Past Events
Let’s start with ‘E’ (Empathy) in E.A.R.S.!
Date: November 3, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas
Venue
Virtual
Description
Being in community when the world around us seems to be unraveling is one way to refill our capacity to be present with each other. Please join us at the November 3rd Friday CAFÉ to unpack the ‘E’ in E.A.R.S. (Empathize, Ask Questions, Rephrase, and Summarize) with the goal of reframing how we show up for each other and the families we work with. Let’s rediscover together the gift of empathy, which is feeling with someone, rather than feeling for someone (sympathy).
Friday CAFÉ Homecoming
Date: October 6, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas, Manager of Community Services Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC)
Venue
The Village Hub in Woodside
Description
OCTOBER 6, 2023- FRIDAY CAFE VIDEO
Fall is here and so are Friday CAFÉs!
Join us for the first CAFÉ of the year to share your experience of the last few months, how you’re showing up this fall and how that impacts your work with families.
Anthony Thomas is back by popular demand as our Conversation Catalyst and will hold space for us to navigate our collective journeys and find our connection back to each other!
A-Ha Moments!
Celebratory Friday CAFE before summer break
Date: May 19, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
In- Person Friday CAFE
Description
We are honored to host a special celebratory spring event for community and family engagement (CAFÉ) champions.
We encourage you to invite a family engagement colleague and community partner to REGISTER and join our professional network.
Building Stronger Partnerships by Examining Our Blind Spots
Date: April 28, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
For educators and family support practitioners, transparent and genuine relationships with families are essential to promote children’s healthy development. The reality is that blind spots – an area where a person fails to exercise judgment, awareness, or perspective – can cause cracks in the foundation of a partnership. Being open and willing to shine a light on blind spots can help overcome conflict, blame, and judgment and lead to cultivating authentic connections with families.
Healthy Conflict Sparks Authentic Engagement
Date: March 31, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Fight, flight and freeze are classic primal responses to danger and conflict. But these are not our only options. Conflict is a natural occurrence, and there are ways it can be a positive experience in our relationships with colleagues and families. When we care about each other’s needs, and listen to each other with curiosity, we can reach shared goals with creativity and passion while holding the tension of our differences.
In our March CAFE, we will approach conflict as an opportunity to learn, grow and create new ways of relating to each other and the families we work with. We know
communities can benefit profoundly when authentic, caring, and connective engagement is the normal response to conflict.
Communicating with Care
Date: February 24, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Communication helps communities to break out of the culture of silence and address the problems and issues of concern in their various communities. Though it is our
desire to communicate with our families and community partners to gain knowledge and bridge divides, those conversations don’t always come naturally.
Most of us struggle to self-evaluate our communication patterns. We might therefore be unaware of words and actions that shut down healthy dialogue when discussing sensitive topics and offering support.
Riding Out Life's Storms through individual healing and collective wellness
Date: January 27, 2023
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
We will all face storms in life, there’s just no getting around it. Still, the storms we face will not all be the same. Individuals, families and communities
constantly weather storms related to climate change, employment, food, housing and childcareOur experience is shaped by our personal mindset, relationships and vision for collective wellness.
We invite you to take a break from the storm for healing connections with professional colleagues! During the CAFÉ, we will explore how valuing the
wellbeing of the whole invites us to think critically about our communities and our roles within them.
How our emotions, energy and experiences impact our connections with families of young children.
Date: December 9, 2022
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Friday C.A.F.E. (Community and Family Engagement) is a professional network for
providers supporting families with young children.
Friday CAFE offers space for self-exploration, networking, and authentic dialogue to restore, inspire and deepen our connections with families.
Healing Relationships with Ourselves, Families and Community
Date: October 28, 2022
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Build relational trust with families through courageous vulnerability, self-exploration and authentic dialogue with professional peers.
