News & Blog - Page 2 of 11

Spectrum News 1 – Prevention Education at Santa Ana High School 2.21.20

Spectrum News 1 – Prevention Education at Santa Ana High School 2.21.20 A study from the American Psychological Association revealed that one in three teens ages 14 to 20 have experienced dating abuse, and about the same number say they’ve committed dating abuse themselves. To reverse this trend and experience healthy relationships, it’s vital that teens (and their parents) understand how to communicate, respect boundaries, practice self-care and appreciate their partners. Human Options is sharing its Countdown to #HealthyLove campaign to start conversations about healthy relationships by educating teens at our local high schools. During the month of TDVAM, Human Options and Santa Ana High School partnered together to educate Santa…

CEO, Maricela Rios-Faust, on KTLA discussing Teen Dating Violence 2.23.20

Human Options CEO, Maricela Rios-Faust, on KTLA discussing Teen Dating Violence 2.23.20 1 in 3 teens experience some type of dating abuse, adolescents are at a higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence than any other age group. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) and we are working to ignite social change by educating and empowering others. Watch our Chief Executive Officer, Maricela Rios-Faust, on KTLA as she talks about talks about Teen Dating Violence! Click here!

Success Stories: Ellie’s Story

Thirty-six year old Ellie endured a traumatic three-year relationship with the father of her youngest child. Ellie experienced brutal physical and verbal abuse along with the destruction of her property from time to time. Ellie and her children were able to escape and ready to transition into the next step for safety. Ellie and her four children came to Second Step in hopes to create stability and safety for her and her children. When Ellie started Second Step, she was on medical leave from her job as a case manager at a medical company. Her disability resulted from her relationship. Shortly after starting the Second Step program, Ellie had to…

Staff Spotlight: Claudia Medina, AMFT, Therapist

Claudia Medina is one of Human Options’ dedicated therapists. She provides vital mental health services at one of our 8 Family Resource Centers, the Corbin Center located in Santa Ana. Claudia has worked with youth through partnerships with our local schools in the City of Santa Ana and also serves adults and seniors in the community. Claudia a bilingual clinician who specializes in working with survivors of domestic violence and facilitates a variety of groups throughout the year . When reflecting on her work, Claudia shared, “I enjoy working with our clients and providing individual therapy. Knowing that with one single session I can touch a client’s life is very…

Honoring the Selfless During Social Work Month: 5 Tips for Self-Care

March is Social Work Month, and now more than ever, the theme “social workers are essential” takes on a new meaning. Each day at Human Options our advocates work to meet the constant need for help—at our overwhelmed family resource centers and shelters,— all while enduring the impact of the pandemic. Despite the support we provide each other, our clients, and their family members, it is important for professionals whose mission it is to stabilize those in crisis, to care for their own mental and physical health—to practice as much self-care as possible. Providing compassionate, life-saving support, calls for a deep investment of mental and emotional capacity. Social workers…

Meet Our New Board Member!

Robert Farzad is the managing partner of Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorneys, LLP. The firm, as the name reflects, exclusively practices family law. The firm handles contested and complex family law cases including divorce or parentage cases with complex financial issues, estates, and/or child custody issues. Mr. Farzad has been a licensed California attorney since 1996. Mr. Farzad and Farzad & Ochoa possess an unwavering commitment to helping domestic violence victims become domestic violence survivors so they can make positive, forward progress in their lives and that of their children. Mr. Farzad’s work is featured in Orange County Lawyer Magazine, The Huffington Post, Yahoo Parenting, Los Angeles Times, and…

Success Stories: Julia’s Story

Julia did not leave her home for years, living in the shadow of her abusive husband. Fearing for the safety of her daughters, she moved to an unfamiliar city in an attempt to start a new life. She knew she needed to escape the tumultuous and abusive relationship with her husband and be strong for her daughters. Through counseling, Julia embarked on the journey to healing from the traumatic abuse she suffered from her ex-husband. Our services helped to give her the confidence to leave her home, a sense of safety and hope. Since entering our programs, Julia has become optimistic about the life she will continue to have with…

Meet Our 2 New Board of Directors!

We are pleased to introduce two new members who have joined our Human Options Board of Directors: Sabrina C. Callin and Dr. Eschilian-Oates! Sabrina C. Callin, CFA, CPA retired, of Newport Beach retired from PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company) in mid-2016 after spending 18 years with the company, including over seven years as a managing director. At the time she was elected, she was the fourth woman to make managing director at PIMCO since the firm’s founding in 1971. During her career at PIMCO, among other responsibilities, Callin was the senior product manager responsible for the development, positioning and external communication for a range of fixed income, equity and…

Meet Our New Board President: Celina J. Doka

We are honored to introduce our new 2021 Human Options Board President, Celina J. Doka! Celina is an Audit partner in KPMG’s Asset Management Practice. She is also the global lead partner for all services provided to PIMCO. In addition, Celina leads KPMG’s Investment Management and Real Estate Audit practices in the Orange County office. Professional and industry experience With over 38 years of experience, Celina has extensive experience with public and private offerings of equity and debt securities including initial public offerings. She also has significant experience in providing audit and accounting services for a wide variety of publicly held and privately held investment management and real estate industry…

Attorney Helps Victims Navigate Complex Legal Options Amid Spike in Domestic Violence

Today, B. Robert Farzad, Esq., is a successful attorney, but his childhood experience of witnessing domestic violence in Iran has never left him. In fact, it shaped his adult life and drives his passion in his family law firm, where they have seen alarming spikes in restraining order requests and domestic violence-related legal needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm works with Human Options’ clients once a week, every week at the emergency shelter. These clients are often in a state of crisis and have to make difficult decisions quickly about restraining orders, custody, divorce, or police reports. In part, what he witnessed as a child, is why Farzad feels…

News & Blog - Page 2 of 11 - Human Options

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