Parents & Families

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Alexis Azzam, a mother and licensed marriage and family therapist, will offer information along with tips for reducing isolation and bonding with your infant.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Series dates: Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, and 3/26

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Alexis Azzam, a mother and licensed marriage and family therapist, will offer information along with tips for reducing isolation and bonding with your infant.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Series dates: Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24

A Parent Cafe is a special time for parents and caregivers to meet new people, make new friends, get ideas, and share your hopes for your family. We invite families to this space to talk about their challenges, their needs, and meet other parents. Families who are dual language learners, who have children with developmental challenges, and/or are low income and need extra support are welcome to join us. During this Parent Cafe, we will share thoughts, feelings and experiences that are important to you, and help you find community support services to help you along the way. If you are a parent, grandparent, or other person who is actively involved in raising a young child, you are welcome to join us for this special event. All participants will receive a $25 Target Gift card. Breakfast and child care will be provided. 

If you’re thinking of hiring a nanny, then this is the workshop for you! At this event, Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network will discuss the details of being an employer, including your rights and responsibilities. By offering a variety of resources such as tips for hiring and interviewing, establishing wages and a work agreement, how to ensure a fair and safe workplace, and the laws surrounding nanny employment, the network will set you up with all the tools you need. They’ll also offer ideas on how to create a positive, long-term relationship with your employee. You will have a chance to talk about your own experiences, ask questions, and share concerns.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, and 3/26

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Alexis Azzam, a mother and licensed marriage and family therapist, will offer information along with tips for reducing isolation and bonding with your infant.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Series dates: Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24

Finding child care for your infant or toddler is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. There are a lot of things to consider, such as the cost, hours, and type of child care that is the best for your family. There are many questions about the difference between a family child care, a day care center, and all of your options. We’ll discuss each type of care so you can connect with the right provider. We’ll also cover how to screen and interview potential providers.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, and 3/26

BANANAS is offering Choosing Child Care at Room to Bloom Family Resource Center!

This workshop is designed to assist families in accessing child care resources. We will talk about subsidized or low-cost child care programs that help pay for or reduce child care costs for families who qualify. Our knowledgeable counselor will also introduce you to the variety of child care options and offer guidance on how to begin the process of finding a child care provider, or preschool program, that’s right for your family.

Eligiendo Cuidado de Niños en Room to Bloom Family Resource Center
Este taller está diseñado para asistir a familias sobre las distintas opciones de cuidado infantil disponibles. Debby le dará información sobre opciones de cuidado infantil subsidiado o de bajo costo y le ayudará a entender cómo inscribirse si califica para recibir asistencia. También ofrecerá orientación sobre cómo comenzar el proceso de encontrar un proveedor de cuidado infantil o un programa preescolar adecuado para su familia.

Este taller realizado en Room to Bloom le presentará las distintas opciones de cuidado infantil disponibles y ofrecerá orientación sobre cómo comenzar el proceso de encontrar un proveedor de cuidado infantil o un programa preescolar adecuado para su familia. También se le informará sobre opciones de cuidado infantil subsidiado o de bajo costo y nuestro consejero le ayudará a entender cómo inscribirse si califica para recibir asistencia. Niños y bebés son bienvenidos a asistir. Venga a conocer a otros padres y aprender todo lo que hay que saber sobre la elección de cuidado de niños.

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Alexis Azzam, a mother and licensed marriage and family therapist, will offer information along with tips for reducing isolation and bonding with your infant.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Series dates: Mar 3, 10, 17 & 24

Brilliant Baby & College Fund Workshop
Are you worried about saving up for your baby’s college fund? Would you like to receive free financial coaching? If so, this information workshop is just for you! The Oakland Promise has a program that provides families with $500 as college fund seed money, financial advising, and coaching to improve families’ social emotional development and overall well-being. Is your family currently living in Oakland? Does your baby qualify for MediCal? Is your baby under 12 months old and is born in Alameda County? If your answer is “yes” to all these questions, attend an information and enrollment workshop so your baby can start their college fund with $500.

Brilliant Baby y Dinero para Fondo Universitario
¿Está preocupado/a por ahorrar para el fondo universitario de su bebé? ¡Si es así, este taller informativo es para usted! El programa Oakland Promise, proporciona familias con capital inicial de $500 para el fondo universitario, asesoramiento financiero, y entrenamiento para mejorar el desarrollo social y emocional y el bienestar general de la familia. ¿Actualmente vive su familia en Oakland? ¿Tiene su bebé Medi-Cal? ¿Tiene su bebé menos de 12 meses y nació en el condado de Alameda? Si su respuesta es sí a todas estas preguntas, asista a este taller de información e inscripción para que su bebé pueda comenzar su fondo universitario de $500.

