For decades, east San José,
and particularly the community of Mayfair, has been populated
by a large number of immigrants who have limited resources. In
2008, the median income level of 55% of Mayfair families was only
$10,000 per year, and 7 out of 10 residents were first or second
generation immigrants, the majority from Mexico. In recent years,
Somos Mayfair has gained recognition as a First 5 Santa Clara-funded
family resource center, which has helped to solidify a positive
presence in the community. Overall, Somos Mayfair strives to build
the leadership capabilities of its clients by offering a variety
of programs to teach skills and create a feeling of belonging
to and being responsible for the neighborhood.
First 5 Santa Clara County recognized
the work of Somos Mayfair by awarding a $945,000 grant over three
years—both organizations share the goal of preparing children
for success in school, and helping every parent support their
children ages 0-5. This focus on very early childhood also makes
Somos Mayfair’s services compelling to the Bella Vista Foundation.
In the Mayfair community, it had become apparent that parents
were deeply stressed, and that was negatively impacting the social
and emotional health of their children. The staff at Somos Mayfair
believes that through attendance in programs ranging from parenting
education to mental health awareness, parents’ stress is
alleviated, and parents and caregivers learn valuable skills and
gain self-confidence, which leads to healthier early childhood
development.
In 2008 Somos Mayfair received its first grant of $25,000 from
the Bella Vista Foundation so that the agency could offer two
12-week support group sessions for groups of 10-12 women. In addition,
the curriculum emphasizes mindfulness training, domestic violence
education, art therapy, weekly check-ins, and peer support. Other
peer-led support groups also help Somos Mayfair reduce stress
within the community. For example, Familias Unidas (Families United)
is a support group comprised of women dedicated to community engagement
through the use of theater events that highlight culture, and
aim to facilitate dialogue about how they can overcome the challenges
of depression, isolation, and violence.
One parent who has tremendously benefitted from the services provided
by Somos Mayfair is Michelle B., a 30 year old mother who has
suffered from intensive depression, fatigue, and anxiety. Michelle
was faced with a diagnosis of ADHD for her son. By attending every
session of her support group, participating in the theater program,
and performing during Somos Mayfair’s annual Posada event,
she was able to reduce her stress and accept her son for who he
is.
In addition, it is important to highlight that Somos Mayfair collaborates
with a number of partner organizations. Somos Mayfair works with
Gardner Family Health Network, which helped pilot the new men’s
support group in 2010. Somos Mayfair has also partnered with AVANCE.
AVANCE is a national organization, based in Texas, which emphasizes
that parents are their child’s first teachers. Through a
parenting program that promotes active reading and educational
toys, AVANCE helps parents to reflect on themselves as parents
and to gain peer and professional support. AVANCE and Somos Mayfair
services blend well for clients like Erica, the mother of a three-year-old
who was extremely disruptive in day care and required one-on-one
attention. Erica was referred to Somos Mayfair by AVANCE staff
and it was found that her son had low-level autism, and this diagnosis
led to his placement in an environment that was more suited to
his needs and one that could actually help him to be ready for
kindergarten.
In 2009-2010 Somos Mayfair received a $25,000 Bella Vista grant
to facilitate support groups for Immigrant Mothers in east San
Jose, and additional funds in the forms of $5,000 for program
evaluation and $2,500 for conference attendance. Somos Mayfair
met all five of the objectives they stated at the outset of the
grant, and the two later objectives for which they received additional
funds. Somos Mayfair support groups proved to be beneficial to
both the parents and children because the improved mental stability
of the parents allows for a responsive environment where children
can be socially and emotionally healthy.
By Bryan Fricke, 2011 PFS Summer Intern
Bella
Vista Foundation: Early Childhood Development Strategy and Guidelines |
