Chinese Health Initiative Co-Chair Inducted Into San Mateo County 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame
2/21- 2026 Black History Month Educational Experience
Mark your calendars! African American Community Initiative (AACI) is hosting their 2026 Black History Month celebration! This year’s event will be an educational experience: a tour of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center in Redwood City.
Registration is required for this event. See more info below.
Date: Sat, 2/21/26
Time: 12:00PM- 3:00PM PST
Location: Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center (890 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City)
Contact: Dee Pennix at AACIInitiative@gmail.com
Media Notice:
This event will have photography and videography. Your entrance into the event area constitutes your full consent to being filmed and photographed by the County of San Mateo. The County of San Mateo reserves the right to use any photography or film taken in the event area
without providing compensation to you. Such use by County may include, but is not limited to, postings to social media or websites, and/or use in promotional or informational materials in any medium.
You agree to release and discharge the County of San Mateo, its agents, representatives, assigns, and licensees from all claims, demands, and liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use of your likeness.
Alternatively, if you wish to participate/attend the event, but do not wish to have your photograph used in accordance with the above notice, please contact an Event Organizer.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026BHM
About AACI:
The mission of the African American Community Initiative is to become a known resource for African American Community members facing challenges with finding and utilizing mental health services, while addressing inequalities faced by African Americans in our county. Our vision is to build a community driven support system for reducing mental health and substance use treatment disparities, and the stigma of mental illness.
Learn more about their work here.
The Health Ambassador Program Through Photovoice | Las Voces de Programa Embajador de Salud a Través de FotoVoz
Version en Español abajo
From November 3 to November 20, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) hosted a powerful and deeply reflective Photovoice series honoring the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of longstanding Health Ambassadors. Designed as both a space for healing and a platform for storytelling, the series brought together BHRS Health Ambassadors across generations to uplift community narratives rooted in resilience, service, and collective care.
The series was facilitated by community partner and Parent Project facilitator José Luis Aguirre of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Community Alliance to Recognize Our Neighborhoods (CARON), alongside Brenda Nunez, ODE Diversity and Equity Council co-chair and former Health Ambassador Youth Lead. Together, they fostered a supportive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed learning environment where ambassadors could reflect and share their stories with authenticity.
This Photovoice series held special significance as it marked the culmination of the Fall 2025 Health Ambassador Program (HAP) cohort and served as a meaningful lead-up to the HAP Graduation and 10-Year Celebration. Spanish-speaking Health Ambassadors from multiple generations closed out their HAP training by creating Photovoice projects that reflected their lived experiences, leadership journeys, and long-standing commitment to their communities and to HAP.
The series consisted of four interactive classes that introduced participants to the purpose and process of Photovoice, emphasized collaboration, and supported ambassadors in developing visual narratives that honored both personal and collective experiences. Ambassadors reflected on two guiding prompts: “How has becoming a Health Ambassador impacted your life?” and “How has what you have learned as a Health Ambassador impacted the lives of your loved ones, your community, and BHRS?”
Through these reflections, ambassadors shared powerful stories rooted in healing, resilience, and service. Many of the Photovoices represented more than a decade of dedication to the BHRS Health Ambassador Program. The series reached a milestone, with 25 ambassadors contributing to 26 completed Photovoice projects, highlighting the depth and intergenerational strength of HAP.
On November 20, ambassadors presented their Photovoices to fellow Health Ambassadors, BHRS ODE staff, and loved ones. These projects were later displayed on December 12 at the HAP Graduation and 10-Year Celebration, where over 200 attendees viewed the Photovoices in both Spanish and English.
This impactful series was made possible through the leadership of the Health Ambassadors; Charo Martinez, HAP Coordinator; Maria Martinez, HAP Lead; Nicoletta Kelleher, ODE Photovoice Coordinator; and facilitators Brenda Nunez and José Luis Aguirre with CARON. The Health Ambassador Program serves as a vital bridge between BHRS and the diverse communities of San Mateo County, providing trusted information, compassion, and culturally responsive, trauma-informed support. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Health Ambassadors for their unwavering dedication and commitment to community healing and health equity.
Las Voces de HAP a Través de FotoVoz
Del 3 al 20 de noviembre, la Oficina de Diversidad y Equidad (ODE) de Servicios de Salud Conductual y Recuperación (BHRS) llevó a cabo una poderosa y profundamente reflexiva serie de FotoVoz, honrando las voces, el liderazgo y las experiencias vividas de las Embajadoras de Salud con una larga trayectoria. Diseñada como un espacio de sanación y una plataforma para contar historias, la serie reunió a BHRS Embajadoras de Salud de distintas generaciones para resaltar narrativas comunitarias basadas en la resiliencia, el servicio y el cuidado colectivo.
