Honoring a Legacy. Inspiring the Future. | |
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On Friday, August 28th, we officially dedicated our San Anselmo campus as the J. Patrick Hunt Campus, recognizing the extraordinary legacy of J. Patrick Hunt, co-founder of Bank of Marin and longtime supporter of children, youth, and their family members.
We were honored to celebrate alongside members of the Hunt family, community leaders, and supporters as we reflected on Side by Side's 130-year history and looked ahead to the future.
This dedication ensures that Mr. Hunt's commitment to strengthening our community will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful day possible.
(Photo credit: Desire to Inspire Studios, CEO Christine Garcia with the J. Patrick Hunt family)
| | | | East Bay Cocktails & Community Event | | |
Side by Side recently welcomed friends to a special East Bay reception: Cocktails & Community at the historic Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California.
Guests from across the East Bay gathered to enjoy beverages, light bites, and an engaging conversation about the impact of Side by Side's behavioral health and community programs.
Hosted by CEO Christine Garcia, the evening highlighted the many ways Side by Side's programs support youth and their family members in the East Bay. Panelists De'Misha Barker, Program Director of Transitional Housing Services; Larry Woodland, Interim Regional Director, East Bay; and Caitlin Gulseth, Our Space Peer Specialist, shared insights into programs including Real Alternatives, Community Counseling, and Our Space, providing a closer look at how these services create stability, strengthen mental health, and expand opportunities for young people and their families.
We were also honored to have team member Lito Briano join us to represent Community Counseling North Bay and speak about the growing need for accessible behavioral health services in the North Bay.
Learn more about our programs HERE.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful evening.
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Side by Side staff came together on Monday, October 5th for a day of connection, learning, and shared reflection at our San Anselmo campus. The meeting opened with a welcome from Christine Garcia, who provided a State of the Agency update, followed by a Mandated Reporting training led by Dr. Sonja Lenz-Rashid.
The afternoon featured updates from programs across the agency, including the East Bay and North Bay regions, Independent Living Program, Our Space, Real Alternatives, Community Counseling, TAY Space, and the Irene M. Hunt School. During these presentations, teams shared their "roses and thorns," highlighting successes, accomplishments, areas of growth, and challenges they are navigating. These discussions offered staff an opportunity to celebrate wins, share lessons learned, and deepen understanding of the important work happening throughout the organization.
The gathering also included recognition of staff through the Exceptional Performance Awards, with awardees honored for their outstanding contributions and commitment to Side by Side's mission.
The day concluded with closing remarks and staff shout-outs, reinforcing the spirit of appreciation, teamwork, and our commitment to being stronger together and better together.
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Totally Rad News!
Reach for the Stars: 80s Prom Night is SOLD OUT.
Thank you to everyone who purchased prom tickets and helped make this gala a sell-out success. We look forward to celebrating with you on Saturday, October 24th as we party like it's 1985 in support of Side by Side's programs for youth and their family members.
Questions? Contact events@sidebysideyouth.org.
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And a huge thank you to our
Totally Tubular Sponsors
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⛳Save the Date⛳
Mark your calendars for the 33rd Annual Bank of Marin Golf Tournament benefiting Side by Side!
Join us on Monday, June 28th at Marin Country Club in Novato for a day of golf, community, and impact. More details coming soon. We can't wait to see you on the course!
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(Photo credit: Desire to Inspire; (left to right) Kevin Abaya, JD Schramm, Mayor Steve Burdo, and Ken Daigle) | | |
Side by Side Campus Dedication Receives Press
Thank you, Marin IJ, for featuring our campus dedication in Giving Marin. We’re deeply grateful for your support and for helping us share this milestone with the community. Coverage like this helps raise awareness of our mission and the critical support young people and families need to thrive. Read more HERE.
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We're a Hot Ticket!
We’re thrilled to share that Side by Side’s Reach for the Stars: 80s Prom Night has been featured in Marin Magazine’s Hot Ticket section, highlighting some of the Bay Area’s must-attend events!
Thank you to Marin Magazine for including our gala among this season’s standout community events.
And in even more exciting news... the gala is officially SOLD OUT!
| | Side by Side Partnerships & Support | | |
BAPHR Foundation Awards 2026 Grant
to Side by Side
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Side by Side is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the BAPHR Foundation as part of the Foundation’s 2026 grant cycle.
This year, the BAPHR Foundation received more than 40 applications and awarded funding to 32 organizations and programs across the Bay Area.
The grant will support Side By Side’s work to advance the health, well-being, and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth and communities.
Thank you, BAPHR!
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Side by Side
Participates in BART
Community Resource Fair
Last week, Side by Side joined community organizations from across the Bay Area at the Community Engagement Resource Fair, hosted by BART Police Department’s Progressive Policing and Community Engagement Bureau.
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The event connected community members with a wide range of services, including youth programs, mental health and substance use resources, housing support, re-entry services, and more.
Held at Lake Merritt Station, the fair provided an opportunity for Side by Side staff to share information about our programs, connect with community members, and highlight resources available to young people and families throughout the region. We were proud to be among the many organizations working together to strengthen community well-being and improve access to critical support services.
We thank BART Police Department, and all of the participating partners for bringing this valuable event to the community.
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