Friday, September 18, 2015

New Site




Please visit us at our new website:




Questions, please call 650-967-4813 or send an email to familyresourcecenters@chacmv.org



Friday, August 7, 2015

August 2015

CHAC Family Resource Centers


August News & Updates

Stay tuned, we are working on a new site that will make it easier for you to navigate.

In the meantime, you can visit our Google calendar to obtain the class schedule for our centers:

  • (Mountain View) For classes at our Mercy Street Family Resource Center (click here)
  • (Sunnyvale) For classes at our Vargas Elementary Family Resource Center (click here)
  • (Cupertino) For classes at our Canon Music Family Resource Center (click here)
  • (*for Mountain View Families) Escuela Family Resource Center (click here)

For future reference: Calendars are always available to the right hand side of your screen. If you scroll down it is under "Calendars". The calendars are regularly updated.



We Want to Hear from You! 
CHAC Family Resource Centers are forming a Parent Advisory Committee to find out what programs and services would help you and other families to create a more successful family and community.

In the weeks to come, we will visit your classes to gather feedback from you, and also have an online survey for you to complete to make your opinion count.


Parenting Playfully
Parenting Playfully Workshop Helps Parents Invent Creative Solutions to Parenting Challenges
In September, FRC Program Director Maddi Pascua will be offering a fun class that helps parents practice responding to in the moment challenges with playfulness and supportive connection.

  • We have the best intentions
  • We’ve read the books and taken the parenting classes
  • We had all these ideas before we were parents…and yet…
  • We can still get stumped and stuck, because kids and most of life are UNPREDICTABLE! As much as we wish there were a manual, life and day-to-day parenthood come without a script!

 This workshop playfully introduces the application of the Improv principles, skills and tools to parenting. This innovative work by Sue Walden of ImprovWorks! And Maddi Pascua ATR, will get your creative juices flowing for how to handle the challenges of parenting with fun and spontaneity.

Date: TBD (date change due to event conflict with the Mountain View Art & Wine Fesitval - stay tuned for new date)
Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Address: CHAC 590 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Cost: $175 per person

This full day workshop includes lunch. Part of the proceeds will support our Family Resource Center program.

Become a Science Kids Teacher
Learn to Teach Science Kids Classes. Aliza Savransky (pictured), developer of CHAC’s Science Kids Programs, is offering a free training for people interested in teaching Science Kids Classes at our FRCs.

Dates for training are: Thursdays August 27, September 3 and September 10 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Teaching Science Kids is fun and rewarding. Be a part of helping kids in the community starting a life-long love of science!

If you are interested in being a lead or support teacher, please contact Nancy Doan at nancydoan5@gmail.com or call 650-967-4813 for more information.


Class Updates
Vargas and Canon FRCs Resume Classes
  • Vargas will reopen on August  24, starting with a full year of I’m Ready for Kindergarten for Spanish speaking parents with children 3-5, and Explorando Juntos, a pre-Kindergarten Readiness program for parents with children 0-3 (also in Spanish). Other classes and events will be found on the calendar here
  • Canon Music FRC will resume classes on Mondays and Tuesdays starting August 17. Mondays are Mandarin and Tuesdays are English. These are very popular classes with a very small room, so please plan to arrive early to reserve a spot. Find their complete schedule here
  • You can also be on a special Cupertino mailing list that has more details about Cupertino programs. Email Lin at lxu.chac@gmail.com



New Fall Offerings at CHAC FRCs
Save the dates and register early for these popular classes.

Mercy Street:
  • I’m Ready for Kindergarten (Spanish): Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm. Children learn fundamentals for Kindergarten readiness while parents learn how to support their learning and transition. Orientation: 9/1, Class is 9/8 – 12/8, Graduation 12/15.
  • Parenting Playfully – 1-day workshop at CHAC. Saturday September 12, 9:30am-5:00pm. Learn how to create more spontaneity and navigate day-to-day struggles using ideas from improvisational theater. $175 (includes lunch and snacks). English.
  • [Location: CHAC, 590 W. El Camino Real, 1st Floor Training Room, Mountain View, CA  94040]


Escuela (for Mountain View residents):
  • Cooking with SEEDS: A healthy nutrition class combined with principles of SEEDS of Early Literacy concepts. Spanish. Thursdays starting July 23 - August 13.  
  • Section 1: 9:00 am - 10:30 am
  • Section 2: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (Limited to current attendees of the Thursday Play and Learn group).
  • SEEDS – Play and Learn style. English. Kids and parents learn how to create more opportunities to build vocabulary and literacy skills. Mondays 10:00 am – 12:00 pm starting Aug 3 for five weeks.