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, and 3/26

BANANAS is closed in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.

The Spirited Children series is back! Are you the parent of a child who is strong-minded and has intense feelings? Or a child who may have endless energy, gets easily frustrated, or is very shy? Would you like to learn parenting tools that work with your child’s personality and stage of development? Rebecah Freeling is a Parenting Coach who has 20 years of experience in early childhood education. You will learn ways to deal with tantrums, aggression, shyness, and other challenging behaviors often displayed by “spirited” children.

Note: Rebecah will be addressing the class in real-time via video conference. She will be with you live and you’ll be able to interact with her for discussion and Q&A. There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome

Series dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, and 5/6

Bring your baby to yoga! It’s a great way to regain shape, strength, and energy after giving birth. It’s also a great way to learn about breath and body awareness. This workshop includes exercises for breathing and getting centered. We’ll also learn poses with and without baby, songs for bonding with baby, and calming exercises for you and baby. Taught by Elika Aird, a certified yoga instructor, the class is designed for parents and their pre-crawling babies, but babies of all ages are welcome. Join us for this popular workshop that you and your baby will enjoy!

The Spirited Children series is back! Are you the parent of a child who is strong-minded and has intense feelings? Or a child who may have endless energy, gets easily frustrated, or is very shy? Would you like to learn parenting tools that work with your child’s personality and stage of development? Rebecah Freeling is a Parenting Coach who has 20 years of experience in early childhood education. You will learn ways to deal with tantrums, aggression, shyness, and other challenging behaviors often displayed by “spirited” children.

Note: Rebecah will be addressing the class in real-time via video conference. She will be with you live and you’ll be able to interact with her for discussion and Q&A. There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome

Series dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, and 5/6

This workshop is all about relaxation, bonding, and the power of touch. The benefits of baby massage are amazing. When you massage your infant you can reduce crying, increase sleep, improve blood circulation and digestion, balance breathing, inspire relaxation and better self-esteem, and create a loving parent-child bond. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn simple massage techniques that your baby will love.

The Spirited Children series is back! Are you the parent of a child who is strong-minded and has intense feelings? Or a child who may have endless energy, gets easily frustrated, or is very shy? Would you like to learn parenting tools that work with your child’s personality and stage of development? Rebecah Freeling is a Parenting Coach who has 20 years of experience in early childhood education. You will learn ways to deal with tantrums, aggression, shyness, and other challenging behaviors often displayed by “spirited” children.

Note: Rebecah will be addressing the class in real-time via video conference. She will be with you live and you’ll be able to interact with her for discussion and Q&A. There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome

Series dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, and 5/6

BANANAS is offering Choosing Child Care at Room to Bloom Family Resource Center!

This workshop is designed to assist families in accessing child care resources. We will talk about subsidized or low-cost child care programs that help pay for or reduce child care costs for families who qualify. Our knowledgeable counselor will also introduce you to the variety of child care options and offer guidance on how to begin the process of finding a child care provider, or preschool program, that’s right for your family.

Eligiendo Cuidado de Niños en Room to Bloom Family Resource Center
Este taller está diseñado para asistir a familias sobre las distintas opciones de cuidado infantil disponibles. Debby le dará información sobre opciones de cuidado infantil subsidiado o de bajo costo y le ayudará a entender cómo inscribirse si califica para recibir asistencia. También ofrecerá orientación sobre cómo comenzar el proceso de encontrar un proveedor de cuidado infantil o un programa preescolar adecuado para su familia.

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, and 5/11

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Come and join us and bring your baby along!

Series dates: 4/21, 4/26, 5/5, and 5/12

The Spirited Children series is back! Are you the parent of a child who is strong-minded and has intense feelings? Or a child who may have endless energy, gets easily frustrated, or is very shy? Would you like to learn parenting tools that work with your child’s personality and stage of development? Rebecah Freeling is a Parenting Coach who has 20 years of experience in early childhood education. You will learn ways to deal with tantrums, aggression, shyness, and other challenging behaviors often displayed by “spirited” children.

