News

A note of gratitude from Heather Cleary, CEO June 2021

By in Newsletter  |  Posted

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…

Read More

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

By in LGBTQ, Newsletter, Older Adult Services  |  Posted

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…

Read More

A second chance to grow mature worker careers

By in Financial Empowerment, Newsletter, Older Adult Services  |  Posted

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…

Read More

Families moving out of COVID-19 distance learning

By in Early Learning, Newsletter  |  Posted

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,…

Read More

Heart of the Community, CEO Heather Cleary

By in Thought Leadership  |  Posted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JULY 1, 2021 Peninsula Family Service (PFS) CEO, Heather Cleary, is featured in the July 2021 edition of Punch Magazine. The interview, Heart of the Community, written by Eva Barrows and photographed by Irene Searles, follows Heather’s journey from the beginning of her career to her current work as the CEO of PFS. “I see my work here as an opportunity to give back to the community that I have lived in…

Read More

Santa Clara County Utility Customer Protections Extended Through September 30

By in Corporate and Community Partner  |  Posted

Peninsula Family Service and San Jose Clean Energy have partnered to help promote utility customer protections that have been extended through September 30, 2021. The California Public Utilities Commission recently voted to extend COVID-19 customer protections through September 30, 2021 (previously scheduled to expire on June 30, 2021). This means you are still protected from having your power turned off due to nonpayment. However, if you have an overdue balance on your electricity bill it…

Read More

PFS Governing Board approves Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion anti-racist value statement

By in Thought Leadership  |  Posted

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2021 On May 12, 2021, the Governing Board of Peninsula Family Service (PFS) approved a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion anti-racist value statement for the organization. PFS has been working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Board level since February 2019. PFS recognizes the need to be equity-minded, and that making decisions that demonstrate race-consciousness, and an acknowledgement of past exclusionary practices will positively affect PFS, our participants, and our…

Read More

2021 Week of the Young Child

By in Early Learning, Thought Leadership  |  Posted

This week is the 50th anniversary of “The Week of the Young Child”, first celebrated by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). During April 10-16, 2021, we celebrate children, families, and teachers. Most importantly, we celebrate our collective work to ensure that all young children, no matter their zip code, thrive and learn in a healthy and caring environment, helping each child reach their full potential. This year, the San Mateo…

Read More

A Note of Gratitude from CEO, Heather Cleary

By in Thought Leadership  |  Posted

At the one-year mark of our first shelter-in-place, I stop to think about all that has transpired. I am deeply moved by the hardships of the pandemic for so many in our community, and greatly appreciate the emergency assistance that has been made possible by our extended PFS family. In addition to our ongoing efforts, I am proud to announce that since March 2020, Peninsula Family Service has raised or facilitated the distribution of almost…

Read More

Community and Corporate Partners – Thank You

By in Thought Leadership  |  Posted

The rapid response of our philanthropic partners to the emergence of COVID-19 enabled Peninsula Family Service (PFS) to respond to the critical needs of our participants in a variety of ways. Emergency support came from the Sobrato Family Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sunlight Giving, San Mateo County Strong for Non-profits, Genentech, the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, Comerica, Peninsula Health Care District, Sequoia Healthcare District and others. Investments from these partners enabled PFS to reopen our early…

Read More