Jim Named “Outstanding State Volunteer” by Governor Schwarzenegger

Jim Serves as Director of Spirit West Coast Security & Safety Division

Jim Serves as Homeland Security Council Region One

Jim is Member of State of California Chapter of NAFC

Jim Named “Outstanding State Volunteer” by Governor Schwarzenegger

Jim receives Award from Governor story By GEORGE STEWART, The Tustin News. The Orange County Register (California) July 22, 2004 “Governor honors Tustin man; Gov. Schwarzenegger cites Jim Palmer's efforts with the Orange County homeless. The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism is shining its Spotlight, its electronic newsletter website, on Tustin resident Jim Palmer, recognizing his work with the homeless. The newsletter, which can be reached at www.goserv.ca.gov/index.asp, said Palmer is being recognized: “... for his work addressing homelessness issues with the Orange County Rescue Mission, one of the largest homeless services providers in Orange County.”

Palmer was nominated for the honor by Orange County Sheriff Mike Corona, with whom Palmer has worked for six years creating winter shelter programs for the homeless. Palmer started with the Orange County Rescue Mission as its vice president in 1992 and became the president in 1993. He has launched a mobile outreach program that includes a food pantry, two medical clinics and a technology vehicle to help families and individuals living in motels, cars and parks.

As chairman of the Orange County Housing Commission from 2000 to 2002, Palmer has brought homeless issues to the forefront of the efforts and was instrumental in the development of its sub-committee, the Continuum of Care Leadership Cabinet. The Leadership Cabinet helps county government develop regional strategies for homeless programs, from prevention to permanent housing. Under Palmer's chairmanship, the Leadership Cabinet has secured more than $53 million in federal funds for those programs in Orange County over the last five years.

Palmer also co-founded the Compassionate Collaborative of five faith-based ministries that operate rescue missions in Southern California. They work together on forming initiatives for regional solutions to poverty. Palmer also is president of the Orange County Sheriff's Professional Services Reserve Unit, which serves in an advisory capacity for strategic planning in helping the homeless. “I was thrilled to be recognized by the new governor,” Palmer said. “I was really surprised, because a lot of the time people don't talk about services to the homeless and poor. They're not usually recognized.”

Palmer's latest project through the Rescue Mission is the Village of Hope, under construction on the former Tustin Marine base. When it opens by March of 2005 with 192 beds for men, women and children, vocational training and other care for the homeless in transition, it will be the largest shelter of its kind in Orange County.

Jim Serves as Director of Spirit West Coast Security & Safety Division

Director, Security and Safety Division Spirit West Coast (SWC) – Del Mar. All Spirit West Coast Safety Officers, Crowd Control, Access Control and Usher operations fall under the direction of the Director of Security.

Jim Serves as Homeland Security Council Region One

Jim is a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, Region One. The mission of the Region I (Governor's Office of Emergency Services—OES-LA—and Orange County) Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) is to provide direct interaction among senior executives from industry and the community with the law enforcement and public safety services in support of homeland security, civil protection, and critical infrastructure protection. This effort will enhance the effectiveness of the Los Angeles and Orange County Terrorism Early Warning (TEW) Groups by providing a capacity for direct contact with subject matter experts for counsel and advice in support of planning, training and activation.

Jim is Member of State of California Chapter of NAFC

Jim is a Member of the State of California Chapter, National Association of Forensic Counselors. The National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) and its’ certification commission The American College of Certified Forensic Counselors (ACCFC) is the largest independent Credentialing Board in the U.S. representing the forensic counselor. The NAFC was established in 1994 to establish post graduate standards and professional responsibility in the very specialized area of criminal justice counseling and evaluation. The development of standards of practice, clinical guidelines, and the establishment of a valid certification program are efforts NAFC and ACCFC have made to enhance delivery of safe and effective treatment of offenders in both civil and criminal cases, improve communication, between the clinician and the justice system as well as for the protection of the public. NAFC is a non-profit corporation federally tax exempt under section 501(C) 6.