Healing Relationships with Ourselves, Families and Community
Date: September 30, 2022
Speaker
Anthony Thomas,M.S.Ed. Manager of Youth & Family Initiatives Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
How do we heal from here?
There are calls for unity and healing almost everywhere we turn. But what does this mean?
How can we as individuals, families and communities move forward? Perhaps one way is by starting small. By taking small steps towards
healing ourselves, we can build trust and engage in deeper relationships with each other.
Join us for our first CAFE of the school year for a boost in healing energy by tuning into conversations and connections with ourselves and discovering their impact on our relationships with families with the ultimate goal of restoring robust communities.
Retreat to kick-off our 6th year of CAFEs
Date: September 16, 2022
Speaker
First 5 San Mateo County and SMCOE Early Learning Support Services
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
With the generous support of First 5 San Mateo County, SMCOE Early Learning Support Services launched Friday CAFÉ in January 2017 with the goal of creating an innovative and restorative professional network for family engagement providers supporting families with young children. Over the past 5 years, our CAFÉ network continues to prioritize practitioners working with families with children 0-5 and has expanded to be inclusive of practitioners serving families with children of all ages.
We are grateful for your time, partnership and valuable perspective as we continue on our CAFÉ journey and explore possibilities for creating meaningful experiences relevant to our field’s ever-changing needs.
Choosing, Creating and Celebrating Our Community
Date: May 27, 2022
Speaker
Michelle Holdt Arts and Restorative Learning Coordinator San Mateo County Office of Education
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Throughout the school year, we rhythmically cultivate conditions for connections through everyday moments and interactions. As summer break nears, the tempo intensifies as we wrap-up, transition and move forward with our family engagement efforts. During this final stretch, let’s remember together when we flowed and when we skipped beats in our efforts to build community. Through creative and innovative interactions with our peers, we will honor highlights and set intentions for expanding trusting connections with families.
Replenish and Regenerate Relationships
Date: April 29, 2022
Speaker
Alejandro Vilchez Principal, A V Consulting Training/ Consultation/ Community Engagement
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Spring is a time of renewal and replenishment. As health guidelines evolve this spring season, we have an opportunity to reconnect and reinvigorate relationships with our colleagues and families unmasked. Join us for a playful process to engage with peers in self-care to establish hope, build trust and enhance collaborations by utilizing our stories and lived experiences to heal and regenerate.
Replenish and Regenerate Relationships
Date: March 25, 2022
Speaker
Alejandro Vilchez Principal, A V Consulting Training/ Consultation/ Community Engagement
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Spring is a time of renewal and replenishment. As health guidelines evolve this spring season, we have an opportunity to reconnect and reinvigorate relationships with our colleagues and families unmasked. Join us for a playful process to engage with peers in self-care to establish hope, build trust and enhance collaborations by utilizing our stories and lived experiences to heal and regenerate.
'UnMask' Connections
Date: February 25, 2022
Speaker
Ashanti Branch Founder and Executive Director The Ever Forward Club
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
an uncommonly open and honest dialogue about taking off our masks and revealing our common needs for support, expression, recognition, meaning and connection. By closing the gap between who we are on the inside and who we show up as at work, school, online or onsite, we can create more dynamic connections with colleagues, families and the community. In our Winter CAFE series, we will explore tools for engaging in courageous conversations about our collective social-emotional well-being.
'UnMask' Connections
Date: January 28, 2022
Speaker
Ashanti Branch Founder and Executive Director The Ever Forward Club
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
An uncommonly open and honest dialogue about taking off our masks and revealing our common needs for support, expression, recognition, meaning and connection. By closing the gap between who we are on the inside and who we show up as at work, school, online or onsite, we can create more dynamic connections with colleagues, families and the community. In our Winter CAFE series, we will explore tools for engaging in courageous conversations about our collective social-emotional well-being.
Celebrating Family Treasures
Date: December 3, 2021
Speaker
The Friday Café Team
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
We hope you and your loved ones had a restful and healthy break!
