Cultural Day at our local Middel School Nov 7th, 2019- 

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be beauty and the test of our civilization.” Gandhi

“Cultural night is all about bringing the community together. It’s an opportunity to be unified and to celebrate all the richness and benefits we get from being such a diverse community.”

Celebration of MULTI- CULTURISM at my daughter’s Middle school. As a Volunteer mom, I helped set up the India booth and made Indian Snacks.

Helpful link to refer for organizing a Multi-Cultural night at your school-

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/celebrating-your-schools-cultural-diversity-clare-roach

Teen Panel Discussion Oct 20th, 2019- We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need + respond. I consider those people my heroes.”~ Fred Rogers

Established in 1991 to Support South Asian Women Bay Area Maitri Organization has branched into supporting teenagers. Their initiative the Teen Panel Discussion in Leaders of Today and Tomorrow event. The Panelist were Teenagers from various High schools. One of the topics covered was Toxic Masculinity by a 14yrs old boy. Awesome to see young boys rethinking masculinity.

On May 7, 2018 (9:30am-11:30am) Project Cornerstone provided a free training to help adult volunteers make the transition from ABC and Los Dichos program volunteers in elementary schools, to the Purposefully Engaged Parent for middle schoolers who understands their new role of creating a safe and caring space in middle school for youth to lead, discover and explore themselves and their relationships with others.

Project Cornerstone Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino Readers Year End Group Photo 2018.

January Book Reading – When Sophie Gets Angry–Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang at Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino. 3rd-grade students were mesmerized with the reading experience and a self-facilitated art activity.

Project Cornerstone Jan 2018 Readers Training at Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino. The book of the month is When Sophie Gets Angry–Really, Really Angry… by Molly Bang

November Book Reading – BIG by Coleen Murtagh Paratore, illustrated by Clare Fennel at Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino. 3rd grade students were mesmerized with the reading experience and a self-facilitated art activity.

Challenge Day Program at Cupertino High School, Cupertino. Participated in the Challenge Day Program at Cupertino High School as an Adult Volunteer. Picture with one of the cofounder Yvonne St. John-Dutra, of the innovative award-winning Challenge Day program.

Challenge Day is a signature school program. Using highly interactive and energetic activities, their programs provide teens and adults with tools to break down the walls of separation and isolation and replace them with compassion. They inspire people to live, study, and work in an environment of acceptance, love, and respect. They stand for a world where everyone feels safe, loved and celebrated.

Challenge Day has been featured on Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006.

October Book Reading – Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees at Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino. 3rd grade students were mesmerized with the reading experience and a self-facilitated art activity.

Project Cornerstone Oct 2017 Readers Meet at Myerholz Elementary School, Cupertino. The book of the month is Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

Silicon Valley Tech Fair – Silicon Valley would be empty without immigrants- a reminder that immigrants are the backbone of American Economy.

We setup a booth at the San Jose Tech Fair, our second venue where we promoted #Diversity

Diversity fuels Innovation wrote San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo at the Tech Fair.

Diversity fuels Activism wrote Saratoga Council Member Rishi Kumar at the Tech Fair.

Diversity Fuels Creativity wrote Filmmaker, Professor, Sociologist and Author Ranu Sinha

Maker-Faire Participation – Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth — a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.

Our booth used interactive hands-on approach encouraging visitors to participate and express their ideas  on how Diversity makes us stronger  on  #Diversity Rocks

Maker-Faire Participation – Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth — a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement.

I in collaboration with Dr. Shailja Venkatsubramanyan facilitated a Youth Humanity project at 2017 Maker Faire.

The Humanity project was showcased under Young Makers Art & Design category.

Project Cornerstone Jan 2016 Update is building a community where all adults support children and teenagers so that they thrive. We work within the YMCA of Silicon Valley and more than 400 schools and community partners to change the personal behavior of adults, strengthen programs that serve youth, and impact public policy.

Faria Garden Volunteer – Science and Math behind growing Beans
Faria garden is in full bloom with beautiful flowers and vegetables. Children have been busy planting winter vegetables in the Garden. Last Tuesday, children planted beans. Children dug holes 2 to 21/2 inches apart using shovels to plant bean seedlings around the circular mesh. They covered the seedling with dirt to fill the furrow. Children learnt about creepers and how maintaining good spacing around green beans helps increase air circulation and decrease chances of powdery mildew.

Project Cornerstone is building a community where all adults support children and teenagers so that they thrive. We work within the YMCA of Silicon Valley and more than 400 schools and community partners to change the personal behavior of adults, strengthen programs that serve youth, and impact public policy.

I am one of the volunteer parent for Asset building champion (ABC) engagement program. In this program adults learn to create positive connections with their own children and youth in the community, and volunteer at schools reading specially selected books and leading activities that help teach valuable lessons. I am also responsible for maintaining the Project Cornerstone bulletin board at William Faria A+ Elementary School

Faria Educational Enrichment Fund (FEEF) presents the Science night, organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum, hosting “Art of Chemistry”, where Faria students entered and engaged in the exciting world of chemistry.
It was a fulfilling experience demonstrating chemical reactions, interacting with children in there quest for discovery.

Dharma and Yoga Fest (DYF) was organized to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth anniversary in 2013 by celebrating his vision of “Universal Peace Through Dharma and Yoga.”
I had the pleasure of being the MC introducing some of the prominent cultural heads of different non-profit organizations.

Grand Krishna Leela – A musical performance depicting the life of Sri Krishna. Thousands of Bay Area families witnessed the epic tale performed by over 200 kids (ages 8 – 13) dancing to melodious songs wearing colorful costumes during the Dharma and Yoga Fest held at Mission College, California.

Faria Educational Enrichment Fund (FEEF) actively supports the students of William Faria A+ Elementary School by enriching their environment to improve their education, access to educational material, and coordinating special events.
My booth at the FEEF cultural exhibition showcased the  highlights of Mexico, famous for its folk art traditions and pre-Columbian architecture.