September 8, 2005

Compassion Companions

AVCS celebrates 25 years of growth and
offering counseling to the community

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

It took only two years for an unexpected side effect of Proposition 13 to stir a group of Almaden residents into action. On Sept. 18, the Almaden Valley Counseling Service will celebrate 25 years of compassionate care that now touches nearly 1,000 lives a year.

Rocki Kramer poses with her family at the 2004 Breakfast with Santa fund-raiser for the AVCS.

In the tradition of the Boston Tea Party, California voters revolted against excessive property taxes in 1978 and overwhelmingly passed the initiative that reduced their burden by roughly 57 percent. Reduced government revenues however, led to the elimination of vital services, including on-campus counseling for youths struggling to meet the growing demands that accompany adulthood. For some, the lack of accessible or affordable counseling would soon take its toll.

In 1980, two teen suicides in the Almaden Valley pointed a sharp finger toward the lack of adequate counseling resources available to the youth of the community. It was a wake-up call that members of the Almaden Valley Joint Venture Churches simply couldn’t ignore. Together, with funding from the Almaden Valley Women’s Club, the Almaden Valley Youth Counseling Service [AVYCS] was conceived.

Under the direction of Board Chair Bob Martin and Director Don Smith, the agency, including founding members Pat Dando, JackieWhitlock, Linda Johnson, Guy Miller, Ken Craib, Vicki Weeling, and Mike Creighton opened its doors on Feb. 28, 1980 in the basement of Joint Venture Church with a rented desk and a budget of $6,689. One month later, Rocki Kramer signed on, rounding out the 10-member team on a mission—to provide free counseling to the youth of Almaden Valley.

The timeline that followed, bringing the agency to where it is today yields an impressive summary:

1981: With Pat Dando serving as Board Chair, AVYCS receives funding from the Almaden Valley Women’s Club, enabling them to rent a one-room office and hire half-time director, Jenna D’Angelo. Annual budget: $6,689

1982: AVYCS is granted 501-C3 non-profit status. A $5 session fee is instituted. The first intern clinician joins the agency. Board Chair: Guy Miller.

1983: Staff has grown to four interns and a consultant supervisor and ¾ time Executive Director, Cheryl Blatt is hired. Session fees increase to $10. Board Chair: Sandy Engel.

1984: Board Chair Dee Eberle oversees a big year, as AVYCS is officially incorporated, the Counselor on Campus program begins at Leland and Pioneer High Schools, the Auxiliary is formed, and the first Snow Ball is held.

1985: Rich Crowley heads the team that moves into Crown Blvd. Office, starts the Peer Facilitator Program at Leland High School, and extends services to outside the 95120 zip code. Annual budget: $50,000

1986: Diana Trichilo is hires as the new executive director. Gunderson High School becomes the third school to join the Counselor on Campus [COC] program. Board Chair: Art Darin.

1987: Phyllis Jenkins assumes the executive director’s seat at a growing agency that now offers parent education classes. Castillero, Steinbeck, and John Muir middle schools adopt the COC program. Board Chair: Sally Tillmans.

1988: AVYCS purchases its first computer for office staff, thanks to a grant from IBM. Session fees change to incorporate a $10 - $40 sliding scale structure, based on ability to pay. Board Chair: Pam Darin

1989: Rocki Kramer becomes the new executive director. Ginny Burns takes the position of Administrative Director. By now, AVYCS has provided service to 445 clients and seen 296 students through its COC program. Board Chair: Linda Neilsson.

1990: AVYCS celebrates its 10th anniversary under board chair, Sheryl Stroh. The Auxiliary adds a second fundraising event and holds the first Home Tour. A maximum fee of $50 per session is implemented. Annual budget: $122,600

1991: Smokeless Saturday School, smoking cessation classes start. Willow Glen Education Park joins the growing COC program. AVYCS now has 12 intern clinicians to handle increased needs. Board Chair, Barbara Anderson.

1992: Under Board Chair Jackie Whitlock, added growth enables AVYCS to expand its offices to include a family therapy room and an art/sand tray therapy room. By now, seven schools are involved with the COC program that called for 1,263 visits with 443 students. Additionally, 470 clients receive 2,548 hours of counseling.

