A Note From Our Executive Director |
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Dear friend of 4Cs,
To say that 2020 has been a long, winding, unpredictable year would not begin to describe the impacts of the multiple pandemics that our country and families in Alameda County have been facing since COVID-19 reared its ugly head. The devastation of the coronavirus, wildfires, loss of jobs and income, and the racial injustices that run rampant throughout our communities are just the tip of the iceberg for so many of the families and child care providers that we serve.
While there is much to look back on with grief and loss, at 4Cs we are pressing on with helping make our community stronger and more resilient through our programs, services, and advocacy efforts. The past year has allowed us to use our strengths as an organization to work together to uplift those we serve who are furthest from opportunity. We have expanded our payment programs, offered more targeted services to families and child care providers with specific needs, grew our Community "Closet" and family support services, offered trainings and workshops for parents and providers virtually, and expanded our county- and state-wide advocacy efforts. We've taken risks that have provided great rewards and collaborated with community partners to achieve collective impact in a way that neither agency imagined possible. We've welcomed more than a dozen new staff to our team to make much of this work and success possible. Last week, I even briefly added "poet" to my resume as I participated in Supervisor Valle's community-based organization poetry slam with a call to action (you can hear my spoken word here).
We could not do all that we do without you. Our successful Giving Tuesday campaign (with a match from Insperity, we raised more than $11,600!) is just one example of how you, our community, answers the call to action when our families need it most. Every time you talk with your family, friends, and neighbors about 4Cs and how we can help them, you are making a difference. Every time you comment or share a 4Cs Facebook post, you are helping us serve more families. And every time you donate, know that you are supporting 4Cs programs that make an incredible difference.
As the year draws to a close, I am sending you warm holiday wishes and hope for a happy, healthy new year.
Be well,
Renee S. Herzfeld
Executive Director
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Reading to children - of any age- will boost brain development, intensify bonding, relieve stress and so much more! During these uncertain times it is even more critical to use books as a means engage children. As part of our Parent and Provider Café series we have developed the following list of books that may encourage discussion and ease emotional challenges for your own kids and children in your care. 4Cs is proud to have distributed many of these books to our child care provider community since March:
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Cuando No Estabas Conmigo (When You Were Not with Me) written by Chandra Ghosh Ippen
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¡Solo pregunta!: Sé Diferente, Sé Valiente, Sé Tú (Just ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You) written by Sonia Sotomayor
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Abuela (Grandmother) written by Arthur Dorros
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Where Happiness Begins (Donde comienza Happines) written by Eva Elund
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When Sadness is at Your Door (Cuando la tristeza está en tu puerta) written by Eva Lund
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Good People Everywhere written by Kristina Swarner
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The Invisible String written by Patrice Karst
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The Rabbit Listened written by Cori Doerrfeld
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Come with Me written by Holly M McGhee
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Most People written by Michael Leanneah
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Final Two THRIVE Sessions Registering Now |
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More than 150 parents have participated in November and December's THRIVE series courses, and we invite you to join us for the final two sessions this January. The popular FREE online parenting empowerment and education series THRIVE: Parenting During COVID-19, Part 2 with Life Coach Diedre Goree from If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes Life Coaching will be held January 12th and 19th at 7pm. Accessible via Zoom, these evenings are an opportunity to refocus on yourself, your family, and give you tools to navigate these uncertain times. A $25 gift card will be awarded to an attendee each session.
Dates: January 12th & 19th
When: Select Tuesday Evenings from 7pm-8:30pm
Where: Via Zoom
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Volunteering Give Big Returns - Sign up today |
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Be a VITA Volunteer and join one of the oldest free tax preparation services in Alameda County! For over 15 years, 4Cs of Alameda County Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program has provided free tax preparation services for income-eligible individuals and families. We not only prepare tax returns, we also connect VITA customers to programs with our services at 4Cs that can change and/or improve lives.
Volunteers must attend training sessions and volunteer a minimum of 4‐5 hours per week during the tax season (January through mid‐April 2021). We need: Tax preparers, intake specialists, and translators (Spanish). No experience necessary! Free training provided! Visit https://earnitkeepitsaveit.org/new-volunteer/ for details about volunteer opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about VITA volunteer opportunities, please contact Alicia Broussard VITA Site Coordinator at (510) 690-2150 or vita@4c-alameda.org to set up a VITA information meeting.
