You have no doubt noticed campaign signs on street corners already. The primaries aren't until June, but this week candidates began to file their paperwork with the Elections Office, and there are already over 40 candidates who have filed to run for office. The deadline for filing is Friday, March 11, 2022. With many cities and school boards adopting by-district elections, it is easier than ever to run for office. Join us to hear four local elected officials discuss their journeys to their first elected office.
Thrive will be hosting a number of candidate forums, where we will hear from the candidates and have the opportunity to ask them questions about how they plan to interact with local nonprofits and support our most under-represented communities. Stay tuned for more information about these candidate forums!
Looking forward to seeing many of you soon, virtually or IRL,
Petra Silton, Director of Advocacy & Education
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Thrive Upcoming Events
Running for Office: How & Why
Tues, February 22, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Are you passionate about transforming San Mateo County into a better place for all? Have you been thinking about running for the school board, city council, Board of Supervisors, or another office? Along with Leadership Council San Mateo County, Thrive invites you to hear the stories of local community members who have run for office. Their journeys will demystify the process and inspire you to run for office. They will share their experiences, inspiration, and how they are creating change through their elected offices
Featuring:
Councilmember Antonio López, East Palo Alto
Councilmember Amourence Lee, San Mateo
TrusteeLigia Andrade Zúñiga, San Mateo Union High School District
Trustee Lisa Petrides, San Mateo County Community College District
*On Zoom, with Spanish interpretation and live transcript available.
Join Thrive to learn more about how the San Mateo County Transportation sector addresses climate change. What is the future of public transportation as more people return to commuting? We will address transit infrastructure, including bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit options, charging and zero-emission transportation, and how transportation decisions affect low-income communities. Join the discussion with Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, SamTrans, Commute.org, Seamless Bay Area, Friends of Caltrain, Peninsula Clean Energy, Rise South City, and more!
We invite you to join Thrive and the County of San Mateo Employee Wellness Team for another session in our virtual series: Wellness Wednesdays.
During this month's collaborative session, we invite you to practice stress management techniques such as stretching, self-massage, mindful art, and acute stress response exercises. Our speakers throughout the series include County Wellness Team members, behavioral health specialists, massage therapists, and art facilitators. We hope you and your team will join us.
For more Thrive and Community events, visit Thrive's Event Page.
Environment & Sustainability
In January, Thrive brought together five organizations working in the buildings and energy world within San Mateo County. Together, they stressed the importance of gas phaseouts, electric appliances, and weatherization efforts while recognizing the need for equity and serving under-resourced communities. We spoke of the other organizations involved in this space, collaboration opportunities, and ideas for future projects.
On February 24, Thrive will convene experts to discuss transportation, including the future of transportation, transit infrastructure, zero-emission transportation, and how changes and decisions in this sector will impact low-income and under-resourced communities.
Thrive is partnering with Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2) to increase awareness and support for environmental justice organizations! SV2 and Thrive will be bringing SV2 partners, funders, teens, and guests to hear the work of several EJ organizations, create further opportunities, and further the connections between EJ organizations and SV2 partners.
Children & Education
This month, the Children & Education Thrive Action Group Peer Learning Series focus included ARPA funding andthe introduction of the new Coordinator of Expanded Learning and Community Partnerships, Rubie Macaraeg, at the San Mateo County Office of Education.
We are happy to share that on Tues, February 8, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved $3.3 M to expand access to summer enrichment programs that support the social-emotional wellbeing and learning enrichment of school-age students.
The Summer 2022 Enrichment Grant application is now open. Applications are due Fri, February 25 and the goal is to distribute grant funds by early March to ensure they are operational for Summer 2022.
County News
Data Transparency Progress
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office recently posted its first data transparency portal to provide more data about its practices and department to an increasingly conscious public. We discussed the importance of public access to this type of data at our December event Policing in San Mateo, and we encourage you to visit the site.
Board of Supervisors Mid-Year Budget
On February 8, the Board of Supervisors presented their plans for the first tranche of ARPA funds. They have dedicated $10 million to Community Initiatives which includes the following: $4,657,000 to children & families, $2,400,000 for basic needs, $400,000 for mental health, $1,000,000 in economic recovery, and $1,525,000 in infrastructure.
Did You Know That One in Three San Mateo County Residents Were Born in Another Country?
If you identify as an immigrant, the County’s Board of Supervisors wants to hear from you.
The County invites immigrants who live in San Mateo County – plus all who work or go to school here – to take a survey that will help shape future services and resources.
COVID-19 Updates
The County of San Mateo Office of Community Affairs provides these COVID-19 prevention, testing, and vaccination communications for you to share with your community. For additional communications click here.
#DYK blood transfusions save millions of people in the U.S. every year? This #BlackHistoryMonth we honor Charles Richard Drew whose work in blood banking and logistics helped make this possible. For more resources on blood and heart health visit: minorityhealth.hhs.gov/bhm
In 1988 Dr. Patricia Bath became the first Black female doctor to receive a medical patent. Her patented work to help improve the eyesight of visually impaired individuals reminds us to ensure inclusivity in medical product development: minorityhealth.hhs.gov/bhm. #BHM
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