1993: The Auxiliary holds its 10th successful Snow Ball event. The staff grows to 18 interns, 4 supervisors, and 4 part-time administrative employees, with David Byers as board chair. AVYCS holds community forums on gang awareness and teen violence. The minimum fee per session is increased to $10.

1994: The second community forum is held on the subject of teenage parties, while the Auxiliary adds a third leg to its fundraising arsenal, with the first annual Almaden Times Classic 10K/2Mile Run-Walk, sponsored by the Almaden Times newspaper. 539 clients receive 3,121 hours of clinical service and 510 students receive counseling through the COC program. Board Chair: Lisa Chaney.

1995: Donna Dawson serves as board chair when the service becomes able to issue small stipends to interns, thanks in part to the SEED [Smythe European Empowerment Drive] awarded to AVYCS. A third community forum is held, featuring a parent/youth seminar and Simonds becomes the first elementary school to join the COC program. Annual budget: $154,000

1996: “Hanging Out and No Place to Go, Teen Loitering” is the topic of the fourth Community Forum. Graystone, Terrell, Randol, and Williams Elementary schools sign up with the COC program. Board Chair Marc Buller.

1997: After 13 years, the Snow Ball becomes a bi-annual event. The offices undergo much needed remodeling and updating. Interns who have become licensed decide to continue their practices at AVYCS, while Board Chair Marc Buller serves a second year. Annual budget: $168,000

1998: With Pat Treadway and Nancy Duran sharing administrative duties, the AVYCS Web site is developed and a forum is held on alcohol awareness. 12 schools now participate in the COC program. Board Chair: John Redding.

1999: Redding puts in a second year, during which three new offices are added and the agency changes its name to Almaden Valley Counseling Service [AVCS] to better represent a growing list of clientele. The staff now consists of 16 interns, 7 supervisors, and 8 licensed therapist administrators. Julie Anderson joins the staff that now oversees 2,843 hours of clinical service for 522 clients, as well as 482 students in the COC program. Annual budget: $185,734

2000: On its 20th anniversary, a new logo is developed to reflect the name change and the 20 years of growth that facilitated it. Interns now receive hourly wages, even though 32-percent of clients are paying the minimum $15 fee. Board Chair: Marjorie Rasmussen. Annual budget: $195,495

2001: The Geriatric Advisory program [GAP] is born, with Cathleen Starr as director. Staff now includes 19 interns, 8 supervisors, and 9 licensed therapists under Board Chair Matt Giampaoli. Annual budget: $202,708

2002: The Auxiliary holds its second Home Tour, “Home for the Holidays” and adds a fourth to their list of community fundraising events, featuring “Santa’s Breakfast.” The continually growing staff now includes 21 interns, 11 supervisors, and 8 licensed therapists, with Matt Giampaoli serving a second year. Annual budget: $211,787

2003: Under Board Chair Elena Agostino, AVCS launches the Westfield Tile Project, while offering 3,731 hours of clinical service to 554 clients—37% of whom pay the lowest fee. Annual budget: $234,579

2004: An additional group room is added to accommodate 24 interns and 10 supervisors, who now offer counseling in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and French, as well as English—resulting in 7,500 hours of clinical service given to 876 clients, along with 2,298 hours devoted to 330 COC students Board Chair: Gwen Hacker.

2005: Vivian Silva, MSW accepts the position of GAP Director. AVCS currently works with 21 schools participating in the COC program, committing 3,433 hours to meet the counseling needs of 682 students. A staff of 25 interns, 10 supervisors, and 8 licensed therapists continues to offer affordable counseling on a sliding scale of $20 - $75 per session, all in the midst of its “busiest year ever.”

After 25 years, AVCS has become a pillar of strength in several communities, while maintaining a balance that allows a staff of 25 interns, 10 supervisors, and eight licensed therapists to continue with its mission to “provide affordable mental health counseling with an emphasis on youth.”

