A Letter From The Executive Director

February was an incredible month at the Day Home! It was filled with celebration, learning, and community spirit—from honoring Black History Month to spreading love on Valentine's Day and reinforcing the importance of dental health. We also had the privilege of celebrating the remarkable 30-year career of Ms. Eufemia, whose dedication has shaped the warmth and care of our home. We will miss her, but we are happy for her. She deserves to take the time to relax and enjoy her retirement!

Thank you to our educators, families, and supporters for making the Day Home a place where children can thrive. Our Hometown Heroes event was a huge success thanks to our parent volunteers and community partners. I hope you enjoy this month’s highlights and look forward to all the exciting opportunities ahead.

With gratitude,

Alexandra Hilario

Executive Director

February Day Home Highlights

Throughout February, our classrooms were filled with opportunities for learning, celebration, and connection. We proudly honored Black History Month by fostering an appreciation for diversity and the power of unity through books, music, and engaging activities. Our Hometown Heroes celebration was a fun and meaningful event that honored Oakland's Black culture and history.

Valentine’s Day brought a focus on love and kindness as children created heartfelt crafts and experienced the joy of giving. We recognized Presidents’ Day by exploring the role of leadership and the importance of working together to create positive change.

February is also Children's Dental Health Month. To emphasize the significance of good dental hygiene practices from an early age, the UC Berkeley Brighter Smiles Initiative visited us during our monthly Meet & Mingle.

Library Buzz

We begin the month with Read Across America Day, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling.

Spring officially begins on March 20th, and with all the rain we’ve received, we can look forward to blooming trees and flowers. This season brings a great time to explore books and stories about nature, plants, and gardening. A collection of books on these topics can be found on the far-left end of the bookshelf under the window, with board books available on the lower shelves.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women throughout history. From science and sports to human rights, arts, and entertainment, their contributions have shaped the world in meaningful ways. Biographies of inspiring women can be found throughout the library’s collection.

Ramadan begins on February 28th and continues through March 29th. A display of books will highlight the holiday and its traditions, as well as stories featuring Muslim children and families—similar to those shared during Black History Month. There will also be books available on Holi (March 14th) and Nowruz (March 20th), two vibrant celebrations that mark the arrival of spring.

March also highlights National Nutrition Month and Music in Our Schools Month. Books on these topics can be found in the nonfiction section—Nutrition is in the 613 section, and Music is in 784.

Wishing everyone a joyful and enriching month ahead!

Enjoy,

Ms. Kristi & Ms. Esther

Celebrating Eufemia’s 30 Years of Dedication

After three decades of hard work and unwavering dedication, we celebrate the well-earned retirement of Ms. Eufemia! Since 1994, she has been a cornerstone of Saint Vincent’s Day Home, first supporting our housekeeping needs and later expanding her role to oversee maintenance. Through the years, she has ensured that the Day Home remained a clean, safe, and welcoming space for the children and families we serve.

When asked about her time at the Day Home, Ms. Eufemia shared, "The Day Home is family. Hard work is easy when you’re doing it for the children, knowing that every little effort makes a difference in their day." Her words reflect the deep commitment and love she has poured into our community. With her sweet, loving, and dedicated spirit, she has touched every corner of the Day Home, making it a place of warmth and care. Her kindness and unwavering devotion have left a lasting imprint that will continue to resonate for years to come.

As she steps into this new chapter, we hope she enjoys well-deserved rest, relaxation, and a trip to El Salvador to visit her family. Thank you, Ms. Eufemia, for your 30 incredible years of service—your impact will always be cherished.

Hometown Heroes: A Black History Celebration

This Black History Month, we proudly celebrated Hometown Heroes, honoring the rich culture and history of Black Oakland and the incredible contributions of local leaders who inspire and uplift our community. From civil rights activists to artists, educators, and changemakers, we recognized the lasting impact of figures like Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis, Lonnie Scoggins, Booker Emery, Robert C. Maynard, and Kamala Harris.

Our event on Friday, February 28th, brought the community together at the Day Home for an afternoon filled with music, activities, and fun. Families, staff, children, and friends connected with valuable community resources while celebrating the power of resilience, leadership, and unity.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future!

Spreading Love and Joy on Valentine’s Day!

This Valentine’s Day at Saint Vincent’s Day Home was a heartwarming celebration filled with creativity, kindness, and community spirit. Our little ones embraced the season of love by decorating festive bags, creating heartfelt arts & crafts, and sharing joy with our dedicated staff by passing out beautiful flowers. Their excitement and bright smiles filled the Day Home with warmth, reminding us of the importance of love, appreciation, and the simple joy of giving.

A special thank you to our wonderful children for making this Valentine’s Day so meaningful, and to our staff for the love and care they show every day!