Vargas:
  • I’m Ready for Kindergarten full year program (Aug – Jun). Wednesdays from 9:00 am-11:00 am. In Spanish. Kids learn fundamentals for Kindergarten readiness while parents learn how to support their learning and transition.
  • Explorando Juntos is for parents with children 0-3. Tuesdays from 9:00 am -11:00 am. Full school year program in Spanish.
  • Cafecito Mothers Group (Spanish) – meets the first Friday of every month. Childcare provided with registration at least two days prior to the event.


Northwest YMCA (new!):
  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Friday 10/9 – 10/23 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Members get first priority, but you can be on a waiting list for open spots. (English)
  • Additional classes available on Wednesdays and Fridays for YMCA Members Only.


Class Spotlight
– Friday Japanese Play and Learn
Thank you to our wonderful Japanese Play and Learn Parents at Mercy Street FRC. This  dedicated group arose from two volunteers’ passion for creating a class for children in Japanese. They built it from the ground up and it has been successfully running since April 2012.

The Japanese Play and Learn group is very organized with a rotating group of teachers. They make sure new families complete intakes and Ages & Stages Questionnaires, and the classroom is always left very clean. Many families stay after class to have lunch together and connect, which we love to see.

Demand for more Play and Learn classes is always high and we do not have enough funding for staff and supplies to meet that demand without strong dedication from family participants. Japanese Play and Learn is not the only example of dedicated families in our classes, but they are a wonderful model of what is possible when a passion for having a great space for kids to learn meets a willingness to come together to make it happen.

THANK YOU for supporting our program!




Many thanks to Guadalupe Romo and her husband Jose Chirino for their generous contribution to our program.

Thanks to Sevathon participants Monique, Bill, Alma, Magali, Mike, Brandy, Maddi, Yadira, Ling, Karla, Ciro, Irving, Jose and Kelly for coming out early and walking/running for our cause!  And great thanks, too, to those who also contributed funds during this event: Joan MacDonald, Bill James, Sharon Gross and others.


Donations
We very much appreciate all of you who kindly give us gently used clothing, supplies and toys for our classrooms.  In order to make sure that we have adequate space and good use for your donations, please call us first at (650) 967-4813 before bringing your donations to our centers.  Thank you!

If you would like to make a donation for supplies, our Amazon Wish List is on the side bar. Monetary donations can be directed to Program Director Maddi Pascua, made out to CHAC and mailed to: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View, CA 94041




Thursday, July 16, 2015

July Overview

Mercy Street FRC(A program of CHAC, funded by FIRST 5)



July News at Mercy Street FRC
Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino Family Resource Centers


Mercy Street FRC participating in the Sevathon



Volunteer Celebration Filled with Aloha and Appreciation
Amazing food and great people were the highlight of our annual Summer volunteer appreciation party. The kids loved the water play at Ortega park and it was great to relax and spend time together.

This program would not be what it is without the dedication of our incredible volunteers.




New! Parenting Playfully Workshop Helps Parents Invent Creative Solutions to Parenting Challenges
In September, FRC Program Director Maddi Pascua will be offering a fun class that helps parents practice responding to in the moment challenges with playfulness and supportive connection.

We have the best intentions
We’ve read the books and taken the parenting classes
We had all these ideas before we were parents…and yet…

We can still get stumped and stuck, because kids and most of life are UNPREDICTABLE! As much as we wish there were a manual, life and day-to-day parenthood come without a script!

This workshop playfully introduces the application of the Improv principles, skills and tools to parenting. This innovative work by Sue Walden of ImprovWorks! And Maddi Pascua ATR, will get your creative juices flowing for how to handle the challenges of parenting with fun and spontaneity.

Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Location: CHAC 590 W. El Camino Real, Mountain View
Cost: $175 per person

This full day workshop includes lunch. Proceeds will support our Family Resource Center program.



Summer Schedule Changes
Here is a summary of our schedule at each of our sites:

Vargas (Sunnyvale)
  • All classes on break until August - start date TBD.

Canon (Cupertino)
  • On break until the week of August 17.

Escuela (Mountain View - for Mountain View residents)
  • Classes closed from July 6 – July 17 for classroom cleaning and maintenance.

Mercy (Mountain View)
  • Normal schedule
  • Family Stressbusters/The Little Village will run July 7 – August 25 (non-FIRST 5 class)


Sneak Peek at New Fall Offerings:
Save the dates and register early for these popular classes.