In honor of Native American Month, we humbly share with you an Apache prayer which offers a powerful perspective of the journey we have traveled and the path we walk ahead.
Taking Care of YOU and YOUR Team
Date: October 29, 2021
Speaker
Puente de la Costa Sur: Arlae Alston Programan Director, Lizeth A. Hernandez Education irector
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Caring connections with families begins with self-care and a supportive work culture. Join us in this month’s C.A.F.E., where we will continue our conversation from the September month’s C.A.F.E., by examining how the “buckets” we carry nurture our personal well-being, support meaningful work, and sustain trusting relationships with families.
Navigating the Transition Back to In-Person Connections
Date: September 24, 2021
Speaker
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
As we begin this new school year, we hope you are enjoying reconnecting in-person with children, families, and colleagues. We’re also aware that this transition brings with it a wide range of emotions! Being in community with peers to process “being okay with not being okay” is essential for self-care, especially given our roles providing initial supports to families. Join us in a creative and restorative process for healing and recharging at our first CAFE of the year!
Reinvigorating Our Relationships
Date: May 28, 2021
Speaker
Charo Martinez Family Liasion Office of Consumer and Family Affairs Behavioral Health and recovery Services (BHRS) San Mateo Community Health
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Throughout this exceptional academic year, our relationships have kept us resilient and committed to caring for our communities. Join us in a reinvigorating creative process to celebrate how far we have come and to set brave intentions for our strong partnerships with families.
Nurturing Strong Partnerships with Families
Date: April 30, 2021
Speaker
Jen Reyes Moran Bioco-founder and Director Community Well
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
When we listen with empathy, we create a space for deep
understanding, safety and connection with one another. This
process calls for courageous vulnerability, openness and compassion.
Join us in dynamic small group exercises and large group conversations
about transforming our relationships with families through
empathic listening with the goal of fostering trusting partnerships.
Through this process, we can also fill up our own self-care reserves.
Healing Community through Empathic Listening
Date: March 26, 2021
Speaker
Jen Reyes Moran co-founder and Director Community Well
Venue
Description
When teachers and family engagement practitioners engage in a space that nurtures their natural capacity for listening and caring for one another, they can support families and each other on a deeper level. Join us in a transformative practice of empathic listening for healing and building community.
Rebuilding Partnerships with Families
Date: February 26, 2021
Speaker
Tim Carmona. IHSD Father Leader & Senior instructor Zultimate Self Defense Studios, Tereza Iñiguez Flores Holistic Life Coach Curandera, Tierra Morena Holistic Services An Integration of Meso American Healing Traditions
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
The pandemic has pushed us to closely examine how we connect with families and teach children. Join us in a conversation to challenge our deeply ingrained practices with the goal of rebuilding the foundation for an educational system that is led by the voices of families and children from marginalized communities.
Staying Grounded in the Midst of Uncertainty!
Date: January 29, 2021
Speaker
Valerie Higgins Parent Voices Leader-Parent Voices, Teresa Morena Holistic Healer- Tierra Morena
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Essential conditions for stability and security in our communities continue to shift in unpredictable ways. This constant change can bring about anxiety. As we step into a new year, let’s explore together restorative practices that can set intentions for self-love and help with remaining grounded as we care for families and one another.
Moving towards Collective Healing
Date: December 4, 2020
Speaker
Rosaura Estrada Parent Voices Leader, Stephanie Loera Mental Health Clinician Family Connections
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
As we near the end of an unprecedented year, let’s examine how we are faring with taking care of ourselves and each other. Join us in dialogue to unlearn individualized practices and make space for a collectivism approach to mental health. In community, we can redefine self-care and support healing for ourselves and the families we serve.
Listening to Fathers
Date: October 10, 2020
Speaker
Jonathan McGee IHSD Father Cafe leader, Charlie Cervantes Family Service & Father Engagement Specialist The Institute for the Human & Social Development, Inc.
