eConnection
Community Newsletter | December 2020
Family Connection Spotlight:
Saturday with Santa Success
While the 2020 holiday season may look a little different without our annual Saturday with Santa in-person family outing, Rainbow Days' Family Connection team was still able to serve local homeless families through tangible items and holiday joy.

This month, Rainbow Days delivered more than 1,080 Christmas stockings for homeless infants, children, teens and parents living in local shelters, transitional living sites and motels. Each stocking contained gifts, winter wear, toiletries and other essentials. Many generous volunteers helped us build stockings and wrap gifts before Rainbow Days' staff delivered everything directly to our partnering shelter sites.
Saturday with Santa (2020 edition!) was made possible due to the support of countless individuals and groups. Rainbow Days would like to recognize the 2020 Saturday with Santa foundation and corporate sponsors: The Rees-Jones Foundation, The Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation, Varonis, Critical Start and First United Bank. Additionally, Rainbow Days is grateful for the countless individuals whose in-kind donations of toys and stockings as well as volunteer hours were critical to the success of this project!
Community Connection Spotlight:
John Neely Bryan Elementary
This past November, Rainbow Days' Community Connection team began providing after-school support groups at John Neely Bryan Elementary through a collaborative partnership with Southern Dallas Thrives. Rainbow Days plays a key role in working with 20 first and second graders weekly to help them prepare for successful futures and learn to make healthy choices.
This month, Rainbow Days' staff was thrilled to spread holiday joy and celebrate the end of the semester with students at John Neely Bryan. During the last after-school program of the semester, the children enjoyed a pizza party and received holiday gifts from their Rainbow Days mentors.
Rainbow Days Training Spotlight:
Upcoming Opportunities
Rainbow Days Training invites you to participate in our first Facilitator Connection Call of the new year!

Who: Trained Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program Facilitators

What: Join us for an opportunity to virtually connect with the program developer, trainers and other trained facilitators working with children and youth across the country!

Where: Register here to access the Zoom link for this virtual meeting.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 20 | 11 – 11:45 a.m. (CST)
Additionally, registration is open for the next virtual Curriculum-Based Support Group (CBSG®) Program Facilitator Training on Feb. 25. The CBSG® Program Facilitator Training will fully prepare schools, community-based organizations and other youth-serving professionals to implement Rainbow Days' signature support group program with fidelity.

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CST)

Cost: $300 / includes choice of one CBSG® Program Facilitator Manual containing a USB with all activity handouts in English and Spanish
Participants who successfully complete this training will receive seven CEUs. Visit Rainbow Days Training's website for more information and to register.
Rainbow Days in the News:
Holly Jolly Holiday
Earlier this month, Rainbow Days' Family Connection Director Kelly Wierzbinski was interviewed on FOX 4 News about the "Holly Jolly Holiday" event hosted in partnership with Young Men's Service League (YMSL) – Highland Park.

At this outdoor mentored event on Dec. 5, Rainbow Days' Family Connection team brought small groups of homeless children in shifts to keep everyone socially distanced and as safe as possible. The kids enjoyed photos with Santa, picked out their own toys and stockings, enjoyed holiday treats and got to play outside. To learn more about the project, check out FOX 4 News' story.
Holiday Wishes
Let's Keep in Touch
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