FROM OUR CEO, KELLY O'LAGUE DULKA
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“You’re always going to wonder if you’re doing things wrong, but that’s what it means to be a mom, to care so much about someone else that you just want to be as perfect as possible.” —
Naya Rivera
There's nothing that I love more than being a mom. Well, having a wonderful daughter-in-law and a beautiful granddaughter are every bit as great! And, lucky me, my sister lets me share her two grandchildren! But...let's be honest. Motherhood is hard! My mom used to say, "You'll never understand how much I worry about you or how much I love you until you have children of your own." She was so right!
I know it's a little cliche to say that it takes a village to raise a child, but it truly does. We need to support each other ("You got this!"), remind each other ("You're doing a great job!") and be there through the good times and the bad (ok, my friends, you know who you are!!). I've been blessed to be surrounded by women, young and old, who helped me raise my kids (pictured above). I am reminded every time I think of them how blessed I was and continue to be to have that support.
At Child Care Links, we are the village for moms in our community!
We work every day to ensure that moms have the support and resources they need to raise happy, healthy kids. We invite you to be part of our village!
I am reading an amazing book,
"The Gift of a Happy Mother: Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Everyday Joy."
The author of the book, Rebecca Eanes, recounts a conversation with her young son in which she asked him, "Would you rather have a perfect mom or a happy one?" She says that without skipping a beat, he said, "a HAPPY one." This month we will be offering a workshop on the topic! We invite you to put yourself in "mom time-out." Join us as we celebrate motherhood...the joys and the struggles! You'll leave with a copy of Rebecca's book, some new friends and hopefully a sense that your happiness is an amazing gift you give yourself AND your children.
I hope you'll join us on May 7th. You can register below in our events section.
As we celebrate all the moms (and bonus moms) in our lives (including ourselves), take a minute to focus on what you're doing right! Take a minute to thank your mom, grandma, sister, whoever raised you (and, yes, we'll thank the dads in our lives next month). And, last but not least, thank the people who are helping you to raise your own kids!
We invite you to make a gift to Child Care Links
in their memory/honor to help moms in our community who need our support. Be part of the village by donating diapers or books in memory of your mom. Send a check to honor the women who raised you. Or
click here
! Consider volunteering at Child Care Links. You'll not only be providing a much-needed service, you'll also meet other moms who will expand and enhance your village!
Happy Mother's Day!
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WHAT'S GOING ON AT CHILD CARE LINKS?
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CHILD CARE LINKS
SUMMER CAMP
NOW ENROLLING!
Did you hear the exciting news? Child Care Links is partnering with the City of Pleasanton to provide summer camp THIS summer!
Parents with children, ages 8—14 years old, who need additional support in building positive peer relationships, guidance with problem solving, communication, and self-control will want to enroll them in our exciting new camp!
Our camp will teach children & teens the life skills necessary to experience success in their relationships with others through a variety of fun and engaging activities!
Print out the below form and send in your registration TODAY!
|SPACE IS LIMITED! REGISTER EARLY|
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Child Care Links
NOW HIRING!
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Child Care Links is currently hiring! Are you passionate about working with the community and providing resources that strengthen and support children and families? Apply below!
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MOVIE NIGHT!
May 10th |6PM - 8PM
Child Care Links Pleasanton
Join Child Care Links for Friday Night Movie Night with
The Incredibles!
Don't forget to dress up as your favorite SUPERHERO, and bring blankets and pillows!
Popcorn provided!
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Child Care Links was thrilled to connect with Good Samaritots Preschool in San Ramon! Good Samaritots actively provides opportunities for young children to serve in their community, and Child Care Links was lucky enough to receive a generous donation of clothes and handmade cards for our Diaper Pantry! Thank you Good Samaritots!
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Thank you to the Youth Group at Celebration Church in Livermore for volunteering with us and helping to keep our diaper pantry and literacy materials stocked on diaper day. We appreciate each of you!
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Race to Reading Adventure
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Child Care Links is excited that so many of our community members entered our Race to Reading Adventure!
Congratulations to Seethalakshimi Arunachalam, Oralee Frazier, Mary Beth Lee, Nancy Mullins, Mattie Roush and Sheryl Azelton.
