A Future for Families- an Exclusive Interview with KidsFirst

Interview conducted and written by Stephanie O.

As the school season has arrived for most students in the Northern Hemisphere, families

are looking to their communities for help during these tough times due to COVID-19. Whether it’s school counseling or mental health check-ups, families are in dire need of assistance.

Luckily, there’s a light in the dark. Help comes in the form of united communities,

organizations, and individuals that are dedicated to helping the world one step at a time.

Take Placer County, for example. A small, quiet, Northern Californian county that has

been, like so many other counties, impacted by the state of the world. So who’s there to help?

This is the question that KidsFirst is the answer to. KidsFirst is a local non-profit

organization that is dedicated to providing free resources to families in Placer County. Their

services include therapy, education, child abuse, and neglect prevention, and much more.

KidsFirst also serves as the Child Abuse Prevention Council for Placer County.

We were so grateful to be given the privilege to speak to Alexa Bandala, a

Communications Specialist at KidsFirst. She gave us important insight into the work KidsFirst

does and how it impacts the community.

Interview

All responses have been shortened and paraphrased for brevity.

1. What is KidsFirst’s most proud accomplishment?

I’d say that the work our therapists and case managers have done is KidsFirst’s proudest

accomplishment. They inspire me to do my work and they’re very important to KidsFirst. They help strengthen and empower families, create safer environments for children, and prevent child abuse and neglect. They also provide education and counseling, services that are usually not covered by insurance. All the services they provide are completely free for anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Placer County.

2. Can you tell me about the work KidsFirst does and the programs you run?

So pre-COVID, KidsFirst had a summer camp for young, middle-school girls. It was

called the Girl Leader Empowerment Camp, and it gathered women speakers and leaders to

talk to these young girls. They’d learn leadership skills, and start thinking about their careers,

goals, dreams, and aspirations. Another program that went on pre-COVID was our in-person parenting classes. We now hold these classes over Zoom. It’s for parents with children of all age ranges: from parents with teenagers, to new parents who are just starting their parenting journey.

In fact, there’s a Forever Fathers group that serves as a father support group. Fathers

learn their rights as a dad, how to support their family, and are given a safe space to talk. Some fathers that are court-ordered to take this class end up being the biggest advocates for the program.

3. As a follow-up, what differentiates you from other organizations? What’s a typical

workday like, and what advice would you give to your community right now?

As Placer County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council, we’re always in touch with the

county... So something that differentiates KidsFirst from other organizations is how adaptable we are. For example, we serve a large Hispanic community so all our services are available, in both Spanish and English. We will always adapt to the needs of our community. We don’t just provide the basic services we think people need. We are here to help, plain and simple.

4. What are your plans for the future?

At KidsFirst, there’s a heavy emphasis on preventing child abuse and neglect. We want

to continue the work we’re doing: educating and empowering families, working alongside

government services, and prevention. If we can prevent something before it happens- abuse,

neglect, separations- then we’re one step closer to creating a safer, happier, and healthier

community. Before we close this interview with our thoughts, we’d simply like to extend our gratitude towards Alexa Bandala for taking the time to sit down and give us perspective into the important work that is being done at KidsFirst.

Personal Insight

Highlighting an organization like KidsFirst is so critical, especially in times like these.

Something that stuck with me during this interview was Alexa’s mention of how the youth will

inherit the world and its problems. What the new generation will do with these problems is up to us. In the meantime, agencies like KidsFirst will do everything they can to set future generations up for success!

Breaking the cycle of abuse is a struggle for power for those involved. It may not happen in one generation, but it can be done eventually. The youth must play their role in abolishing an unjust circle of injustice, poverty, and abuse in order to maintain the future. And it starts in your own backyard. Working for these groups, charities, and making an impact on the world is crucial.

KidsFirst is a fantastic organization, and for those in Placer County, I urge you to get involved somehow! Providing resources and education is a privilege that everyone deserves. It’s completely free, and you are working towards a better future for all.

As a closing note, it’s important to know that if you need help with your health, situation,

and/or more, you are not alone. KidsFirst is a prime example of accessible assistance and is a

great support system. And it doesn’t stop there; there are so many more organizations like

this that are willing to get you help.

Take care of yourselves, you are appreciated and loved by so many!

External Links and Resources:

KidsFirst is located at 124 Main St, Roseville, CA 95678. You can reach them at (916) 774-6802.

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