Acknowledge Alliance

07/24/2025

Have you taken any vacation yet this summer? Intentionally taking time to rest can be a very valuable and effective form of self-care, but 78% of Americans don’t take as much paid time off as they are allowed (Munk, 2024). Whether traveling internationally or exploring closer to home, taking time off has many benefits for your physical and mental health. Check out our July newsletter to learn 5 ways that vacation and travel can positively affect your well-being.

View the full newsletter at https://lmail.liveimpact.org/w/WQ8k9CUtvZw5FRnaxpuO5A/vaMykRNJbGo3rjSmwjEBvQ/c7dsaWkLQpw892OpFQix9Rew or visit or website at https://www.acknowledgealliance.org/newsletter

07/22/2025

Happy Grati-Tuesday! Did you know practicing gratitude regularly can positively affect your physical and mental health? Start cultivating gratitude today with the activity below that our team uses with students in our Project Resilience social emotional learning lessons for elementary and middle school students:

“We have to practice thinking positively to be able to think positively more often. See good things as 'gifts'. Thinking of the good things in your life as gifts, write down 4 things you are grateful for, whatever they may be.”

07/17/2025

For many young people, more free time during the summer leads to more time spent on screens. Did you know the average youth ages 8-12 spends 5.5 hours daily using screens, and teens ages 13-18 spend an average of 8.75 hours daily on screens? This tends to increase even more during the summer, which is concerning since studies have shown a strong correlation between social media use and increased rates of depression and anxiety in young people. Research has shown that teens that reduced their social media usage to 60 minutes a week felt better about the way they look.

Take a look at one of our classic newsletter articles for tips to help you and the young people in your life to reduce screen usage at https://www.acknowledgealliance.org/newsletter/screen-time

07/15/2025

Calling all park explorers! Bring a friend and join Youth Community Service Summer of Service Program Youth to clean up the park, build community, learn about the link between parks and our physical and mental health! Enjoy music, activities, and tons of fun as you become a Park Hero. Make a big difference and have fun! Learn more and sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeG6rfpLcWXN55xJQz3oH-_2M2TNczEkn90wTqa_cD8_wyqPw/viewform

07/10/2025

At Acknowledge Alliance, we know that teachers are better equipped to help their students when they are empowered to be their best selves. We hope all the teachers we work with during the school year are enjoying a restful, restorative summer break. Take care and see you in the fall!

07/08/2025

July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (also known as BIPOC Mental Health Month). Bebe Moore Campbell was an American author, journalist, teacher, and mental health advocate who worked tirelessly to shed light on the mental health needs of the Black community and other underrepresented communities. As Mental Health America shares, mental health isn’t just about what’s going on inside. It’s also shaped by how we’re treated, what we have access to, and what’s expected of us. For BIPOC communities, these factors can have an even bigger impact on mental health.

For resources and to learn more:
❤️ Mental Health America - https://mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health/
❤️ NAMI - https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/bebe-moore-campbell-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/
❤️ 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day from all of us at Acknowledge Alliance! We hope you have a wonderful day celebrating our nation’s birthday with your loved ones.

07/01/2025

Are you a high school student or college-age young adult (ages 14-24) living in San Mateo County? Come be a part of a collaborative mural project that brings art and community together! Local artist Elizabeth Gomez is looking for youth to be involved in the design and painting process of a mural installation at the Center for Creativity’s new arts space in the Hotel Sequoia in Downtown Redwood City.

Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScG0fiS-m_bk0X4Xz3n8ahQFbygKIO71uaBw3iCbKc4CuIfcQ/viewform

06/26/2025

June is Pride month, a time to recognize the impact that le***an, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. When someone from the LGBTQIA+ community decides to have a coming out conversation, they may be sharing a deeply private aspect of their identity, in hopes that they will receive acceptance and support in response. Even when a loved one has the best of intentions, it can be challenging to know what to do and say when someone comes out to you. In honor of Pride month, our June newsletter features helpful tips from NPR for having a positive conversation when someone comes out to you.

View the full newsletter at https://lmail.liveimpact.org/w/1892OgDr5763sKJOdZ6E6Xj83g/hGQWJK9r892pRPZQRlMxNGqg/zgqNuCoLD8lrX0nMhLANbQ or visit or website at https://www.acknowledgealliance.org/newsletter

06/24/2025

Last month, Resilience Consultant Rachel Bacosa joined Tsehsien Kelly Vaughn, Interim Dean of the School of Education at Notre Dame de Namur University, to discuss “How Do We Use The Gift of Story to Empower Our Teaching?” Rachel shared her insights from her journey in education, exploring how knowing and honoring our own stories can help us build more inclusive, connected, and resilient classrooms. They also discussed how social, emotional, and culturally sustaining practices can deepen educators’ work and empower us to bring our full selves to teaching.

⏰Short on time? Skip to 39:15 for go-to practices and concrete strategies for educators to stay grounded and bring their full selves into the classroom, and to 1:29:29 to learn why Rachel loves working with Acknowledge Alliance.

How do we use the gift of story to empower our teaching?Featuring Rachel BacosaDate: May 17th, 2025Time: 8:30am – 10:00am PTTopic Description: Rachel inspire...

06/20/2025

Did you know today is the Summer Solstice? In the Northern Hemisphere we will receive more daylight today than any other day of the year, so it is both the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. Take advantage of the extra hours of sunshine and practice some summer self-care today! From going on a walk, to having your lunch outside or exploring your local farmer’s market, enjoying time outdoors is a great way to destress. Try out one of these Summer Self-Care tips from Self-Love Rainbow for some ideas!

06/19/2025

Today is Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day) when we celebrate the day that the news that slavery had ended reached people in Galveston Bay, Texas nearly 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. In honor of Juneteenth, we celebrate the resilience and contributions of African Americans, learn from our history, and reaffirm our commitment to racial equity while recognizing the work that still must be done.

Learn more and celebrate:
⭐ Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture : https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/moments/juneteenth
⭐ African American Community Service Agency: https://www.sjaacsa.org/
⭐ KQED Guide to Juneteenth 2025 in the Bay Area: https://www.kqed.org/arts/13976970/guide-juneteenth-2025-san-francisco-oakland-berkeley-bay-area