Spring Newsletter

What the Communication Committee is currently up to!

The Communications Committee has been busy planning seasonal newsletters and other projects. Recently, they launched a remind group to keep all SYAB members in the loop. Also, they created new Community Circles where we unite to talk about mental health issues surrounding our community.

Spring Recipes

Lemon Asparagus

From Martha Stewart

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 bunches asparagus (14 ounces each), ends trimmed
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 wide strips lemon zest
Juice from 1/2 lemon

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add asparagus, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp-tender, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness. Add lemon zest and cook 1 minute. Add lemon juice, toss to coat, and serve warm.

Smoothie

Put into a blender and mix:

1 cup of frozen pineapple
1 cup of frozen strawberries
¾ cup of your beverage or choice, (milk, orange juice, coconut water)
And ENJOY this refreshing and healthy drink!

Flowers

My favorite flower is the daisy and I love the fact that it grows almost everywhere in my neighborhood
It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I love the Colorado blue columbine, which is the state flower, because it’s so pretty and reminds me of my old home
I love hydrangeas because they look so fresh and beautiful
One of my favorite flowers is a hyacinth — even though I always forget their name — because we have a few in my garden and they are so bright and detailed and truly convey spring to me
My favorite flowers are sunflowers because their colors are pretty and they instantly lighten the mood. They make me feel happy!
My favorite flowers are the flowers that bloom on trees near my house. I only found out about them last year, but they're a perfect place to have a picnic under during the spring when they bloom. The petals flying under the tree are so pretty!

Growing in Spring

In what ways do you want to grow this Spring?

I want to work on surrounding myself with more peaceful environments in the springtime
I want to take more time to reflect on myself and the day
I want to work on being kinder to myself when I make mistakes
I want to work on my mental health and on taking care of myself. I tend to prioritize school and I need to fix this by growing and finding ways to take care of myself.

Spring Movies

Ferris Buller's Day Off
Little Women
The Sound of Music
Bambi
Uptown Girls
10 Things I Hate About You
Amelie
Late Spring
Rear Window
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Big Fish
Tangled
High School Musical
League of Their Own
Field of Dreams
Fever Pitch
You've Got Mail

Pet Spotlight

Alexa Danigelis

This is my dog Toby. He is 10 months old and is extremely playful and energetic! He loves to go on walks and smile with his tongue out. He is such a love and is finally starting to become cuddly!

This is Toby after a long walk. He loves to lay down on the floor with his legs straight out behind him. It is so adorable!

This is him cuddled up in the corner of the couch. He loves to watch movies with my family.

This is a total personality pic. He is the sweetest dog and he never fails to brighten my day!

Place to visit: Filoli

Nestled in the woods near Highway 280, the botanical garden Filoli is a gem—one that sparkles brightest during the spring. The flowers they incorporate make the garden something out of a fairy tale. I’d highly recommend you stop by!

School & SAT Prep Advice

30 minutes a day of studying is enough! You don’t need to force yourself to study for 3 hours if that is not what works for you!
If you are studying for the SAT / ACT, just know that there is no one score that will get you in or out of a college, and that even if a particular subject or section is really hard for you, it is 100% possible for anyone to master it. Standardized testing is really rough, but both tests have a pretty distinct “personality” and once you get used to their tricks it gets a lot better :)
You’ve got this! Don’t feel like you aren’t enough. Your grades don’t define your self worth. Don’t let them get to you.
Burnout is real! Take breaks and allow for sufficient time to rest.
You don’t need to compare yourself to others. Your best is your best and you should be proud of that!

SafeSpace Stories Podcast

SafeSpace Stories has now been around for 4 months! Celebrating 400+ listens and 19 partnerships with schools and community organizations!

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO....

San Mateo County Office of Education YAASS Conference!

San Mateo County Youth Commission Conference!

Hybrid Meetings as of April 1!

Join us via Zoom or In person

Filming Collaboration with Hillview middle schoolers to change the conversation about mental health!

Mt. Eden HS, Hayward

San Mateo Behavioral Health Recovery Services,

Screening for MH Awareness month

Come hungry to in-person meetings!

