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Spring 2022 Program Updates

Child Development Associate Program PFS has launched our Early Learning Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program in early 2022, and have gone through the first cohort. We are exiting the pilot phase and now planning our second cohort for the fall. The purpose of the CDA program is to support individuals with a pathway to a rewarding career working with children and at the same time to increase our teacher pipeline. Graduates will earn not…

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A note of gratitude from Heather Cleary, CEO June 2021

Dear Supporters, The last year has been difficult for all of us as we navigated a world of shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our neighbors have suffered deeply from: job loss, food insecurity, loneliness, isolation, and lack of early learning care. Their lives have been much more difficult because of challenges intensified by the pandemic. I am proud of the many ways Peninsula Family Service (PFS) has continued our important programs and pivoted to add…

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LGBTQIA+ book club for older adults, 5 years of success

Five years ago, the Senior Peer Counseling program at Peninsula Family Service (PFS) hosted the first meeting of the LGBTQ+ Book Club in San Mateo County. Senior Peer Counseling staff and volunteers believed the book club would create a sense of community for all who participated. Membership was open to all in the LGBTQ+ community, including allies and advocates, and the books selected were as diverse as the members of the Book Club. During those…

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A second chance to grow mature worker careers

When Oliva was laid-off from her job, she worried that when it was safe to return to work, it would be more challenging to be hired as a mature worker. Her extensive career as an Administrative Assistant had been successful; she hoped that she would find new employment soon. Her desire to receive assistance with her job search prompted Olivia to enroll in the Mature Worker Job-Coaching Program at Peninsula Family Service (PFS), and to…

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Families moving out of COVID-19 distance learning

When Melanie found out about Peninsula Family Service (PFS), she was living at the Life Moves Shelter in San Mateo working toward family stability. Her youngest daughter was just 7 months old and Melanie needed reliable and safe care for her daughter while she worked. After some searching, Melanie found that the PFS Early Learning Center (ELC) had an opening in the infant room. From the very first conversation with the PFS Family Engagement Coordinator,…

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