Mercy (Mountain View)
  • I’m Ready for Kindergarten (Spanish): Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm. Children learn fundamentals for Kindergarten readiness while parents learn how to support their learning and transition. Orientation: 9/1, Class is 9/8 – 12/8, Graduation 12/15.
  • Parenting Playfully – 1-day workshop at CHAC. Saturday September 12, 9:30am-5:00pm. Learn how to create more spontaneity and navigate day-to-day struggles using ideas from improvisational theater. $175 (includes lunch and snacks). English.


Escuela (Mountain View - for Mountain View residents)
  • Cooking with SEEDS: A healthy nutrition class combined with principles of SEEDS of Early Literacy concepts. Spanish. Thursdays, July 24 - August 13
            Section 1: 9-10:30             Section 2: 10:30-12:00PM
  • SEEDS – Play and Learn style. English. Kids and parents learn how to create more opportunities to build vocabulary and literacy skills. Mondays 10:00am – 12:00pm starting August 3 for five weeks..


Vargas (Sunnyvale)
  • I’m Ready for Kindergarten full year program (August – January). Wednesdays from 9:00am-11:00am. In Spanish. Kids learn fundamentals for Kindergarten readiness while parents learn how to support their learning and transition.
  • Explorando Juntos is for parents with children 0-3. Tuesdays from 9:00am-11:00am. Full school year program in Spanish.
  • Cafecito Mothers Group (Spanish) – meets the first Friday of every month from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Childcare provided with registration at least two days prior to the event.


Northwest YMCA [new!] (Cupertino)
  • Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Friday  October 9 – October 23 from 10:00am-11:30am. Members get first priority, but you can be on a waiting list for open spots. (English)
  • Additional classes available on Wednesdays and Fridays for YMCA Members Only.



Thanks to our volunteer photographer and videographer, Scott Garfield. Scott has made several videos for Mercy Street over the last few years, including those for our Darelicious fundraiser, our volunteer program, Family Stressbusters orientation, and our newest Sevathon video. Videos are a great way to share information about our program and to help us raise much needed funds.

THANK YOU for supporting our program


Donations
We very much appreciate all of you who kindly give us gently used clothing, supplies and toys for our classrooms.  In order to make sure that we have adequate space and good use for your donations, please call us first at (650) 967-4813 before bringing your donations to our centers.  Thank you!


If you would like to make a donation for supplies, our Amazon Wish List is on the side bar. Monetary donations can be directed to Program Director Maddi Pascua, made out to CHAC and mailed to: 748 Mercy Street, Mountain View, CA 94041



Volunteers Needed! Do you have a few hours a week you that you can spare? Do you want to give back to your community? Do you want to make an impact in the lives of young children and their families? Do you want to expand your knowledge of early childhood development? Come join our team. If you are interested and/or want more information on our fabulous volunteer program, please send an email to Nancy Doan at nancydoan5@gmail.com. Thanks for considering – the success of our program depends on Volunteers!  Together we make the difference.



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Like us on Facebook! Did you know we have a Facebook page? We post interesting tips, videos, information on local events, and more. Please “like” us and help our online community grow. Find us by typing “Mercy Street Family Resource Center” in the search bar or (click)





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Feedback: Do you have comments that you would like to send the staff?   Please send us a note to:mercystreetfrc@gmail.com






Mountain View

See below for classes at our TWO Mountain View Centers. Note: the Escuela FRC is partially funded by the City of Mountain View and is for Mountain View Residents only.

Please register with The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com or by calling
650-967-4813

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.


New/Limited Time Classes & Events

Mercy Street:

Family Stressbusters & The Little Village (kids ages 3-5)
Instructors: Brandy Vanderheiden (Stressbusters); Penny Mahood, Kelly Koken and Heidi Harriman – The Little Village
Date: Tuesdays July 7 – August 25
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Fee: $229 for one parent and child, $80 for each additional child; $149 for Family Stressbusters only.
Discounts: $10 off for those who register for Parenting Playfully workshop; $20 off for those who participate in our Family Resilience research study (details given in the first class).
Notes:  Closed after 2nd session.  In order to participate in The Little Village, a parent must participate in Family Stressbusters. Parents may participate in Stressbusters without having a child in The Little Village. No childcare, and children may not be in the classrooms with adults. Payment is due on July 7. Register: 650-967-4813 or mercystreetfrc@gmail.com


Parenting Playfully
Led by Maddi Pascua ATR and Sue Walden
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Address: CHAC 590 W. El Camino Real (near Castro), Mountain View
Fee: $175
Notes: Registration required by Sept 9. Lunch and snacks provided. No childcare available. Register at: mpascua.chac@gmail.com or call 650-799-6749.


