NAPA, Calif. – August 10, 2015 – To celebrate the agency’s first year of providing substance abuse services for youth, local nonprofit Aldea Children & Family Services will hold an open house event on August 13th at the Wolfe Center in Napa. Aldea began to administer the County’s only drug and alcohol program specifically for youth following the June 2014 closure of the Loyd Wolfe Juvenile Justice Network, which had provided services out of the Wolfe Center for more than a decade.

Over the past year, Aldea has expanded the program to serve 3,800 youth through prevention activities at local schools and 82 youth through drug and alcohol abuse treatment. Program Director Anna Hernandez is thrilled with the program’s success. “We’re excited to celebrate the positive changes in these youth. Each client is different; some are ready to make a change but need support to get healthy. Others may take more education and guidance to make positive lifestyle changes.”

Former client Aaron falls into the latter category. Aaron was required to attend treatment at Wolfe Center after being put on probation. Initially, he was angry and combative, even demanding a new counselor when she had suggested Aaron attend Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. Eventually, Aaron’s mindset began to change and he found his counselor’s guidance and support helpful. After nearly a year of ups and downs in treatment, Aaron completed his personalized treatment plan he created with his counselor.

“Last July, Wolfe Center staff were instrumental in successfully transitioning clients, like Aaron, to Aldea services. In the last year, Aldea has increased the number of youth getting the help they need to become healthy and make better choices. Aldea is proud to continue these services; they have such a significant impact on our community,” Aldea Executive Mark Bontrager notes.

Aldea is the only Napa County provider offering substance abuse prevention and treatment services for youth. The program also offers support for the families of youth participating in outpatient treatment services. Although most of Aldea’s substance abuse services are provided at the Wolfe Center in downtown Napa, staff also work out of schools and community agencies throughout Napa County.

The open house, sponsored by Bank of Napa, will take place on Thursday, August 13th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Wolfe Center at 2310 First Street in Napa. The event is free and family-friendly and will feature ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, food from Filippi’s Pizza and Napa Valley Bistro, non-alcoholic beverages, live music from Napa School of Music and personalized site tours led by Aldea staff. For more information, please visit www.aldeainc.org or email info@aldeainc.org.

About Aldea Children & Family Services
Aldea Children & Family Services improves people’s mental wellbeing so they can strengthen their relationships and become engaged in the community. Through critical mental health, treatment foster care, adoption, and support services, Aldea helps more than 5,300 people annually in Napa and Solano counties who face obstacles to accessing and receiving effective treatment.

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