Probation Staff Shows Commitment to Education

Bronte Benesh (fourth from left) was awarded one of four scholarships provided by the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Fund.

A top-performing probation officer and the children of several probation staff are closer to getting their college degrees with the help of two scholarship programs.

Probation officer Lanae Gutierrez was awarded a $2,500 Cox Heroes Scholarship as she pursues a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at National University. She is currently a senior.

Recipients of the scholarship are recognized for overcoming challenges in their pursuit of educational advancement. Gutierrez began her college career years ago as a teenage mother, but her education was sidelined when her three-year-old son was diagnosed with stage three bladder cancer. Not long after his cancer went into remission, Gutierrez’s father was killed in a boating accident.

“Despite my personal challenges, the importance of a higher education has become so critical to me that I have not allowed anything to stand in my way of this goal," said Gutierrez.

Lanae represents Probation as a program director with STAR/PAL, a nonprofit organization that brings law enforcement and youth together to provide educational, athletic and recreational programs to local youth who may not otherwise have such opportunities. She was also the recipient of Probation’s Excellence award last year, an honor give to the employee who exemplifies the department’s commitment to excellence.

The children of several Probation staff members are getting a head start on their higher education thanks to the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility Fund. It was established in 2006 to “mentor and inspire others through the vital principle of giving.” The committee that oversees the fund raised $2,000 for award academic scholarships, which were recently awarded to four high school graduates of staff at the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.

Those awarded the stipend are: Rashawn Brock, son of Tanya Brock; Brittani Taylor, daughter of Robert Taylor; Courtney Goodwin, daughter of Clinton Goodwin; and Bronte Benesh, daughter of Marisela Benesh.

2010 HHSA/Chargers Adoptions Calendar Shoot

Every year HHSA Foster and Adoptive Resource Family Services produces a very popular and sought-after calendar featuring children waiting to be adopted photographed with San Diego Charger players. Check out the County News Photo Gallery for some behind-the-scenes photos from the last day of shooting for the calendar.

Drug Court Graduates New Class

Dozens of young people who successfully kicked drug habits were honored at a ceremony for graduates from the Juvenile Drug Court.

Thank you from Deferred Compensation!

On Friday, August 6, the San Diego County Deferred Compensation Program held the 5^th Annual Retirement Dreaming Fair on the west plaza of the County Administration Center. The fair was a huge success, drawing in employees from all over the County, to see 20 vendors talk about the variety of activities that help you dream about your retirement!

Everyone who attended was treated to a delicious lunch from El Indio Restaurant; winner of San Diego Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award 2009. More than 65 employees signed up to meet with representatives from Nationwide Retirement Solutions on an individual basis and receive guidance on saving for retirement. A few lucky attendees were able to walk away with one of several amazing raffle prizes including spa packages worth $850 from Mind & Body Day Spa, Padres tickets, and Family Admission Packs to the U.S.S Midway.

If you are interested in attending the next fair, mark your calendar for the first Friday of August 2011. However, you don’t have to wait until next year to start thinking about retirement. Our Nationwide Retirement Specialists are available to help you with all of your deferred compensation needs.  They will meet with you one-on-one at your office and when it is convenient for you.  To setup an appointment contact the Nationwide local office at (858) 569-0295.

County Breaks Ground on New Library

Ground was broken last week on a larger, much-needed library, park and community room in the unincorporated community of Lincoln Acres in San Diego County. The 2,650-square-foot library will replace a cramped, modular building that is the smallest library in the County system. Completion is expected by late Summer 2011.

Retirement Dreaming Fair Today

Keep an Eye on Your Plants

Supervisor Cox Opens New Trail

San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox and community leaders unveiled signs and locations in San Diego for the California Coastal Trail, a 1,200-mile network of trails that will take residents and tourists on a scenic journey across the California coastline, from the Mexican border to Oregon. The nonprofit organization Coastwalk California will help install signs in San Diego identifying the trail.

Catch a Movie Under the Stars!

Usually, we watch movies at the theater, at home, or at the occasional drive-in. But it's summer in San Diego, and we can watch them under the stars, for free. The San Diego Movies in the Park series is provided by the County Department of Parks & Recreation in cooperation with other cities.

For a full schedule, visit www.sdmoviesinthepark.com

SAFE Sweeps the County

Local, state & federal law enforcement agencies work together to create the San Diego Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force, known as SAFE. This team of investigators is dedicated to the monitoring and enforcement of sex offender registration laws in San Diego County.