Thursday, March 20, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, In-Person
Redwood City
Nonprofits play a critical role in supporting immigrant communities, but unexpected visits from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can create uncertainty and fear. This training will equip nonprofit leaders and staff with the knowledge and tools to develop a comprehensive workplace preparedness plan, ensuring legal compliance while protecting employees and clients.
The session will begin with a presentation and interactive discussion that will provide clarity on ICE’s role and enforcement actions, distinguishing them from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Participants will gain practical, actionable strategies, including creating a workplace preparedness plan for ICE visits to minimize disruption and ensure compliance, staff training on handling ICE interactions and responding confidently under pressure, implementing confidentiality policies to safeguard client and employee information, and best practices for handling sensitive immigration data while ensuring security and privacy compliance. The session will also cover I-9 verification, audits, and employer obligations. The training will conclude with key takeaways, advocacy next steps, and an opportunity to connect with local immigrant rights organizations over lunch. Bring your questions, share your concerns, and leave with a clear action plan to protect your nonprofit and the communities you serve.
Wednesday, March 19, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, In-Person
Redwood City
Join us for an interactive, hands-on training on leveraging social media for community civic engagement. This session will cover effective messaging, analytics, and brand-building strategies to strengthen your organization's digital presence. Bring your devices, and get ready to create and refine your content in real time! With experts in the room to guide you, you'll develop a brand kit, practice crafting impactful posts, and learn how to measure engagement effectively. Whether new to social media or looking to sharpen your strategy, this workshop will provide practical tools to elevate your online outreach and mobilize your community.
Thrive received grants from the Sequoia Healthcare District and Peninsula Health Care District to develop COAD Issue Area Committees that will support planning and risk reduction initiatives in the areas of Children and Childcare; Older Adults and Access and Functional Needs (AFN); Mental Health and Spiritual Care; and Food Security. We are grateful to the Sequoia Healthcare District and Peninsula Health Care District for their generous support in making this initiative possible.
We are currently recruiting chairs and members to lead the issue area committees. Nonprofits, congregations, community organizations, and agencies with expertise or interest in these issue areas are encouraged to join. If you are interested in joining a committee, please fill out our form and contact cindy@thrivealliance.org with any questions.
Thrive is committed to highlighting the incredible organizing power of our local nonprofit and partner communities always and especially during this time. We have created this Community Safety Resources section to Thrive Weekly to do just that. By working collectively and shining a light on our sector's collaborative, caring power, we will lighten each others' loads as we renew ways to safeguard our diverse communities.
Congressman Kevin Mullin Advocates for Constituents and Essential Services
Congressman Kevin Mullin expresses urgent concerns about President Trump's actions and their impact on his constituents, particularly regarding proposed cuts to crucial programs like Medicaid that affect millions, including those in his district. He shares personal stories of residents feeling unsafe and anxious about losing essential services, criticizing Trump and Elon Musk for undermining protections for vulnerable populations. Congressman Mullin emphasizes his commitment to holding Trump accountable by introducing a resolution for compliance with court orders. Despite recognizing Republican control in Congress, he calls for public engagement and advocacy, reaffirming his dedication to representing his district and announcing an upcoming town hall for further discussion.
The SMC Rapid Response Network has a 24/7 hotline to respond to reports about ICE activity in the county. We encourage people to call with any reports about ICE activity in our community, with the intention of providing support to detained individuals and their families.
When notified, the Rapid Response Network collaborates with the individuals who made the report through the Hotline and sends responders to the site of the incident as quickly as possible. If an ICE arrest and detention are confirmed, they activate the Network’s attorneys, who respond on an emergency basis, aiming to provide legal support to the detained that same day. The Network also provides material support and accompaniment to the families of people who have been detained: www.SmcRapidResponse.org
Comprehensive Immigrant Legal Resources and Support Services in San Mateo County
The County of San Mateo Office of Community Affairs is addressing community concerns about safety and anxiety related to public charge and mass deportations by providing updated resources on their revamped website. They will continue to share information via social media and keep partners informed about available County resources.
From the Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Please join the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) for Immigration Briefings 2025. The ILRC will host one-hour briefings every other week during the first six months of 2025 to provide legal service providers and advocates updates about changes to immigration policy and practice. Register here.
Know Your Rights: A California Train-the-Trainer Toolkit: this resource from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center is aimed at providing community organizations and partners with the tools to provide valuable know your rights (KYR) information. This toolkit will teach you how to do a KYR presentation, including everything from the logistics of organizing an event to the substantive topics you should cover.
Everyone Belongs Here: this is a new resource to help California health care providers, settings, and systems to provide care that is welcoming, inclusive, and safe for immigrants and refugees. Learn more and access the toolkit here.
Rapid Response Hotline: If immigration comes to your home, work, or neighborhood, or if there are ICE raids nearby, call the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA). Learn more and get printable materials at this link.
Family Preparedness Plan (English/Spanish): this resource from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center helps families prepare for immigration-related emergencies. The toolkit goes into detail about different childcare options available in case of an absent parent, where to find trusted immigration services in your community, and how to prepare to assert your constitutional rights in the presence of an immigration officer. Download a copy in English or Spanish on this page.
