Silicon Valley FACES

Building Connections

Building Connections (formerly "Growing Circle") is Diversity Education at the first critical points at which children encounter and incorporate the lessons of social behavior and school structure. SV FACES' age-appropriate curriculum for elementary school students (K-5) helps children to develop a positive sense of self-worth and to value differences among people through the metaphor of a puzzle; how we may be connected or disconnected from others. Building Connections is delivered in individual classrooms to an entire school over a 4-week period by trained volunteer facilitators. This ensures that SV FACES achieves a significant and almost immediate impact on the climate of the school. Principals and teachers report dramatic changes in student behavior such as: a reduction in damaging or prejudiced behavior; appreciation and accommodation of group differences; greater inclusiveness; and prevention and resolution of conflict. Building Connections also provides resource materials and ongoing support for teachers, staff and parents.

Building Connections…

Builds empathy by helping students understand their similarities and common experiences
Helps students appreciate differences and respect others
Provides problem solving skills to aid in conflict resolution and improve resiliency
Creates an environment where students feel safe and included
Gives the school a common language and foundation to continue student development.

The Impact

Building Connections Campuses report immediate and often dramatic changes in student behavior related to appreciation and accommodation of group differences, inclusion, conflict prevention and resolution. They see the results on the playgrounds daily. Safety and education improve immediately at the school.

Every year we reach 3,500 - 5,000 young students. The program leverages volunteerism beautifully and offers a great value to the schools (both in spread and impact).

Over the past almost 30 years SV FACES’ elementary education programs have reached more than 150,000 children in Silicon Valley alone! We know our programs work from our years of success right here in South Bay schools, and from direct feedback about Building Connections during the program’s pilot. Every school needs this program for prevention or intervention.

A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

SV FACES' Building Connections is just the beginning in a series of lifelong educational and youth leadership development programs. No student can learn effectively in a school environment in which he or she feels unsafe or unwanted as a result of prejudice or bullying; no teacher can effectively teach in such an environment either. By creating a better understanding between groups, SV FACES' programs create a safety zone where students can concentrate on their studies, improving their grades and their life chances, as well as their ability to become leaders in ending institutional or systemic bias and racism.

Testimonials about SV FACES’ Elementary School Programs

“[Building Connections] was age appropriate and brought the student’s attention to the fact that there are other people in their lives, outside their immediate family, and those people are connected to them in some way.” – Teacher (2nd Gr.)
"I think they really thought about family and friendships in a new way. . .they learned more about respect." - Teacher (1st Gr.)
“The students learned the different values of race and people with disabilities and they gained a feeling of what it is like.” – Teacher (3rd Gr.)
"This program has been helpful to our students in providing a common language with which to discuss issues of inclusion, diversity, and tolerance. Having skilled facilitators working with each classroom group provided a school-wide emphasis for these pro-social lessons. . .It provided a school-wide boost to developing a positive climate and helped children develop skill in combating bullying." -- Coordinator, Student Services (Horace Mann Elementary)
"It is non-threatening and the students felt comfortable discussing their feelings. It celebrates differences." - Teacher (2nd Gr.)
"My students are becoming aware of the ways in which people are alike and different. They are learning how to include all kinds of people." - Teacher (3rd. Gr.)
"I loved this program. The kids are really starting to use the language in their own conversations." – Teacher (3rd Gr.)

Students say Students Say…

“I learned that many people are left out because of differences.”
“If one is different it makes them unique, not un-human.”
“I learned to respect others.”
“It only matters on the inside and not on the outside of how a person should be judged.”

Get Connected!

Building Connections is always looking for new Volunteer Facilitators to join our team. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact the Program Coordinator, Ashley Raggio to find out how to apply.

If you think that Building Connections would benefit your school, let us know! We would be happy to approach the school and your parent-teacher organization with you to create a partnership.

Call Ashley Raggio, Program Coordinator: (408) 286-9663, ext. 331; araggio@svccj.org