We “catch” the students who are on the verge of completely falling out of the education system. Acknowledge provides training and supervision to therapist interns who, in turn, provide counseling to students attending San Mateo County Court and Community Schools. 100% of these students are on probation or have been expelled. They are considered most at-risk because they are exposed to poverty, gangs, unstable homes and/or abuse in their daily lives. Students often share that our counselors are the first adult they have a positive relationship with.

Acknowledge Alliance provides a full breadth of school-based services wherever students and educators need it most. Our therapists offer guidance to educators and upcoming mental health professionals to help them effectively address students’ underlying social and emotional needs that sometimes hinder learning. Together, we create a consistent safety net on the frontline to keep students positively engaged in school regardless of their circumstances—ultimately leading to graduation, personal fulfillment and lifelong success.

The prevalence of mental disorders among youth in the general population is estimated to be about 22%; the prevalence rate for youth in the juvenile justice system is as high as 60%.

9 to 12 Court and

Community Schools

The Catch Before the Fall

of the San Mateo Court and Community students served reported that counseling helped them express their emotions constructively.

“Counseling was helpful to me because I felt I had someone I can trust and count on. It made me feel like people actually cared about me.” — Student

Nearly 50% of teachers leave their profession within the first 5 years.

Over 3 million elementary and middle school students are suspended per year.

K to 8

Schools

The Beginning Foundation

The relationship between students and teachers is at the heart of learning. Providing support to educators helps them better support and teach students. Starting at an early age, we shape the foundation for school readiness and achievement by: ü Mentoring educators through 1:1 consultations and support groups ü Embedding social emotional learning for the whole classroom

ü Offering counseling for students

of the educators served reported an increase in positive educator/student relationships.

“I feel like I am more relaxed at work, more able to empathize with my students, and a better, calmer, role model for the kids.” —Teacher

90%

Over 3 million public school students dropped out of high school in 2013. Only 43% of California students report feeling connected to their school.

Public High

Schools

The Transition to Success

After students exit from the Court and Community Schools, we help them smoothly transition back into their public high school by providing counseling and resources on campus. New challenges students often encounter include peer pressure and anonymity in a large school. Our counselors help students navigate the school system and motivate them to realize their full potential. Thoughts of attending college, becoming employed, and having a positive lifestyle are now within reach.

of the Transition Program students were enrolled in school and working towards high school graduation (or had already graduated).

“I want to thank my counselor for all she’s done and all the support that she has given me. She made me be a stronger person.” —Student

75% 87%

A Resilient & Compassionate

Safety Net

No matter what path a student is on, Acknowledge Alliance is available to support them and their whole school community. Thanks to you, thousands of students and educators are developing the social and emotional skills they need to succeed at school and in life.

FORMERLY The Cleo Eulau Center

Founded in 1994, Acknowledge Alliance is focused on creating classrooms where students want to learn and teachers want to teach. We provide a full breadth of school-based services wherever students and educators need the most support. Our impact reaches over 300 educators and 4,000 students in 18 schools within Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

2483 Old Middlefield Way, Suite 208 Mountain View, CA 94043 • www.AcknowledgeAlliance.org • 650-314-0180 @AcknowledgeAll Follow Us

5:00 Doors Open: Early Check-In

5:30 Silent Auction Hors D'oeuvres Wine Tasting — J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

6:15 Dinner Buffet Opens — Absolute Barbecue Company

6:30 Silent Auction Closes

6:45 to 8:00 Welcome Susan Williams-Clark, Executive Director

Educator Awards Robyn Cherry, Math & Science Teacher Melinda Fore, Educational Services Manager Live Auction Mark Alman, Auctioneer

Student Award Nick Jasso, Sequoia High School Student

Fund-the-Hope

Forget-Me-Not: Fields of Hope

May 7, 2015Holbrook-Palmer Park

A bright wildflower that grows in the shade Symbol of resilience, remembrance, and renewal