You each won a $25 gift card! Together you read 182 different titles, for a total of 380 books! Woo hoo!!!
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FREE Children's Safety Fair!
Saturday, May 4th, 2019
10.00AM - 1.00PM
University Village, 1123 Jackson St., Albany
Safe Kids Day is here! Families are invited to a day focused on fun and interactive safety activities, and a community health and safety resource fair! Child Care Links will be hosting a table at this event and we hope to see you there!
Activities available:
- Car seat check ups (registration required)
- Bicycle repairs, and FREE helmet giveaway (500 helmets available!)
- Dental screenings, and oral health education
- Growth assessments
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PRODUCT RECALL
Fisher-Price has recalled all models of its Rock 'n Play Sleeper over reports of infant deaths. A recall summary issue urges consumers to stop using the devices immediately.
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World Environment
Celebration Day!
JUNE 6TH
11.30AM - 1.00PM
COST: $35.00
Please join the Go Green Initiative in honoring the environmental achievements of Pleasanton high school and college students who have participated in the Go Green Initiative Summer internships Program and the Local Leaders of the 21st Century!
Luncheon & Silent Auction to Support Pleasanton Student Achievements in Environmental Protection.
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For Our Child Care Providers
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C
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May 17th | 12PM
Do you care for your grandchild, niece/nephew, or for a friend's child?
This is sometimes referred to as being a babysitter, a nanny, or a family, friend, or neighbor child care provider.
Child Care Links offers
MONTHLY
activities for those caring for their family member, friend, or neighbor's child(ren)!
Join us this month as we take a field trip to Children's Fairyland! All those that attend will receive free entrance into the park as well as the Magic Key that will unlock the magic of stories. Lunch will also be provided.
Children must be between the ages of 0-5 years old, and participants must be receiving subsidized child care payments through Child Care Links.
Not sure if you are eligible for this FREE event? Just ask! Click below to contact us!
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Join an Association!
The Tri-Valley has two Associations that provide networking and support for Child Care Center and Family Child Care Home Directors.
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Valley Family Child Care Association (VFCCA) provides
educational opportunities, support, networking and fellowship opportunities for fellow Licensed Family Child Care Providers.
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Directors of the Valley (DOV) is an ECE leadership support group for Child Development Program Directors and colleagues in the Tri-Valley. It also serves as a Director Seminar for the California Early Childhood Mentor Program.
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Las Positas College Inclusion Learning Community
Fall 2019
7.00 PM - 9.50 PM
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Join the learning community and complete
ECE 60: Introduction to the Young Child with Exceptional Needs
(3 units)
Tuition and textbook will be provided for FREE!
Click below to find out if you are eligible!
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Upcoming Events & Trainings
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May 1st & 15th
When Parents Fail:
Helping Children when their
Parents Can't
6.30PM - 8.30PM
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P
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Mondays
(4 week session)
April 29th, May 6th, 13th, & 20th
Fireflies
(0-18 months)
9.00AM - 9.45PM
Bumble Bees
(18 months - 3 years)
10.00AM - 10.45AM
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 8th
Child Care Links
OAKLAND OFFICE
Exploring the Senses:
Creating Stimulating Spaces for Children within your Home
11.30AM - 1.00PM
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*For those caring for a family member, friend, or neighbor's child(ren)*
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*For those caring for a family member, friend, or neighbor's child(ren)*
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 9th
Big Green Monster:
Addressing common childhood fears
11.30AM - 12.30PM
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May 11th and 18th
Culture and the Care of
Young Children
9.00AM - 2.30PM
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 17th
Fairyland Field Trip!
12.00PM
*For those caring for a family member, friend, or neighbor's child(ren)*
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 20th
Strategies to Prevent Biting
11.30PM - 12.30PM
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*For those caring for a family member, friend, or neighbor's child(ren)*
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|PARENT WORKSHOP|
May 21st
Birth Order and Sibling Rivalries and the Importance of Routine
5.30PM - 7.30PM
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 22nd
Big
Green Monster: Addressing common childhood fears
6.00PM - 7.30PM
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|FFN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS|
May 25th
Preventative Health
9.00AM - 5.30PM
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A Special Thank You to Our "Diaper Darlings" and all others who have contributed to our pantries whether it is time, energy or money.