We Have Rights: these multilingual videos show how community members can respond in a variety of scenarios involving immigration enforcement officials.
Find Legal Assistance | County of San Mateo, CA - Free and low cost immigration service providers, US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) resources, housing legal services, employment legal services, DACA resources and more.
Keep your Benefits - Get the facts about public charge & immigration, including a guide to see if public benefits could affect different immigration options.
Immigrant Services Resources and Information - Includes community and mental health resources, translation & interpretation services and information about the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA).
LIBRE — The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County - Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources & Education (LIBRE) LIBRE provides legal advice and representation related to: Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKs, Social Security/SSI/CAPI, U Visa (immigration relief for crime survivors), VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), SIJS (immigration relief for minor survivors of parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment) and certain other immigration cases.
Thrive Featured Partners Announcements
SVCF’s Community Action Grants program open for applications
SVCF’s Community Action Grants program opens for applications on Monday, March 3, 2025. The application window will be open until Monday, March 31, 2025 — mark your calendars!
The request for proposals (RFP) will be open to local nonprofit organizations in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties working in:
Arts & Culture
Environment
Faith & Neighborhoods
Health
Local Journalism
Movement- and Power-Building
This will be the only RFP for the Community Action Grants program in 2025. To learn more and apply please click here.
Understanding Nonprofit Needs: Join the 2025 National Survey
The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is conducting its tenth national survey in collaboration with EVITARUS and Ambit 360, aimed at exploring the evolving priorities and needs of the sector over the past 15 years. Scheduled to take approximately 25-35 minutes, the 2025 Survey seeks insights into your organization’s financial situation, staffing, and the communities you serve, alongside various opportunities and challenges. Participation is voluntary and fully confidential, with results reported only in aggregated, anonymized form, set to be publicly available in June 2025 to support advocacy for nonprofits.
Apply Now: 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize for Nonprofit Innovators
The J.M. Kaplan Fund is inviting nonprofit innovators and social entrepreneurs in the U.S. to apply for the 2025 J.M.K. Innovation Prize, which offers funding and support for early-stage projects in three key areas: Heritage Conservation, The Environment, and Social Justice. Each of the 10 awarded prizes includes $150,000 in unrestricted funding over three years, along with $25,000 for technical assistance. The prize aims to support organizations that are less than five years old and have annual budgets under $500,000, with a focus on projects that can address significant community needs and demonstrate a clear theory of change. Applications are due by April 25, 2025, and an informational webinar is scheduled for April 1, 2025.
Funding Opportunity: Listos California Statewide Grant Program for Disaster Preparedness
The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has announced the FY 2024-25 Listos California Statewide Grant Program, offering $2,250,000 in competitive funding to support nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that serve at least 10 counties. This program aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response in communities at moderate to high risk of disasters, particularly those serving diverse populations disproportionately affected by emergencies. Organizations may request up to $750,000, with proposals due by 5:00 PM (PDT) on April 8, 2025.
On the Radar: The SAVE Act, State Laws, & Other Policies Impacting Nonprofits
Wed, March 19, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Virtual
Join Nonprofit VOTE for "On the Radar," an important webinar focused on helping nonprofits navigate the recent surge of policy changes that affect the sector. The last several weeks have seen a flurry of updates at both federal and state levels, creating challenges for organizations trying to stay informed. This event will feature a panel of fellow 501(c)(3) organizations and policy experts who are keeping an eye on critical developments, including the SAVE Act and freezes on federal grant funds. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these changes impact voter engagement efforts. Panel members will include Andrew Garber from the Brennan Center for Justice and Elena Langworthy from State Voices. Those interested are encouraged to RSVP to ensure they receive the webinar recording and slides automatically.
Join the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation in celebrating 13 years of community engagement with an event for local teens and young adults aged 12 to 22. This fun and interactive day will explore identity and purpose through hands-on workshops, inspirational speakers, and artistic expression, along with performances and complimentary breakfast and lunch for all participants. Our keynote speaker is Michelle Vilchez, CEO of Innovate Public Schools and former California State Assembly Woman of the Year, who will share her insights as part of this year's "Together, We Rise" theme. The OYE Planning Committee 2025 looks forward to celebrating with you!
CASA of San Mateo County: Lost Childhoods Art Exhibit: Opening Night
Fri, April 4, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, In-Person
Join CASA of San Mateo County for an evening of art, storytelling, and community. The program will include a short presentation celebrating the museum, the opportunity to explore impactful artwork and artifacts by youth in the foster care and probation systems. Light refreshments will be served.
The 2025 Pacific Islander Mana Summit, themed "Roots and Wings: Grounded in Heritage, Soaring Toward Possibility," is poised to tackle the pressing challenges facing Pacific Islander youth, particularly in light of alarming rates of depression and suicidal ideation among 7th graders in San Mateo County. This free summit will serve as a powerful platform for intergenerational dialogue, allowing youth to share their experiences while engaging with established community leaders and cultural practitioners. Attendees can look forward to inspiring keynotes, practical workshop sessions, and valuable networking opportunities, all aimed at fostering healing, resilience, and a united approach to building a brighter future for the next generation.
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