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La Vida - July 2021 Newsletter
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Summer News and a NEW West Marin Youth Services Program
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July 1, 2021: West Marin Community Services (WMCS) launched its Youth Services Program (YSP) to lead to long-term sustainability and increased positive outcomes for youth in West Marin. The adoption process took over two years, and each step was necessary and considered: WMCS conducted an organizational feasibility study with Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership; WMCS and Tomales Bay Youth Center forged an acquisition plan; and together, both governing Boards approved a transfer agreement between the two entities. At long last, the Lions Club of West Marin was released of the long-term management and administration of the Tomales Bay Youth Center, and we can now rely on the WMCS-Youth Services Program to do this important work with community partners moving forward. Thank you for getting the program to this tremendous milestone!
A WMCS-YSP will continue to utilize the physical space of the Tomales Bay Youth Center to work with community-based organizations, local, public and private entities, sector partners, and businesses to produce programs and services that lead to a more robust, integrated, and resilient Youth Services Program for West Marin Communities. The Youth Services Plan will be actualized with your continued engagement with youth, young adults, and families in our community. Please consider:
- Participating in key working groups that will guide and advise the Youth Services Program;
- Bringing your voice to monthly Parent Talks or Teen Talking Circles opportunities;
- Enrolling youth in activities produced with key partners;
- Collaborating with young people to focus on their future through Youth Working for Change, Career Explorers, Youth Leadership Institute, 10,000 Degrees, Mentor Me, and more.
- Donating to our Youth Services Program, which integrates best practices in extended day programming as defined by the California Quality Standards for Expanded Learning, including plans for continuous quality improvement.
We hope that you are as excited as we are. Please reach out, learn more and stay connected. Our success is possible because of your engagement.
Madeline Nieto Hope
Director, Youth Services Program
West Marin Community Services
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Waterdogs Swim Program 2021
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The Waterdogs Swim Program was established in the early 1940s. The beloved program returned to Tomales Bay this week. The Red Cross-certified classes are held every summer to ensure our youth and families are safe in Tomales Bay. Operated at Shell Beach in Inverness, this program serves 45 young swimmers, coordinates volunteers, hires lifeguards and instructors, communicates, coordinates, collaborates, and cooperates with families and key partners, including Tomales Bay State Park, Marin County Fire, Inverness Public Utility District, and West Marin Climate Action. This year, we have two lifeguards dedicated to the Waterdogs Program. Thank you, Marin County Fire, for helping to fill an unmet need by providing access to the Surf Rescue Training for our Red Cross certified Lifeguards.
Developing local talent has been a long-term goal of the Waterdogs Program. Living and working in Marin County, we are surrounded by water. Having lifeguards with expertise in our local open water environments allows community-based organizations like WMCS to produce programs that promote water safety and support families and young people. Waterdog Applications have closed for 2021. If you're interested in the program or sponsoring a child to learn to swim or have any questions, please email waterdogs@westmarincs.org
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As summer is upon us, it's a good time to remember that hosting parties comes with responsibilities. 73% of young people in Marin reported they most often drink alcohol at home with friends, parties, or other social events. It's important to remember that Marin County's social host ordinance holds adults responsible for hosting youth drinking whether adults are present or not. Please engage your children in ongoing conversations about alcohol and substance use and set healthy examples at home for safe and substance-free activities.
- Have courage! Sometimes, fear of negative reactions from kids keeps parents from talking with them about difficult subjects. Remember, short and frequent conversations that include asking open-ended questions and actively listening to your child can open doors.
- Be a positive role model. What you do is often more important than what you say! If you host a party, always serve non-alcoholic beverages and not allow anyone to drink and drive. When hosting parties for young people, do not allow alcohol. “If it’s about the kids, don’t make it about the drink.”
- Make connections with other parents. Get to know the parents of your children’s friends. It is a great way to build mutual support, discuss hopes and concerns, and share your rules about alcohol and drugs.
- Establish clear expectations, rules, and agreements. Setting specific, clear expectations, rules, and agreements is the foundation for parental efforts in prevention and can help your child say "no." For example, it is not okay for kids under 21 to drink alcohol. Older brothers and sisters will not encourage younger kids/siblings to drink or use drugs.
