Charlie Gross considers his 22 years serving the community of Ceres as a blessing to himself but countless have been blessed by his service too.

On Friday Gross walked away as the Lead Family Advocate at the Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children, retiring with gifts from his coworkers during a two-hour farewell party.

At his retirement sendoff he was presented with tickets to a Giants game, goodies to eat and barbecue utensils. Cards from clients filled with testimonials on how he impacted lives were also heaped upon him on his last day.

“I’m really blessed,” said Gross, who decided that age 72 was the time to stop and enjoy more leisure.

Gross had retired as a California Youth Authority youth counselor after 18 years when he decided to go to work at the Ceres agency in October 15, 2001 “with a five-year plan and it turned into 22 years because I’ve enjoyed working with these families so much.”

“I’ll miss them but I’m kind of torn but it’s time. I have 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren so there’s where my time is going.”

His wife of 54 years, Linda will also see a lot more of him too now.

Gross has helped so many people and a random encounter with a former client at a gas station served as an example. A young man in his 20’s yelled, “Hey, Charlie!” and proceeded to explain that his time in the Youth Guide program gave him purpose.

“He didn’t have any male role models in his life, he was raised by his grandmother, had issues in school. He turned everything around and kept going good and he’s married with three kids and he’s been working for Tesla for the last three-and-a-half years. That’s a highlight.”

He has other examples of having empowered people to straighten out their paths in life.

When he worked for the CYA, Gross said most all of those young men he counseled shared that their lives derailed between the ages of seven and 11. That’s why he developed the Youth Guide program in Ceres.

Gross believes that most of youth become troubled because of absentee fathers, which is why he helped develop the Father Involvement program.

Another young man from the program spotted Gross in the mall and noted how well his life was growing. Gross remembered taking the young man to walk in Caswell State Park and talk about life. He pointed out to the young man a vine-wrapped tree which was dead but appeared to be alive.

“It was just the grape vines that were green. So what you looked at was camouflaged death. So I took pictures and talked to the young kids about camouflaged death. ’Somebody’s going to say hey, come on let’s do this, it’s fun. This go that, it’s great, you’re gonna feel good.’ Trying to go the wrong way but actually what they’re showing you is camouflaged death if you take that drug or do this and that and go the wrong way.

“We have one chance in life. God’s given us so many days. ‘It’s appointed unto man once to die and after this the Judgement.’ So what we do with our lives today, that’s what’s going to make a difference.”

Part of his job included working with Child Protective Services (CPS) in its differential response program.

Taking his place is Imelda Castellanos, one of seven on staff at the Ceres Partnership. Staffing is less than it used to be and is only made possible by grants. The agency offers classes on child development, parent education and nutrition as well as the Promotores program for Spanish speaking parents educating them on health and wellness.

Kaylee Brown, manager of the Ceres Partnership, said Gross leaves a huge void.

“He’s someone who is super solid, who’s known what he’s doing for 21 years but even beyond that I think it’s what he’s brought to our team – someone who always helps out with things like our facilities or safety, just caring about the employees – somethings that’s outside his job that he’s always done. And beyond that it’s just the way that he works with people. He has great relationships in the community, with families and partners. He’s going to be super hard to replace. We all have great respect for him. He’s like family.”

In his time at Ceres Partnership, Gross has seen the office move from Fourth Street to Mitchell Road and then Morgan Road. The office is now in the former digs of the Grandview Headstart.