Napa Valley Getaway

Secluded Wine country BungaloW on tWo Wooded acreS in napa Valley

Nestled just two miles from Calistoga, this charming two bedroom house is the perfect home base for exploring the Napa and Sonoma Valleys! Dates for this two-night stay are available on various weekends until March 13, 2016 (based on VRBO occupany-check calendar at http://bit.ly/napahome). Included to enhance your weekend extravaganza and so forth: -A $100 gift certificate towards lunch at Bottega Napa Valley Ristorante -A 2015 Wine Passport for complimentary tastings in selected wineries within Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Oregon, and Washington

Value: $1,100 Donated by Sydney Lagier & Doug Wachtel, Bottega Ristorante, Napa Valley Passport

Paella Party

the perfect diSh to rally a circle of friendS!

Have an authentic taste of Spain and enjoy this specialty dish of Chet and Carla's at their beautiful home in San Francisco!

The paella pan will be filled with piping hot fresh seafood to the very brim...ready for your special party of eight to indulge and devour. Plenty of wine, appetizers, salad and dessert to go around too!

With scenic views of San Francisco and fun-loving hosts, this one-of-a-kind party will truly add some festive and delicious pizzazz to your next celebration!

Value: priceleSS

Donated and Hosted by Chet & Carla Villalba

Dining with the Stars

a Bay area culinary delight of4 Michelin-Starred reStaurantS

Four Michelin-starred restaurants offer the best of San Francisco Peninsula dining! Use these certificates to treat you and your date to an extraordinary gourmet experience. Each is valued at $200.

MaderaMenlo Park

Chez TJMountain View

The Plumed HorseSaratoga

The Village PubWoodside

Value: $800

Donated by Cindy & Wayne Davison, Terri & Tom Bailard

An Evening in Marrakesh

a SuMptiouS Moroccan feaSt in WelcoMing WoodSide hoMe

Slip into your most exotic clothes and wander into the hills to a refuge of candles, music and eclectic art from around the world.

Your friendly hosts will fete you with a lavishly-spiced Moroccan meal and elegantly paired wines as you enjoy your private “evening in Marrakesh.”

Your group of six friends will be attentively served by three couples intent on making your evening truly memorable!

Value: priceleSS

Donated and Hosted by Diane Toby & Jeff Lea

A Voyage At Sea

any 7-day holland aMerica line cariBBean or Mexico cruiSe for tWo

When you step aboard one of the five-star ships of Holland America Line, you will experience a voyage unlike any other.

Your journey will include spetacular dining, a spacious stateroom, elegant surroundings and days filled with new discoveries, memories and gracious pampering by an award-wining crew. Take sail on the next adventure of your choice to either the Carribean or Mexico, whenever you desire! This certificate has no expiration dates; is based on one minimum ocean view stateroom; and does not include taxes, onboard charges, or shore excursions.

Value: $2,800

Donated by

Value: infinitely priceleSS (lifetiMe guarantee)

When teachers face stress and burnout from classroom demands,

When students struggle under pressure and experience adversities,

When schools cope with tragic loss,

Acknowledge Alliance helps lend support, provide guidance, cultivate resilience, build strengths, and restore hope.

Help us create more classrooms.... where students want to learn and teachers want to teach.

Fund-the-Hope

Raise your paddle to make a gift tonight!

Robyn CherryOn top of the already difficult social and emotional changes middle school brings, so many of our students are struggling with stressors outside of school that I can’t even imagine having to deal with. Despite these circumstances, they still show up to school. That’s my inspiration. They show up to school, so I have the opportunity to help them build their character.

I can teach them compassion and empathy: to always treat others with kindness because you never know what they’re going through. I have the opportunity to teach my students coping mechanisms and how to be resilient, how to persevere through tough times, how to make difficult choices, and how to be a good friend. Because I take advantage of this opportunity, I think students feel safe, supported, confident, and often times just happy in my classroom.

