Fall 2019 Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends:
When you hear the words “strategic planning,” what comes to mind?
Do you think exciting, uncertain, a path forward, laborious?
BBK is very proud to have completed a strategic plan that will guide our intention, work, and commitment to Richmond and West Contra Costa County for the next 5-years.
Strategic planning provided BBK a time for deep reflection, critical decision making, and the opportunity to understand how we can have a greater impact with the people and families we partner with to create lasting change. As a result, some of our programs and activities will change, but our love of Richmond and West County stays the same.
Moving towards social justice and the transformation of parents and caregivers to change education and health systems, we seek to develop innovative programs that build upon our family-centered culture to promote healing centered care, leadership development, and inclusive parent-led advocacy.
We look forward to your continued support as we take these next steps forward. Please take a few minutes to read our new mission and vision and learn more about our future.
As always, if you have any questions, please send me an email at slane@bbk-richmond.org or give me a call at 510-230-5812.
Yours Truly,
Sheryl Lane
Executive Director
A Reintroduction to BBK
It is with great pride that we present BBK’s new mission!
Building Blocks for Kids (BBK) amplifies the voices of parents/caregivers of color and partners with them to advance equitable access and opportunities for all youth to have quality education and all families to achieve emotional and physical well-being. We realize our goals through healing centered care, leadership development, and parent-led advocacy.
BBK is invested in creating personal and community change in West Contra Costa County to reduce health and education disparities through community building on three levels:
Self Transformation
Local Community Transformation
Regional Community Transformation
BBK programs that fall within these sectors are designed using a holistic and human-centered approach.
BBK Participating in Giving Tuesday 2019!
BBK will be celebrating and participating in this year’s Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2019.
Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday has inspired millions of individuals to donate towards a cause they believe in, thus bringing the spirit of generosity and connection to life.
To learn how you can help BBK make a difference in Richmond, check out our Giving Tuesday page.
To learn how BBK has already made a difference in Richmond, check out last year’s impact report.
Stay tuned on our social media to learn more about how BBK hopes to create change:
Census 2020: Every Kid Counts
A big way our community gets money for child and family programs is by participating in the U.S. Census. The state and federal governments use census information to decide where money for programs like childcare, free school lunches, and Medi-Cal will go.
About one million kids under age 5 were not counted in the last census.
How it works: (1) In March 2020, you will get a census reminder in the mail. (2) Complete the census form online, or request a paper form. (3) Submit your online form, or mail in your paper form. Visit here for more information.
BBK Summer 2019
Though autumn is officially here, let’s quickly reminiscence about our 2019 summer here at BBK. Our free Summer Minecraft Camp was a great success. Twenty-eight students strategized, connected and communicated with other campers via a virtual world.
BBK facilitated activities with parents/caregivers and about 90 youth daily at Belding Garcia Park and Monterey Pines Apartments in Richmond.
Lastly, BBK was fortunate to have great summer interns from Contra Costa Health Services Health Career Pathways program, City of Richmond YouthWorks and Leadership High School’s Community Leadership Institute.
Need a Meeting Space?
If you need 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.
Looking for Volunteers
Do you enjoy the art of photography and/or videography? Find out on our VolunteerMatch page how you can use your talents to support BBK’s mission towards a more equitable Richmond and Contra Costa County.
