Parole agent Matt Fuchs presenting graduates with certificates of completion. A Butte County Probation graduate sharing his experience while in the BCBC program.
On September 3rd, the Butte County Office of Education held a Butte County Community Based Coalition program graduation at Manzanita Place in Chico. The graduation highlighted the achievements of 10 parole clients and 4 probation clients from the Oroville and Chico program sites. Those in attendance included family, friends, DAPO staff members, Butte County Probation Officers, Butte County Office of Education administrators,
Butte County Child Support Services staff members, and Dori Yamamoto-Chan from DRP.
The graduate speakers were the highlight of the ceremony as they spoke about their challenges as well as their resiliency and ability to persevere. The strength and courage that each client demonstrated as they shared their stories with the audience was inspiring. Many of those in attendance later shared how impressed they were with the program graduates after hearing how these clients overcame their struggles. One of the client speakers shared that he had decided to change his way of life while he was in prison. He stated that he had gathered a whole bag of tools while in prison. However, it wasn’t until he enrolled in the BCBC program that he learned how to use the tools in the “real world.” Since participating in the program, the client has obtained his own housing, transportation, and he has held several jobs until finding a stable position with Pacific Coast Producers.
Honored at the graduation for their excellent support and services were the following: Parole Agent I Matt
Fuchs, Butte County Probation Officer Lori Teague, and Child Support Specialist Charlene Vargas. Each of these honorees was recognized for his or her outstanding support to the clients and the BCBC program.
After the ceremony, clients and their families stayed for refreshments and photos. Many of the graduates stayed to share appreciations with program staff and their parole agents.