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
In the era of a global pandemic and distance learning, fathers continue to step up as emotional caregivers, economic providers and early learning partners. Join us in listening to fathers experiences and perspectives for supporting their families during these complicated times.
Let's Reboot!
Date: September 25, 2020
Speaker
Valerie Higgins Parent Voices leader, Rosaura Estrada Parent Voices leader, Jonathen McGee IHSD Father Cafe leader, Charlie Cervantes Family Service & Father Engagement Specialist The Institute for the Human & Social Development, Inc.
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
As we reimagine our connections with families for the new school year, let’s first REBOOT our mindset!
We will hear from local family leaders who will share their personal stories about grappling with uncertainty, and shed light on families’ perspective on how they wish to walk this unpredictable path with practitioners. Together, we will reset our intentions for the year!
May Virtual Friday CAFE
Date: May 29, 2020
Speaker
Annette J Pakhchian, ASW, Community Program Specialist II LGBTQ, Community Outreach, Office of Diversity and Equity and Laureen Fanucchi, CN, CMT, CST, Massage Therapist, CranioSacral, and Reiki Practioner, Baytree Wellness Center
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Join us for conversation about the impact of Civid-19 on LGBTQ families, and ways to support resilient communities with Annette Pakhchian.
Laureen Fanucchi will then bring this year’s CAFEs to a close by leading us on a healing journey to manage our thoughts, feelings, and fears during this pandemic.
Healing and Uniting our Communities
Date: April 24, 2020
Speaker
Ishaq Pathan, Bay Area Director and Rahimeh Ramezany, Program Manager, Islamic Networks Group
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Join our Virtual CAFE to discuss the inequitable impact COVID-19 has had on different communities. The spike in discrimination and violence directed at Asian Americans and the disproportionate health impacts on the African American community will be the focus of our conversation. We will unpack the intersection of race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status in light of current events, and the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Together, we will find ways to help our community heal.
Staying Connected Through Empathy
Date: March 27, 2020
Speaker
Conversation Catalyst Ei Ei Samai, Culture Designer and Certified Dare to Lead™Facilitator Samai Group
Venue
Virtual Friday CAFE
Description
Join us to examine ’empathy misses’, conversational habits that create disconnection rather than connection. We will practice strategies to fully listen to and be present for families while taking care of ourselves.
How Do You Relate to Families?
Date: February 28, 2020
Speaker
Mefula Fairley, Senior Administrator, Board/Superintendent Support & Community Relations, San Mateo COE; Vallerie Higgins, Parent Leader, Parent Voices and Rick Abellana, President Parent Teacher Organization, Bayshore ESD
Venue
Veterans Memorial Recreation Center
251 City Park Way
San Bruno, CA 94066
Description
“It’s through relationships that you see people as people rather than as objects or groups. Assumptions and stereotypes begin to break down. That is how you as an individual begin to change.” – Ellen Wonderlin
Join us in conversation on building relationships across race, class and culture!
Inclusive and Equitable Communities - A Call to Action
Date: January 31, 2020
Speaker
The Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Venue
The Girls’ Club of the Mid-Peninsula
2400 Ralmar Ave
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Description
Join us for an insightful discussion on the origins and impact of various forms of bigotry including Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia. Together, we will explore ways to counter prejudice and hate in our professional settings with the goal of cultivating an inclusive community.
Creating Change Through Empathy
Date: November 22, 2019
Speaker
Jahmeer Reynolds, Community School Director, Marin City School District
Venue
Mercy Center
2300 Adeline Dr
Burlingame, CA
Description
“We fail families when we try to rescue them!” Join us to hear how Jahmeer shifted his perspective from pity to empathy and altered the narrative in his urban community.
