The Collaborative Bulletin
September Recap
By Jasmine Corena and Cesar Salto
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Lights, Camera, Action!
This fall semester, the Green Room Youth Club students have been exploring the world of filmmaking, learning about everything from the evolution of movie posters to the development of CGI over the years. Together, we are now putting what they have learned into practice as they work on creating their first film.
Students explored and learned about different film genres and selected their top choices to incorporate into their project. They have been working collaboratively to develop a script and are beginning to assign roles and responsibilities for the production.
The Green Room Youth Club is excited to begin filming and is also looking forward to attending a live play. For many, this is their first opportunity to explore filmmaking, theater, and storytelling as creative outlets. Through these experiences, students are discovering new ways to express their creativity while learning how stories are brought to life both on screen and on stage.
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CPO Message
As we move into the fall, WMCC continues to grow and expand the ways we serve our community. Over
the past several months, we have been building new programs, strengthening existing work, and developing partnerships that are helping us step into new areas such as climate resilience, workforce development, and expanded health and wellness initiatives...
Read more here.
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Kicking off "Community Connections" with a Creative Writing Night
The WMCC hosted a community Creative writing workshop with Jaime Calderon, "el poeta triste", as part of our new "Community Connections" workshop series- a workshop series led entirely by local, community members.
Jaime Calderon encouraged the participants to evoke their feelings and thoughts into their writing and reminded them of the importance of poetic meter, metaphor, vulnerability, and rhyme while writing poetry. At the end of the workshop, some community members even shared their poem(s) with the rest of the class.
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September Staff Wellness: The Power of Journaling
Each month, the WMCC team comes together for a Staff Wellness Meeting, creating intentional space to slow down, connect, and prioritize our well-being.
For September, our on-site clinician, Andrea, guided staff through a wellness session focused on journaling and self-reflection. Staff had the opportunity to explore how journaling can help us process our thoughts, manage stress, and create space for reflection in our everyday lives.
As a team dedicated to serving our community, these monthly wellness sessions remind us of the importance of also taking time to care for ourselves.
Thank you, Andrea, for leading us through another meaningful Staff Wellness Meeting!
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Spotlight: College Bound Series with Likhi Rivas
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West Modesto Community Collaborative brought to the community the College Bound Family Series: four bilingual workshops led by Modesto Junior College and La Familia to help parents better understand the college process their children are navigating. Though open to families from neighboring cities, this effort was especially significant to WMCC because it sits at the epicenter of education gaps. For many Westside and Southside families, this may be their first time navigating higher education. In West Modesto, “approximately 8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree,” while in South Modesto, “under 10% of adults hold a 4-year college degree.”
Workshop topics included understanding admissions, campus resources and student support, financial aid, and supporting your well-being. These conversations helped parents better understand the stressors their children may experience during the college application season. One mother stated, “Nomás le quiero dar un abrazo a mi hija y dejarle saber que quiero entender el proceso con ella.”
Throughout the sessions, many parents learned the importance of staying curious about their child’s education, finding resources available to parents of first-generation students, and understanding some of the challenges their children may face after graduation. Parents also explored the reality that a bachelor’s degree does not automatically translate into financial stability or six-figure salaries. Building generational wealth takes time, and for many families, pursuing higher education can be part of a much longer journey toward creating new opportunities for future generations.
But that journey does not have to be navigated alone. There is power in being able to come together, share our stories, ask questions, and learn from one another. It takes a village. WMCC hopes this series is just the beginning of continued conversations around higher education, creating more opportunities for families to learn, connect, and support one another.
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Vibin' with West Modesto!
Check out our recent episodes in our Vibin' with West Modesto podcast!! Our latest episodes are with Sara Bernal from the Valley Water Collaborative and Stephanie Ortiz, from our office!
Also, don't forget to check out our 'Vibe Songs' playlist!
Listen Here
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Know Your Rights Corner
Did you Know? Cooler weather doesn’t mean workplace safety rules disappear!
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace. As temperatures change this fall, workers who spend time outdoors should still be aware of weather-related hazards and speak up if working conditions feel unsafe.
Remember: You have the right to raise a workplace safety concern without being punished for speaking up.
Learn more here!
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As part of our Move your Body, Calm your Mind campaign, we are highlighting how small, daily habits can support your mental health.
Simple actions like movement, breathing, and time outside can help reduce stress and improve your mood over time. Slowing down, even briefly, can help you feel more balanced and present.
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