A Letter From The Executive Director

Dear Saint Vincent's Day Home Community,

As we turn the calendar from November into the holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the many ways our community came together last month. November at the Day Home was a time of creativity, connection, and reflection. Our classrooms were alive with fall-themed activities, giving children the opportunity to explore kindness, gratitude, and the joy of sharing with others.

We were also reminded of the power of community. Families gathered at our Monthly Meet & Mingle to connect and learn about local resources, while our children laughed and danced during the Jump For Joy performance brought by Bread & Roses Co.. Our partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank helped families prepare warm, comforting meals for Thanksgiving, and we welcomed new teachers to our Jellyfish kindergarten classroom, bringing fresh energy and experience to our team.

In addition, our staff had the opportunity to grow professionally by attending the NAEYC Annual Conference, bringing back new ideas and strategies to support the learning and development of every child. These experiences, combined with the generosity and support of our community, make it possible for Saint Vincent’s Day Home to remain a place where children feel valued, loved, and inspired.

As we enter December, we are excited for the joy and warmth of the holiday season, including our Adopt-A-Family Gift Drive. Thank you for being part of this remarkable community and for helping us create meaningful experiences for the children and families we serve.

With gratitude,

Alexandra Hilario

Executive Director

November Day Home Highlights

November at the Day Home was filled with gratitude, creativity, and community spirit. Across our classrooms, children engaged in festive, fall-themed arts and crafts—creating handprint turkeys, gratitude trees, and colorful seasonal collages that captured the warmth of the season. Through these activities, they explored themes of kindness, thankfulness, and the joy of sharing with others.

As we move into the holiday season, Saint Vincent’s Day Home is beginning to buzz with cozy activities, joyful moments, and meaningful reflections—all made possible by the continued support of our incredible community. We are delighted to be preparing for our upcoming Adopt-A-Family Gift Drive, a cherished tradition that brings holiday joy and essential support to our children and families. We look forward to coming together once again as a community to make this season brighter for the children and families we serve.

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 the Newest Jellyfish Teachers!

Supporting our kindergarten explorers every day

Brianna joined us in September and brings three years of teaching experience. She is currently supporting the Jellyfish classroom and has quickly settled into her new role. Her calm presence, positive energy, and enthusiasm have been a wonderful addition to our team.

Kayleen joined us in October and brings five years of teaching experience. She brings a thoughtful, engaging approach to her work. Many of you may already know her toddler, who also attends the Day Home—we’re so glad to have their family as part of our community.

Seifu is our newest team member, joining us just last week. With twelve years of experience in education, he brings a strong background and a genuine passion for early learning. He has already begun connecting with the children and learning the rhythm of the Day Home. His excitement to learn more about our school is truly appreciated, and we’re thrilled to have him on our team.

Professional Development Spotlight: NAEYC Conference

Several of our Day Home teachers had the wonderful opportunity to attend the NAEYC Annual Conference in Florida, the nation’s largest gathering of early childhood educators. Throughout the week, they participated in workshops on early literacy, strategies for supporting children with special needs, and the thoughtful use of technology to enhance learning—especially for children with developmental delays or attention-related needs. The conference also allowed our teachers to connect with educators from across the country, share best practices, and bring back new tools and insights to strengthen our work with children and families at the Day Home.

A Beautiful Morning at Bishop O’Dowd High School

We had the privilege of visiting Bishop O’Dowd High School for their beautiful Interfaith Liturgy, a moving celebration of faith, community, and service. The event featured uplifting songs, heartfelt prayers, inspiring speeches, and a captivating dance performance, making it a truly memorable experience. During our visit, we had the opportunity to highlight our longstanding partnership of over 40 years and celebrate the incredible generosity of their students and families, who continue to support our Adopt-A-Family Gift Drive and bring holiday joy to children and families in our Day Home community.

The Parent Toolkit: The Power of Practicing Gratitude

As we move through busy schedules and shifting routines, one simple habit can make a surprisingly big difference in our children’s well-being—and our own: practicing gratitude.

Research shows that regularly noticing and appreciating the good in our lives can help reduce stress, improve mood, and build emotional resilience. For children, gratitude supports stronger relationships, increases empathy, and even boosts optimism. It’s a small practice with a big ripple effect.



But it’s important to remember: gratitude can’t be forced. Asking kids to “be grateful” in difficult moments—or pushing them to express thanks before they’re ready—can backfire and create pressure.

Instead, the most effective approach is simple: model it. Let your child see you pause to appreciate a warm cup of tea, a funny moment, or a kind gesture from someone else. Share what you’re grateful for in an authentic, low-pressure way. Over time, kids naturally absorb and reflect what they see. 

Wishing you and your family many small moments to appreciate this week.



-Claire Mueller OTR/L and Shar Creasey OTR/L

Join Us in Supporting Families This Holiday Season

Our Adopt-A-Family Holiday Gift Drive is underway! You can help bring holiday joy to children and families at Saint Vincent’s Day Home by purchasing gifts from our Amazon registry, with items delivered directly to the Day Home by December 10th, or by making a monetary donation to support the drive. Every gift and contribution helps ensure a brighter, joyful holiday season for the families we serve.

Community Partnerships

Monthly Meet & Mingle

Our November Meet & Mingle was a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, learn about community resources, and spend time together at the Day Home. This month, we were delighted to welcome representatives from the Oakland Public Library, who shared outreach materials on employment support, skill-building resources for adults, information about programs and services for children and families, and even brought free books for the kids. We’re grateful to all who joined us for making this month’s gathering both informative and welcoming.

Bread & Roses Presents Jump For Joy

Jump For Joy with Wiley Rankin came to Saint Vincent’s Day Home and brought the energy! The children had an absolute blast singing, dancing, and moving to the music. Big smiles, lots of laughter, and so much joy filled the room — thank you to our longstanding community partner, Bread & Roses, for bringing this unforgettable show to our children!

Giving Thanks with the Alameda County Community Food Bank

Gratitude filled our hearts this Thanksgiving! We are deeply thankful to the Alameda County Community Food Bank for providing pantry essentials and whole chickens to our families. Their generosity ensured that families had everything they needed to prepare warm and comforting holiday meals. Thank you to everyone who supported our community throughout November—your contributions make a lasting difference in the lives of our children and families.

Day Home Events

Community Corner