Highlights

Last week, the KYJO team was blessed to attend the 2019 CA Alliance Executive’s Winter Conference. With the state mandating many changes regarding Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) and the Integration of Mental Health Services, it’s truly a blessing to be a part of the Alliance family. They help us make sense of all the changes, especially those that are still unclear.

It was refreshing to see that others all over CA are dealing with the same struggles, or have already made it through them. Everyone at the conference was willing to help each other and guide each other through these rough pastures. They know that the best way for us all to make it is working together like a TEAM!

In life, there will always be changes, so EVERYTHING depends on our attitude towards change. We know change is coming, so we embrace it and adjust accordingly. If we change the way we view things, many things become more understandable and tolerable.

Conference speaker, Michael Sanders (Fan of Teenagers), said it best:

“Imagine this…people from all walks of life (professionals in business, athletics, medicine and counseling, managers, parents teachers, journalist, social workers and administrators) surpass their current levels of excellence and achievement just by shifting, ever so slightly, the way they see everything. Just think what could be possible if people re-focused their attention.”

“Change the Way You See Everything”

• Change the way you see YOURSELF
• Change the way you see OTHERS
• Change the way you see SITUATIONS

In short, the best way to approach life is to embrace change … but that mindset starts from within! If you can’t change the way you see yourself, then change will be nonexistent. Once you figure out how to embrace change, then greatness and success will be truly attainable.

Our kids had a busy month, taking trips all over California! The kids visited the Fresno State Campus for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, took a lengthy hike around Millerton Lake, and spent a day at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco (where they took in the sights both within and outside the museum).

We also celebrated a couple special occasions, including Jericho’s 17th birthday and Anders’s Step Down ceremony! The New Year hasn’t yet let up for our KYJO kids, and we think March is going to be just as busy …

– Marilyn Cantu, Admissions Coordinator

We’d like to give a shout-out to one of the newest members of our FFA team: Jasmin Sierra!

Jasmin came on board in mid-December. Since that time, she has shown outstanding work ethic and embodied KYJO’s core values, including the ability to adapt to change and pay attention to details. Jasmin has been an amazing addition to our team, and we are thankful to have her. After only a couple months of working with us, she has excelled in turning in her paperwork and engaging with her families. She truly exemplifies what it looks like to be a social worker – and we’re excited to see how she continues to grow with us!

– Sienna Curtin, FFA Operations Manager

Six Key Qualities for Success

This month, I shared the six factors that make a great team with the KYJO staff, and I wanted to share them with you, too. These are the core qualities that each member of our KYJO crew, and I’d argue each of our incredible donors, resource parents, and volunteers, possesses:

• Be Selfless
• Be Trustworthy
• Be Humble
• Be Respectful
• Be Positive
• Be Great!

As long as we continue to embody these key qualities, and remain focused on controlling what we can control (ourselves) and believing in ourselves, nothing can stop us! Remember, YOU have the power to change your situation into a positive one – because YOU have power over YOU!

Kevin Jordan

Executive Director