- Connect with your child’s friends. Pay attention to who your child is hanging out with. Please encourage your child’s friends to come to your home and make them feel welcomed with food and recreation.
- Encourage your child to be an upstander rather than a bystander. Teach your child what to do if they see something wrong – a child being mistreated or a youth in distress from alcohol or drug use or other challenging issues – ensure they know they can come to you or another trusted adult, knowing what to do could help save a life.
- Promote healthy activities. Encourage your kids to become engaged in school or community activities like music, sports, arts, or a part-time job.
Read more at Marin Prevention Network. And download the Social Host Ordinance flyer.
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CLAM: Coast Guard Neighborhood Renewal
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CLAM and Eden Housing are bringing the former Coast Guard Housing site back to life as a new neighborhood in Point Reyes Station. This neighborhood will be renovated to include approximately 50 affordable homes, common spaces for residents, and community serving features.
The community is invited to contribute ideas about: What will make this place feel welcoming? What types of activities and amenities do you envision here? What is most important for sustainability? How could this site contribute to West Marin's resilience? CLAM and Eden Housing have already produced two steps of the community planning process and are moving into the third step. Check the website and contact CLAM to learn how and where to contribute your ideas at this stage.
Please consider attending the third community meeting on Saturday, August 14th, from 4-6 pm. CLAM, Eden Housing, and the entire team will present the Design Summary and Feedback from the July 25th meeting in this meeting. All sessions are bilingual, family-friendly events. Please bring your West Marin friends and family! To stay up to date or get involved, go to: https://www.clam-ptreyes.org/news-events.
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Job and Internship Board Coming Soon
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If you or your business wants to hire youth and work with young adults, please consider sharing a job or internship listing with the WMCS-Youth Services Program. The Youth Services Program is proud of the significant number of placements made with local businesses and agencies this past year. A number of the placements made through the youth employment program were with students enrolled in programs funded by local, state, and federal programs that focus on access to opportunities that allow both young people and businesses to be supported.
Please email youth.services@westmarincs.org if you have youth employment or internship opportunities. We want to feature your opportunities on our job board so that local youth can readily access them and benefit from the developmental support our program can provide for a first job or internship. Our youth employment program coordinates with local businesses, non-profits, the School to Career Network, the Career Explorers Program, Workforce Development Agency, and others to provide access to jobs and internships for youth and young adults, focusing on their future.
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West Marin Coalition for Healthy Youth
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The West Marin Coalition for Healthy Youth (WMCHY) is woven into the fabric of the Youth Services Program. This year, San Geronimo Valley Community Center (SGVCC) will work directly with West Marin Community Services(WMCS) to provide access to prevention and early intervention resources that support youth and families in both the coastal zone and the San Geronimo Valley. This year, the WMCHY will structure the Coalition with guidance from our youth, families, and sector partners. We hope you share in our gratitude for this partnership!
The WMCS-Youth Services Program in Point Reyes Station will increase access for youth, young adults, and families to prevention resources, services, and opportunities conveyed to West Marin through Marin County's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others. Since 2013, SGVCC has taken the lead in managing the contract. This year our WMCS-YSP will share the load.
Through a new format for the coalition, a place-based and people-based plan will be developed for what is best for each of our geographically dispersed communities. What we have learned in 8+ years is our coalition is dependant on community-based organizations and partners from across the region to be involved, engaged, and coordinated to bridge the gaps and fill unmet needs in West Marin.
In the next four years, we hope to identify the community-based organizations and partners in Bolinas/Stinson Beach and Tomales/Dillon Beach that can provide access to resources and services for youth, families, and sector partners during non-school time. Through this year's program, both WMCS and SGVCC will have increased capacity to reach across this vast, diverse landscape and work together to collaborate, cooperate, communicate and coordinate with our sector partners. The WMCS-Youth Services Program will depend on the HHS grant funds to support our program to work with communities, families, and sector partners. If you want to learn more, go to West Marin Coalition for Healthy Youth and follow us on Social Media.