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Register Now: Upcoming 4Cs Parent Cafés
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4Cs Virtual Parent Cafés are a time for parents to connect with others and relax. We are excited to present three upcoming free Parent Cafés. The first will be offered for Spanish-speaking parents and will focus on Mental and Emotional Vitality, centering around the health and well-being of your mind. The second Parent Café will be offered in English and focus on Spiritual Vitality where the discussion will be on having and maintaining a positive mindset for successful outcomes during these challenging times. The third, and final, Parent Café (in English) will be a time to reconnect and refocus our Mental & Emotional Vitality We welcome all to join us for these open, facilitated conversations.
Upcoming Parent Cafés are:
Mental & Emotional Vitality (Spanish) Tuesday, December 15th 2pm-3pm
Spiritual Vitality (English) Thursday, December 17th 2pm-3pm
Mental & Emotional Vitality (English) Tuesday, December 29th 3pm-4pm
Meeting links will be provided upon registration. We will also be offering incentives to participating registered families.
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Successful Essential Supplies Distribution for Families |
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On November 20, the week before pumpkin pie and Black Friday sales consumed our collective attention, 4Cs held a Family Supply Giveaway. More than 140 families signed up to receive diapers and wipes, baby formula, masks, and sanitizer, as well as activity backpacks, dry-erase handwriting boards, books, and dental kits from the county Office of Dental Health. The giveaway was distributed at Hayward office, with special care taken to provide a safe hand-off of the supplies families participating in 4Cs' programs.
4Cs Board Chairperson Calyn Kelley was present for the distribution and, while asking staff questions and getting a peak into the bags being handed out, he was also able to greet a few of the parents. “We hear about these distributions during board meetings, so it’s great to actually see 4Cs in action,” Kelley commented.
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HPN Parent Promise Academy Now Enrolling |
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The 4Cs Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) department is now registering for the Winter 2021 Parent Promise Academy for HPN and other Hayward parents. The Parent Promise Academy (PPA) welcomes all parents from all backgrounds to connect with other parents in the community and to share and learn from each other. The PPA utilizes the Abriendo Puertas-Opening Doors curriculum which focuses on the different stages of children from 0-8 years old.
The 10-week sessions promote school readiness, family well-being, key aspects of early childhood development (cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional), early literacy, bilingualism, early math, positive use of technology, attendance, civic engagement, parent leadership, goal setting, and planning for family success.
From a PPA graduate: “The statistics blew my mind and really raised awareness for me to really push myself more in advocating for my children and really getting involved in their schooling, knowing my rights as a parent and the available resources are very Key & helpful!”
Join the conversation with other parents and learn about how to raise healthy and happy children. The upcoming class will be in English with a Spanish class offered in the Spring. Class material, children’s book and incentives for participants completing the course will be given.
Please view the event flyer here or call or email HPN Project Supervisor Cynthia Padilla Munoz for more information and eligibility questions at 510-584-3122 or cynthiap@4c-alameda.org.
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Rental Assistance for Unincorporated Alameda County Tenants |
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Centro Legal de la Raza is administering an emergency rental assistance program to disburse $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) funds. Funds will be used to provide rental assistance to low-income tenants in unincorporated Alameda County who have lost work or income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application period is open now and will remain open until funds are exhausted or December 28, 2020, whichever comes sooner. Approved households can receive past due rent of up to 9 months or up to $18,000, whichever is less.
Read more about the program HERE. Download a paper application HERE.
Check if your residence is in the area covered (unincorporated Alameda County) HERE.
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4Cs Holiday Hours and How to Reach Us |
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4Cs of Alameda County staff will be unavailable due to holiday closures on:
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
Friday, January 1, 2021
4Cs of Alameda County's offices are currently physically closed but agency services are being offered virtually until Alameda County lifts the shelter-in-place restrictions due to COVID-19. As always, you can find out more information about 4Cs on our website, Facebook Page, and via Twitter. 4Cs Staff Directory can be found here. You can also contact 4Cs of Alameda County at (510) 582-2182 and via email at info@4c-alameda.org.
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Upcoming Virtual Training for Providers |
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12/19/2020, 9am-noon
Presenter: Silvia Bonilla
COVID-19 has changed the way providers view their classroom and curriculum. How can you create curriculum that maintains the fun and engaging while keeping children healthy and safe? Join this virtual training where you will take a fresh look on social distancing in the classroom!
This training will explore:
- How to explain social distancing to children
- Ideas on how to maintain socialization and active learning during social distancing
- Strategies on how to modify the physical environment
- How to modify activities to keep children healthy and engaged
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Career Opportunities at 4Cs |
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On-Call Maintenance Technician
On-Call
Oakland & Hayward Offices
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