PREVAIL

09/05/2026

Think back to the very first moment you connected with PREVAIL—whether you were walking into our center for support, answering your first crisis line call as a volunteer, or standing alongside us at a community event. What was the exact moment you realized, "I'm in the right place, and things are going to be okay"?

As we mark 50 years of serving San Joaquin County, we want to collect these specific moments. If an advocate's words stayed with you, if a volunteer made you feel seen, or if working with PREVAIL changed the way you view community support, we want to hear about it.

Comment your story below, or send us a private message if you prefer to share confidentially. Your exact words might give someone else the courage to reach out today.

09/04/2026

When you reserve a $175 ticket or pledge that amount toward PREVAIL's 50-Year Celebration, what does that number actually represent? It covers the cost of emergency shelter nights, crisis line staffing, and immediate advocacy for a family escaping crisis. Your attendance isn't just a seat at a banquet—it directly funds the first 48 hours of safety for someone rebuilding their life. Join us on October 23rd and see your impact in action.

08/31/2026

Every survivor we work with carries a different story, but a lot of them arrive at the same question: is it actually safe to trust someone again? Our advocates spend their days answering that question patiently, without ever pushing for more than someone's ready to give. If you've ever wondered what rebuilding trust after something hard actually looks like in practice, that's it. Patience, not pressure, every single time.

08/28/2026

Save the date: our 50-Year Celebration is happening October 23rd at Elkhorn Country Club, and we would love nothing more than to have this whole community there with us. Fifty years of growth, name changes, and thousands of people served deserves a real celebration, not just a quiet acknowledgment. We still have individual tickets and tables available for you to join this celebration, so hurry and get yours before they are all sold out!

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Last evening, PREVAIL was honored to join community partners in celebrating the retirement of Kay Ruhstaller, CEO of Family Resource Center

We are deeply grateful for Kay’s years of leadership, vision, and dedication to strengthening families throughout our community. Her commitment to collaboration and partnership has made a lasting impact, and PREVAIL has been fortunate to work alongside her in our shared efforts to support individuals and families across San Joaquin County.

As we celebrate Kay and wish her all the best in this well-deserved next chapter, we are also excited to welcome Dr. Christina Vela as Family Resource Center’s new CEO. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and working together to build a safer, stronger, and more connected community.

Congratulations, Kay, on your retirement, and welcome, Dr. Vela!

08/27/2026

If you've been thinking about getting involved with PREVAIL, here's the honest range of what that can look like: direct service work like crisis intervention, indirect service like our Clothing Closet or special events, or even hosting a donation drive or offering your professional services through a special project. Whatever fits your life, our HR team can help you find the right starting point. Reach out anytime at [email protected] or 209-941-2611.

08/25/2026

One of the most common reasons people don't apply to volunteer anywhere is that the process feels like a black hole. Here's what's real at PREVAIL: every volunteer completes a background check through LiveScan fingerprinting. From there, indirect service volunteers train on the job, while direct service volunteers complete our 69-hour VAT training, mandated reporter and sexual harassment training, and 40 hours of mentoring and job shadowing with direct service staff before working independently. It's a real process, meant to prepare you well, not just check a box.

08/24/2026

True community safety isn't built by just one person—it’s a team effort. When we look out for our neighbors, support local youth, and show up for families in transition, we build a protective baseline that helps everyone thrive. Safety isn't just an individual journey; it is a shared community responsibility.

👉 What you can do: Keep an eye out for those around you, stay informed about local resources, and remember that even small acts of neighborly support create a massive ripple effect across San Joaquin County. Read our latest blog to discover how we can build safe spaces together.

08/21/2026

We're curious about something: who in your life would make an amazing PREVAIL volunteer, and why? Maybe it's the friend who remembers everyone's birthday, or the coworker who always notices when something's off. Tell us about them in the comments, or better yet, go ahead and tag them. You might be the reason they find out about the volunteer work we do.