Event: A Day at Happy Hollow
Date: May 18, 2024
Location: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, San Jose, CA
Population Served: Foster Children (all ages)
Event Highlights:
The adventure continues! The excitement from our first visit to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo carried over into our second visit to the park, creating yet another memorable experience for our foster youth! On Saturday, Thanks to the generosity of Kaiser Permanente and Happy Hollow Foundation, we are able to return to Happy Hollow and create wonderful memories for our foster youth.
The sunny weather welcomed us into the park, making it the perfect setting for a day full of adventure, exploration and fun! Upon arriving at Happy Hollow, our youth were greeted with snacks, coloring pages, a free lunch meal coupon and a free entrance ticket to the park. Kids began the day by going on the park’s merry-go-round, followed by enthusiastic exploration to the rest of the park’s activities and exhibitions.
After a morning full of excitement, CASAs and their youth used their lunch coupons at the Picnic Basket restaurant, where they were able to refuel and relax. Post-lunch many of our foster youth continued the day bonding with their CASAs by going on roller coasters or going through the animal exhibitions and learning about the different animals at the zoo.
“Our day here at Happy Hollow has been fantastic! We have already gone on the rides, multiple playgrounds, and we’ve had a lot of fun. So far his (foster youth) favorite activity has been playing at Redwood Lookout. He is also really excited about seeing the animals! ” – CASA Ayush Jain
These enriching activities continue to be pivotal in providing our foster youth with positive childhood experiences; such experiences can foster resilience and healing in children who have experienced trauma. A visit to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo can provide foster youth with 5 out of the 7 childhood positive experiences proven to reduce toxic stress. These experiences are:
- Building Supportive Relationships
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition
- Mindfulness
- Access to Nature
Providing foster youth with consistent positive childhood experiences is key to LIFTING them UP. Thank you to Kaiser Permanente, Happy Hollow Foundation and Happy Hollow Zoo & Park for providing this experience to our foster youth. We look forward to continuing our visits and creating long-lasting positive memories for our foster youth.
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring a youth-related event, please contact our development department at development@childadvocatessv.org.