La serie fue facilitada por el facilitador de Parent Project, José Luis Aguirre, de la Alianza Comunitaria para Reconocer Nuestros Vecindarios (CARON) de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de San Mateo, junto con Brenda Nunez, copresidenta del Consejo de Diversidad y Equidad de ODE y ex Líder del Programa de Embajador de Salud para Jóvenes. Ambos, crearon un entorno de aprendizaje solidario, culturalmente receptivo y con enfoque informado en el trauma, donde los embajadores pudieron reflexionar y compartir con autenticidad.
Esta serie de FotoVoz tuvo un significado especial al marcar el cierre de la generación de Otoño 2025 del Programa Embajador de Salud (HAP) y servir como antesala de la Graduación de HAP y la Celebración de sus 10 Años. Embajador@s de habla hispana, de múltiples generaciones, concluyeron su capacitación creando proyectos de FotoVoz que reflejaron sus experiencias vividas, sus trayectorias de liderazgo y su compromiso duradero con sus comunidades y con HAP.
La serie consistió en cuatro clases interactivas que presentaron el propósito y el proceso del FotoVoz, fomentaron la colaboración y apoyaron a l@s embajador@s en el desarrollo de narrativas visuales que honraron experiencias tanto personales como colectivas. Las reflexiones se guiaron por dos preguntas: ¿Cómo ha impactado tu vida el convertirte en Embajad@r de Salud? y ¿Cómo ha impactado lo que has aprendido como Embajad@r de Salud a tus seres queridos, tu comunidad y a BHRS?
A través de estas reflexiones, los embajadores compartieron historias poderosas de sanación, resiliencia y servicio. Muchas de las obras representaron más de una década de dedicación al Programa Embajador de Salud de BHRS. La serie alcanzó un logro importante, con 25 embajador@s que crearon 26 proyectos FotoVoz, demostrando la profundidad y fortaleza intergeneracional de HAP.
El 20 de noviembre, los embajadores presentaron sus FotoVoces a otros Embajador@s de Salud, personal de BHRS ODE y seres queridos. Posteriormente, el 12 de diciembre, los proyectos se exhibieron durante la Graduación de HAP y Celebración de los 10 Años, donde más de 200 asistentes los apreciaron en español e inglés.
Esta serie fue posible gracias al liderazgo de los Embajadores de Salud y de Charo Martinez, Coordinadora de HAP; Maria Martinez, Líder de HAP; Nicoletta Kelleher, Coordinadora de Photovoice de ODE; y las facilitadoras Brenda Nunez y José Luis Aguirre con CARON. El Programa Embajador de Salud continúa siendo un puente vital entre BHRS y las diversas comunidades del Condado de San Mateo, brindando información confiable, compasión y apoyo culturalmente receptivo e informado en el trauma. Expresamos nuestro más profundo agradecimiento a los Embajadores de Salud por su compromiso constante con la sanación comunitaria y la equidad en salud.
Celebrating 100 Messengers of Hope at the BHRS Health Ambassador Graduation
On December 12, 2025, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) celebrated a major milestone at the BHRS Health Ambassador Program (HAP) graduation. Guided by the theme “10 Years of Connection, Trust, and Healing — 100 Messengers of Hope,” the event honored a decade of community-led impact and the largest graduating class in the program’s history.
More than 200 community members, clients, partners, and BHRS staff gathered to celebrate this achievement. With the addition of this cohort, the Health Ambassador Program has surpassed 100 graduates—each one a trusted messenger of hope who bridges systems and communities. Health Ambassadors support individuals, families, and the behavioral health workforce by sharing culturally responsive information, expanding awareness of services, strengthening pathways into behavioral health careers, and connecting people to care throughout San Mateo County.
Data from the Health Ambassador Program year-end report, fiscal year 24-25, reinforces what was felt throughout the celebration. Health Ambassadors consistently report increased confidence, deeper knowledge of behavioral health, and a greater ability to support others in navigating care. Ambassadors most frequently connect people to BHRS clinics and trusted community-based organizations, settings known for accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and community trust. Each Ambassador represents countless conversations, referrals, and moments of support that strengthen the county’s behavioral health ecosystem.
For ten years, the Health Ambassador Program has centered lived experience, cultural humility, and community voice—empowering participants to develop leadership skills, reduce stigma, advocate for wellness, and foster healing through connection. As systems continue to evolve, Health Ambassadors remain essential partners in behavioral health transformation, offering early support, promoting dignity, and ensuring care is navigated with understanding and compassion.
Congratulations to the newest class of BHRS Health Ambassadors and thank you to all who have been part of this ten-year journey. Your voices matter. Your leadership matters. And your impact continues to grow—rippling hope, trust, and healing throughout our communities.
2026 George Culores Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open
The George Culores Hall of Fame award recognizes consumer/clients who have made contributions to better the lives of other consumer/clients; shown leadership in the consumer movement or have a personal journey of recovery that inspires and gives hope to others.
