Casa Pacifica Offers Stable Environment

Thank you for your fair and accurate profile of Casa Pacifica (March 16). Finally, a reporter takes the time and energy to study the dynamics of this shelter which has chosen to serve the most needy and most challenging group of children in Ventura County. Your profiles of a few of the children at Casa Pacifica underscore the tremendous task Steve Elson and the staff have before them.

Casa Pacifica has been going through the normal growing pains and learning experiences very similar to those of first-time parents. We all prepare for parenthood by attempting to anticipate what will be expected of us once our children arrive. No matter how well-educated or intelligent, nearly every parent finds themselves in some way ill prepared and unequipped for the realities of parenthood on a daily basis. Consider then that Casa Pacifica’s population of children requires highly specialized attention and are emotionally scarred long before their arrival there.

As any good and responsible parent would, Casa Pacifica has dealt with several unanticipated problems by reevaluating some of its policies and practices. It has taken full responsibility for any errors in judgment that may have occurred, and reacted swiftly to correct those errors. I support Elson and the entire staff in their efforts to provide a loving and stable environment for the children who need it most.

MINDY MALOON

Board member, Casa Pacifica

Angels

Ojai