NEWSLETTER
CelebrateGivingTuesday withUs!
This Giving Tuesday, December 3, join us in making a meaningful impact on the families we serve. It’s a global day of giving, and we’re excited to invite you to support our mission to nurture children, youth, and caregivers through lifechanging programs. Your donation on this special day will directly fund our essential services, helping families stay healthy, strong, and together
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 3!
To donate or learn more, simply scan the QR code or email us at gifts@fssba.org.
DearFamilySupport ServicesCommunity,
At Family Support Services, we are grateful for your continued support as we move forward in our mission to empower families and help them stay healthy, happy, and intact Our programs are designed to promote safety, permanency, and wellbeing, and we are actively progressing in our efforts to strengthen families By building on their strengths, enhancing life skills, and fostering self-sufficiency, we create lasting impact in a respectful, family-driven environment.
As we continue our mission, we remain deeply grateful for your commitment to our work.
building, and future
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Respite Child Care Program
The Respite Child Care Program offers parents and caregivers a much-needed break, helping to reduce burnout and restore energy. Available at two Bay Area locations San Francisco and Oakland this program provides safe, nurturing short-term childcare, allowing parents time for self-care, appointments, or personal responsibilities
Oakland Respite
Community Engagement and Outreach
The Oakland Respite Program team has attended various resource fairs, job fairs, and presentations, reaching out to senior centers to share health and wellness tips We are also dedicated to supporting seniors who are caring for their kin children and are continuously searching for respite providers to assist foster families and families with developmental disabilities
PublicProfile
Program Impact
TEAMBONDING
In October, the Oakland Respite team participated in a retreat centered on selfdiscovery, team building, and future planning This retreat has set the stage for ongoing discussions about goals and how we can maximize the impact of our program
During the first four months of the fiscal year, the Oakland Respite Program has served 42 families, 79 children, and provided 4,298 hours of respite care We are proud of these accomplishments and look forward to continuing our work in the community
Lunch and Learn Series
In June, we launched our first Lunch and Learn event specifically for seniors These sessions have focused on self-care, strengthening bonds, building community, and overall wellness We are excited to continue this initiative on a quarterly basis
SANFRANCISCORESPITE
TheTransformative PowerofCommunity SupportinParenting:
Thisyear,wehavewitnessedcountless storiesofresilienceandtransformation Still,oneinparticularstandsoutasa testamenttothepowerofcommunity support.Throughouroutreachefforts,a singlemotherfacingoverwhelming challengeswasconnectedtoourprogram Withnowhereelsetoturn,shefoundthe criticalcareandresourcessheneededat FamilySupportServices,includingchildcare andothersupportthathelpedherregain stabilityforherselfandherchild.
Thankstotheassistanceprovided,this motherovercameherobstaclesandthrives todaybyhelpingothersinsimilarsituations andsharingherjourneyThisstoryreflects theheartofourmission:KeepingFamilies HealthyandIntact
CollaborationforCommunity Wellness:
San Francisco Respite was invited by the Mexican Consulate to participate in their annual Binational Health Week SF respite will join upcoming events where we will connect with families Our partnership with the Consulate has also led to a special recognition of our dedication to providing essential childcare support for Spanish speaking families This collaboration reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and uplifting our community through accessible, inclusive care
During the California Alliance of Caregivers (CAC) Annual Panel in Sacramento, our Director, Supervisor, and Respite Coordinator showcased the impact of our RFA program They gained valuable insights into innovative advertising strategies from other organizations We also discovered that one of our RFA parents serves as the board president of CAC The experience reaffirmed our confidence in delivering high-quality respite care From intake to service delivery, we are and will continue to set a strong standard compared to other county services
Kinship Support Services Program
Family Support Services’ Kinship Support Services Program offers assistance to Kinship Caregivers: grandparents, relatives, and friends who are caring for and raising a relative’s or a friend’s child. Caregivers are individuals who have stepped up to support youth while providing them with a safe and nurturing environment and encouraging them to reach their potential.
Our goal in the Kinship Program is to provide supportive services to kinship, guardianship, and foster care families that promotes keeping families healthy and intact.