We couldn't do it without YOU!
Satabhish Aeka ~ Afsheen Afzal ~ Shruti Agarwal ~ Diane Anderson ~ Salvation Army ~ Julie Ashmore ~ Jane Kraemer Baker ~ Chaitali Bandyopadhyay ~ Mary Baptist ~ Deborah Barker~ Jack Bergman ~ Denise Berkowitz ~ Kathy Bernandez
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Blazing Fire Church ~ Boys Team Charity Pleasanton League
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Lenisha Brewer ~ Danielle Breeden ~ Tracy Brown ~ Nicola Brown ~ Jill Buck
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Sharon Caldeira ~ Julie Camberg ~ Judith Caminiti
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Amy Carr ~ Eric & Paulette Carr ~ Carrie Chambers ~ Joe Chapman~ Kristen Charlson ~ Sue Cheney ~ Ann Clark ~ Noelita Conlogue ~ Crosswinds Church
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Kate D'Or ~ Bibek Das ~ Ian Davidson ~ Mike Dean ~ Chuck Deckert ~ Delia & Charlie DeLaRosa ~ Nicole Denney ~ Camille Denzel ~ Alyssa de Quina ~ Shelley Despotakis ~ Dublin Unified School District ~ Annie Dulka ~ Kathy Dulka ~ Kelly O'Lague Dulka ~ Ryan Duncan Anderson ~ Captain Craig Eicher ~ Amanda and Victor Ferrer ~ Marilyn Foletta ~ Free to Be Me Child Care ~ Kendra Frerich ~ Helen Fulgado ~ Lisa Garcia ~ Lori and Paul Garcia ~ Marty Garcia-Cotter ~ Kristen Geller ~ Gingerbread Preschool ~ Erin Green ~ Kristie Gross ~ Charlotte Guinn ~ Noelle Hannula ~ Jim Hanscom ~ Hindu Community and Cultural Center ~ Jamie Hintzke ~ Angela & Garrett Holmes ~ Becky Hopkins ~ Jennifer Hosterman ~ Bonita F. Hourel ~ Amanda Houston ~ Tami Ingram ~ Karen Kallestad-Miller ~ Nikki Kotz ~ Sara Kwan ~ Lakeshore Learning ~ Kimberly LaRosa ~ LaDonna and Gary Leach ~ Joanna Livingston ~ Sisi Mac ~ Sarah Mann ~ Ken Mano ~ Marilyn Mattoon ~ Debbie Marshall ~ Kurt McAninch ~Ruth McAninch ~ Michelle McDonald ~ Stephanie McGough ~ Joelle McGlothlin ~ Kimberly McLellan ~
Tiana Megofna
~ Amy Miller ~ Mollie Molin ~ Wendy Montgomery ~ Nancy Mullins ~ Alice Nakanishi ~ Dorian Nasby ~ Debbie Nemecek ~ Diane Nico ~ North Pleasanton Rotary Club ~ Renee Palm ~ Dezarae Patterson ~ Colin and Anneke Proudfoot ~ Woody Queen ~ Kathleen Redmond ~ Angela Register ~ Heather Rizzoli ~ Rotary Club of Pleasanton ~ Bonnie Russell ~ Saint Raymond Catholic Church WINGS Group ~ Gwen Salzborn ~ Lucinda Scanlan ~ Susan Schall ~ Share the Spirit East Bay News Group ~ Laurie Shields ~ Toni Sims ~ Harshmeet Singh ~ Dina Sklovskaya ~ Janel Sloan ~ Linda Smith ~ Jennifer Solari ~ St. Clare's Episcopal Church ~ Dick Stafford ~ Marie and Padraig Stapleton ~ Marissa Stein ~ Bob Tedrick ~ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ~ Stefanie Tomlinson ~ Diane Totaro ~ Valley Family Child Care Association ~ Austin Verive ~ Arany Uthayakumar ~ Nafiya Weston ~ Dawn Wilson ~ Marjorie Wong-Gilmore ~ Carly Yamaichi ~ Lea Yancey ~ Kathy Young
If you would like to donate diapers,
click here
or email diapers@childcarelinks.org
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