Courtesy of San Benito High School:
Parent University, coordinated by San Benito High School 2003 alumna Lorena Villagómez, is open to all ninth- through 12th-grade students in San Benito County. Its inaugural events, beginning this month, include topics such as mental health first aid, post-secondary options for students, and information about minimizing the opiod epidemic. (Click here for the flyer)
With funding from a Proposition 47 grant, Parent University supports students and parents in the San Benito High School District, the San Benito County Office of Education and the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, addressing issues such as chronic truancy, family engagement and community partnerships.
Villagómez, who played soccer and ran cross country while a student at SBHS, was also involved with the Associated Student Body (ASB) and community service clubs on and off campus. The 2006 graduate of CSU Stanislaus and mother of a 2-year-old earned a sociology degree from CSUS and a master’s degree from San Jose State University.
She worked at San Jose State University and supported at-risk middle school and high school students to prepare for college, working as a college advisor for the past 6 1/2 years.
The first of the upcoming Parent University events, in partnership with the SBHS L.E.A.D. program, will focus on mental health first aid. On Wednesday, April 25, a local therapist will help the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. The event, like all three of the informational events, will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the San Benito High School Library, 1220 Monterey St. in Hollister.
Free childcare, a light dinner, coffee and refreshments will be available.
The following Wednesday, May 2, will focus on post-secondary options for high school students, who will be able to explore the variety of options available to them after graduation, including college, the military, trades and certificates.
The May 9 event will focus on awareness and education surrounding the opiod epidemic affecting the San Benito community. Discussion will include how to identify signs, symptoms and resources.
All presentations will also be available in Spanish.
For more information, contact Villagómez by phone at 831-637-5831, ext. 194 or by email at [email protected].
Parent University open to all students, parents
