Join us on April 19 in person or via Zoom to hear a presentation from Dr. Mindy Romero, Director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy, about voter turnout in the November 2022 General Election. There will also be information from the San Mateo County Election Division on the updated Elections Administration Plan as well as the Voter Accessibility and Language Accessibility Advisory Commissions.
This will also be an opportunity to share and hear from other organizations that are doing voter registration, education, and outreach. There will be a group discussion to generate ideas as to what other activities we should undertake in San Mateo County to continue to increase voter participation, especially in under-represented communities.
Thrive RISE Monthly Meeting: Special Session - Coordinating Childcare in Disasters
Wed, April 26, 10:00 - 11:30 am, Virtual
The disasters our communities have experienced this winter have reminded us once again just how vulnerable the childcare sector is to shock events like flooding, power outages, and acts of violence. When childcare facilities shut down, parents, including first responders, are unable to work and children miss out on important peer social and learning time. Coordinating alternative childcare spaces in disasters is crucial to meeting the economic and socio-emotional needs of families during emergencies. Thrive RISE, in partnership with Project Camp, are laying the groundwork to be able to launch temporary childcare spaces during emergencies, but this work requires the engagement and participation of education, childcare, and other community stakeholders.
Join us at the next Thrive RISE meeting for this special session on coordinating childcare in disasters. Participants will also have the opportunity to share other organizational updates. All are welcome!
Environment & Sustainability Thrive Action Group (TAG): Keeping the Power On Energy Resilience in San Mateo County
Thurs, April 27, 2:30 - 4:00 pm, Hybrid
Extreme weather events this winter have repeatedly caused long-lasting blackouts in many San Mateo County communities, leading to health risks for medically energy-dependent residents, interruptions to daily life, prolonged lack of heating, and spoiled food. The susceptibility of our electricity delivery infrastructure to natural hazards is evident, yet public conversations on power outages have so far tended to focus only on the impacts of the blackouts rather than the root cause. Promoting policies and practices that build the resilience of electricity delivery systems is key to preventing future outages and avoiding adverse impacts on our communities altogether.
With the help of speakers from the academic and public sectors, we will explore why our electricity infrastructure is susceptible to failure and why it is challenging to develop concrete policy solutions to reduce the likelihood of future outages. Most importantly, we will map out potential strategies that will reduce the incidence of outages as well as the impacts on residents when they do occur.
Our guest experts will include:
Irma Rodriguez Mitton,South Coast Sustainable, Executive Director and Pescadero resident
State Senator Josh Becker
Cristina Crespo Montañés, UC Berkeley: Energy and Resources Group, Research Affiliate
Liang Min, Stanford: Bits & Watts Initiative, Managing Director
Note: This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Spanish translations via Zoom. Light refreshments will be provided during the group discussion.
* Zoom information will be sent to registered attendees.
Thrive RISE (Resilience in Shared Emergencies): Nonprofit Functionality & Continuity of Operations After Disasters
Thurs, May 11, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Virtual
Disasters and emergencies impact staff availability, communications, available funding and resources, and access to facilities, which can inhibit an organization's functionality and ability to provide its critical services to communities. This 2-hour training will cover the planning steps nonprofits should take to support the continuity of operations, including developing backup communications, contingency plans for staff availability, and more.
* Zoom information will be sent to registered attendees.
Designers, builders, developers, and owners of all-electric buildings in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos are encouraged to apply.Award winners will receive a $2,000 cash prize and receive a customized plaque at an awards ceremony in Spring 2023.
The deadline is Friday, November 18.
Community Events
The Parent Venture: In A Different Key - The Story of Autism with Filmmakers Caren Zucker and John Donvan
Sustainable San Mateo County: Youth for Climate Policy
Fri, April 21, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Sustainable San Mateo County, and co-sponsors 350 Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, Acterra, Citizens' Climate Lobby, and Peninsula Clean Energy, present an evening of advice on effectively influencing local government in taking climate action. Both former mayors and youth advocates will lead discussions regarding their experiences in advancing progressive sustainability policies. Ample time will be provided for Q&A, and questions can be sent ahead of time if preferred.