Deadline to submit a nomination form is January 9, 2026. See nomination form below.
The award will be presented at the Behavioral Health Commission meeting on February, 4, 2026.
Learn more about the George Culores Hall of Fame Award here.
BHRS Director’s Newsletter – December 2025
Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa!
Topics include:
- 2025 Highlights
- 2025 Clients Served
- Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care: A Spotlight on HR360 Residential Programs
- Dr. Africa Awarded Health Equity Champion Silver Star at CBHA Awards
- Provider Opportunity to Implement Evidence-Based Practices
- Phoenix Garden Installs French Drain in Time for Rains
Hispanic Heritage Photovoices Displayed at Sana Sana Colita de Rana Event
Beginning on September 22nd and finishing on October 20th, the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity launched their 4-part Hispanic Heritage Photovoice series. This series celebrates Hispanic Heritage month by sharing how one’s family traditions, stories, and/or values connect an individual to their Hispanic heritage. This Photovoice series was particularly impactful because it was our first Spanish Photovoice since the re-launch of Photovoice in 2025. This series was facilitated by our longstanding community partner, Jose Luis Aguirre, who also facilitates our Spanish Parent Project courses. In addition, this series was very important for our Health Ambassador Program as it served as the final course (5 out of the 11 training offerings) for our prospective Health Ambassadors to become official Health Ambassadors. During graduation, we had family guests join and view the final Photovoices.
Now more than ever, it is vital that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage and culture to honor the importance that cultural values and identity plays in one’s behavioral health. For this reason, on Saturday, November 15th, we displayed these Photovoices at our 12th annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana event hosted by our BHRS ODE Health Equity Initiative, Latino/a/x Collaborative. Translated in English and Spanish, the Photovoices successfully promoted the Latino/a/x Collaborative’s mission to enhance health and wellness within the Latino/a/x community in San Mateo County. These final projects were displayed at the event, amplifying Hispanic Heritage while decreasing the stigma associated with seeking behavioral and recovery services and sharing lived experiences.
Written by Nicoletta Kelleher (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity
BHSA 3-Year Integrated Plan Community Survey
Hello! You are invited to participate in the Prop 1 – Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Three-Year Integrated Plan Community Survey. The goal of the survey is to gather community perspectives and prioritize strategies related to seven statewide behavioral health goals, to help inform the BHSA Three-Year Integrated Plan. Through this survey, we want to hear from you on which strategies will have the greatest impact over the next three years. Your input is very valuable and appreciated!
The survey is anonymous and should take approximately 7-10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation!
For English: CLICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY (ENG), or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/BHSA-Community-Survey
For Spanish: ClICK HERE FOR THE SURVEY (SP), or copy and paste the URL into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/BHSA-Community-Survey-Spanish
If you have any questions or challenges accessing the survey link, please contact Sofia Recalde at srecalde@smcgov.org. Thank you for your participation!
FREE Thanksgiving Day Meal @ the King Center in San Mateo
Greetings Community,
Samaritan House is hosting a FREE Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 27th from 11:30am-3:30pm at the Martin Luther King Community Center, 725 Monte Diablo Avenue in San Mateo. In addition to a meal, there will be raffles, music and community connections.
The flier is attached in multiple languages.
Please share with others! Everyone is welcome!
BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity Wins 2025 Countywide Dance-Off!
The BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) danced their way to victory in the 2025 Countywide Dance-Off Video Competition, proudly taking home the first-ever Dance-Off Trophy! Competing under the name “Keeping It ODE School,” the team impressed with their creativity, rhythm, and infectious joy, earning top marks for spirit, teamwork, and inclusivity.
What made this year’s win even more meaningful was ODE’s commitment to making their performance accessible and inclusive for all participants. The team designed their performance to be ADA-accessible, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, could participate fully and comfortably. This intentional inclusivity reflects BHRS’s core values and demonstrates how fun and equity can go hand in hand.
Beyond the dance floor, this win highlights the importance of staff wellness, morale, and connection. In a field where we spend so much time supporting others, it’s vital to nurture our own sense of joy and belonging. The dance competition offered a chance for movement, laughter, and creativity, building stronger bonds among colleagues and reinforcing the healing power of fun and community.
Participating in this friendly countywide challenge also fostered team building and connection, allowing staff to engage in new ways outside their usual roles. The experience showcased ODE’s collaborative spirit, positive energy, and unwavering commitment to equity in all that they do.
As the proud recipients of the first County Dance-Off Trophy, Keeping It ODE School encourages other BHRS teams to join the fun next year! This competition isn’t just about winning, it’s about wellness, inclusion, and celebrating the creativity that makes our workforce so vibrant.
Congratulations to the ODE team for setting the standard for joy, inclusion, and community connection, one dance step at a time!
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