A Letter From The Executive Director

Dear Saint Vincent's Day Home Community,

October was an exciting and busy month at the Day Home. Our classrooms were full of engaging learning activities, and children explored new ways to create, play, and build skills. This month also marked our 114th Annual Brunch, a celebration of our community and a milestone for the Green Oasis Playground Renovation. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $35,000 at the Brunch, bringing us closer to our $250,000 matching gift goal.

We were also proud to host our Harvest Festival, a day of fun and community connection for children, families, and staff. Initiatives like our Free Library and resources on pretend play continue to support children’s learning and development, while our Family Services team provides essential assistance with food, diapers, and other community resources.

Our dedicated educators, such as Bridgette in the Butterflies toddler classroom, continue to create nurturing and engaging environments that support each child’s growth. We are also grateful for our community partnerships, like the California Pre-Dental Society, which bring additional learning opportunities and experiences to our children.

We are grateful to all of you—families, staff, volunteers, and community partners—whose support makes these programs and celebrations possible. Your contributions help us provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child can grow and succeed.

Thank you for being part of our community and for your continued commitment to the mission of Saint Vincent’s Day Home.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Hilario

Executive Director

October Day Home Highlights

October at Saint Vincent’s was full of color, creativity, and celebration. In our classrooms, children enjoyed autumn-themed arts and crafts—painting pumpkins, making leaf collages, and discovering the textures and colors of the season. Outdoors, they played in the crisp fall air, building friendships, confidence, and curiosity through games and exploration. This month, we also celebrated our Annual Brunch, a community gathering honoring our 114 years together, where we showcased the Green Oasis Playground Renovation. During the Harvest Festival, children paraded around the school in their imaginative costumes, enjoying seasonal activities and joyful laughter—all made possible because of your generosity.

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 Bridgette

Teacher

Bridgette is the Head Teacher in the Butterflies toddler classroom, where she takes great joy in working closely with families to support each child’s educational journey through play, exploration, and creativity. She believes that early learning should be filled with curiosity, confidence, and fun, helping children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Bridgette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development, is a certified teacher, and has completed over 24 units in Early Childhood Education. Her background and passion for child development shine through in the nurturing and engaging environment she creates every day.

Outside of the classroom, Bridgette enjoys shopping, attending sporting events, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and warm spirit make her an invaluable part of the Saint Vincent’s Day Home community.

Harvest Festival Highlights

Our annual Harvest Festival was a joyful celebration of the season! Children paraded around the the Day Home in their imaginative costumes, collecting treats, playing games, and enjoying festive activities throughout the day. Laughter and excitement filled the air as students, staff, and families all joined together to celebrate the colors and joys of autumn. A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing staff and families for their creativity, enthusiasm, and participation — your support made this celebration a truly memorable and magical day for our children!

The Parent Toolkit: The Power of Pretend Play

When children put on a cape, cook in a pretend kitchen or play “doctor,” they’re doing more than having fun—they’re building important life skills! Pretend play helps children develop language, social skills, and make sense of their world as they take on different roles and solve problems together. It also sparks creativity , imagination , and confidence as they explore new ideas in a safe, playful way. Encourage pretend play at home by keeping costumes around or providing simple props—like scarves and boxes—and letting your child’s imagination lead the way!

🧰 Try These at Home

• Keep it simple: Everyday items like blankets, cardboard boxes, and plastic containers can become castles, spaceships, or kitchens.
• Join in (sometimes): Follow your child’s lead—let them be the “boss” of the story! Joining their play shows interest and keeps the ideas flowing.
• Offer open-ended toys: Dolls, dress-up clothes, play food, or blocks invite endless possibilities.
• Use real-life inspiration: Reading books, cooking together, or visiting a new park/place can spark new play ideas.

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

Celebrating 114 Years of Community

Top right, from left to right: Alexandra Hilario, Executive Director; Judge Amyra Cobb-Hampton, Alumna.

Our 114th Annual Brunch was a beautiful success, thanks to our incredible friends of the Day Home. This special day marked not only another year of community and tradition but also a big step forward in our Green Oasis Project—transforming our outdoor spaces into vibrant, nature-inspired areas where children can learn and grow.

Together, we raised an amazing $35,000 at the Brunch, and with your continued support, we’re now only $25,000 away from reaching our $250,000 matching gift goal. Let’s keep the momentum going and make the Green Oasis flourish for generations to come.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed alum speaker, Judge Amyra Cobb-Hampton, for her inspiring words, Brother and Sisters Flowers for the stunning floral arrangements, the Bishop O’Dowd Jazz Band for their lively performance, California Rose Catering for the delicious meal, Donut Savant for the sweet treats, CAL FIRE, and all of our wonderful sponsors, supporters, and partners for helping make our Green Oasis vision come to life.

Community Partnerships

California Pre-Dental Society

Big smiles and bright minds filled our Kindergarten classroom last week during a special visit from UC Berkeley’s Pre-Dental Club, the California Pre-Dental Society. The students learned all about dental hygiene, healthy habits, and how to keep their smiles shining. We’re so grateful to the volunteers for helping our children build strong routines for a healthy future!

Support for Families: Food & Diaper Resources

We know that access to healthy food is essential for every family, and we want to share an important update about SNAP/EBT benefits. Following a recent federal court ruling, the Trump administration has been ordered to use contingency funds to make at least partial payments to SNAP recipients during the government shutdown, helping ensure that millions of families continue to receive vital support. For families who may still need guidance, assistance, or access to additional resources, our Family Services team is available at the front desk to answer questions. They also offer resource packets that include information on free food distributions throughout the East Bay, as well as locations that provide free diapers. We encourage families to reach out and take advantage of these valuable resources to help support their households during this time.

Day Home Events

Community Corner