A Letter From The Executive Director

From left to right: Alexandra Hilario – Executive Director, Vivian M. O'Neal – Board Member, Robin Bertelsen – Board President, Corinne M. Mohrmann – Archivist

Dear Saint Vincent's Day Home Community,

As summer winds down and we prepare for a new season, I am filled with gratitude for the many ways our Day Home continues to grow and flourish. August was a month of transformation - our playground renovation is well underway, with the toddler yard now open and brimming with laughter. More classrooms have also been refreshed, providing bright and welcoming spaces where children can create, explore, and thrive.

These exciting updates reflect more than just physical changes; they represent the heart of our mission—to ensure every child has a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment in which to learn and grow. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our families, and the generosity of our supporters. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the future of every child who walks through our doors.

As you read through this month’s highlights, I hope you feel the same sense of joy and pride that we do each day. Thank you for being an essential part of the Saint Vincent’s Day Home family.

With gratitude,

Alexandra Hilario

Executive Director

August Day Home Highlights

August has been a season of growth and transformation at the Day Home. Our much-anticipated playground renovation began, and the toddler playground is already complete—quickly filling with laughter and play! Many classroom renovations were also finished, creating bright, welcoming spaces for children to explore and learn. As summer comes to a close, our little learners are enjoying their refreshed classrooms, diving into arts, crafts, and activities that spark creativity and joy. Thanks to you, they spend each day with smiles, curiosity, and the confidence to grow in a safe, nurturing environment.

Library Buzz: Check Out Our Free Family Library!

We’re always excited to share the joy of reading with our children! Stories spark imagination, build language, and open doors to new worlds—helping our little learners grow with curiosity and confidence.

Families, children, and teachers are welcome to visit our free book display located in the hallway. This rotating collection features a variety of children’s books that are perfect for storytime at school or at home.

Although themed collections are on pause for now, there are still plenty of wonderful books to choose from—and best of all, you’re welcome to take them home and keep them! Feel free to browse, pick a few favorites, and enjoy the gift of reading together.

Ms. Kristi & Ms. Esther

Meet Courtney

Human Resources

We’re excited to welcome Courtney as Saint Vincent’s Day Home’s new Human Resources Generalist! Courtney brings over five years of experience in the HR field and is currently pursuing her Master of Human Resource Management. She is eager to contribute her skills to support our staff and strengthen the Day Home community.

Courtney recently made the move to Berkeley and is looking forward to discovering the Bay Area. Outside of work, she enjoys reading romance novels and cheering on her child as a proud volleyball mom.

We’re thrilled to have Courtney on the team and invite you to join us in giving her a warm welcome to the Day Home family!

Classrooms Come Alive

In August, classrooms came alive as children settled into their new spaces and routines. With updated environments and engaging activities, they focused on building skills through art, storytelling, circle time, music, and hands-on learning experiences. Children explored creative projects, practiced early literacy and math skills, and collaborated with peers in group activities that encouraged curiosity and problem-solving. Teachers worked thoughtfully to support each age group, balancing developmental needs with opportunities for growth, connection, and independence. The month highlighted both the resilience of our children and the dedication of our staff, and this strong start sets the stage for the learning and milestones ahead.

Alumni Spotlight

Yesenia Baires

This month, alumnus and registered nurse Yesenia Baires attended the Society of Latinx Nurses (SOLN) 2nd Annual Inaugural Conference in San Jose, California. SOLN is a professional organization representing the diversity of the Latinx Community, providing a safe and empowering space for aspiring Latinx nursing professionals and nursing students.

The conference began with a ceremonial blessing and included heartfelt stories, educational presentations, a live Mariachi and performance by Angelina Victoria, and ended with providing tools for advocacy for the community. Yesenia is a new member of SOLN and intends to provide outreach through volunteer opportunities and community events.

Yesenia began attending Saint Vincent’s Day Home from the age of two until the age of ten, she was a student in the Livewires classroom, an extended after school program. To this day, she considers SVDH as her home away from home. She cherishes her memories with her teachers and classmates and remembers the core values instilled in the education provided by the Day Home.

She highlights and reminisces about her first time learning to swim at the YMCA, playing four-square and dodgeball in the yard, making flower necklaces with her classmates, singing along to live music by Ms. Lisa, and eating nutritious meals. “The Day Home is a special, unforgettable place, any Livewire can tell you that”, she exuberantly states, “and I am thankful to be a part of such a devoted community”.

Yesenia still practices as a registered nurse; she is currently working as an assistant archivist at the Day Home. She recently accepted a new opportunity to work with Sutter Health in San Francisco. She plans to get certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and work within the field of Adult Gerontology in the years to come.

The Parent Toolkit: Storytime Fun

Storytime sparks imaginations and builds a love of learning at SVDH! The Ladybugs dive into picture books that introduce new words and exciting worlds. The Butterflies act out stories with puppets, bringing characters to life while strengthening comprehension skills. Meanwhile, the Dinosaurs explore storytelling through drawing and sequencing activities, turning their ideas into colorful narratives. These young readers and writers are discovering the magic of language through play!