This is what has inspired me everyday of my past 9 years of teaching. We can’t get students to understand how to divide fractions or explain the theory of Continental Drift when they are worried, anxious, angry, or depressed. When we teach the “whole child” they feel taken care of, which means we can get to focusing on that math and science.

Math & Science TeacherColumbia Middle SchoolSunnyvale School District

outStanding educator

If you think back on your school days, I’m sure you all remember one teacher (hopefully more than one) who was your favorite or who stood out as special because of who she or he was as a person and because of the relationship s/he had with you and with your classmates.

Robyn is one of those special teachers and it is a privilege to honor her today for her commitment to young people, their learning experience and their growth.

Since our mission at Acknowledge Alliance is centered on building relationships, I want to share some comments from people Robyn works with every day at school.

Here’s some of what her Principal, Mary Beth Allmann, had to say about her:

“If I’m 'stuck' in my office, I can go into Robyn’s class and it turns my day around. She’s the perfect example of showing how creating a really strong socially-emotionally sound or supportive classroom links to academic performance. She creates a safe space, a community where the students know she cares about them and when they can ask questions, support each other...and where everybody’s learning.”

Robyn’s partner in Columbia’s collaboration with Stanford Univer-sity’s Partnership Program (UPP), Jessica Salazar Adams, had this to say about working with Robyn:

“I feel entirely blessed to have been given the opportunity to work so closely with Ms. Cherry this year. When I started working at Columbia Middle School four years ago, Ms. Cherry did not hesitate to welcome me with open arms. Over the years, I've grown to know just how sweet and compassionate she is and the children’s adoration towards her serves as a true testament to her making a difference in their lives.”

It’s clear that Robyn makes a difference with everyone she comes in contact with, especially the 11, 12, and 13 year olds who are lucky to have her as their teacher, their families who she reaches out to and connects with, and the staff who experience her caring, calm, and, I would add, loving presence and spirit.

— Jean Hamilton, LMFT Resilience Consultant

Melinda Fore

Educational Services ManagerCommunity Schools Program

San Mateo County Office of Education

I grew up in Breckenridge, Texas which is a small town about 90 miles west of Fort Worth. I graduated from Texas Tech University and Texas Christian University. Fourteen years ago I moved to the Bay Area. What a wonderful place to live and work! When I am not working, I enjoy movies, baseball, college football, theater—especially Broadway musicals, and curling up with a good book.

I have been an educator for just over 20 years, 11 of those years as a principal. In addition to my administrative experience, I have been a classroom teacher and a Reading Recovery teacher.

It is an honor to be at the helm of the Community Schools Program where the adults are in a prime position to truly support young people. I find the students in my program to be some of the brightest and most talented students with whom I have worked. It is my hope that the time students spend in the Community Schools Program provides a respite—a time of reflection and renewed hope!

outStanding educator

Melinda Fore is the principal of the San Mateo County Community Schools, where she tenaciously loves, advocates for, and educates the students who attend, and mentors and encourages, and supports the teaching, probation, and administrative staff with whom she works.

Her students (sometimes affectionately called her “babies”) come first! She believes 100% in their ability to succeed and has gone the extra miles to create a safe and welcoming environment in which they can thrive. She is tuned into their individual needs, frequently identifying students who might need counseling or other resources and then doggedly making sure that happens. Melinda ensures that students can get the counseling they need from our program while working collaboratively with and supporting our interns.

Melinda is tuned into the collective needs of everyone at community schools, always looking to bring in the most up to date and effective programs and curriculum to provide her students (and staff) with every opportunity to learn, grow and succeed. She has incredible knowledge about education and policy and all that is required to be on the forefront in service of these kids. She is creative and flexible in her approach on a

day to day and minute to minute basis, in order to meet the needs of each student and situation in ways that have the most chance of working. She is the energizer bunny…sometimes a whirling dervish…and she gets the job done with tenacity, humor, and love.

