At SAY San Diego, we value diversity in our workforce and all of our relationships as a vital, creative and moral strength and key to our success.

We intentionally engage and embrace diverse experiences, perspectives and talents.

We promote equity, opportunity and well-being by acting to rebalance power and privilege within our organization, relationships, communities and the larger society.

We advocate for anti-racism and against discrimination in all forms, by acting to prevent and remove racial, ethnic and other forms of inequitable treatment and disparities in the systems, practices and policies related to our work, including systems such as education, healthcare, juvenile/criminal justice and child welfare, among others. We understand that systemic change is complex and requires many allies learning and working together to create durable positive change.

We honor the power and rights of all peoples to come together in a safe inclusive environment.

We recruit, hire, train, support and promote a diverse and inclusive board and workforce, in all ways that people identify themselves, including race, ethnicity, origin language, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military or veteran status, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age. Going forward, SAY will incorporate any and all protected characteristics.

We also recognize that work on diversity and inclusion and racial equity evolves over time and will be continuously improved. We are open to learning and developing this work together.

In gratitude for all that you and we do every day,

Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CEO

The Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has radically changed the lives of all individuals. There are victims of abuse that have the added crisis of being quarantined at home with an abuser and/or social distancing from the community at a time they really need guidance and help. SAY San Diego would like to create awareness about those individuals in the “shadows” of the pandemic. 

Here’s how COVID-19 could uniquely impact intimate partner violence survivors:

• Abusive partners may withhold necessary items, such as hand sanitizer or disinfectants.
• Abusive partners may share misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten survivors, or to prevent them from seeking appropriate medical attention if they have symptoms.
• Abusive partners may withhold insurance cards, threaten to cancel insurance, or prevent survivors from seeking medical attention if they need it.
• Programs that serve survivors may be significantly impacted –- shelters may be full or may even stop intakes altogether. Survivors may also fear entering shelter because of being in close quarters with groups of people.
• Survivors who are older or have chronic heart or lung conditions may be at increased risk in public places where they would typically get support, like shelters, counseling centers, or courthouses.
• Travel restrictions may impact a survivor’s escape or safety plan – it may not be safe for them to use public transportation or to fly.
• An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing violence, here are a few suggestions that may help: 

• Create a safety plan to outline ways to remain safe while you are in your current situation, planning to leave, or after you leave.
• Practice self-care as much as possible.
• If it is safe, reach out for help and try to maintain social connections through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media platforms.

National Domestic Violence Hotline for any victims and survivors who need support 24/7 call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY, or if you are unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.

1)Spreading Information and Resources 

SAY San Diego’s is sharing information and facts on domestic violence awareness month to help educate our individuals, families, and communities better. You can find this information on our blog, Facebook, or Twitter accounts. We encourage all members of the SAY SD community to repost and share information to spread awareness. Sharing information and educating your friends and families is the first step in preventing domestic violence. There are also resources included on how to intervene and get help if you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence.  

2)October 8^th Kickoff 

On October 8^th, SAY San Diego kicked off DV Awareness Month by wearing purple VIRTUALLY!  We encourage all our SAY followers to join us this month by wearing purple for DV Awareness Month to your workplaces, grocery stores, community areas, etc. and share why! Share with us on our social media the creative ways your families, teams, organizations, etc.  participated in showing up in purple! We want to recognize those partnering with us in our efforts to raise awareness.  

SAY San Diego strives for a future without intimate partner violence. Domestic violence is a problem and SAY wants to be part of the solution by raising awareness to those that have loved ones in an abusive situation. In order to end domestic violence, it is important that everyone does their part.  October is domestic violence awareness month.¹ 

You may find a list of local domestic violence resources HERE.

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, batter, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Domestic violence is prevalent in EVERY community, and affects all people regardless of age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.  

National 

• In the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. 
• On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive over 19,000 calls. 
• Intimate partner violence is most common against women between the ages of 18-24 

California²  

• 32.9 % of California women and 27.3% of California men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes. 
• In a single day, domestic violence shelters served almost 5,800 women and children.
• Between 2009 and 2011, while other types of homicides decreased, domestic violence fatalities in California increased by 11%. 

1 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2020). Domestic violence. Retrieved from https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/domestic_violence-2020080709350855.pdf?1596811079991. 

2 National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2016). Domestic violence in California. Retrieved from www.ncadv.org/files/California.pdf 

SAY San Diego is partnering with Live Well San Diego to join with our community in raising awareness about mental health. We encourage our SAY members to join in VIRTUALLY on October 8th for Check Your Mood 2020. You can get FREE mental health resources and take an online self-assessment. Getting screened is a vital part of any healthcare checkup and matters just as much as a physical one! Here are the ways you can participate with us: 

1) Save the Date in Your Calendar! 

