Helping nonprofit leaders do better at doing good

Meet Organizational Member: Casa Pacifica

The Basics!

Carrie Hughes
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families
Director of Development and Public Relations

Tell us about yourself: 

I graduated UCSB with a degree in Communications, and was hired in 1999, five years after Casa Pacifica opened its doors to foster and at-risk children. Over my 19 year career in fundraising, myself and the development team have collaboratively raised over $60 million dollars. Recently, our fundraising efforts resulted in a successful $16.6 million-dollar capital campaign for a new training institute and vocational education center and co-occurring treatment cottages serving youth with mental health and substance dependence issues. 

What is your organization's mission?

We meet youth and families at the most challenging times of their lives and help them overcome some of life’s most difficult circumstances – trauma, complex emotional and behavioral issues, and family crisis.  We restore hope, help children find joy in daily living, and improve families’ chances at making a better life for themselves and at finding a place in their community where they can be successful.  Casa Pacifica is committed to children and their families unconditionally over time and through all of life’s ups and downs.

Why did you think it was important to become an organizational member of the Center for Nonprofit Leadership? What do you value most about your membership?

CFNL focuses on leadership development on all levels which in turn creates a bigger impact on an organizations success. It offers access  to valuable education sessions, expert trainers and speakers that help sharpen our skills and knowledge as well as strengthens personal and organizational relationships. CFNL fosters a positive culture in philanthropy that has a positive impact in our community. And of course the networking. I love Dena so much. She has been a mentor and friend for many years.

What’s happening at Casa Pacifica—any recent highlights, milestones, new programs  or upcoming events?

Casa Pacifica will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019. Since opening, it has now grown to be the largest nonprofit provider of children’s mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency was created through the collaborative efforts of private and public constituents – community members and government agency’s working together for the best interests of the children in our community. This partnership remains to this day.

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