Featuring: Josh Becker, California State Senator (District 13); Terry Nagel, Former Mayor of City of Burlingame; Georgi LaBerge, Former Mayor of Redwood City; Kirsten Keith, Former Mayor of Menlo Park; Mark Olbert, Former Mayor of San Carlos; Shayna Blum, Student Advocate of Burlingame High; Jayden Wan, Student Advocate of Burlingame High.
Yale University research from December 2022 shows that a majority of Americans (64%) say they are at least “somewhat worried” about global warming. This includes about one in four (27%) who say they are “very worried.” Whether you’re in one of these categories or somewhere in between, don’t miss the upcoming Love Our Earth Festival.
The Love Our Earth Festival is produced by the communities of Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and East Palo Alto. Enthusiastic sponsors include Acterra, County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability, Goodwill, Menlo Spark, Peninsula Clean Energy, Recology, San Mateo County Libraries, and 350 Silicon Valley.
The Parent Venture: How To Be a Non-Anxious Parent
Tues, April 25, 5;30 - 6:30 pm
Many of us know we’re putting too much pressure on our kids – and on ourselves. We want our children to succeed, and to be their best selves, but how can we manage our own anxiety to raise healthy, happy, well-adjusted kids?
In this engaging presentation, Dr. Bill Stixrud, clinical neuropsychologist, and Ned Johnson, tutoring expert and founder of PrepMatters, offer research-based advice about how to help kids, parents, and families become more resilient, balanced, and motivated.
American Civil Liberties Union - North Peninsula Chapter: Safety and Support - Why San Mateo County Needs Unarmed Responses to Mental Health Crises
Wed, April 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Join the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) North Peninsula Chapter for a virtual panel discussion on why San Mateo County needs unarmed responses to mental health crises.
Featuring: Gloria Brown and Jennifer Ruiz, as well as Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Joaquin Jimenez, Executive Director of El Centro de Libertad Jeff Essex, and San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission Chair Chris Rasmussen.
Join LifeMoves for their Benefit Breakfast to discover how they provided 288,000 shelter nights last year and are adding five new sites that will open 678 new doors of hope for 1,800 people. Learn how you can help end homelessness with them.
Disasters can happen to anyone…Are you prepared? To celebrate Earthquake Preparedness Month, join your friends and neighbors in learning how to be safe and prepared in case of earthquakes, fires, and floods at the upcoming Peninsula Community Disaster Preparedness Fair.
Note: Menlo Park Fire, FEMA, Red Cross, USGS, PG&E, CERT, ADAPT, MPC Ready, rEPAct, Stop the Bleed, California Water Service, Amateur Radio Operators, Food Trucks, and many more will be at this free event.
Join Upward Scholars for their upcoming Community Conversation to get a virtual update on their impact in 2022, learn about Upward Scholars’ plans for 2023, and, most exciting, hear a conversation with key community partners about their newest program TeacherUp. The Community Conversation coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week. Coincidence? We think not!
Through TeacherUp and growing partnerships, Upward Scholars aims to create a robust support structure for adult immigrants pursuing degrees and careers in early childhood education and development. Together, we’re helping students achieve their full potential as educators and gain economic mobility while nurturing the young minds of tomorrow.
On May 11, Acterra will gather in person to celebrate and show their deep appreciation to the community that has emerged around Acterra’s Business Environmental Awards. This community includes everyone — including awardees and applicants, judges and Advisory Committee members, corporate sponsors, organizational partners, and longtime community members — who have supported this Awards program over the past 32 years.
Reflecting on the changing times, Acterra has made the difficult decision to update its workplace sustainability programming, which means concluding the Awards program and fostering new opportunities for supporting environmental leadership. Come join them for an opportunity to network, make new connections in the sustainability and innovation space, and commemorate three incredible decades of Acterra history as this Awards program concludes.
Caminar’s Speaker Series: Youth Mental Health – How Can We Restore Hope and Resilience in Our Youth?
Fri, May 19, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Climate crises, COVID-19, mass shootings, the prevalence and effects of lethal drugs like fentanyl, and a polarized political environment, among so many other issues, cause anxiety, depression, and toxic stress for this generation of youth. Left unaddressed, we face an entire generation growing up with unresolved trauma, anxiety, and depression that will be passed on to future generations.
Join Caminar for an engaging and enlightening virtual panel discussion with adolescent mental health experts to address solutions to the question: “How can we restore hope and resilience in our youth?”
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