| Leave a Lasting Legacy |  |
Family Paths has brought positive, life-affirming change to the lives of countless children and families in Alameda County.
You can extend that impact. Remembering Family Paths in your will or estate plans is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give to the children, families, and communities of tomorrow.
For more information on how to include Family Paths in your estate plans, please contact Tara Bartholomew at (510) 893-9230. |
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Along the Way eNewsletter August 2011 |
 Take Care of Yourself Today
At Family Paths, encouraging self-care is a part of our culture. We foster an environment that supports parents, staff, and clinicians to take care of themselves while exploring what brings comfort to their lives. Vincenza Baldino, Family Support Program Manager and Volunteer Yoga Instructor here at Family Paths, shares with us how self-care is encouraged in her yoga class.
"How do you encourage the students to continue self-care after class is done and what is the barrier?"
"Being able to change the perspective of time," parents learn to slow down. Learning to be aware of their breathing and body, and appreciating themselves. Vincenza also encourages parents to incorporate yoga after they leave class in simple ways. For example, she advises that they practice their breathing techniques before starting the car.
"What have you or parents noticed in themselves?
Some parents noticed how much better they have felt after practicing yoga, not needing to be always in control, and having better relationships with their children.
Self-care doesn't require the need to block out chunks of time. The only requirement is that you enjoy what you did: reading, playing an instrument, being creative, enjoying furry friends and family. Not only do you benefit from it but also all your relationships non and professional will benefit from the more relaxed, calm, and happy you. Remember to work self-care into your schedule on a regular basis. Go on, take some time out for yourself today! |
Lyda's Bag of Self Care Goodies
She takes a spiritual break by attending Mass daily. Having her grandchildren come for visits leaves her feeling great. She also enjoys tending to her roses and but mostly her new cross stitching hobby.
Currently on display in her office is a cross stitch project named, Desiree. This pattern is an image of a woman cross stitched with multiple colors on Aida fabric. This detailed project took 8 months to complete. It is proudly displayed in a 30x30 frame. Lyda was introduced to this craft on a visit to her family in the Philippines. She later found herself asking her sisters to teach her how to stitch. During her stay she finished her first project and was able to show it to her ill father before he passed away. Since then, Lyda has crossed stitched 10 patterns and all are on display at her home. She is currently working on another one named Japanese Angel. Being able to enjoy the end product and use it as a meditation tool makes her feel at peace.
It is interesting that our CFO still deals with numbers while doing her self care with cross stitching, also known as Counted Cross Stitch. Lyda just can't resist playing with numbers at work and at home. |
Volunteer Spotlight: Christina Pedley
Meet Christina Pedley, a volunteer on Family Paths' Parent Support Hotline. Christina says that volunteering is a life-long hobby for her. She has volunteered at Children's Hospital in Oakland, and at Mattel Children's Hospital while studying Psychobiology at UCLA. "Now that I have moved back to the Bay Area, I am so happy to be able to volunteer for Family Paths. Helping others gives me a great sense of fulfillment. I really feel like I am making a difference in my community."
When asked how she became involved with Family Paths, Christina says, "Once I graduated college, I was no longer volunteering for anything. After a while, I realized that I really missed the gratification and fulfillment that I used to feel while volunteering for other organizations. I felt almost like a waste of space by not giving back to my community. So I set out to find an organization that would both allow me to give to the community I am so blessed to be a part of and also be meaningful to me. Since I am pursuing a degree in Genetic Counseling, volunteering as a hotline counselor seemed like a great way to accomplish my goals."
Christina will be going back to school in the fall to get a Master's of Science in Genetic Counseling in a program based out of UCSF and Kaiser Oakland. She swims on a Master's team, loves Harry Potter and the band AFI.
Good luck with your upcoming studies, Christina, and thanks so much for all you do for families in Alameda County!
Family Paths hotline volunteers serve a diverse population throughout Alameda County, and learn important communication skills while gaining counseling experience. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Family Paths, please send an email to our Volunteer Coordinator, Kathryn Leary, at kleary@familypaths.org. |
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Please feel free to pass this newsletter on to family, friends, and colleagues. Thank you for all of your support.
Together we can build stronger families.
Sincerely,
Tara Bartholomew
Development Director
Family Paths, Inc. |
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