Spring 2019 Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends:
What is your understanding of self-care? Do you practice it? How often? Enough?
While we may know the importance of self-care and restoration, many of us can’t help but to become overwhelmed when the unexpected happens or when we come up against daily stressors like paying bills, tough days at work and caregiving for children and/or adults.
One-size fits all tips like, “reduce stress, unplug from phone,” “feel your best, sleep 7 hours every night” and “meditate for health” are incredibly common and often, the source of additional stress! Let’s face it, we don’t all go to sleep at 10pm and who the heck has the time to meditate at 6am every morning? I don’t! And yet, here we are having this conversation about “self-care.” Why is it so much easier to burn ourselves out?
Perhaps we don’t realize just how pervasive and real the consequences are.
Individual stressors and personal trauma along with pervasive discrimination and oppression can all contribute to mental, emotional and physical distress. It’s crucial that we individually and collectively address the causes of these stressors so that we can live our best lives.
Stay tuned for information about our new approaches to healing centered care and policy advocacy to expand opportunities for social equity and wellness.
Let me know how you de-stress and take care of yourself. I like to take long walks and play tennis, listen to music and binge watch a new tv series. I can be reached via email at slane@bbk-richmond.org.
Lastly, please donate to BBK. Your contribution helps us continue our work to support optimal physical and mental health for families. Special thanks to Sergio Sanchez for his in-kind donation to translate this newsletter into Spanish.
Yours Truly,
Sheryl Lane
Executive Director
Summer in the Park and Minecraft Camp
Join us at Belding Garcia Park in Richmond’s Belding Woods neighborhood for free playgroups for parents and young children, activities for older youth and wellness practices for the entire family. In partnership with West Contra Unified School District, youth under 18 can grab a free lunch daily at the park (Monday – Friday) starting at 10am. White Pony Express will be on site during the week to provide free produce and other healthy food items.
Also this summer, we are excited to facilitate playgroups for parents and youth at Monterey Pines Community Room and Minecraft Camp at Richmond City Hall for youth to learn to code with the popular Minecraft computer game. All at no expense to parents.
Lincoln Elementary School Partnership
During the 2018-19 school year, we were afforded the opportunity to collaborate with the dedicated staff, families and most importantly, students of Lincoln Elementary School, Richmond.
Students in BBK’s STEM and Coding Club at Lincoln learned and practiced science, engineering, and coding through fun experiments, design projects and online games. In a matter of six months, students designed and tested product packaging for toys, cookies, and even eggs to learn about product engineering. Students built and tested the strength of structures made of gumdrops, toothpicks, paper, and popsicle sticks to learn about structural engineering.
BBK also collaborated with the Lincoln community to explore topics on developing and strengthening a culture of family leaders. Through that effort, we are glad to have coordinated the creation of a reading garden and family meeting space, we decorated the campus to create a welcoming environment and surveyed parents about opportunities to support family engagement.
Though our stay at Lincoln as ended, we remain committed and look to the community as together, we continue to increase exposure, experiences, and opportunities for youth to become critical thinkers through real-world application.
Host your next event or meeting BBK
If you need of a space to host a meeting, a workspace outside of your home, or a place to host an event or recreation activities, then consider our space in downtown Richmond. BBK is located within short walking distance to public transportation (BART, AC Transit, Amtrak), local small businesses, restaurants, and an ever-growing hub for innovative non-profit community-based organizations. Review our Rental Interest Form. If you have questions or would like a tour call or email the BBK Administrative Coordinator at (510) 3232-5812 x 402, info@bbk-richmond.org.
Join BBK’s Steering Committee
Are you interested in joining BBK’s Steering Committee or know someone who would be a good fit? BBK’s steering committee are guardians of our mission and supports us in strategic planning, fundraising, and in serving as organizational ambassadors in public setting. If you are interested in being considered for our steering committee, please download and submit our application.
Preparing for our Future
BBK is close to completing our strategic plan which will map the course of our work for years to come. More exciting news to come!
