Sponsored by: Alameda Family Services League

Information: 510-629-6208

Please check back for information on the 39th Annual Holiday Home Tour in the near future.  You may also visit the Alameda Family Service League's web site at www.alamedaholidayhometour.info for more information, or by calling (510) 629-6208.  Proceeds benefit Alameda Family Services.

Help us make this year's benefit Holiday Home Tour another fabulous success.  Volunteers (docents, ticket takers/sellers, problem-solvers and great thinkers) are needed for the planning stage (already underway) and  for the day of the event.

This years event will be held on Saturday, December 12th.  If you have time to spare to help in developing this years event, or assist us on the day of the event, please call (510) 629-6208 to volunteer!

New School-Based Health Center to Open at Island High School

Alameda, CA -- On Thursday January 14, 2010, Alameda Family Services will celebrate the opening of a new school-based health center at Island High School.  In partnership with Native American Health Center and Alameda Unified School District, the School-Based Health Center will offer medical, behavioral health and health education services. The Center will serve high school students as well as children from the onsite Cal-Safe program for parenting teens.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 3:00 pm and include brief remarks from County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, Island High School Principal Alysse Castro as well as youth from the Alameda Family Services' Peer Health Advocates Program.  Mayor Beverly Johnson as well as several Alameda Unified School Board members will be in attendance.

Many adolescents do not seek health care services due to concerns regarding confidentiality, affordability, and lack of transportation.  The School-Based Health Centers are designed to help overcome barriers that prevent Alameda's youth from receiving needed health care.   The two existing Alameda Family Services school-based health centers at Alameda and Encinal High Schools currently serve more than 1000 students a year.

Alameda Family Services is a non-profit organization serving the community of Alameda since 1969 with a mission "to improve the emotional, psychological and physical health of children, youth and families."  In addition to school-based health centers, Alameda Family Services programs include Head Start comprehensive child development, DreamCatcher youth shelter and support center, drug and alcohol treatment, anger management and domestic violence treatment programs, individual and family counseling and a clinical training program.

"Poor health affects students' ability to learn," says Tamar Kurlaender, Program Director of Alameda Family Services School-Based Health Centers.  "By bringing needed health services onsite, we increase the likelihood that youth will reach their potential and succeed in school."