Children ' s
AND
Home of stockton
GUIDING YOUTH FAMILIES
The Children’ s Home of Stockton changes lives through care and commitment to kids in need. From its historic, parklike campus in downtown Stockton, this non-profit organization serves at-risk youth, turning their lives around and enabling them to become productive citizens. Established in 1882 as an orphanage, the Children’ s Home has been improving our community for 135 years.
“ We evolved over the decades into a comprehensive residential treatment program and a non-public school,” says Joelle Gomez, CEO.“ Our resident youth have experienced severe family issues and traumas, including physical and sexual abuse, and are referred to us by the courts and social services so they’ ll receive supervision and guidance from compassionate staff who will help them find their way, build their character, and build their self-sufficiency. The outcomes we strive for are healthy kids who can transition back home or to a foster family, or move on to higher education and live independently.”
Six cottages on site and one cottage off site can accommodate 52 youth from age 12 to 18. Some stays have been as short as six months or as long as four years, but two years is typical. Most residents attend the non-public school along with students referred from school districts throughout San Joaquin County.
The Children’ s Home nonpublic school focuses on special education services and currently has more than 80 students enrolled from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The day student population is comprised of youth who struggle in the traditional school setting as they present with very specialized academic and behavioral needs.“ They often come to us several grade levels behind,” says Gomez,“ and our goal is to catch them up to grade level and see them graduate successfully or transition back to public schools.”
More than 150 staff members are at the core of the Children’ s Home’ s success, including teachers, aids, residential clinicians, and youth
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