Building Peaceful Families celebrates, educates, and inspires individuals through programs that help them become more involved, responsible, and committed family and community members.

OUR BEGINNINGS

Founded in 2004 by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Sharon Chatman, Building Peaceful Families has provided programs in our community that enrich the lives of men, women, and children. By encouraging, educating, honoring, and engaging parents and other role models, we have positively impacted the lives of thousands of Bay Area children.  

OUR FOCUS

BPF specifically targets the underserved in our community - grandparents raising their own grandchildren, father and father figures, single parents, parents in the criminal justice system, teenage fathers and mothers, and people with physical challenges. We know that by making a positive impact on an adult, we will positively influence the life of a child.

OUR COMMITMENT
It is difficult to adequately express the importance of the BPF mission, and the determination and passion we feel for what we do. By treating every one of our program participants with dignity and respect, we are actively striving to build peaceful families in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“No Strings Attached”:

Elmwood Women’s Facility Project

In the winter of 2022, Building Peaceful Families and the County of Santa Clara conducted focus groups with justice-involved women at Goodwill Industries, which offers services to the formerly incarcerated, and Elmwood County Jail.  The purpose was to understand the needs of women being released from Elmwood, with the goal of increasing their chances for safe and successful reentry into the community.  The result is No Strings Attached, an innovative program that coordinates faith-based organizations, non-profits, BPF, and County agencies to provide needed clothing, hygiene products, safe transportation and other resources to women as they are released from Elmwood. 

15th Annual

Fatherhood / High Promise Families Conference

WHAT A GREAT DAY!

October 1st was special! Families affected by their involvement in the justice system came together for a day of fun and learning, helped along by good food and good music.

In partnership with Santa Clara County, San Jose City College, and supportive community-based organizations, the focus of the day was on reducing violence and trauma-exposure for parents and children, while also increasing their family’s resilience and overall quality-of-life.  Workshops ranged from navigating both the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems to housing search to resume building.  Thirty-five vendors offered information and materials to help families get back on their feet.

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There was inspiration...words of encouragement and testimonials to what is possible.

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And there was fun....games, toys, and books for the kids. Food, lots of food. And SMILES...