Working to counteract racism, create opportunity for all children, and promote equity has been integral to the work of First 5 San Mateo County from our beginning more than 25 years ago. The events of the past few years—including both the racial justice movement sparked by the tragic death of George Floyd and the coronavirus pandemic that has disproportionately affected Black and Latino families—makes this work even more urgent.
First 5 San Mateo County has been engaged in efforts to promote racial equity both within our organization and in partnership with others. This page shares information and updates on some of the efforts, and will continue to be updated with additional information as the work evolves.
“Trauma-informed, healing-centered, and culturally responsive systems promote the safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments necessary to eliminate inequities and ensure healthy development for all children.”
– F5CA North Star Statement
“Our focus is on seeing inequity in the lives of children and families and trying to do something about it, because all children have the right to grow up healthy, safe, and with every opportunity.”
To that end, First 5 San Mateo County Commissioners and staff are engaging in a series of workshops focused on racial equity and how our work can address it.
In 2020, we issued ourselves the 21 Day Equity Challenge to further our personal understanding of and commitment to ending systemic racism. We invite our partners across the county to do the same.
For 21 days, take one step to further your understanding of power, privilege, white supremacy, oppression, and equity. Each day, choose to read, listen, watch, notice, connect, engage, or act. Try to diversify your habits across categories.
Record your process using the PDF linked below or a journal of your choosing.
This is based on the 21-day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge from Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., Debbie Irving, and Dr. Marguerite Penick Parks. Learn more at the link below.
© 2023 First 5 San Mateo County
Kitty Lopez has served as the Executive Director of First 5 San Mateo County since 2012, focusing on policy, advocacy and communications development. Additionally, she is the Chair of First 5 Association of California. Kitty previously served as the Executive Director of Samaritan House, one of the leading safety-net nonprofit agencies serving low-income families and individuals in San Mateo County with food, shelter, clothing, health care, counseling, education classes, and holiday assistance from 2002 to 2012.
Kitty taught kindergarten, second grade, and high school in the Bay Area and in Santa Barbara, and was a consultant in schools with children who have autism and special needs. Additionally, Kitty worked in a residential substance abuse treatment center in San Francisco and psychiatric hospital in San Diego.
She attended University of California Santa Barbara earning a California Teaching Credential and B.A in Psychology. Kitty is active in her community serving on several community boards including HEART (Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County), STEP (Success Through Education Program), and Past President and Current Member of the San Mateo Rotary Club.