Resilient Communities
Date: October 25, 2019
Speaker
Judith Guerrero, Executive Director, Coastside Hope & Victor Gaitan, Management Analyst, City of Half Moon Bay
Venue
Community United Methodist Church
777 Miramontes St
Half Moon Bay, CA
Description
Join us to discover how family engagement practitioners in Half Moon Bay are supporting their community to stay resilient through trying times and explore how you can support resiliency in your own communities.
Promotoras: System Navigators
Date: September 27, 2019
Speaker
Miriam Yupanqui, Executive Director, Nuestra Casa of East Palo Alto
Venue
CurriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Dr
San Mateo, CA
Description
Promotoras: System Navigators
Join us in a conversation with local Promotoras about their unique stories to support families in staying strong.
What Anchors You?
Date: August 30, 2019
Speaker
Bridget Bertrand, LMFT Therapist & Person-Centered Expressive Art Facilitator
Venue
Millbrae Community Center, Chetcuti Room
450 Poplar Avenue
Millbrae, CA
Description
What Anchors You?
As we set sail into a new school year, our anchors are essential to avoid going adrift and safely ride the ever changing societal currents with families. Join us at the August CAFE to uncover your anchor to best support the families you work with every day.
Celebrate to Recharge!
Date: May 31, 2019
Speaker
Vivian Chávez, Dr. P.H., M.P.H., Associate Professor, Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University
Venue
Community United Methodist Church
777 Miramontes Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Description
Join us in movement and creative expression for a celebratory year-end C.A.F.E.! Explore how these practices can foster resiliency within each of us and the families we work with.
Trauma Informed Community Building
Date: April 26, 2019
Speaker
Jessica Wolin, MPH, MCRP, Associate Director of Community Practice, Health Equity Institute
Venue
Hiller Aviation Museum
601 Skyway Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
Description
Trauma Informed Community Building
Trauma Informed Community Building (TICB) is a model for strengthening communities in trauma affected neighborhoods. Join your peers in conversation to explore how TICB strategies can build social cohesion and foster community resiliency over time.
Trauma Transformed
Date: March 29, 2019
Speaker
Donovan Fones, LCSW, Supervising Mental Health Clinician, County of San Mateo, Human Services Agency Children & Family Services
Venue
Colma Community Center
1520 Hillside Blvd
Colma, CA
Description
Trauma Transformed
Trauma Transformed offers an approach to systems change that begins and ends with healing. Join your peers in conversation about this approach and how it can shift our work with families by changing the way we understand, respond to and heal trauma. Click here to learn more about Trauma Transformed.
Staying Strong FOR Famillies
Date: February 22, 2019
Speaker
Janelle T. Fine, Client Services Coordinator, Resources and Referrals, San Mateo County Chapter Organizer, Parent Voices and Panel of local family leaders
Venue
Highland Recreation Center
1851 Lexington Avenue
San Mateo, CA
Description
Staying Strong FOR Families
Join us for a conversation with the San Mateo County’s Parent Voices’ organizer and a panel of Family Leaders to discuss ways to overcome hurdles to engaging families as leaders and to get inspired by local leadership success stories!
Powerful Voices Inspire Action
Date: January 25, 2019
Speaker
Janelle T. Fine, Client Services Coordinator, Resources and Referrals, San Mateo County Chapter Organizer, Parent Voices and Jennifer Greppi, Parent Voices Statewide Lead Chapter Organizer, California Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Venue
Millbrae Community Center, Chetcuti Room
450 Poplar Avenue
Millbrae, CA
Description
Our stories shape our voice and our VOICE inspires ACTION.
To be Strong FOR Families, we must seek out opportunities to share our VOICE to spark systemic change. Join Parent Vooices’ organizers in a conversation about moving from reflection to ACTION to bring about practice and policy change in family engagement.
November Friday CAFE
Date: November 30, 2018
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Penny Nixon, Senior Minister, Congregational Church of San Mateo
Venue
Congregational Church of Belmont
751 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, CA
Description
In today’s polarizing climate, what does it look like to live and work “above the fray” while staying grounded in reality and offering genuine support to those around us? The poet Rumi invites us to “a field” where our souls are filled – what might that field look like, and how can we go there when we need it most?
