​Hey y’all, for those of y’all of that don’t know the HEART program, we are a collection of 8 CECs (counseling enriched classrooms) ranging from Elementary to High School across Hayward Unified School District. HEART stands for Hayward Empowering Advocacy and Radical Transformation, and one of the programs that especially embodies these values is our newest addition, the Ochoa Middle School CEC. The Ochoa CEC opened this school year and the team is comprised of Haddie Smith (classroom therapist), Milele Hare (clinical intern), Brisia Calderon Flores (MHC), Rosi Barboza (MHC), and Alexine Luna (MHC). We recently interviewed them to find out how this brand new team became so dope: 

A connection and sense of togetherness has been a foundation and central to human experiences since….our existence! For many of us, our sense of purpose comes from the feeling that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves or that there is something that we give not only to individuals around us but to the collective. This belonging and life contribution enables us to develop a stronger sense of personal and collective identity. I am not talking about volunteering, more so I am speaking to Service-Learning.

I hope I am not making assumptions here, but I feel many of us came into this field wanting to support young people through their some of their most influential years of development. Why not engage them in Service-Learning?  At its foundation, Service-Learning enables one to develop critical reflection, deepen sense of understanding on complex causes of social dilemmas, and enhance collaboration.

How to get started:
Let’s start off by brainstorming. Take some time to think about your communities and what is needed. Is there an area that needs a new paint job? An area that needs some cleaning (spring is around the corner)? Are there shelters in need of supplies, money that needs to be raised, food that needs to be distributed? Once we have the idea, how can we engage our clients and colleagues and what we as a unit can offer. I am consistently humbled by the skills, knowledge, and passion of the young people that we are with and am a firm believe that the possibilities are endless. As a general sense of some ideas:

Giving Tree – Food Drive, Shoe Drive, Blanket Drive (Student’s place items under the Christmas Tree and items are donated to the cause of choice)
Shoebox for Soldiers – One box is placed in each classroom to fill up for soldiers.
Community Clean-Up – Do what needs to be done in a community area to clean it up.
Crafts for the Elderly – Create a craft for a nursing home.
Letters – Create letters or cards for patients in the hospital, soldiers, police officers, etc.
Blankets – Create simple tie blankets for a homeless shelter or animal shelter
Teaching – Older kids can teach younger kids about an important topic
Perform – Have students put on a play or music concert in the community
Re-live History – Interview and write reports about the history of your neighborhood

Clinicians, therapist, counselors….I encourage you to bring these ideas into your sessions and work with youth. Parents, caregivers, aunts, uncles, bring these practices inside your homes and families. Let’s develop community together! 

Happy March! Most of us educators are finishing off one of the seemingly longest months of the school year and are on the verge of spring break. In Elena Agular’s book Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, she encourages us to tap into play and creativity during the month of March, “When we are creative, we are resourceful, and we problem-solve in new and original ways, which fuels our courage.” School breaks can be a great time to explore play and imagination so we can integrate this joy and flexibility into our work lives.

I am reminded of creativity as I reflect on Seneca’s second year partnership with Nystrom Elementary School, a TK-6th grade school located on the southside of Richmond. Our Unconditional Education Coach, Kelsey Corrales has worked intentionally to create a culture of joy and celebration where community members are welcomed and invited back on campus, to develop a space for student leadership, and to bring the school community together through monthly assemblies.​