Grail Family Services

Grail Family Services' Mission

Grail Family Services (GFS) partners with families, schools, and communities to promote children’s success and well-being. Located in East San José, California, GFS offers innovative programs that give children a strong start and provide parents with knowledge and tools to support their children’s healthy development and learning. The organization emphasizes the importance of early childhood education, understanding that 90% of a child's brain develops by age five. GFS is committed to using an equity lens, best practices, and community voice in all its programs, services, and initiatives.

Grail Family Services' Programs

GFS offers a variety of programs designed to support families with children aged 0-6. These include NuParent, Hablemos Juntos, Eastside Cares, Child Enrichment, State-funded Preschool, Family Math, and Yes We Can...Read! Additionally, GFS provides ESL classes, a Parent Support Group, a Family Resource Center, and Case Management services. Programs are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a diverse community. The organization also promotes professional development for teachers and childcare providers through training on the Family Engagement Model, impacting over 600+ providers.

Grail Family Services' Community Initiatives

GFS engages in collaborative initiatives that strengthen the community by promoting equity, uplifting parent voices, and advocating for change. Notably, the 'Jobs to Grow' program, in collaboration with Sí Se Puede Collective partners, helps the community recover from the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first cohort graduated 23 childcare providers and 17 food entrepreneurs. The Sí Se Puede Collective focuses on basic needs access, education, arts & culture, community development, and food & environmental equity, promoting greater collective impact through joint advocacy and coordinated service delivery.

Grail Family Services' Impact

The impact of GFS's programs is evident through various metrics. For instance, 100% of preschool graduates tested 'kindergarten ready,' and 83% of kindergarten students in school-based programs demonstrated improvement in literacy and math. Additionally, 88% of parents in parenting workshops reported increased activities at home to support their child’s healthy development. The organization's Building Blocks of Parenting™ (BBP) App, available for free in English and Spanish, has 1387 users and assists parents in supporting their child's development during critical early years.

Grail Family Services' Values and History

Grail Family Services operates with core values of respect, collaboration, integrity, inclusion, family, and quality. The organization has deep roots in East San José, originating from The Grail, an international women’s group. GFS focuses on ensuring every child has equal access to quality early education, promoting equitable partnerships between parents and educators, and lifting the collective voice of families to advocate for beneficial policies. These values and historical roots guide GFS in its mission to make a lasting impact on the community it serves.