Epiphany
2023-01-06

Parent Support Group
2023-01-09 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Who: Birth Parents involved with CFS
What: Support and resource group led by para professionals with lived experience being involved with CFS and successfully reunifying with their children.
When: Mondays, 3:30-5pm
Where: Held virtually via Zoom
RSVP: Please contact Janel, (805) 978-2073

Epiphany
2023-01-10
What is Epiphany? Epiphany – also known as Three Kings’ Day – is a Christian holiday which falls on 6 January. It is a special date for many Christians as it’s when people celebrate how a star led the Magi – also known as the Three kings or the Wise Men – to visit the baby Jesus after he had been born.
Source: Epiphany: What is Epiphany and how is it celebrated? – CBBC Newsround

LGBTQ+ Youth Part 2
2023-01-10 18:00
In this workshop, LGBTQ+ 101 will be reviewed participants will explore fundamental aspects
of LGBTQ+ communities and the ways they can be supported. The workshop will begin with an
exploration of key terms and concepts, such as gender expression and sexual identity.
Participants will then learn the challenges members of the LGBTQ+ face and discover strategies
for allyship and advocacy. The workshop will also examine the specific needs of diverse
LGBTQ+ individuals, such as those who are part of Latino/ Hispanic communities.
Part 2 will take the learners deeper into the subject and provide specific information for allyship.

Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
2023-01-11 17:00 - 18:30
Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
Who Should Attend: Foster/kinship resource parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians
Description: Support and training, led by a therapist, in a safe and supportive environment where participants can share their experiences as a foster or adoptive caregiver. Participants have a chance to explore their own attachment histories and strengthen their therapeutic parenting skills. Learn about attachment, trauma, development, self-care, and more. Resource parents can earn training hours!
2023 Training Dates/Topics:

Jan. 11th: Staying Connected with
Birth Families
Feb. 8th: Making Sense of Your
Attachment History
March 8th: Ambiguous Loss
April 12th: Transracial Adoptive
Families
May 10th: Vicarious Trauma and
Self-Care
June 14th: Building Resilience in

When & Where: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5-6:30pm, Currently offered via Zoom.
English/Spanish: Group is in English with live Spanish interpretation!
Cost: Free for foster/kinship resource, adoptive, and legal guardian caregivers within the Ventura County Child Welfare System.
Register: Click Here to Register
Contact: Please contact us at 805-643-1446 Ext. 180 or referrals@kidsandfamilies.org with questions.

World Religion Day
2023-01-15 13:00
World Religion Day was started in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í of the United States. Its purpose was to promote unity through an understanding among all religions and faiths. Today, there are an estimated 4,200 religions worldwide. World Religion Day is often celebrated on the third Sunday of January, around the same time Martin Luther King Day is observed.
The Bahá’í faith had beginnings in 1819 in Persia (Iran) with the first of two divine messengers. In 1844 this faith was founded by Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian believers. Zoroastrians were followers of a pre-Islamic religion in Persia. “Bahāʾīs believe in the oneness of humanity and devote themselves to the abolition of racial, class, and religious prejudices.” This faith has three core beliefs: unity of god, religion, and people.

On the same day as World Religion Day, Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival honoring the sun god, is celebrated. This religious festival falls on January 14 or 15 each year. It is also known as the kite-flying festival during which colorful kites are flown to be closer to the heavens. A now less practiced tradition is that of wearing black clothing to soak in the sun’s rays. This festival also highlights the harvest that follows winter. During this festival people take religious baths in the holy rivers including the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari to wash away sins and make way for prosperity. People also perform charity and make donations during this religious event.
Would you like to learn more about different faiths from a personal perspective? Here’s an opportunity:
Portraits in Faith – Video Interviews About Faith from Around the World | Baha’i Blog (bahaiblog.net)
Content warnings: references to suicide, violence, genocide, sexual abuse.
Daniel Epstein created Portraits in Faith after interviewing 400 people in 25 countries over seven years. This is an absolutely moving video introduction (8 minutes) to Portraits in Faith showcasing people from around the world sharing vulnerable moments and their connection to God and their faith. Individuals from diverse experiences and backgrounds, including a historical connection to Harriet Tubman, death metal music, a holocaust survivor, and others who share their stories of finding faith.
Here’s a free online event celebrating World Religion Day:

World Religion Day 2023 – An Interfaith Peace-Making Initiative Registration, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
This is a free 90minute inter-faith event focused on peace-making across all faiths. Speakers representing various religious will share their traditions. This event will include scared reading, prayer, music videos, interactive chat, and more.

Interested in learning about the mental health benefits of faith, religion, and spirituality? NAMI explores the research outlining the benefits of community and connections, structure and coping skills, and guidelines for compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude.
The Mental Health Benefits of Religion & Spirituality | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Sources:
What Is World Religion Day? | Baha’i Blog (bahaiblog.net)
Baha’i Faith | History, Practices, & Facts | Britannica
Makar Sankranti 2023 – Date, Tithi, Hindu Calendar, and More – Wego Travel Blog
WORLD RELIGION DAY – January 15, 2023 – National Today

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2023-01-16
Martin Luther King Jr.,
Increase your own knowledge
When talking to kids about MLK, it is important to include that he is not just a historical figure; his legacy is kept alive by the many people continuing his fight for justice and equality today. Each year on Martin Luthor King Jr day we see lots of quotes and posts praising him. An important part of his legacy is recognizing that he was not universally accepted at the time and how hard he had to work to make a difference. As Ijeoma Oluo said; “This holiday has turned into talking about how peaceful he was, how loving he was, how kind he was in a way to encourage black Americans to be more passive in their activism,” Oluo said. “I think we need to remember who he actually was and what he actually said instead of just what suits the powers that be for us to talk about.” she sees parallels between criticisms of King in his day and criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement these days: that King “was too demanding, that he was inciting violence, that he was asking for too much.”

