Caminar Connections: March 2026

Because of You: Spring Growth and Resilience

As we welcome the early days of spring, we’re reminded of the remarkable growth and resilience made possible through your generosity. Your support empowers Caminar to show up for our communities in meaningful ways—offering vital resources, sharing education on critical issues, and meeting people where they are with compassion and care.

Because of you, we are able to continue this important work and expand our reach to those who rely on us most. Thank you for being at the heart of every connection we make and every life we uplift.

*Pictured: Spring roses captured by an artist in our Expressive Arts program.*

Supporting Teens and Families With Compassion and Connection

In January, we opened the Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center – Palo Alto, a new space designed to meet the growing mental health needs of adolescents and their families with care, flexibility, and dignity. Rooted in our whole‑person approach, the center offers evidence‑based support that honors each teen’s voice while strengthening the family systems around them.

From accessible therapy options to culturally affirming care, the center was created to remove the barriers that too often stand between families and the help they need. And soon, group sessions will provide even more opportunities for peer connection and healing.

This new center reflects our commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people can feel heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We recently issued a press release about the center, which includes this meaningful quote from our former board member

“As a parent, watching your teen struggle with their mental health changes you forever. The fear, the sleepless nights, the constant worry — it consumes everything. In those moments, nothing matters more than finding compassionate, trustworthy care for your child,” says Rod Sockolov, Former Caminar Board Member and Mental Health Advocate. “For our family, access to mental health services was life-changing. It gave us hope when we felt lost and support when we felt alone. Therapy truly made the difference for us. With the opening of the Caminar Teen and Family Wellness Center - Palo Alto, that same lifeline is now available to you and your family.”

We invite you to read the entire press release here.

Contra Costa Mobile Dignity Center Grand Opening

We’re delighted to share that the Concord Mobile Dignity Center (CMDC) celebrated its grand opening on February 12. Community members were welcomed with dignity‑boosting services—including relaxing showers, nourishing meals, essential clothing, and meaningful connections to local partner organizations.

The CMDC is dedicated to supporting the well-being of individuals experiencing houselessness in Concord by offering compassionate resources, fostering social connection, and creating pathways toward stability and reintegration.

A huge thank you to our partners: Loaves and Fishes, White Pony Express, NAMI of Contra Costa County, RotaCare Bay Area, the Pleasant Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, and First Christian Church, Concord. Our work is centered on community, and we are thankful to be part of it.

On-site services include:

Mobile Showers (family showers between 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
Free Clothing
Free Food
Housing Navigation
Mental Health Services
Case Management
Medical Care (2nd Thursday of the month)

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The CMDC is open every Thursday from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

*Pictured: Free medical care by one of our partners, RotaCare Bay Area, Inc. By The Rotary Club of Concord.*

Building Bridges at the Adult Probation Resource Fair

Our SUTS (Substance Use Treatment Services) and Project Ninety teams connected with the community at the 2026 Santa Clara County Adult Probation Resource and Employment Fair, hosted by the County of Santa Clara’s Office of Diversion and Reentry Services.

Thanks to this event, community members were able to discover vital resources and employment opportunities. With partners like CEO, City Team, and Bill Wilson Center, our Caminar team shared information about the substance use and mental health services we provide in both San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

*Pictured: Jenna Gorman (left) of SUTS OP and IOP, and Jason Brewer (right) of Project Ninety*

Inclusive Care and H.E.A.R.T.

Our H.E.A.R.T. team partnered with the County of Santa Clara’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and Office of Gender-Based Violence Prevention to host an empowering workshop on inclusive care at the end of February. Together, they explored ways to better support LGBTQIA+ survivors of intimate partner violence, the unique challenges they may face, and practical and compassionate strategies for providing affirming care across all types of relationships.

This collaborative session sparked meaningful conversations and strengthened our shared commitment to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone in our community.

*Pictured: Justin, program coordinator of H.E.A.R.T at the Inclusive Care Workshop.*

Program Highlight: Jobs Plus

At Caminar, every program we offer is a reflection of your belief in the power of compassionate, community‑rooted care. Thanks to supporters like you, we’re able to provide life‑changing mental health, substance use treatment, housing support, and prevention services across Northern California—helping people of all ages find stability, healing, and hope. Your generosity fuels the innovative, evidence‑based programs that meet people where they are and empower them to thrive.

This month, we’re excited to highlight one of the many ways your partnership is transforming lives every day.

We believe that healing and thriving happen when people are met with compassion, trust, and meaningful life opportunities. Our Jobs Plus program embodies this belief every day by helping community members with mental or physical disabilities build confidence, identify strengths, develop skills, and secure competitive employment that supports long‑term stability and well‑being.

We invite you to click here to read more about the incredible impact of Jobs Plus.

Blue Zones Keynote Event

Blue Zones Keynote: Launching the Ignite Assessment in San Mateo County

Peninsula Health Care District is partnering with Blue Zones to explore how our community can create environments that make healthy choices easier, supporting people to live longer, better lives at every stage.

We’re excited to invite the community to a special Blue Zones Keynote Presentation as we officially kick off the Blue Zones Assessment in San Mateo County.

Click here to RSVP today: Blue Zones Ignite San Mateo County Community Keynote Event Tickets, Tuesday, Apr 7 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm | Eventbrite

Why this Keynote Matters

This keynote will set the vision for the Ignite Assessment and introduce the research, stories, and possibilities behind Blue Zones. It’s an opportunity to:

Learn how other communities have successfully improved well-being
Understand what the Assessment will explore in San Mateo County
Hear inspiring examples of small changes that can lead to big community impact
Get energized about what’s possible when a community comes together around well-being

Click here to view the flyer.

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