Growing Up Where the Code is BE STRONG AND TRUST NO ONE!
~ Otis D. Ward, Jr.
October 4, 2021
Our new Outreach Program Manager, Otis Ward, who has been with Family Paths since 2019 as one of our Parent Education instructors, offers his perspective in response to this New York Times article about The Extra Stigma of Mental Illness for African-Americans.
I was Born in Berkeley and raised up in East Oakland. I have experienced my share of trauma but learned to deal with my issues by suppressing them and imbedding my anger deep inside my heart. This is how most people grow up in communities like Oakland, California where the code is be strong and trust no one!
I never understood the disparities which surrounded me while growing up as a youth. I used to think counseling services were only for extreme mental health illnesses until I received counseling some 5 years ago. I grew up believing the only time someone received counseling was if they were in extreme crisis and needed hospitalization. Through my personal experiences and education, I learned this was not the truth.
A few years ago, I had some problems that were affecting me at work, as well as in my personal life. A friend recommended counseling, and after much thought I decided to get help! The extra support got me through a tough time and prevented me from making some bad decisions.
Today I’m an advocate for mental health services and continue to seek counseling in various areas when needed, which has added to my success in life.
Many suffer from traumatizing issues, and because of the “word on the streets,” many believe they can overcome the monsters which haunt them daily on their own, especially people of color. I’m thankful for my friend today for caring enough about me to refer behavioral health services as a better way of support in life!
Otis Ward, Family Paths’ Outreach Manager
Who Will Help the Children?
~ Barbra Silver, Executive Director
July 20, 2021
Throughout the country and here in Alameda County, demands for mental health services for children are exceeding the capacity of the system. At my own agency, we are now seeing a mental health crises at younger ages, particularly among youth under 12. Some as young as 8. This includes suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors and impacts of sexual abuse.
According to recent report in the New York Times, “Even before the pandemic, a mental health crisis was brewing among children struggling with bullying, abuse, eating disorders, racism or undiagnosed mental health conditions. But now, children are facing even more stressors, like the loss of a family member to Covid-19, adjusting to remote school or the anxiety of returning to in-person school.” 8-Year-Olds in Despair: The Mental Health Crisis Is Getting Younger
As we anticipate the opening of schools and prepare ourselves and our systems for this surge of need, we are also experiencing state-wide mental health workforce shortages. We must understand the risks of not investing fully in mental health prevention and early intervention and the benefits of fully supporting the continuum of services that supports both parents and children through stressful life circumstances combined with the impact of social inequities. This also includes investing government and private dollars to provide for a well-trained, and fairly compensated workforce to respond to these challenging issues before children end up needing emergency services. For those most vulnerable, these services are primarily provided by non-profit organizations who have deep ties to diverse communities and can adapt to shifting trends rapidly.
The mental health crisis will have far reaching consequences – life and death consequences. Rising to these challenges as a society to say children’s lives are worth the investment is essential.
Barbra Silver, Family Paths’ Executive Director
News
Support Parents and We All Benefit
Support Parents and We All Benefit
- by Barbra Silver, Executive Director On August 28, the US Surgeon General put out an advisory entitled “Parents Under Pressure” focusing on the mental health and well-being of parents. He wisely reflects that “many families [are] feeling exhausted, burned out and perpetually behind.” And he calls for change.
Growing our Board
Join our dedicated Board of Directors in supporting Family Paths' mission of serving parents, children and families in Alameda County and beyond with respect, integrity, compassion and hope.
In addition to serving parents, we prioritize providing services to members of BIPOC and LGBTQ+...
Family Story Time – April 6, 2024
2023 Annual Report and a letter from our Executive Director
EMPOWER PARENTS. SUPPORT FAMILIES. HEAL COMMUNITIES.
Read our full 2023 Annual Report, including highlights from the past year, inspiring client quotes and stories, lists...
