Samaritan House San Mateo Holiday Program
Through my women’s networking group Polka Dot Powerhouse, we were able to raise enough money to support two families for the 2019 Christmas holiday season by bringing them gifts and money for their holiday meals. Polka Dot Powerhouse of San Mateo is a local chapter of entrepreneurial women who are positive, action forward, amazing women who build life long friendships as well as business relationships. Currently, I serve on the leadership board as Educational Director and we continue to give back to our communities.
“Since 1974, Samaritan House has brought a new level of hope, dignity, and empowerment to our neighbors living in poverty, fulfilling their immediate needs and guiding them to self-reliance.
As one of San Mateo’s leading nonprofits, we are the largest food distribution agency in the county and are recognized as a role model in the community. Our free service offerings include shelter and housing assistance; medical and dental clinics; clothes for children; personalized case management and much more. Each year, we provide services and resources to more than 14,000 low-income and homeless San Mateo County residents in need, including families with children, seniors and individuals living with a disability, veterans and homeless adults. You can learn more by visiting their website.“
Reading Partners of Silicon Valley
While I no longer work with this organization, I spent two fulfilling years going into the classroom at a local school, Selby Lane here in my hometown of Redwood City to tutor one-on-one which empowers students to succeed in reading and in life by engaging with them on a personal basis.
Reading Partners has been a part of the educational landscape in the San Francisco Bay Area since the program was founded in 1999. Their one-on-one tutoring model empowers students to succeed in reading and in life by engaging community volunteers to provide individualized, personal attention to each student in our program.
The Bay Area enjoys the highest per capita GDP in the world—$74,815, higher than London and Singapore—and houses a number of institutes of higher learning. However, in the counties they serve (Alameda and San Francisco) over two thirds (71 percent) of incoming fourth graders from low income communities can read at grade level.
By partnering with parents, teachers, school and community leaders in the Bay Area, they’re working toward a future where all children have the individualized support they need to become strong readers and lifelong learners. Visit their website to learn more.
