Trinity Youth Services (TYS) stands with the California Alliance of Child and Family Services in sharing the sorrow of the recent mass shooting in our community of Monterey Park. Our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones or who were injured in this senseless act of violence during a day intended for celebration and hope.
This devastating incident hits close to home with a TYS foster care office, staff, and families residing within Monterey Park. Our hearts go out to the community.
Any TYS staff or families affected by this tragic event will be assessed for their mental health needs and will be provided with therapeutic services by our compassionate and caring team.
It is more important than ever to support one another and to provide opportunities for healing. As an organization dedicated to advocating for children and families, as well as mental health and safety, here are a list of resources that can be accessed for those suffering from traumas impacting mental health:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 24/7 support and crisis resources; call, text, or chat 988
- Crisis Text Line: 24/7 support at your fingertips; text HOME to 741741
- The Trevor Project LGBTQ Hotline: 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Hotline: 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Directory of Additional Helpline Resources from NAMI
Incredible Social Workers Doing Incredible Work
The Social Workers at Trinity Youth Services’ Monterey Park office work overtime to provide top-notch care for children and the families. Being available after-hours, providing support to foster families and helping children feel safe are just a few things that our amazing Social Workers do.
“Action begins with a desire. Naturally, heartfelt compassion leads to action. The vulnerable and disadvantaged in this world need more than pity, they need to see love operate selflessly and sacrificially. This is how our social workers operate. They support our children with their passion to make a difference,” said Monterey Park Foster Care Director, Angelo Colaiacovo.
For National Social Work Month, we are highlighting two outstanding Social Workers from the Monterey Park team who continually make a difference in our children’s lives!
Edward Rosales
Edward is a a Treatment Foster Care Social Worker at the Monterey Park office and has been at Trinity for a little over three years.
Florence: Why did you choose to work at Trinity?
Edward: I wanted to work with foster kids again. I worked with foster kids when I started my career over 20 years ago. I felt there was a big need for them to have supportive services, so I interviewed, and got the job.
Florence: What has been your most memorable moment so far?
Edward: The most memorable moments occur when the kids have been reunified with their parents. It’s always good to see the families doing the work that is required by them from the County. When kids see that their mom and dad are working toward getting them back, that’s always a good thing. Also, when the case goes to adoptions and the resource parents step up and adopt them. This is a rewarding experience to see a new family begin.
Florence: What do you love most about your role?
Edward: I get to do a lot of different things as a Social Worker. Whether the youth needs therapy, speech therapy, physical, mental health or occupational therapy, I can link them up with systems through the County. Also, jumping through hoops for youth to get their needs met has always been very nice to be able to do.
Florence: Why do you think people should choose Trinity? What makes us different?
Edward: We’re like a family here. I’ve been here three years, and pretty much everyone has jelled and is a great team. We are supportive of each other, and I think it shows when an applicant or Resource Parent comes in, and they realize that everyone is helping each other out. I think Trinity goes above and beyond in recruiting quality parents, so that’s always a good plus.
Florence: What are some of your hobbies outside of Trinity?
Edward: I love to travel, cook and I am an avid reader. I also love spending time with my kids. I have a boy and a girl, and I am really active in their lives. I coach my kids in various sports, such as football, baseball, basketball and golf. Both of my kids are in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts respectively. As a parent, you always have to keep on top of your child’s academics. Thankfully, the Mrs. and I have done really well in having our children be top-notch, not only academically and athletically, but also in community service as well.
Tiffany Jones
Tiffany is a Treatment Foster Care Social Worker and has been at Trinity Youth Services for three years.
Florence: What do you like most about working at Trinity?
Tiffany: I like working with children and families and making an impact in their lives.
Florence: What do you love the most about your role?
Tiffany: I like working with the kids. I like mentoring them and seeing a difference. Some teenagers I work with are about to go to college and major in Social Work. One of them now has a part-time job. She wants to be a Social Worker and has been applying to colleges. She used to be at-risk, but she’s made a change.
Florence: What is your most memorable moment?
Tiffany: Seeing one of my kids be adopted, as well as when a client of mine graduated from high school.
Florence: What are some of the hobbies you enjoy outside of work?
Tiffany: I enjoy going to amusement parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios. I also enjoy spending time with my kids, exercising and doing Zumba.
Florence: Why should families consider Trinity when they want to foster or adopt?
Tiffany: Trinity actually cares about the children and the families that they help, and what’s going on in their lives. It’s not about the numbers or the money.
If you are in the Los Angeles area and are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, you can reach out directly to the Trinity Monterey Park Foster Care office at 626.966.1776.
Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California.
Trinity Youth Services recently merged all Los Angeles County foster care and adoption offices into one centralized location in Monterey Park. This new location allows Trinity to better access all the families we serve.
Though there were some minor changes, most families were able to keep their assigned social worker. It is important to the agency to maintain the relationships between social workers and families, respecting the level of trust that has been developed over the time with the agency.
Consolidating the West Covina, Palmdale and Long Beach offices to the one, centralized Monterey Park location reduces expenses and overhead, which in turn allows us to better serve the families and children in our care.
On August 23, the Monterey Park Foster Care and Adoptions Office hosted an open house so that the community and resource families could see the new office. Resource parents met with staff and other families and had the opportunity to share their own inspiring stories. Snacks and juice were provided to guests as they mixed and mingled in the new office.
“The new office will accommodate not only the growth of the agency, but the addition of mental health services as well,” said Foster Care and Adoptions Director Jackie Jakob.
Trinity Youth Services is so excited to expand our capacity and reach more families looking to create a better future for children in need.
Interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent? Call 888-346-9645 or fill out our inquiry form to get started.
Jenelle Rensch, Marketing & Promotions Specialist
Jenelle maintains a distinctive look and voice for Trinity Youth Services through our online presence, media and community outreach. Before joining the Trinity team in 2016, Jenelle worked in the newspaper/magazine industry for nearly a decade as a graphic designer, photographer, writer and editor. Jenelle earned a bachelor’s degree in visual communications at California State University Fullerton and has won several awards throughout her career including a few from the National Newspaper Association.
Tel: (909) 825-5588 | Email: jrensch@trinityys.org
