WeAreCaliber #15: The Community Resource Fair @ Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy!

Learn more about how parents, families and staff came together for an event that truly represents what community is! 


A recent interview with Vivian Johnson (Founding Elementary School Clinician & Social Emotional Learning Lead) Tell me more about what inspired the resource fair at CMA? 
“ I view CMA as my community and my colleagues as chosen family members. My viewpoint coupled with my passion to help people become the best version of themselves, led me to complete an assessment. I assessed what could better in my community, improve my work-family, and help others along the path of self-empowerment. By triangulating the school, community, and families, with bringing together resources; this could only strengthen and develop our community, contribute to improving student performance, bring awareness to mental health resources, all while continuing to validate and affirm our students and families.  Additionally, it is also imperative that we recognize that during the midst of a trial, it can often be difficult to locate the resources that are needed in order to overcome the challenge. Therefore, I want to make it my best practice to bring resources to our families while continuing to outsource. Thus, the fair was born and this is the foundation of a phenomenal trend.” 



Why was the fair important for the community? 
“ A community should serve as a viable resource to meet the needs of its children, youth, and families. The importance of the fair is that it provided a framework for developing and identifying services, solutions, and the foundation for a school-based community that supports and nurtures children and families as it should. A resource fair is essential in every community. Everyday, CMA Staff and Teachers strive to teach, support and meet the needs of every student on campus. A community resource is a great practice that aligns with our daily goals and actions.” 



What is something memorable that happened? 
“ The Community Resource event was paired with CMA’s Family Reading Night. It was such a beautiful sight to see our parents, families and teachers/staff coming together in order to consistently commit to our students learning and school experience. This night was not only a memorable night, but it was a true testament to the commitment that all of our CMA Staff / Teachers have for the Vallejo Community. The unity that was observed that night, was the true definition of what community means.”


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CMA would like to express so much gratitude to the following vendors: 

• Child Haven: Mental Health Services 
• BACR: Bay Area Community Resources After School Program 
• Immersive Learning Center: Vallejo Community Education Center 
• Help me Grow Solano: Links Parents / Caregivers with Solano Resources for youth 
• Catholic Charities: Rental Assistance, Food Pantry, Immigration Program assist. , etc.  
• Fighting Back Partnership: Non-Profit committed to preventing poverty in the Vallejo Community
• Play-Well TEKnologies: Teaching Engineering to Kids 
• Revolution Foods: Making school lunches healthier 
• Triple-P Parenting: Evidence-based Parenting programs 
• Watch Me Grow: Vallejo Community Daycare
• Girl Scouts of America: Vallejo / Benicia Chapter 
• Boy Scouts of America: Vallejo / Benicia Chapter 
• A Better Way: Mental Health Services
• Child and Parent Relationship: “Resuscitate, Revive, Restore, & Rebuild Child & Parent Relationships”