News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs of Alameda County, January 2025

News, Notes, and Announcements from 4Cs

January 2025

A Note From Our Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friend of 4Cs,

For long-time readers, you know that at the beginning of every year I take time to choose a word to guide me through the following 12 months. This year, after much thought, the word RENEW rose to the top of my 2025 priority list. While the word renew can be defined in many ways, defining renew in 2025 to me (and Merriam-Webster) looks like “to make like new: restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection; to do again; to replenish.” This year I will be taking time to restore and renew my priorities in a variety of areas - healthy practices and well-being, clarity of purpose, and reorganization of priorities. I will be focusing on what is most important in a much more intentional way. Like many of my other words of the year, I see 4Cs of Alameda County taking time to focus on “renew” as well. With new and expanding funding opportunities, an incredible group of staff and leaders, and building off program growth and successes last year, renewing our commitment to quality, accessible, equitable, inspirational, and sustainable programs will be the catalyst for success as we welcome 2025.

Be well,

Renee S. Herzfeld

Chief Executive Officer

Staff Spotlight

Maria G. Vazquez

FACESS Family Navigator

"Building meaningful connections with families and later seeing them accomplish their goals and thrive is the most fulfilling part of my role. Witnessing the smiles of little ones when we assist with food or clothing from our RISE Resource Center truly warms my heart."

When Maria first stepped into 4Cs’ offices, she was new to Hayward looking for child care for her young children. After meeting with staff, she knew that working at a Family Resource Center like 4Cs was a future career goal of hers. Fast forward to June, 2016, and the agency was lucky enough to have Maria step in as a temporary HR Assistant and, just a few months later, hired on full-time to support the agency as a receptionist. Two promotions later, and now Maria is an integral part of the Community Services team as the agency’s FACESS Family Navigator connecting families in unincorporated Alameda County with community programs, child care, diapers, groceries, and more. She truly loves the work she does, the clients she serves, and her 4Cs team members, and the agency appreciates her positive presence and willingness to go above and beyond to make sure that families receive the tools they need to succeed.

4Cs of Alameda County provides navigation services for families and community members throughout Alameda County. See our Family Navigation webpage for information about our navigators and the services they provide.

News

Your Donations Make the Difference

The RISE Resource Centers at 4Cs’ Hayward and Oakland offices are working to provide gently used clothing and shoes to families in our communities. And where do these items come from?...from generous families in our communities.

At this time, we are happy to receive the following gently-used donations:

• Clothing for babies, toddlers, and children, sizes 3 months through 18 youth

• Shoes for toddlers and children, approx. sizes 8 toddler through 5 youth

At this time, we are not accepting the following used items:

• Adult clothing and shoes

• Socks, underclothing, bibs, or diaper/wipe cloths

• Car seats or booster seats

• Breastfeeding equipment or storage items

• Toys, dolls, or stuffies

• Household items such as sheets, towels, blankets, bottles, decorations, electronics, etc.

Please contact the RISE Team at rise@4c-alameda.org or (510) 244-1173 with any questions or to schedule an appointment to drop off donations.

Resources

4Cs VITA Site Opening Soon for 2024 Tax Season

It’s that time of year again. Time to file your taxes! Maximize your refund and SAVE MONEY by taking advantage of 4Cs of Alameda County's FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program!

Starting January 27, 2025, 4Cs of Alameda County will begin providing free tax preparation services to low to middle-income families and individuals in Alameda County. VITA ensures eligible taxpayers have access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other federal and state credits that put money back into the pockets of Alameda County’s working families and individuals.

4Cs of Alameda County will offer two options to help file your taxes this year:

1. Drop-Off Service - Make an appointment to drop off your documents by contacting our VITA Site Coodinator, Alicia Broussard, at vita@4c-alameda.org or (510) 925-4018.

2. Virtual Service - Upload your papers to our safe online secure portal getyourrefund.org/4cs.

We are still looking for volunteers for the 2024 Tax Season! No experience necessary! Free training is provided! Volunteers must attend training sessions and volunteer a minimum of 4-5 hours per week during the tax season (February through mid-April 2025).

We need:

• Intake Drop-off Person - You’ll work one-on-one with clients, in person, to receive drop-offs by appointment only at the 4Cs Office in Hayward on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10am-2pm.

• Translators (Spanish, Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi)

If you're interested in volunteering and making a difference in your community, then reach out to Alicia Broussard at vita@4c-alameda.org or (510) 925-4018!

Featured Events & Trainings

Child Car Seat Safety Event

Saturday, February 8 | 9:30am-12pm

In-Person at Hayward Office

Join us for a hands-on, informative event to ensure your child is riding as safely as possible. The event will be held at 4Cs of Alameda County (22351 City Center Drive, Hayward) and is by appointment only.

Features of the Event:

• Car Seat Safety Checks

• Expert advice on Correct Car Seat Installation and Usage from Certified Professionals

• Information on Latest Car Seat Regulations and State Laws

**APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED. Call (510) 618-2050 to schedule yours!

Details about the event can be found here.

Brought to you by:

Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) Toddler Play & Learn

February 11-March 6

Tuesdays & Thursdays

10:30am-12pm

In-Person at Hayward Office

Happy New Year from our HPN team at 4Cs! We cordially invite you to the HPN Toddler Play and Learn program. Our bilingual playgroup, Spanish & English, is geared toward families with children between the ages of 18 months and 4 years who live in the Downtown Hayward Promise Neighborhood. Our program is designed to promote the social, physical, and emotional development of children, as well as pre-school readiness and literacy. Learn and engage with your child while enjoying a wonderful time together!

This program is intended for families residing in the Downtown Hayward neighborhood who are not using formal early care and education programs. We will be adding the registration on our playgroups webpage in the near future. For more information and eligibility questions, please contact Serena Michel at serenam@4c-alameda.org.

Vecindarios Promesa de Hayward (HPN) Juega y Aprende Para Niños Pequeños

11 de Enero al 6 de Marzo

Martes y Jueves

10:30am-12pm

En persona en la oficina de Hayward

¡Feliz año nuevo de parte de nuestro equipo HPN en 4Cs! Le invitamos cordialmente al programa HPN Juega y Aprende Para Niños Pequeños. Nuestro grupo de juego bilingüe, español e inglés, está dirigido a familias con niños de entre 18 meses y 4 años que viven en el vecindario del centro de Hayward. Nuestro programa está diseñado para promover el desarrollo social, físico y emocional de los niños, así como la preparación y la alfabetización preescolar. ¡Aprenda e interactúe con su hijo mientras disfrutan de un tiempo maravilloso juntos!

Este programa está destinado a familias que residen en el vecindario del centro de Hayward y que no utilizan programas formales de educación y cuidado temprano. Próximamente, agregaremos el registro en nuestra página web de grupos de juego. Para obtener más información y preguntas sobre elegibilidad, comuníquese con Serena Michel en serenam@4c-alameda.org.

Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN)

Parent Promise Academy

February 3-April 7, 2025 | Mondays | 10:30am-12pm | Virtual

*9 weekly sessions in ENGLISH

We are excited to announce that our Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN) department is gearing up for the kickoff of their English Parent Promise Academy. The Parent Promise Academy welcomes parents from all backgrounds to join with others in the community to share and learn from one another's experiences. This program utilizes the Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors curriculum, which focuses on the various developmental stages of children ages 0 to 8 years old. Join the conversation and share with parents and caregivers how to raise healthy and happy children. View the flyer here.

If you are interested, please register online or contact Serena Michel, Family Programs Coordinator, at serenam@4c-alameda.org for more information and eligibility questions.