Note: Rebecah will be addressing the class in real-time via video conference. She will be with you live and you’ll be able to interact with her for discussion and Q&A. There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome

Series dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, and 5/6

Sleep can often feel like the number one lost activity for new parents when the baby arrives. You may be up all night soothing a crying infant, exhausted from keeping up with your little one throughout the day, or just tired from trying to juggle life’s many tasks. At this workshop, we will talk about sleep patterns, locations, naps, night feedings, co-sleeping, healthy training, and much more! Bring your questions and come learn about what’s going on with your newborn. Julie Johnson, M.Ed., teacher, researcher, and certified Parenting Connection instructor, helps parents develop the strategies they need to nurture their child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Two part series: 4/23 & 4/30

Finding child care for your infant or toddler is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. There are a lot of things to consider, such as the cost, hours, and type of child care that is the best for your family. There are many questions about the difference between a family child care, a day care center, and all of your options. We’ll discuss each type of care so you can connect with the right provider. We’ll also cover how to screen and interview potential providers.

Note: There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome.

Brilliant Baby & College Fund Workshop
Are you worried about saving up for your baby’s college fund? Would you like to receive free financial coaching? If so, this information workshop is just for you! The Oakland Promise has a program that provides families with $500 as college fund seed money, financial advising, and coaching to improve families’ social emotional development and overall well-being. Is your family currently living in Oakland? Does your baby qualify for MediCal? Is your baby under 12 months old and is born in Alameda County? If your answer is “yes” to all these questions, attend an information and enrollment workshop so your baby can start their college fund with $500.

Brilliant Baby y Dinero para Fondo Universitario
¿Está preocupado/a por ahorrar para el fondo universitario de su bebé? ¡Si es así, este taller informativo es para usted! El programa Oakland Promise, proporciona familias con capital inicial de $500 para el fondo universitario, asesoramiento financiero, y entrenamiento para mejorar el desarrollo social y emocional y el bienestar general de la familia. ¿Actualmente vive su familia en Oakland? ¿Tiene su bebé Medi-Cal? ¿Tiene su bebé menos de 12 meses y nació en el condado de Alameda? Si su respuesta es sí a todas estas preguntas, asista a este taller de información e inscripción para que su bebé pueda comenzar su fondo universitario de $500.

Fathering From Within is a free four-part workshop series designed to empower fathers from the inside out. Offering personal tools that help to define or redefine one’s sense of identity and purpose and establish guiding principles for fatherhood, this series will help people to navigate relationships and social norms that may hinder effective parenting. Participants learn that everything we need to know about being a great dad is, and always has been, inside us. All we have to do is find it and share it with our children in order for their futures to be bright and promising.

Workshop facilitator Gaylon Logan, Jr has over 20 years of experience working with boys and men of color and their families. He is a father, grandfather, and the CEO of the nonprofit Village-Connect, Inc., which specializes in culture-based approaches to transformative change for individuals, groups, and families.

Dates: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, and 5/11

Congratulations on becoming a new mom! Right now you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are excited, worried, overwhelmed, or overjoyed, then you’re totally normal. Finding a circle of support is a great way to lessen the stress of caring for a newborn. At each of our support groups, moms will get to share their feelings, ask questions, and build friendships with one another. Come and join us and bring your baby along!

Series dates: 4/21, 4/26, 5/5, and 5/12

The Spirited Children series is back! Are you the parent of a child who is strong-minded and has intense feelings? Or a child who may have endless energy, gets easily frustrated, or is very shy? Would you like to learn parenting tools that work with your child’s personality and stage of development? Rebecah Freeling is a Parenting Coach who has 20 years of experience in early childhood education. You will learn ways to deal with tantrums, aggression, shyness, and other challenging behaviors often displayed by “spirited” children.

Note: Rebecah will be addressing the class in real-time via video conference. She will be with you live and you’ll be able to interact with her for discussion and Q&A. There is no child care provided for any of our parenting classes, but babies in arms are welcome

Series dates: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15, 4/22, 4/29, and 5/6

Sleep can often feel like the number one lost activity for new parents when the baby arrives. You may be up all night soothing a crying infant, exhausted from keeping up with your little one throughout the day, or just tired from trying to juggle life’s many tasks. At this workshop, we will talk about sleep patterns, locations, naps, night feedings, co-sleeping, healthy training, and much more! Bring your questions and come learn about what’s going on with your newborn. Julie Johnson, M.Ed., teacher, researcher, and certified Parenting Connection instructor, helps parents develop the strategies they need to nurture their child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Two part series: 4/23 & 4/30