🧰 Parent Tool-Kit: Try These at Home

Read Together Daily. Even 5–10 minutes of shared reading each day exposes children to new vocabulary, rhythms of language, and storytelling structures. Choose books your child enjoys—fun, short stories work just as well as classics.
Act It Out. Encourage your child to retell the story using their own words, puppets, or even simple props from around the house. This supports comprehension, memory, and confidence.
Mix Words with Play. Create a story-inspired craft, snack, or game. For example, after reading a story about animals, have your child draw or build the characters with blocks—combining literacy and creativity makes learning stick.

Early literacy experiences help children develop language, listening, and critical thinking skills. They also foster imagination, self-expression, and social interaction. The best part? Story-based activities don’t need to be perfect—sometimes acting out the silliest parts of a book is all it takes to create a memorable learning moment!

Green Oasis Playground Groundbreaking

In August, we celebrated an exciting milestone with the Groundbreaking Ceremony for our Green Oasis Playground Project. This achievement would not be possible without the vision and creativity of our landscape architect Studio Green, the skill and dedication of our construction partner BIC Construction, the vital grant funding from Cal Fire, and the generous support of our donors and sponsors, including Fremont Bank, which joined us for this special day. Families, staff, donors, and community partners gathered on the playground to mark the official start of transforming our outdoor space into a vibrant, sustainable, and enriching environment. The evening was filled with joy and anticipation for the new opportunities this project will bring to our children and the broader Day Home community. More than just a symbolic first step, the groundbreaking reflected our collective commitment to creating a safe and inspiring place for children to learn, play, and grow.

Toddlers at Play: Our Renovated Yard is Open!

We are thrilled to share that our newly renovated toddler yard has been officially approved by licensing and is now open for play! Our youngest children are already enjoying the refreshed space, exploring, climbing, and discovering with big smiles. The updated yard provides a safe, engaging, and developmentally supportive environment where toddlers can build confidence, strengthen motor skills, and, most importantly, have fun. Be sure to check out the video above to see the joy in action—our toddlers are making the most of their brand-new play space!

Teeing Off for Brighter Futures

This past month, we hosted our annual "Fore the Children" Golf Tournament, bringing together sponsors, volunteers, players, and community members for a day filled with sunshine, camaraderie, and support for the Day Home. Thanks to the generosity of our Presenting Sponsor, the Oakland Fire Department Sports Association, and all of our incredible sponsors and participants, the event was a resounding success. Together, we raised an outstanding $91,551.42 in support of our children! Every swing, putt, and cheer on the course helped provide brighter futures and stronger foundations. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day possible and look forward to seeing you on the green again next year!

Community Partnerships

Colombo Club of Oakland

We are grateful to the Colombo Club Women's Auxiliary in Oakland for their generous donation of school supplies to our kindergarteners. The Club, a longstanding community organization dedicated to fostering camaraderie, cultural connection, and civic engagement, provided backpacks along with pencils, markers, and other essential school items. Our partnership with the Colombo Club spans multiple decades, reflecting their deep and ongoing commitment to the Day Home community. Thanks to their support, our students are starting the school year with everything they need to learn, create, and thrive!

Day Home Events

Afternoon Meet & Mingle: September 25 | 3:30–4:30 PM

Join us for an Afternoon Meet & Mingle with pretzels, sparkling water, and plenty of friendly conversation. This gathering is a wonderful chance for parents and caregivers to connect with one another, share experiences, ask questions, and explore helpful resources offered through the Day Home and our community partners.

Whether you’re new to SVDH or a returning family, we look forward to welcoming you! Children are encouraged to join, and our staff will be available to make introductions and provide support.

Come connect, relax, and build community—together.

Save The Date

Join us on Saturday, October 18th for our Annual Open House & Champagne Brunch as we celebrate 114 years of Saint Vincent’s Day Home. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this special day of community, connection, and celebration!

Community Corner

Annual Community Health & Resource Fair

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 6th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at 476 34th Street, Oakland! This free event, hosted by Parks Chapel AME Church, Downs Memorial UMC, and St. Columba Catholic Church, will feature health and wellness resources, flu shots, free food, and fun activities for children. Saint Vincent's Day Home will have a booth at the fair, alongside many community partners, to share resources and connect with families. Everyone is welcome—bring a friend and join us!

Alameda County Wonderland Kids Fest

Looking for family fun? The Wonderland Kids Fest kicks off on Saturday, September 6th at the Laney College parking lot (510 Fallon Street, Oakland). Open every Saturday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (weather permitting), the festival features cartoon characters, sensory activities, water slides, jumpers, storytelling, karaoke, clown acts, and more! Kids can enjoy photo opportunities with live characters and exciting entertainment all day long. Admission is free from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, then $10–15 after.

Monthly Story Time Adventure

Join Families United for a Story Time Adventure on Saturday, September 13th from 10:00–11:00 AM at their San Leandro office. This free event is designed for children ages 1–6 and will feature a lively read-along, songs and movement, arts and crafts, yummy snacks, and fun take-home goodies. Registration is required, and space is limited!

2025 Fatherhood Summit

Join us in celebrating and honoring the power of fatherhood at the Alameda County Fatherhood Summit on Saturday, September 27th at the Oakland Marriott City Center. This inspiring event will feature a job fair, workshops, resources, and more, all dedicated to supporting and uplifting fathers in our community. For more information and to register, please click here.