CREATING A SAFER, HEALTHIER COMMUNITY FOR ALL
At Interface Children & Family Services, we’re focused on making sure every child, teen, parent, and adult in our community has every opportunity to thrive. Founded in 1973, Interface is Ventura County’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of social services, including mental health & trauma treatment, youth crisis & homeless services, domestic violence & child abuse prevention, human trafficking prevention & intervention, and justice services.
Through innovative partnerships, Interface works with teachers, parents, medical professionals, and more to prevent abuse in our community. Our educational programs help adults learn to recognize the signs of abuse while equipping students with ways to protect themselves. We also offer the region’s largest referral contact center, 211 Information & Assistance, which quickly connects community members to the resources and assistance they need during times of crisis.
Join us in making sure our community provides a safe place for families, children, and neighbors to thrive. Get involved or make a donation today.
HELP US PROVIDE QUALITY CARE AND SERVICES TO MANY MORE THAT NEED US.
OUR BLOG: INTERFACE TODAY
The Importance of a Second Chance: Reflections From the Justice Services Team
April was Second Chances Month, and members of Interface’s Justice Services team are sharing reflections about the importance of giving someone a second chance.
Deirdre Smith, Director of Justice Services- Second chances are something very personal to me. In 2002, I was incarcerated for a felony and completed a 1-year sentence. I was young and had my entire life left to live. I can recall sitting in a parole board meeting and being asked by the panel what my goals were once I went home. I responded that I wanted to go to school and get a higher education. Three white women on that panel launched into all the reasons that I would not ever achieve that educational goal with a felony record. I BELIEVED THEM. When I was finally able to go home, I told my new probation officer I wanted to enroll at the local community college. The probation officer said that I was required to go to work and that I would not make it to school because of my criminal record. Again, I BELIEVED HER. I went to work at a minimum-wage job so that I could pay my restitution. The next year I became pregnant with my first child. Most of my paycheck went toward childcare expenses, and I quickly realized that I was working just to afford to go to work. I felt helpless.