October Friday C.A.F.E.
Date: October 26, 2018
Speaker
Sarah Poulain, Executive Director, Family Connections
Venue
Girls’ Club of the Mid-Peninsula
2400 Ralmar Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA
Description
Join us for a conversation with Sarah Poulain, Executive Director at Family Connections, to share our common struggles and successes as we each strive to be Strong FOR Families!
Feeling Stretched? and, it's only September!
Date: September 28, 2018
Speaker
Michelle Sioson Hyman, Deputy Director, Center for Early Learning, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Yoga, Trainer, Nandi Yoga
Venue
The Historic Train Depot
110 Higgins Canyon Road
Half Moon Bay, CA
Description
Many thanks for your invaluable input at the August Friday CAFE!
We heard you!
Join us to decompress, share what’s on your mind and pick up some tips for your body and mental health to help with managing all that you’re juggling to stay Strong FOR Families!
WE GOT YOUR BACK! So YOU can be Strong FOR Families!
Date: August 31, 2018
Speaker
Brenda Salgado, Founder, Nepantla Center for Healing and Renewal
Venue
The Village Hub
3154 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA
Description
At our core, we want to be present and in partnership with families. Yet the work itself and the conditions in the world and our communities seem overwhelming at times. Having strategies and tools can help us remain focused, aware and present with families. Let’s kick off the year together with an interactive CAFE to:
- Explore what it means to each of us to be Strong FOR Families
- Learn mindfulness practices to help with staying balanced and present
- Provide input to help co-create and shape future Friday CAFE themes
Building Bridges and Overcoming Assumptions
Date: May 25, 2018
Speaker
Jose Luis Agurre, Outreach Program Manager, CARON
Venue
Miramar Farms
420 Purisima Way
Half Moon Bay, CA
Description
Families and law enforcement share the dream of creating safe communities; yet negative perceptions of and experiences with law enforcement create barriers to effective partnerships. Join us in a conversation about addressing fears and assumptions with the goal of creating resilient communities.
From Cheerleader to Coach
Date: April 27, 2018
Speaker
Gerry Balcazar, DISENO Health Education Programs & Training
Venue
Millbrae Community Center, Chetcuti Room
450 Poplar Avenue
Millbrae, CA
Description
When does encouraging and validating families begin to sound more like cheerleading and less like coaching? Join us to discover how values, validation and vision intertwine to guide us in becoming skilled coaches and building deeper relationships through uncovering families strengths!
Cultivating Relationships with Mindfulness
Date: March 23, 2018
Speaker
Erin McCoy, Academic Director, Share Path Academy
Venue
Congregational Church of Belmont
751 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, CA
Description
When we make time to regulate the nervous system through mindfulness practices, we can tap into fortitude and insight in our work with children and families. Join us in slowing down through the practice of mindfulness with the goal of building-up our resilience and inner-peace.
Father Engagement
Date: February 23, 2018
Speaker
Vaea Sanft Parent & Engagement Ambassador and Charlie Cervantes Father Engagement & Family Service Specialist Institute for Human and Social Development
Venue
Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
700 Alma Street
Menlo Park, CA
Description
Join us to hear from local Father Engagement leaders about experiences and stories of developing strong partnerships with and creating leadership opportunities for fathers and the impact of intentional father engagement on families, schools and communities.
A-Ha Moments!
“I discovered that listening to families’ stories opens the door to supporting them with developing their own resilience”
– February 2018 Participant
Cultural Humility
Date: January 26, 2018
Speaker
Jenee Littrell, Administrator, Safe and Supportive Schools/Student Services, San Mateo County Office of Education
Venue
Hobee’s Restaurant
1101 Shoreway Road
Belmont
Description
Cultural humility is a commitment to bold self-evaluation and addressing power imbalances. There is no finish line! It’s a life-long journey…Join us to explore how cultural humility can shift the dynamic in our work with diverse families.