Please see our Jedi page to learn more!

Parent Support Group
2023-01-16 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-01-23 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-01-30 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-06 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-13 15:30 - 17:00
What: Support and resource group led by para professionals with lived experience being involved with CFS and successfully reunifying with their children.
When: Mondays, 3:30-5pm
Where: Held virtually via Zoom
RSVP: Please contact Janel, (805) 978-2073

National Day of Racial Healing
2023-01-17
Click here to learn more about National Day of Racial Healing

Life After High School: The 2 Year System
2023-01-18 18:00
In this workshop, participants will learn all about the Community College System.
100’s of Associates Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer, Certificates, Licenses, courses that lead to Careers and most recently 15 Bachelor’s Degrees are now offered!

Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit)
2023-01-22

International Day of Education
2023-01-24
Click here to learn more about International Day of Education

Drug Exposed Infants- Review Part 1/Explore Part 2
2023-01-26 10:30 - 17:00
Maternal substance use may consist of any combination of drug, chemical, alcohol, and tobacco use during the pregnancy.
While in the womb, a fetus grows and develops due to nourishment from the mother via the placenta. However, along with nutrients, any toxins in the mother’s system may be delivered to the fetus. These toxins may cause damage to the developing fetal organs. A baby also may become dependent on substances used by the mother.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day
2023-01-27

Donation Drive & Volunteer for Share the Love Event
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-22
Donation Drive for our Share the Love Event
February 25th in Ventura
Free event for foster/resource, kinship, adoptive, & birth families served by Kids & Families Together. Caregiver appreciation event providing a gift card, treats, donations, music, & more!
The donation deadline is Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Donations Needed for 100:

Self-care items for treat bags:
shower steamers
lip balm
hand lotion
herbal tea

To Donate:

Click here to purchase from our Amazon wishlist
Drop items at our office by making an appointment

For more information on donation or volunteering, please contact:
Jeni Futvoye or Carrie McAuliffe Sandoval at (805) 643-1446 ext. 108/131. jfutvoye@kidsandfamilies.org/cmcauliffe@kidsandfamlies.org or visit www.kidsandfamilies.org/giftaway-events

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Black History Month
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-28

Rosa Parks Day
2023-02-05
To learn more about Rosa Parks, please visit our JEDI page!

Tu BiShvat
2023-02-05 - 2023-02-06

Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
2023-02-08 17:00 - 18:30
Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
Who Should Attend: Foster/kinship resource parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians
Description: Support and training, led by a therapist, in a safe and supportive environment where participants can share their experiences as a foster or adoptive caregiver. Participants have a chance to explore their own attachment histories and strengthen their therapeutic parenting skills. Learn about attachment, trauma, development, self-care, and more. Resource parents can earn training hours!
2023 Training Dates/Topics:

Jan. 11th: Staying Connected with
Birth Families
Feb. 8th: Making Sense of Your
Attachment History
March 8th: Ambiguous Loss
April 12th: Transracial Adoptive
Families
May 10th: Vicarious Trauma and
Self-Care
June 14th: Building Resilience in

When & Where: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5-6:30pm, Currently offered via Zoom.
English/Spanish: Group is in English with live Spanish interpretation!
Cost: Free for foster/kinship resource, adoptive, and legal guardian caregivers within the Ventura County Child Welfare System.
Register: Click Here to Register
Contact: Please contact us at 805-643-1446 Ext. 180 or referrals@kidsandfamilies.org with questions.

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Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
2023-02-12

Valentine's Day
2023-02-14

Susan B. Anthony's Birthday
2023-02-15

Happy Birthday, Charles!
2023-02-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Bright Spark Brewing, 4561 Market Street, Ventura, CA, 93003, United States
Kids & Families Together’s beloved therapy dog and favorite staff member is turning 7 years old! Come celebrate with us!
Join us on Wednesday, February 15th from 5pm-8pm at Bright Spark Brewing- 4561 Market Street, Ventura!

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Maha Shivaratri
2023-02-18

President's Day- K&FT Offices Closed
2023-02-20
Kids & Families Together will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of President’s Day.

World Day of Social Justice
2023-02-20
World Day of Social Justice
The World Day of Social Justice is an annual observance established by the United Nations in 2007 to promote and raise awareness of issues related to social justice, including poverty, inequality, and discrimination. The day is celebrated on February 20th each year, and is an opportunity to governments, organizations, and individuals to take-action and work towards a more just and equitable society.
One of the main focuses of the World Day of Social Justice is addressing poverty and inequality. According to the United Nations Development Program, over 700 million people still live in extreme poverty, and the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen globally. This is not only a moral issue, but also a hindrance to sustainable development and economic growth. In addition, discrimination and marginalization of certain groups, such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities, also contribute to poverty and inequality.
In order to address these issues, the United Nations has called for the implementation of policies and programs that promote social inclusion and empowerment, such as access to education, healthcare, and decent work. Additionally, it is important to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality, such as lack of access to land, credit, and technology, as well as discrimination and marginalization.
On the World Day of Social Justice, governments, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to take-action and make a commitment to promoting social justice. This can include raising awareness about issues, volunteering, or supporting organizations that work towards social justice.
In conclusion, the World Day of Social Justice is an important observance that raises awareness about the ongoing issues of poverty, inequality, and discrimination. In order to address these issues, it is crucial to implement policies and programs that promote social
inclusion and empowerment, and to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality.