San Mateo Community Committee,

April 26, 2022

M-A HS, screening

Mt. Eden HS, Hayward

M-A HS wellness advice board

Hillview film project

5/21 Cabrillo Unified School District Wellness Fair

SYAB members presenting to a full audience

SYAB members: Gigi, Phoebe, Christine, and Will representing SafeSpace at our table!

Pilarcitos HS, Half Moon Bay

Screened overview of SafeSpace video

Wellness Festival in HMB

Mural, Pilarcitos HS. Wellness Festival 5/21; screening

Community Circle

On the first Thursday of February, the Communications Committee hosted its first Community Circle and provided a place for all SafeSpace members to discuss a certain topic about mental health. A second meeting was held on the first Thursday in March. So far, the topics we have covered include academic pressure and social media.

Currently, the committee is planning on holding more of these SafeSpace conversations with other topics such as uncertainty and how to talk about mental health.

"Academic pressure and stress culture is something that is usually glossed over in my life, or only acknowledged with a couple of close friends, and it was great to talk openly about it with 15+ people and realize that I’m really not alone”

– Anouschka Bechtolsheim

“It felt nice to have so many people relate to the same topics”

- Bela Duffy

“It was amazing to be able to relate to so many people. I felt heard and it was great to know that I wasn’t the only one feeling overwhelmed with academic pressure.”

- Phoebe Mota-Judges

“In other settings, I would have been afraid to talk about competition at school and stress, especially through Zoom. However, I felt super respected and listened to in this conversation, and I loved hearing what others had to say about their experience with school. I was surprised to find so much in common with everyone!”

- Heeseo Jeong

Check out some upcoming Mental Health Month Events from San Mateo County!

https://smcmentalhealthmonth.org/attend-event/

What's Coming up at SafeSpace?

Join us for Pet-A-Palooza

Please join us for a super fun day at Jasper Ridge Farms! Refreshments will be provided while we hang out with the sweet animals and relieve some stress!

Please RSVP at the following link: https://forms.gle/mRMA1RMCMNUX3d6B9

June

Pride in the Park: June 11th: 11am - 2pm

Pride Outreach: June 17th: 4pm - 8pm

Email: Annie@safespace.org

Pilot Program

Peer Pals buddy program coming soon!

Announcements in the weekly Update and during committee meetings.

Men's Mental Health Film

We're excited to announce that we will be filming our next signature SafeSpace short film this July or August focusing on men's mental health.

If you're interested in being a part of this project, please email:

Annie@safespace.org

A message from Aris...

Hi SafeSpace Family!

We are almost half way through the year! Thank you for all of your hard work and passion for what we do. This past semester has been one of the most challenging for you, and I am so proud of all of you for your resilience . You all inspire me to step up for our community, and I am so grateful for your partnership. I’m looking forward to our upcoming activities and warm weather! lets make the rest of the year memorable!

Warmly,

Aris Payan, Youth Engagement Specialist,

A message from Annie...

Hello SYAB!!!!

How are we weeks away from the end of the school year already?! I know this past year has been a roller coaster transitioning back 100% to school, extracurricular activities, LOTS of sports, and life in general. With all of the expectations and pressures, I have had the honor and pleasure watching each of you navigate your path authentically according to your own beat and step....it's okay to step back once in a while too...it's called self-care. Thank you for showing up to our meetings even when it's hard, thank you for being that friend to another SYAB member and always welcoming our newest recruits with a smile :)

Last but not least, congratulations to our seniors! Class of 2022 - YOU DID IT! We can't wait to celebrate you, so stay tuned - we're planning something for the summer.

Hugs,

Annie Kim, Managing Director

Brought to you by the Communication Committee!

Members: Anouschka B, Bela, Alexa, Brodie, Maggie, Suditi, Xamara, Heeseo, Phoebe, Maya, Lucinda.

Thank You!

We're always looking to improve our newsletter! If you have some cool ideas or would like to share an update, please reach out to the Communication Committee co-leads: Bela or Anouschka B., or you can contact Aris or Annie.

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