ANNOUNCEMENT: Family Paths Board approves new 3-year Strategic Plan
2024-2026 Strategic Plan Executive Summary: After three long years of delivering services through the COVID-19 pandemic and all its challenges, Family Paths has emerged well positioned to address the pressing needs of vulnerable children and families by strategically growing our programs, building new community connections, improving our systems and investing in our leadership. As we look ahead, growth has three themes:
- Growth in scale to support and serve... Read More
Raising Awareness of our Mental Health Crisis
By Angela Powell-Bulutoglu, LMFT Manager, Families in Transition Program
Clinicians are working steadfastly to address the mental health crisis here in Alameda County for families. With impending school closures in Oakland (many of which are beloved safe havens for black and brown youth), the ever-increasing cost of living,...
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Kids Deserve to Feel Good About Themselves – You Can Help.
by Angela Powell-Bolutoglu, LMFT Program Manager, Families in Transition (FIT) Program.
“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.”
Be Inspired by the Impact – 2021 Annual Report
Dear Friend of Family Paths,
The past year has been an especially meaningful journey at Family Paths as we continued to find ways to engage and help parents and children find their own paths forward during a time of continued high stress and uncertainty. We witnessed the pain...
Growing Up Where the Code is BE STRONG AND TRUST NO ONE!
Our new Outreach Program Manager, Otis Ward, who has been with Family Paths since 2019 as one of our Parent Education instructors, offers his perspective in response to this New York Times article about
Who Will Help the Children? by Executive Director Barbra Silver
Throughout the country and here in Alameda County, demands for mental health services for children are exceeding the capacity of the system. At my own agency, we are now seeing a mental health crises at younger ages, particularly among youth under 12. Some as...
We thank The Greater Good Science Center for helping us develop our parenting classes.
Two years ago this month, a grant from The Greater Good Science Center helped us...
Responding to Children’s Mental Health Needs – Parents Need Support Too
By Executive Director Barbra Silver
August 11, 2020
According to doctors across the county, concerns are rising about the impact of the pandemic and the increase in family stress on children’s mental health.
As discussed in a recent New...
SAFE SLEEP 101: 6 Steps to Safe Sleep your baby from birth to one year
Safe Sleep 101:
Learn the 6 Steps to always safe sleep your little one from birth to one year!
Read a PDF of the article
Announcing Parenting Stress Helpline
After 48 years, our parent support hotline is now Parenting Stress Helpline. We are here to help with every day parenting stress, as well as time of crisis and increased stress. Call 1-800-829-3777 to speak to one of our counselors with questions about parenting skills, child development, to register for our classes, and also when you are at your wit's end and need help ASAP.
Read more about why the change and what you can get from the Helpline by clicking
Fall 2019 Newsletter
Fall updates from Family Paths - New Programs, New Faces, New Ways to Engage!
We've expanded programming and introduce our new BOOST! Program for CalWORKs Welfare to Work recipients.
We are happy to introduce you to some new...
June 26 – Celebration of Fatherhood Event
We hope you can join us on Wednesday, June 26 for a FREE special event in celebration of dads, father-figures and male mentors and our new fatherhood programming. For info and to RSVP by June 21, visit our Eventbrite page HERE.
President Willard Ogan resigns from the Family Paths Board
With abundant gratitude we bid a fond farewell to Willard Ogan, who presided over his last meeting of the Family Paths Board of Directors Thursday evening, April 25. Willard gave eight impassioned and selfless years of service to the agency and all the parents, children and families we serve. During his tenure, he celebrated great successes with us and stewarded us through challenging times. We wish Willard and his family all the best as he approaches retirement, and we thank him for all the...
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Family Paths weighs in on Active School Shooter drills in schools
Kimberly Cohn, psychologist and Family Paths' Head of Development, was featured on KTVU-Channel 2 on Feb 13, 2019 discussing the trend of school shooting drills and the potential trauma it causes for our children. Have these surprise drills been done at your child's school? What has been your...
