Recent News
Stepping Stones recently celebrated the opening of its new playground for the kids living with their mothers while in treatment. The playground’s design, equipment, and labor were a generous donation from the Champion Foundation.
The ceremony was hosted by Chaplain Dave Truax who acknowledged Chris and Retha Champion and the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Also in attendance were staff and residents of Stepping Stones, the workers who installed the playground, and SMRS’ Bruce Boardman, Tim Stevens, and Chris Abernathy.
Many thanks to the Champion Foundation for helping us to ensure the safety and happiness of our children with this beautiful playground!
The River Community residents and staff are fortunate to be in the beautiful surroundings of the San Gabriel Mountains. On April 22, 2021, we took the opportunity to show our appreciation by cleaning up large mounds of trash around the property and down the river path. We suited up in safety gear, put on our gloves and grabbed several boxes of trash bags. After about 2 hours of work and conversation about progression and being of service, we sat by the river and enjoyed a nice lunch followed by earth inspired vegan chocolate-mint cupcakes.
The residents and staff of Mariposa and Rena B recently celebrated Denim Day. Residents were encouraged to creatively express themselves through art. Staff and residents alike actively participated in designing, painting, and writing words of empowerment, advocating against rape and sexual assault on pairs of denim jeans.
The story of Denim Day begins in 1992. In Italy, an 18-year old girl was raped by a driving instructor. The instructor was taking the young lady for her first driving lesson. He drove to an isolated area and sexually assaulted her. She reported the rape and the man was convicted. However, he later appealed, the appeallate judge overturned his sentence, and was released from jail. The judge said that because the young lady was wearing tight jeans she had to have helped the perpetrator remove her jeans. And by doing so, this made it consensual sex not rape.
The women from the Italian Parliament were so enraged with the overturning of this conviction they went to the Supreme Court in jeans to protest. For the past 29 years, Denim Day is a day to bring awareness and remind people that there is no excuse and no invitation to rape!
- Celebrate your Trans loved ones today and every day -
Royal Palms LGBTQ+ residential treatment program has not only the pleasure but the honor of celebrating our staff successes. Sophia is one of those success stories that is worth sharing as she has walked through trials and tribulations to be the woman who she is today. Sophia adds so much value to Royal Palms, as she presents with a desire and approach that comes from a place of acceptance, love, sincerity, and education for our residents. Sophia has chosen to work in the field of substance use to help others like herself who not only struggle with addiction but through transitioning to a new life in so many ways.
Jacob Adrian Pifher was born June 9th, 1994.
“Living in a body that never felt right, going through life trying to fit in and be accepted, I was continuing to live a lie because I was afraid, and where I come from there was no one else like me. I didn’t have the support to “come out.” I finally made a decision that would change the rest of my life. A day after my 19th birthday, on June 10th, 2014, I came out to my family that I was going to start transitioning to a female. I had to explain to them that I never felt right. Being born a male, I never felt like this was the body I was meant to be in. My parents struggled with this concept of life and it was new to them. After I came out, I lost a lot of family members. I didn’t have any support aside from my therapist. I had to educate myself on how to take each step to transition, as no one had experience doing this before that I knew of, not even my therapist.
“Three months after coming out as transgender, I saved up money for the first time so that I could move forward to acquire a name change, legally becoming Sophia Nicole Pifher. This day I started living my true authentic life. One year later, I started hormone replacement therapy. The changes were indescribable, from emotions to physical changes – mind you I didn’t know anyone during this time to talk to about these changes I was experiencing. All I knew is I started feeling right - every step of the way. Six years and 10 months later, I am glad that every struggle has been a learning experience on how I can help others through the similar process. I love the person who I’ve became to this day.”
The Tobacco-Free Partnership Maywood/Montebello has created an infographic for Maywood retailers and community members to inform them of the newly implemented ordinance that prohibits the sale flavored tobacco products.
“I have been in recovery since April 19, 2014. I went through a lot of challenges in my life growing up around addiction. With the help of my Higher Power, I was able to overcome addiction, change my life, get my kids back, and have an amazing marriage. I chose to go to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor and graduated in 2019. Since then, I have been dedicating my life to helping people like me still suffering. I believe everyone deserves a chance at a better life and to have someone believe in them. I am that person who will always give people hope and be a positive role model in their life. Thanks to Social Model Recovery Systems for giving me a chance to work for this amazing company. I have been able to follow my dreams and help people. I am currently the Housing and Alumni Coordinator for Community-Based Housing. Due to having this position, I am able to see amazing miracles happen, like women and men getting their children back and striving to get their lives together. I am grateful for my life today and I am looking forward to my future. With my Higher Power's guidance, everything is possible.”
Congratulations to our newest certified SUD Counselor, Ruben Escamilla! He has worked hard and continues to serve our communities. We are proud of this big accomplishment on his journey as a SUD Counselor.