Ongoing Classes at Mercy Street FRC

Play & Learn (Spanish)
Led by Karla Arevalo & Jeanette Santana
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes:  In Spanish only. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 15 children / 30 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.

Play & Learn (Japanese)
Led by Class Volunteers
Date: Fridays
Time: 10:15am - 11:45 am
Address: 748 Mercy St, Mountain View
Notes: In Japanese with English available, for native Japanese speakers or Japanese Language Learners. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 15 children / 30 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.

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ESCUELA FRC Classes:


All Play & Learn classes below are currently ongoing and no registration is required. Questions? Call 650-967-4813. This FRC is partially funded by the City of Mountain View. Classes at Escuela FRC are for Mountain View residents only.

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.


Play & Learn (English)
Led by Volunteers Ashwini, Nalini, Seemana, & Lavanya
Date: Mondays
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes: No registration required, but class will be limited to the first 13 families / 26 people who enter per class. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until the end. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.

Mi Jardín de Conocimiento (My Garden of Learning) 
Led by Volunteer Alma
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)
Notes:  In Spanish only. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.

Jugando y Aprendiendo (Play and Learn)
Led by Community Worker Jeanette Santana, volunteer Alma, and class participants
Date: Thursdays
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Address: 260 Escuela Ave, Mountain View (behind Senior Center)

Notes: In Spanish only. No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 13 children / 26 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early (or 30 to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each week.



Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale

Please register with The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com or by calling
650-967-4813

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.


Limited Time Classes & Events

New! Cafecito Mother’s Group (Spanish)
Led by Ana Moreno
Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Address: 1054 Carson Dr, Sunnyvale (Room #15)
Notes: Cafecito moves to Vargas on September 4, 2015 (every first Friday of the month)



Ongoing Classes at Vargas Elementary FRC

All classes are on break until August.




Did you know about our FIRST 5 partners in Sunnyvale? Find contact information for the FIRST 5 FRC at San Miguel Elementary here http://www.first5kids.org/frc/san-miguel


Cupertino

Cupertino

For classes requiring registration, contact The Mercy St FRC, at mercystreetfrc@gmail.com or by calling 650-967-4813

Families may attend only ONE Play and Learn class per week at any of our centers.


New/Limited Time Classes & Events

Calabazas Library Arts Enrichment – Resumes August
Led by volunteers Priti and Jeanette
Date: resumes in August
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Address: Calabazas Library, 1230 S Blaney Ave, San Jose, CA
Notes: No registration required. This class is first come, first served for the first 20 children / 40 people (due to the classroom size, for safety reasons). Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to secure a spot) – it will most likely fill each month.


Ongoing Classes at Canon Music FRC

Mandarin Play and Learn – Resumes 8/17
Led by volunteers Dan, Jeanette and Lian
Date: Mondays
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Address: Canon Music Center, 10885 S. Blaney Ave, Cupertino
Notes:  Class is on break until 8/17

Play and Learn  - Resumes 8/18
Led by volunteers Priti & Urmi
Date: Tuesday
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
Address: Canon Music Center, 10885 S. Blaney Ave, Cupertino
Notes:  Class is on break until 8/18




Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Make a Difference




We are inviting you to join CHAC's Mercy Street Family Resource Center at this year’s Sevathon, July 12th at Bayland Park, Sunnyvale. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000 to support our Family Resource Center & satellite sites so we can continue providing classes, linkage to community services, and opportunities for families to connect, as well as enhancing our program to meet community needs.
Sevathon is a walkathon that brings non-profit organizations together to strengthen their communities. It enables non-profit organizations to deliver their message and further their cause. We hope you will join us in reaching our goal. If you are not able to participate in Sevathon walk/run you can support us with a donation to our cause.
The last day to register is on July 7th. Please help us to continue spreading the word.
Please help make a difference in our community by contributing to the success of CHAC's Mercy Street Family Resource Center:
Steps to register for Sevathon walk/run
  1. Click on Sevathon (upper right conner) 
  2. Register for the event (select activity: 5k/10k/Half Marathon or Yoga) 
  3. Select CHAC as you Sevathon 2015 Non-profit partner
  4. Enter required information to complete registration
  5. YAY! We look forward to seeing you on the track! :) 
Donation
If you like to make a donation to our center, then you can click on the link below
http://konnectme.org/3145269/

Share the cause
Please help us spread the word by passing on the information to your networks.