KinshipOffers:
Kindship offers: Weekly Kinship Support Group for caregivers
Case Management & Crisis Intervention
Academic Support Program
Grades PreK - 12
College Pathways – Life
After High School
Grades 9 – 12
Kinship Youth Summer Program
Grades 2 – 8
Summer Leadership
Program
Grades 9 - 10
The Kinship Program hosted a wonderful Fall Festival that brought families together for an afternoon of creativity and fun Attendees enjoyed arts and crafts, a spirited cake walk, and delicious pizza! It was a great opportunity for kids to have a blast, and for everyone to create lasting memories
FamilyPreservationProgram(FPP)
With offices in Oakland and San Francisco, the Family Preservation Program (FPP) is a home-based service designed to help children and families thrive Many families face stresses that can affect their ability to provide the best care FPP aims to reduce these stressors, build on family strengths, and ensure children and families remain safe and healthy
Oakland FPP
EPICFathersMen’sSupportGroup:EmpoweringFathers, BuildingFinancialFutures:
EPIC Fathers Men’s Support Group is dedicated to supporting fathers in their parenting journey by providing a safe, respectful space to reflect, share, and problemsolve. The group aims to strengthen families and promote healthy parenting.
Recently, in response to fathers’ interest in financial planning, EPIC Fathers hosted a Financial Q&A session focused on strategies for saving, becoming financially stable, and preparing for retirement. Led by Mr. Jasper Smith of The BuildWealth Movement, the workshop provided valuable insights on wealth-building and planning for the future. Many fathers found the session helpful and even scheduled individual consultations with Mr. Smith to further develop their financial strategies.
ExcitingNews:OaklandFPP ExpandswithNewPrograms!
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We are excited to announce the launch of three new programs at Oakland FPP:
Child Abuse Prevention Intervention Treatment (CAPIT) Program
CAPIT Violence American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Program
CAPIT Violence and Prevention Program an Regional Center East Bay (RCEB) Collaborat Family Services
These new initiatives further our mission to support and empower families in our community.
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San Francisco FPP
This past year, we started with a full teamYarely Betancourt, our intern with us for the past year; and Sophia Conlon, our Bachelor of SW Intern turned permanent employee of FSS before she was accepted to the master’s program at Cal East Bay!
Family Preservation Program of SF experienced many changes throughout this year; yet our families continue to persevere! Sophia graduated 7 families and Yarely graduated 2 families Jasmine Linares and Aysha Franco continued their dedication to SafeCare families and served them during this past summer. Jasmine graduated 7 families in 2024! For the fiscal year of 2023-2024, we graduated 21 families!
We also want to welcome our new staff: Maribel Olivares and Zorayda Chavez! They have easily made the transition and submerged themselves in supporting families. They both have already started supporting Respite in their fall events.
Growing Up Strong
We are excited to share that Growing Up Strong (GUS) is our in-house therapy
Growing Up Strong works with families with children, 0-18 years old, who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, and/or social challenges at home or at school, or who have experienced trauma as a result of neglect, maltreatment, family, or community violence
By addressing emotional, behavioral, and social challenges proactively at a young age, parents and caregivers help reduce the risk of long-term mental health challenges for their children, fostering a foundation of resilience and strength
To date, we have successfully hired three clinical providers. These new additions to our staff bring a full range of clinical expertise, enhancing our ability to serve our target demographics effectively.
Celebrating35YearsofFamily Celebrating35YearsofFamily SupportServices SupportServices
We are excited to reflect on the success of our Building Bright Futures Gala, an event that raised crucial funds and celebrated the outstanding work of Family Support Services over the years. With 35 years of dedication to nurturing children, youth, parents, and caregivers, this gala was a powerful reminder of the lasting impact we’ve made in the community and the families we serve
This gala was not just a fundraiser it was a celebration of the people, the partnerships, and the powerful stories that have shaped Family Support Services over the past 35 years We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event a success Your support helps fuel our ongoing work and ensures we continue to build a brighter future for families in need We can’t wait to celebrate even more milestones with in the years ahead Stay tuned for our upcoming events!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JANETTE E. DREW PRESIDENT
RAMON SIMMS
TREASURER
LOIS BOYD
SECRETARY
JANE HENDERSON, PHD
JOHN ROBBINS, SIOR
SHAY ROGERS
KAREN E WILSON
KAMARA ROSE
Creating a positive impact for thousands of families across the Bay Area requires a collective effort.
A vital component of our community is our dedicated Board of Directors
We invite you to join us in our mission to keep families healthy and intact, and make a meaningful difference in our community. JOIN US!
INFO@FSSBA ORG
HelpUsBrightentheHolidaysfor FamiliesinNeed
Family Support Services has been able to bring warmth and joy to families through our Holiday Sponsor Program This year, we’re inviting you to join us once again in making the holiday season a little brighter for those in need
By sponsoring a family, you’ll help parents and caregivers create an experience filled with joy and comfort for their children If you’d like to participate, please reach out to holidaysponsor@fssba.org, and we’ll provide all the information you need to sponsor a family
