears, along with board games, movies on DVD, movie tickets, food coupons for outings or gift cards for clothing stores such as Ross Dress for Less, she said.

These children have found themselves in need of help, sometimes after both parents have been arrested, Steinberg said.

Their lives have been completely disrupted when they seek safety at the 23-acre Casa Pacifica campus. Services provided to the children include residential treatment, emergency shelter, education and medical treatment along with psychological and psychiatric help.

Children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment are provided shortterm trauma care and shelter. They are separated by age and gender, living safely at the facility and participating in its programs.

The average stay in this crisiscare program is 50 days. After that, about half go back to their families. Of those who don't about one-third go into foster care and two-thirds into a residential program.

Children ages 11 through 17 who have difficulties that call for intensive treatment for an extended period go into the residential program. They usually have emotional and behavioral problems along with serious social and academic skill deficits. The goal of the program is to teach them to someday live fulfilling lives at home and in the community.

If possible, family involvement is encouraged.

Still, the children just want to be kids. They want to dress in style, go to the movies, eat fast food sometimes, go to bed with a stuffed animal, Steinberg said.

Last year city employees sent more than 1,000 items to U.S. troops, which included snacks, CDs and DVDs, plus $2,000, Lawrence said.

The year before they donated about $12,000 worth of gifts and $800 cash to Casa Pacifica, she said.

"Our generous employees like to help out the children who are less fortunate and give them a brighter holiday season," Lawrence said. "Everyone gets more and more excited about it as the time draws closer."

On Dec. 19, a group from the city will personally deliver the gifts to the children, she said.

Shelly Austin of Thousand Oaks, an associate planner with Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, has volunteered as a courtappointed advocate for children living at Casa Pacifica.

"It's a great facility, but the children are going through a very difficult time," Austin said.

Like the city employees, those who donate to the children from their hearts can make a big difference in their lives, Steinberg said.

"It really supports us and helps provide for the kids," she said.