Read MoreBe Inspired by the Impact ~ Read Our 2018 Annual Report
Trauma and Triggers: How to Respond by Barbra Silver, Executive Director
Trauma and Triggers: How to Respond
By Barbra Silver, Family Paths' Executive Director
As millions of people watched the heart wrenching testimony... Read More
Women’s Leadership Luncheon 2018 – September 21
We hope you will join us for our Women's Leadership Luncheon 2018 on September 21 with a keynote by Piper Payne, music industry entrepreneur and Chief Mastering Engineer/Owner of Neato Mastering and Co-Founder at Second Line Vinyl. You don't want to miss Piper's Keynote: "Quality and Equality in Oakland's Evolving Music Industry Ecosystem".
Tix available now!
Thanks to Family Paths, Dad Has New Hope for His Daughter’s Future
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES: “Vanessa” -
Initially, Vanessa was depressed. She lived with her dad, who was worried about her ever since her mom died. He wanted her to have a better life than he did and wasn’t sure if that was possible. She was now in middle school and had no friends, got into arguments and fights daily and walked around with her hoodie up, face covered and eyes down. This is how she started therapy at Family Paths – barely a nod from her slumped position in...
Read MoreAn Important Message from Board President, Willard Ogan
An important message from Family Paths' Board President, Willard Ogan: Offering mental health and supportive services to low-income children and families impacted by trauma and abuse, Family Paths provides over $54,000 in pro bono services to close the gap between our current government funding and meeting the needs of... Read More
Memorial Ceremony for Marcella Reeves – May 17
It is with great sadness that Family Paths announces the death of former Executive Director, Marcella Reeves, due to health related issues.
Marcella started at Family Paths in 1992 (when it was known as Parental Stress Service),...
Read MoreAccolades
Award-winning, innovative programming at Family Paths
“Excellent tools and wonderful, compassionate leaders. This class is a gift to the community.” ~ Finding Peace Within participant.
CONGRATULATIONS! Family Paths’ Finding Peace Within group is the recipient of the Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board’s 2018 Community Service Award in...
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Oakland Mayor’s Proclamation – October 2015
See the entire Proclamation by Mayor Libby Schaaf HERE
Read More
CA State Assembly Recognition – October 2015
See the entire Recognition presented by Assembly Member Tony Thurmond HERE
Read More
Multimedia
Past Events
PARENT EDUCATION CLASS – OAKLAND
2015 Nov 25 5:00 pmEVERY MONDAY, JULY 6 – SEPTEMBER 28 | 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Our Positive Parenting Classes are appropriate for all types of families – expecting parents, parents of children of all ages, foster and kinship care providers, adoptive parents, LGBT families and others involved in parenting roles. Our curriculum is designed to provide parents with an understanding of parenting skills and knowledge, particularly in the areas of child development, communication, discipline and self-awareness, while emphasizing the importance of self-care. Our goal is to provide parents with the tools they need to create a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment.
Classes are offered in both English and Spanish and in several locations throughout Alameda County. Free childcare is provided onsite
The 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon
2015 Oct 14 11:30 amPARENT EDUCATION CLASSES – OAKLAND
2015 Jul 6 7:00 pmEVERY MONDAY, JULY 6 – SEPTEMBER 28 | 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Our Positive Parenting Classes are appropriate for all types of families – expecting parents, parents of children of all ages, foster and kinship care providers, adoptive parents, LGBT families and others involved in parenting roles. Our curriculum is designed to provide parents with an understanding of parenting skills and knowledge, particularly in the areas of child development, communication, discipline and self-awareness, while emphasizing the importance of self-care. Our goal is to provide parents with the tools they need to create a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment.
Classes are offered in both English and Spanish and in several locations throughout Alameda County. Free childcare is provided onsite
IN THE NEWS
Growing our Board
Join our dedicated Board of Directors in... March 16, 2024
2023 Annual Report and a letter from our Executive Director