2) Share the flyer below with your friends, families, or coworkers! 

3) Connect with us on social media and like, repost and share content we will be uploading leading up to October 8th! 

4) Join SAY staff, volunteers and community members on October 8th as we complete the self-administered screenings! 

2020-CYM-flyer-Span 2020-CYM-flyer-Eng

Part time and full day enrollment is underway at SAY San Diego!  Dingeman site (school age) in the Scripps Ranch area and at the Early Childhood Center (infant/preschool) in Kearny Mesa are ready to welcome your children.

See program and registration info below.  Email us at sayextendeddayprograms@saysandiego.org with questions or for further assistance.

Have a school age kiddo?  Dingeman is ready!  With two separate program offerings per day, children may sign up for one or both. With the new health and safe protocols in place, space is limited, so register today!   Check out more information, pricing and registration HERE.

• Dingeman Location: 11838 Scripps Creek Dr., San Diego, CA 92131
• AM Session- 7:30am-3:00pm Includes individual distance learning student support, enrichment activities and healthy snacks.  Students will need to bring their personal device, class schedule and bag lunch for the day.  Students will be required to wear a mask during program participation.
• PM Session- 3:00pm-6:00pm Includes small group enrichment activities such as outdoor games and fitness, arts and crafts, social-emotional engagements and more.  A PM snack will be included. All students will be required to wear a mask during program participation.

Have an infant or preschooler? The Early Childhood Center (ECC) reopening is now planned for October 1st, 2020.  Open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 with an extended day option until 6pm if needed for children 2 years old to 5 years old. The Center also offers 2,3, or 5-day options. The infant room hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only for children 6 weeks old to 24 months.  Flex fees available and alternative payment options accepted.  Check out more information, pricing and registration HERE.

• ECC Location: 4775 Viewridge Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
• This nurturing and responsive center, in addition to more outdoor learning, now also includes enhanced sanitation practices, physical distancing guidelines, hygiene, and screening practices.

#LIGHTOURWAY2020

Class of 2020’s High School seniors won’t be able to walk the stage, shake hands with the Principal, or celebrate with their friends this year. During this time of social isolation, it’s important to show up for our youth, let them know we are proud of their accomplishments, and mark this important milestone.

Join SAY San Diego in making this a Memorable Graduation! We have 3 days and 3 ways to celebrate! Use the hashtag #LIGHTOURWAY2020 on social media so seniors can see your post!

Monday June 8 – Spotlight on Seniors

Post a photo of your graduate online, along with a message of congratulations. Create and post a yard or window sign in their honor.

Tuesday June 9 – Celebrate

Make and post a short video describing how you are celebrating your graduate on their big day. String lights on porches and balconies and in windows, create a sidewalk chalk art message, organize a drive through graduation celebration.

Wednesday June 10 – Inspire

Post a short inspirational message to graduates, or in a short video, share a life lesson that will guide them into adulthood.

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Versión en español 

Today, SAY San Diego joins with his family, friends and community—nationwide and right here in San Diego—to grieve the senseless, unjust death of George Floyd at the hands of police. We are in pain. We are also at a pivotal moment. George Floyd’s killing underscores racial injustice that takes an ugly toll daily across our nation. It places a bright spotlight on the immoral legacy of ongoing racial hatred and systemic racism where systems fail to protect and serve all people of color, and most acutely Black and Latinx people.

Today we say their names because this moment demands real change and real action: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, and far too many more.

The key question of this moment for SAY San Diego as an organization whose mission is to heal, to advocate and to lift every voice, is what will we do?  All of us have a role. Now more than ever SAY San Diego as an organization and each of us as individuals recommit to doing more and redoubling our focus on undoing racially unjust and harmful policies. We will re-examine our own institutional norms, biases, privileges and practices to ensure that we are anti-racist and undoing racism.

SAY San Diego’s board, staff, program participants, partners and communities will continue to create the vision we hold, but have not yet achieved, of opportunity, equity and well-being for all.  SAY San Diego joins with all who seek to bring people together by acknowledging racial divides, seeking to understand root causes of racism and oppression, listening more deeply, and recommitting to solutions that heal and produce durable, positive change.

With our thanks,

Nancy Gannon Hornberger, SAY San Diego President & CEO
LaDreda Lewis, SAY San Diego Board Chair