Nourishing Our Community: The Impact of Our Food Committee

Our Food Committee Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of our community by distributing fresh, nutritious food to our 192 children and their families twice a month. With food generously provided by the Alameda County Community Food Bank, our dedicated volunteers come together to carefully bag everything from crisp apples to leafy greens, ensuring each family receives the nourishment they need. Their hard work, kindness, and unwavering commitment to serving others are truly appreciated, and we are so grateful for their continued support in making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve!

"The Food Committee was formed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the growing need for nutritious food support for our families. What started as a response to a crisis has grown into a dedicated team of 16 volunteers who generously give their time and effort to support the mission of Saint Vincent’s Day Home. Their commitment to serving children and families continues to make a lasting impact in our community."

– John Quinn, Vice President of the Board & Family Services Committee Founder

Moving Minds: Pivot to Play Teacher Training

Play with purpose! Pivot to Play brought movement, joy, and hands-on learning to our little learners while also providing a valuable training for our teachers. Educators explored how big body play supports motor, social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development, gaining tools to help children improve focus, schoolwork, and behavior regulation through movement. Using brain science, logic, and engaging activities, this training reinforced how active play lays the foundation for lifelong learning. A huge thank you to Pivot to Play for sharing their expertise and empowering both our students and teachers with the power of purposeful play!

A Peek into the Classroom

The Parent Toolkit

Feelings Check-In: Ask your child how they’re feeling and why, encouraging descriptive words like "happy," "angry," or "excited."

Emotion Charades: Act out emotions and have your child guess them to help recognize different feelings.

Self-Reflection: After strong emotions, ask, "What made you feel that way?" and discuss ways to change those feelings.

Feelings Chart: Use a chart with emotion pictures for your child to point to and discuss.

Modeling: Show your child how you manage emotions, like taking deep breaths when frustrated.

Mindful Moments: Practice simple deep-breathing exercises to help calm down when emotions are high.

Circle time in the Starfish classroom provides numerous opportunities to build emotional regulation skills, including a multistep emotional check-in. Teachers Ms. Mai and Ms. Neary encourage students to describe their feelings using nuanced emotions like marvelous, calm, surprised, or angry, and, just as importantly, to articulate the reasons behind those feelings. For example, a student might say, 'I feel marvelous because I was the table leader,' or 'I feel angry because X took my ball on the yard.' Teachers further guide students with self-reflection questions to help them decide if they want to change how they feel and how they might do that, such as by expressing their feelings to a peer. Great job, Starfish classroom, for building emotional regulation skills and creating a safe space where students can express and work through a variety of emotions!

-Occupational Therapists: Claire Mueller OTR/L and Shar Creasey OTR/L

Community Partnerships

Strengthening Our Community: Get Empowered

Get Empowered is bringing the power of music, movement, and mindfulness to Saint Vincent’s every week! Through interactive sessions filled with rhythm, storytelling, and creative expression, our little learners are developing confidence, self-awareness, and essential social-emotional skills. With a focus on empowerment, inclusion, and joy, Get Empowered fosters a sense of community while helping children build important life skills in a fun and engaging way. We’re thrilled to have them as part of our weekly enrichment, bringing inspiration and positive energy to our classrooms!

Exploring the Wild: Jungle James' Visit to the Day Home

The children had an exciting visit from Jungle James, where they were captivated by an incredible variety of creatures, including toads, snakes, and lizards. This hands-on experience sparked their curiosity and encouraged gentle interactions with the animals, filling the day with joy and wonder.

It was truly a memorable adventure, fostering learning and excitement as the children explored the fascinating world of wildlife! The visit not only deepened their appreciation for nature but also inspired many thoughtful questions and conversations about the creatures they met.

Promoting Healthy Smiles: Brighter Smiles Initiative

For Children's Dental Health Month, UC Berkeley Brighter Smiles Initiative joined us at our monthly Meet & Mingle event where they shared valuable dental health resources with our families and children. They passed out dental kits and provided important information about maintaining healthy smiles. Their presence helped raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and gave families the tools to care for their teeth at home. We are grateful for their support in promoting health and wellness within our community!

In addition to their support, we encourage families to explore further dental resources and tips at Smile California, a great tool to help ensure every child’s oral health is taken care of. Visit their website for more information and resources on dental care.

Smile California

Day Home Events

Join us for our next Meet & Mingle on

Thursday, March 27th from 3:30-4:30PM. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other families, share experiences, and learn about helpful resources. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Eat. Learn. Play. truck will visit the Day Home on Friday, March 28th from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, offering free produce boxes in partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank and books from the Oakland Literacy Coalition. Families, students, and community members can enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, and books to support health and learning.

Community Corner

Calling all dads and father figures!

Join the Dad and Me Father Playgroup for a free, bilingual program where dads and children (ages 2-4) bond through fun, interactive activities. Sessions run Saturdays, March 8, 15, and 22, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Materials are provided, and registration is required.

Starting Out Strong

Join Celebrating Black Motherhood on Saturday, April 12th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a special event honoring the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black mothers. This event will feature inspiring discussions, community connections, and celebrations. Register now to secure your spot and be part of this meaningful experience!