Her tireless efforts to be everywhere, do everything, and yet fully embrace and support everyone working for and with her will leave you in awe. As said by one of her staff members: “She has organized and structured Gateway (a school most considered the toughest), in a way that is seamless and easy to follow.” Other staff talked with me about how inspired as well as supported they feel by her leadership style, leaving them wanting to be their very best.

Every time I walk on the Gateway campus, it is a happy and safe place to be...you can feel it from the kids and the staff. I can’t tell you how important this is for these disenfranchised kids. For most of them, school has merely been a place of shame and frustration. We all know that creating a positive and enriching environment like this comes from the top down…Melinda, you are Tops!! — Judith Gable, LCSW Collaborative Counseling Program Director

Nick Jasso

Hope has changed my life. I am a senior at Sequoia High School, less than a month away from

graduating – a place I thought I would never arrive. I feel blessed to be here and have this opportunity.

I hope to keep chasing my dreams and one day become a firefighter.

Nick is a young man who has faced much adversity. He experienced manydifficulties as a child and battled more tribulations as a teen. He came to our Transition Program in 2012 at Sequoia High School. He was ready to persevere. He took advantage of several support systems and many opportunities that were offered to him, the Transition Program being one of them. While receiving our services, I watched him blossom. He is an amazingly accomplished son and grandson, student, mentor, role-model and soon to be a 2015 Sequoia High School graduate!!

— Kristal Sanchez-Navarro, PsyD Transition Program Therapist

outStanding role Model

A huge thank YOU to all our guests and donors! We'd also like to acknowledge the generous individuals and businesses who have contributed to Forget-Me-Not.

Bob BeyerSteve Hope Linda Keegan Brooke KernickSusan Levenberg

Grainger Marburg Bridgett LongustDeborah Tanaka-LaudeChet Villalba

Jane Bryan-Jones & Hardy JonesCindy & Wayne DavisonPenny GoldcampSally & Craig FalkenhagenJohn Kriewall & Betsy Haehl

Susan Levenberg & Paul PodridBridgett LongustMary Lou & Tony SchiavoMarilyn Stallings

Authentic You 49ers Bay Area Discovery Museum Bob Beyer Bottega Ristorante California Academy of Sciences Celebrity Forum Chet & Carla VillalbaChristine Chang Cindy & Wayne Davison Cline Cellars Crystal Springs Golf Course Deborah Tanaka-Laude

Diane Moon Diane Toby & Jeff Lea Disneyland Resort Domaine ChandonExploratorium Helen & David MacKenzieHobee's Holland America LineJessica Yuen Jory MoonLedson Winery Linda Keegan MarketMe Video Napa Valley Passport Napa & Sonoma Valley Bike Tours

Pier 39 Pomegranate Seed Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Sarah Kremer & Lauren Owenmark San Jose GiantsSavannah Chanelle VineyardsSusan Williams-Clark Sydney Lagier & Doug WatchelTerri & Tom BailardThe CounterWhole Foods Market

Susan Williams-Clark Judy BullochChris Chiochios Beverly Corriere Maya Drori Judith Gable Gladys Gudino Jean HamiltonJane HaddowSarah Kremer

Tracy Lyons Lisa Medoff Diane Moon Kristal Sanchez-Navarro Carmen Enciso-SteinbergWendy Salazar Mary SylvesterBeth Walton Tracy WhiteJessica Yuen

Ashley Altmeyer Anistasia Anishchenko Ryan Ansarra Emily Artusio Crystal Cajilog Scott ChristensenSuzanne ColemanTara Collins

Kate DeatonJulia HammettEileen LindgrenLauren Lowe Nancy RamirezKira SteifmanJohn Talaga

Board of Directors

Acknowledge Staff

Acknowledge Interns

Leadership Committee

Auction Donors (as of 4/21)

PhotographerKenneth Chung

Wine Tasting SponsorJ. Lohr Vineyards & Wines