Last year, AVCS provided over 7,500 hours of counseling for 876 patients.

Much of its success, according to Executive Director Rocki Kramer, goes to the countless hours of dedicated Auxiliary volunteers who have raised nearly $300,000 over the years, along with grants, business and individual sponsorships, and community donations that bridge the gap created by offering a sliding fee schedule. Fees alone generate enough revenue to cover only 65 percent of the expenses. The balance is supported by the auxiliary, community organizations, local businesses, individual donations and grants.

In 1994, the Auxiliary added a third leg to its fundraising arsenal, with the first annual Almaden Times Classic 10K/2Mile Run-Walk, sponsored by the Almaden Times newspaper. Pictured above, Pat Dando poses with young participants at the 2002 event.

The combination has paved the way over the years for the expansion of programs, services, and organizational changes. The agency now offers a full range of counseling, which supports and promotes personal growth, positive family relationships and emotional well being, in addition to its COC program and more recently, a geriatric advisory program, parenting classes, and anger management workshops. Last year, the integration of the operations and financial reporting of the Auxiliary with the AVCS will allow better support the Auxiliary’s fund-raising efforts.

“This could not happen without the efforts of many,” admitted Board President Gwen Hacker during the March 2004 Snowball dinner. “The board thanks the auxiliary, the chairs, the many generous sponsors and donors, and the youth who have participated in these three events. You’ve made the community stronger and improved the lives of others.”

And yet, founding member and former city Councilmember Pat Dando says Kramer’s fingerprints can be found all over the programs and counselors who have provided services for Almaden Valley and the greater San Jose community—a 25-year trail of dedication, compassion, a good business sense.

Kramer’s decision to step down will leave a sizable gap in the core of AVCS structure, but she remains confident that the group in place will prosper.

“There is really a need for our services now,” she says. “As a full-service counseling agency providing counseling for all ages, we are in the midst of our busiest year.”

Community support and the sliding fee structure are at the core of what Kramer says keeps AVCS on top of their game. It’s a win-win scenario on both sides. The community receives quality counseling, while creating an environment for interns to get the 3,000 hours they need in order to qualify for their licenses—all with the added benefit of expert supervision.

“We’re providing a valuable opportunity for everyone,” says Kramer. “Everybody wins. It’s been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated, savvy, and creative board of directors. This year, Bylaws were amended to better prepare for the future. Financial reporting was enhanced and related processes were improved. The addition of a new group room to our facility has provided much-needed space for classes, group counseling and meetings. We are also glad to report that this team has recruited an impressive group of new directors with diverse expertise to replace those of us whose terms have ended. They and the staff are the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. The knowledge and skills they bring to their jobs, along with their sensitivity, professionalism, and dedication have made a positive difference in our community and improved the lives of many children and adults.”

“She has great passion for what she does in trying to give people the tools to help others live a better quality life,” says Elise Wolf, who, over the years has grown with the agency—growth that only comes with the warmth, passion, and dedication that she says took her from being a patient to serving on the board as its president. “It’s been wonderful working with Rocki.”

A community celebration and a fond farewell
Final preparations are now underway for the Sept. 18 anniversary celebration at the Almaden Country Club, a fund-raising event that welcomes the community to reunite with those who have helped foster the agency over the past 25 years, and bid a fond farewell to Rocki Kramer, whose unfaltering vision has become the backbone of its success.

“I’m leaving on a high note,” Kramer says. “Things are going very well and the 25th anniversary is a perfect time to do it. It’s bittersweet though—it’s going to be very hard. I’ll probably cry my way through that whole event. This has been my baby—to see it grow to fruition and to meet the wonderful people I’ve met.

“But people know me,” she jokes. “I’m all about raising money to keep this going, so why not go out raising money and asking them to pay to come say good bye? It will be a great way to leave the agency with some money in my honor.”

It’s all for a good cause, she says—the gift that keeps on giving, as proceeds from the event will continue to benefit the nonprofit agency that has and will continue to touch—even save lives for years to come.

For more information on AVCS, call (408) 997-0200 or log on to http://www.avcounseling.org.