February, 2019 - In This Issue:
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
Rev. Herzfeld (far right) alongside civil rights advocates in San Francisco
For me, February is a month of rejuvenation, celebration, and remembrance. Rain-soaked days make way for a colorful spring and snow-packed mountains mean water should be plentiful in the year ahead. We take time in February to celebrate our loved ones in Valentine's Day and celebrate a new year and new beginnings with Lunar New Year (Happy Year of the Pig!). On a deeper, more personal level for me, February is also a time for remembering and celebrating Black History Month.  
For those familiar with the civil rights movement as it played out in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the name Will L. Herzfeld may ring a bell. A staunch and dedicated leader in his church and community, Rev. Herzfeld was also at the forefront of the civil rights movement from his birthplace in Alabama to his long tenure in Oakland and, in his final years, his time in Chicago. He was known as someone who aligned closely with Martin Luther King, Jr., was fully committed to those marginalized in the communities he served, and he was proud to take risks for the greater good. Rev. Herzfeld was a motivator, a go-getter, an inspiring speaker, and an equally as wonderful father-in-law (or father-in-love as he would say). If you have time to visit, I highly recommend experiencing the memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr. in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens. Alongside the beautiful fountain and peaceful place of remembrance, you may just see the image of Rev. Herzfeld (above) marching alongside peers and friends in San Francisco so that we, folks celebrating Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Valentine's Day, and every celebration throughout the year can come together in peace and unity to celebrate our diversity and similarities alike.
   
Be well,

Renee S. Herzfeld
Executive Director
4Cs Tax Site Accommodates All Schedules
Drop-off, Drop-in, and Appointments Available

Tax season is in full swing! If you make less than $55,000 annually, 4Cs' VITA volunteers are here to help prepare and file your taxes for FREE! There are three ways we can help:
  1. Drop-off your taxes documents to 4Cs of Alameda County's Hayward Office during office hours and, just a few days later, your taxes will be prepared and ready for you to sign and submit.
  2. Drop-in our Hayward office on Thursday evenings and sit down with a tax preparer who will go over your taxes with you, prepare them, and file them for you.
  3. Make an appointment to meet with a tax preparer on Saturday, March 9th. We have limited spots available, so call (510) 582-2182 and make an appointment soon to prepare your taxes alongside a VITA volunteer. 
Be sure to visit our VITA webpage at  http://www.4c-alameda.org/parents-menu/vita before you arrive to be sure you have all needed paperwork prior to your visit.

 
4Cs Staff Visit the Capitol
A Day of Learning and Advocacy in Sacramento

On Wednesday, February 6th, 4Cs' staff traveled to Sacramento for the California Child Care
Joni, Renee, Rosemary, and Celia represent 4Cs at R&R Day
Resource and Referral Day in the Capitol (R&R Day). The purpose of the day was to come together as a network and advocate for a stronger home-based child care system, with a focus on highlighting the need for more child care vouchers. With an increased number of vouchers, families can choose child care providers that offer non-traditional hours and have more access to infant and toddler care.

In the morning, staff and colleagues met as a network with other agency leads from R&Rs across the entire state of California, and heard from several state officials who are involved in promoting early learning funding in the proposed California state budget (including Giannina Perez, Senior Policy Advisor for Early Education to Governor Gavin Newson, staff from the State Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst's Office, and the Early Learning and Care Division of the CA Department of Education).

In the afternoon, 4Cs staff met individually with three state representatives from Southern Alameda County: Senator Bob Weicowski, Assemblyman Kansen Chu, and Assemblyman Bill Quirk. The 4Cs' team highlighted how 4Cs of Alameda County supports parents, child care providers, and local communities with free services and resources, and encouraged our representatives to join us in our commitment to respond to the community's changing needs. It was a packed day of advocating for our children and families, and we are looking forward to a strong CA state budget for early learning!
Play & Learn at 4Cs
Enrollment for Free Playgroups Now Open!

4Cs of Alameda County is about to start ourr new series of  Play & Learn, a free playgroup for little ones and their family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. Join us for mornings of fun and learning for children ages 0-5 years old and their caregivers; grandparents, aunts, uncles, other family members and friends. Prizes in every session and snacks provided! Register today and join us for some or all of the sessions in this 8-week series on Friday morning from 9:30-11:30am beginning February 22nd and ending May 3rd. Contact Ariana at arianao@4c-alameda.org or (510) 690-2159 to register.   
4Cs is Hiring
Career Opportunities at 4Cs

Join our team of dedicated, energetic, and caring professionals. Click here to find out why 4Cs was recognized by the NonProfit Times as a " 2017 Best Nonprofits to Work." More opportunities at 4Cs are coming soon! Check our " Career Opportunities at 4Cs" webpage to stay up-to-date on available job openings.