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Together Toward Health - COVID & Community Preparedness Updates
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WMCS has played an important role in coordinating access to information, resources, and services across West Marin through the COVID pandemic. Last fiscal year, the Tomales Bay Youth Center took the lead. It expanded its work with West Marin Community Services and Marin County Public Health to help communicate COVID-19 facts, available vaccination appointments, and COVID-19 testing information. Being part of the West Marin team allowed our Youth Services Program and WMCS to access information, bridge gaps, and reach vulnerable, hard-to-reach neighbors across our diverse communities.
The Together Toward Health (TTH) initiative builds capacity for health and well-being for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. In Marin County, there are four zones: West Marin, Marin City, the Canal District, and Novato. We value the TTH resources for our team to build capacity, connection, and communication across West Marin.
West Marin is home to a diverse and dynamic population of people with both vaccine confidence and vaccine hesitancy. The TTH West Marin newsletter provides up-to-date information and access to resources for vaccinations, testing, education, and training. Our goal is to keep you updated with data and resources to make informed choices that respond to a global pandemic in our local West Marin region. Please sign up to receive the TTH newsletter today!
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Vacancies on Marin's Child Care Commission
Marin's Child Care Commission currently has six open two-year-term seats. Commissioners will be appointed by either the Board of Supervisors or the County Superintendent of Schools. The Child Care Commission determines local priorities for child care funding and overall child care planning and advocacy. Interested in serving? Applications are available online. You can learn more about the application process by calling the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (415) 473-7331. Additionally, you can request an application by mail at Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Suite 329, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903. For more details and contact the Clerk of the Board via email, view the County's Press Release here.
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Child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit payments have begun! The first payments were issued on July 15, 2021. Eligible families will receive up to $300 per month for each child under the age of 6, and up to $250 per month for each child aged 6 to 17. The monthly cash payment will run through December 2021. This Child Tax Credit differs from the prior tax credit, which was only available to families as a credit toward taxes owed. The new, expanded Child Tax Credit allows families to receive their full credit as a refund. If you are eligible, your payments will be direct deposited on a monthly basis or issued via paper checks according to the payment method you designated on your most recent tax return. The payments should be made to you automatically. Even if you have not filed taxes recently or are unemployed, you may still be eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit. To learn whether you need to take any action to receive your credit, you may wish to use the multilingual online tool provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or visit the IRS website.
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Minestrone With Kale and Pasta
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By Kay Chun
This one-pot springtime minestrone combines asparagus, peas, and kale with a healthy dose of fresh ginger. The ginger is optional, but it energizes the broth. This recipe is fairly flexible overall: You can swap green vegetables according to taste, use vegetable or chicken stock and toss in any short pasta. The pesto and Parmesan swirled in at the end provide brightness and richness, but you could also finish the soup with tapenade, sour cream, ricotta, or even a splash of your favorite hot sauce.
YIELD: 4 servings
TIME: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large shallots or 1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (optional)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 quarts low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup ditalini or other small shaped pasta (about 5 ounces)
8 ounces asparagus, trimmed and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces (1 1/2 cups), thinly sliced zucchini, or chopped broccoli
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
5 ounces baby kale, baby spinach, or torn spinach (about 4 cups)
Storebought pesto and grated Parmesan for serving
PREPARATION
*Melt butter in the bottom of a large soup pot.
*Cook onion and celery in butter over medium heat.
*Add flour, pepper, salt, and paprika and stir until smooth.
*Add broth, milk, and potatoes. Keep stirring until the mixture boils and thickens.
*Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
*Stir in cheese and broccoli.
*Cook over low heat until cheese is melted.
*Add chicken, if using.
Recipe and photo from the NYT. Photo credit: Andrew Purcell for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Carrie Purcell.
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Help Us Grow: Donate Today
Please register online for youth interested in West Marin Community Services-Youth Services Program. Our Youth Services Program continues to align its efforts with community based organizations and sector partners. We look forward to strengthening our capacity to produce a robust Youth Services Program that can bridge gaps and fill unmet needs in Point Reyes Station and the coastal zone. We invite you to contribute to our Future Fund held by the West Marin Fund to keep our program growing. Please see the donations page on our website. Your support strengthens our community and helps our youth, young adults, and families thrive for generations to come. Thank you.
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