Student Formation Newsletter
My name is Dwaimy Rosas-Atkins, and I am the Pillar of Steward Formation. It was wonderful to meet many of you at the Back-to-School Night last week. As the pillar of Student Formation my role is to advocate for the physical, spiritual, social, emotional, and academic needs of Students at St. Justin and to support the programs that affect the social and emotional welfare of the students. I look forward to providing you news of cultural, family, and mental health events taking place in the school and our community.
1. The Internet Safety for Children, Youth & Families Event is scheduled for Wednesday October 18, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in partnership with Santa Clara Police Department and The Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Huge thanks to 5th and 8th grade parent Mike Ruybal who helped tremendously in organizing this event. This training was created to interactively engage the parents in the use of Social Media and Technology. This will be a parents only event with limited seats, so stay tuned for registration details to come.
You will learn:
How to set up Parental Controls.
Navigate social media usage.
Understand key concepts to keep children safe from online predators.
Help parents have conversations with their children about parental controls and safety.
In order to prioritize your top apps that you’d like covered in the presentation, we ask that you fill out this Internet Safety Survey: bit.ly/10-18InternetSafetySurvey
2. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. County of Santa Clara Launched 988 Phone Number Dedicated to Crisis Mental Health and Substance Use Services As of July 16, the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) has transitioned to the new national three-digit crisis lifeline number, 988. Callers with 408, 650, and 669 area codes can dial 988* and receive compassionate support and connection to local crisis services if they, or a loved one:
are in mental health or substance use crisis
are experiencing mental health distress, including thoughts of suicide
just need to talk.
*Those who have phone area codes other than 408, 650, and 669 can call 800-704-0900, and press 1, to receive the same support in Santa Clara County. In addition, BHSD is making non-crisis service access easier: Those looking for mental health and substance use treatment services can call one number: 800-704-0900.
3. The Downtown Youth and Wellness Center (DYWC) is excited to be approaching a year of service to youth, ages 12-25. The DYWC is a Behavioral Health program dedicated to promoting a safe, supportive, and youth-focused environment. Services include brief behavioral health support, peer support, workshops, well-being groups, activities, linkage to services/case management (including medical and longer-term behavioral health services), life skills development, education and career planning, independent living skills, and other related care. The DYWC is a partnership between the Behavioral Health Services Department and Alum Rock Counseling Center. The DYWC is located at 725 E. Santa Clara Street, 1 st floor, Suite 105, San Jose, 95112. This is right across the parking lot from the VMC Downtown Clinics. The center is open Tuesdays – Fridays from 10:00am-7:00pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00am-5:00pm. No appointment is required, a Youth can walk in and receive these services anytime we are open. Please also feel free to contact us at 408-961-4645 or at DYWC@hhs.sccgov.org.
3. Allcove Palo Alto: Allcove is offering a new skills-based workshop to enhance self-esteem and build resilience in challenging situations. (in-person, for youth ages 12 - 25). Pizza and refreshments to be provided every Friday. The workshop is offered on Fridays, from 4:30 - 6 pm, starting September 8th. Register here.
If you know of any interesting cultural and family events taking place that could benefit our community, please send me an e-mail at drosasatkins@gmail.com with a subject line of: PAC Student Formation.
