Volunteer Spotlight: Taylor Epstein

One of the ways Family House is able to secure funding is through our annual Cabernet for Connoisseurs and Gala events each year. A critical component to these events are our volunteers. We heavily depend on our Captain volunteers to help our staff run an efficient event with over 100 volunteers supporting. Once such incredible Volunteer Captain is Taylor Epstein. Taylor has been volunteering with Family House since 2013 and the majority of the time is spent at our events.

Taylor is a Pro at managing volunteers to work the silent auction and to bring in much needed funds to Family House. Coming from the nonprofit world she understands how important volunteer engagement is and its effect on fundraising. Even though Taylor has a full time job, she still finds time to help and volunteer on weekends for Family House. She has become an integral part of the Volunteer Program by supporting volunteer group activities on a regular basis.

Thank you, Taylor, for all you have done over the past 5 years and we hope that you continue to volunteer with Family House for many years to come!

23rd Annual Cabernet for Connoisseurs

Can we just say WOW?! The 23rd Annual Cabernet for Connoisseurs was our most incredible event yet, and our most successful! A huge thank you to event co-chairs Jeff Smith and Scott Miller, and our amazing event committee (Carolyn Duryea, Steve Goldfarb, Susie Heller, Kimberly Jones, Lorcan Kearney, John Kugler, Adriel Lares, Kim Murphy, Bob Nibbi, Bill Shea, Dan Toney, Alex Virgilio, Spencer Wang, Faith Wheeler, Michelle Yoshinaka, Debbie Zachareas), for putting together such an outstanding event! We absolutely could not have done it without all 41 pouring vintners - representing the best of the best of Napa and Sonoma wines. Thank you to our lead sponsors, The Kalmanovitz Charitable Foundation and Pamela & George Hamel, Jr.,  to all who sponsored the event, donated, attended, and volunteered - it was indeed a night to remember!

More photos available at http://www.facebook.com/familyhousesanfrancisco

Feelings Cards

Sometimes, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to use your mental energy to help resolve your feelings. We created a set of “feelings cards” that are in every guest room at Family House. They may not fix everything, but sometimes a simple reminder can be enough to help you on a path to feeling better.

One mom asked if we have any cards for when you go home... Family Services Coordinator Elan Slavin came up with a few ideas that someone can use from anywhere!

I’m Feeling Lonely
You Can…

- Call or text a friend… “just to say hi!”

- Reach out to your trusted support network
- Ask for a hug

I’m Feeling Creative
You Can…

- Gather a few art supplies (even a piece of paper and a pen will do), walk outside, and find inspiration in nature around you

- Do a five minute writing exercise:
    - Define Love
    - Normal is…
    - List 5 things you expect in a good friend
    - List 3 things you DIDN’T do this weekend
    - Name one food you will never give up

I’m Feeling Frustrated
You Can…

- Take 3 deep, slow breadths and count to 10

- Reach out to someone you trust, who is a good listener - and vent!

- Create a “pros and cons” list of what’s frustrating you

- Visualize your HAPPY PLACE

I’m Feeling Happy
You Can…

- Start a Gratitude journal!

- Start by listing the top 3 things in your life to be grateful for

- Play! Go outside & enjoy some fresh air

- Find some “me” time - do what you love to do most

- Pay it Forward - do one thing kind for someone else



Have more ideas? We’d love to hear them!

Staff Spotlight: Araceli Guerrero

Name: Araceli Guerrero

Where did you grow up? In El Salvador

Position at Family House: Housekeeping

Reason for working at Family House: I love the families, I love my job, I like all the staff in Family House - everyone is very nice.

Favorite thing to do in San Francisco: Walk, enjoy the weather, visit friends.

What makes you special? I am a very simple person and I feel special because I am a mom of four wonderful kids. 2 girls - 18  and 17, and two boys - 13 and 7, who are in El Salvador.