Back to the Basics: humility, compassion, and respect
Date: November 3, 2017
Speaker
Aurora Gallardo, Community Worker, StarVista
Venue
Taube Center
Notre Dame de Namur University
1500 Ralston Avenue
Belmont
Description
We each bring unique life experiences to our work with families. Join us to explore how the stories of our families influence our own stories and create the foundation for meaningful connections.
Awakening Voices of the Heart
Date: September 29, 2017
Speaker
Renato Almanzor, Executive Director East Oakland Building Healthy Communities
Venue
Historic Train Depot
110 Higgins Canyon Road
Half Moon Bay
Description
Join us for a conversation on how a heightened awareness of our own life experiences and internal voices can lead to empathy and ultimately shape how we “show up” for diverse families.
Circle Up and Play!
Date: August 25, 2017
Speaker
Alejandro Vilchez, A.V. Consulting
Venue
The Village Hub
3154 Woodside Road
Woodside
Description
Join us to explore innovative and playful restorative practices as a means to engage with one another and our families! We will be in conversation about a play-based community building approach that is both fun and intentional. Together, we will discover how this approach is reflective and respectful of the diverse cultures and languages represented in our community.
The Healing Energy of the Arts
Date: May 26, 2017
Speaker
Michelle Holdt, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, San Mateo County Office of Education
Venue
Elkus Ranch Conference Center
1500 Purisima Creek Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Description
How can the arts be a powerful vehicle for telling stories and healing? Join us for a restorative experience with engaging and dynamic art strategies, in both theater and visual arts! Together, we will explore art forms that can lead to more creative connections with families.
Resilience During Challenging Times
Date: April 28, 2017
Speaker
Milton Reynolds, Senior Program Associate, Facing History and Ourselves
Venue
Redwood City Woman’s Club
149 Clinton Street
Redwood City
Description
As challenging as the current moment is, it’s important to recognize that we’ve been here before as a nation. It is often in times of duress that communities coalesce and join forces to endure, persevere and sometimes even thrive. Join us to share stories and vision beyond the present moment with the goal of tapping into each other’s and our families’ strengths!
Connecting with Families Through the Power of Stories
Date: March 31, 2017
Speaker
Mauricio Palma, Director of Initiatives & Special Projects Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Venue
Colma Community Center
1520 Hillside Blvd
Colma, CA 94014
Description
Our stories connect us with one another across boundaries of race, economic status and culture. When we share our stories, we begin to build a foundation of trust and respect, essential ingredients for meaningful relationships. Join us to explore how the power of stories can strengthen our partnerships with families.
Cultivating Community Through Trust
Date: February 24, 2017
Speaker
Brenda Salgado, Director, Nepantla Center for Healing and Renewal
Venue
Twin Pines Lodge
40 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA 94002
Description
At our core, we all want the capacity to flourish, feel seen and be heard. Building and sustaining collaborative relationships through trust can provide a rich foundation for healthy partnerships with families and communities. Join us for a conversation about research on trust and how indigenous teachings can expand our thinking about co-creating trust with families.
Friday CAFE Kick-Off
Date: January 27, 2017
Speaker
Dr. Francisco Reveles
Venue
CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, CA 94401
Description
On Friday, January 27, nearly 80 family engagement professionals from more than 35 local organizations attended the kick-off event at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo.
One of many highlights of the afternoon was a keynote address by Dr. Francisco Reveles, Yuba County superintendent of schools, whose presentation reinforced the idea of using success, not survival, to help orient the work that practitioners do with children and families. Attendees were also excited to hear from Vaea Sanft, a parent and father engagement leader with the Institute for Human and Social Development (IHSD), who spoke about his experiences as a father and a practitioner in the family engagement field. He hoped to welcome more fathers into the work and into the lives of their children.
