Project Commotion's Mission is to foster deep healing, strong interpersonal connections, and inclusiveness in our community by supporting the unique developmental processes of our children.

Our knowledgeable, nurturing and passionate instructors engage children in specialized movement programs; enhancing their brain-body connection, increasing self-regulation, developing empathy and building self-confidence. We partner with families and support educators in understanding the critical value of integrating quality movement experiences in daily life.

Children need engaging movement and sensory activities to build their basic brain architecture. Beginning by meeting each child where she is, we cultivate nurturing relationships and create developmentally appropriate areas for exploration. Children learn through play and by making their own choices, according to their interest and natural curiosity.

La Traviesa del Año translates to "Mischief-Maker of the Year". Each year, Project Commotion will honor the great mischief-makers in our midst: these are the people who lead by stirring things up, who push us to challenge our own thinking, and who inspire us to follow in their footsteps as they tread with fierce dedication to create and guide programs that truly support children and families in our community.

Back-Flippers
Anonymous
Robert & Lynn Burt           
James & Marilyn Osterhoff           
Stephen Rico           

Hand-Standers
Niku Bolourchi           
Randolph Burt           
Tracy Burt & Chagua Camacho-Olguín
Barbara & Danny Shapira  
Susie Shapira        
Christina Share           
Frank Van der Heusen

Bear-Walkers
Pat & Jack Bennett           
Adrienne Bonne           
Rachel Boudreau           
Monique Guidry, Guidry’s Early Care & Education Program           
Vanessa Hartigan           
Cheryl Howell           
Mary Kay Mitchell & Samoel Domingos       
Alice Nakahata           
Richard Woo           

Log-Rollers
Zachary Assarian           
Jacqueline Bolourchi           
Cynthia & Joe Fong           
Emma Fraijo           
Sudarma Kekulawela           
Amber Lamprecht           
Donna Lee           
Margaret Lewis           
Jessica Loman           
Teresa M. Martyny           
Terri Massin           
Megan Matteoni           
Michael McCurdy           
Muriel Meunier-Fiebelkorn           
Solitaire Miguel           
Darca Morgan & Roy Bridgman
John Navarra           
Sheila Norman           
Susan Osterhoff           
Ishmael Riles           
Olivier Rossi           
Paul Rubin, ISSE
Joel Samuels           
Bonnie Sarmiento           
Dan Schwarzlander           
Barbara Skupien           
Sarah Sweedler           
John & Joan Vitorelo           
Kailin Waterman           
Tanya Weisheit

Asian Art Museum
Athletic Playground
Acsa’s House Cleaning
Barsol Pisco
Bay Area Discovery Musuem
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Bi-Rite Market
Cafe Madeleine
California Academy of Sciences
Capoeira Ijexá
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose
Circolo
Coffee Bar
The Crucible
Deja Vu Pizza
Dolores Park Cafe
Education.com
El Porteño
Feldenkrais Center for Movement Education
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Funky Door Yoga
Goat Hill Pizza
Goody Goodie Cream & Sugar Cafe
Habitot
J&W Cake Pops
The Literacy & Language Center
The Marsh Theatre
Mission Cliffs Climbing and Fitness
Monk's Kettle
Naka Athletics
Natural Resources
ODC
Okinawan Karate Club of San Francisco
The Park Gym
Peek-a-bootique
El Porteño
Present Creative
Rainbow Grocery Cooperative
Rosamunde Grill
Rumah Kita
San Francisco Ballet
SFMOMA
Shadow Ranch Vineyards
Shoe Shine Wine
Spin City Coffee
Tartine Bakery
Terra Mia Ceramics
Trader Joe’s
Ubisoft
Udupi palace
Urban Oasis
Venga! Empanadas
Wu’s Wellness center
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Yoga Loft
Serena Arge
Acas Argueta
Anastasia Bespalova
Cynthia Chang
Jian Gianinni
Sarah Gonsalves
Jay Lansing
Juan Lopez
Nica Lorber
Ryan Molyneaux
Susan Osterhoff
Tracy Piper
Rachael Pressel
Angelo Rodriguez & Miguel Balderrama
Iliana Rojero
Jonathan Ruiz
Johanna Sorrentino & Roxanne Chicoine

2011 has been an pivotal year of growth for us here at Project Commotion. This summer marked the completion of our first 3 years of services at our studio on Harrison Street. It surely feels like we hit the 3-year mark of settling into a rhythm, and we are certainly not skipping a beat as we forge into 2012 with a dynamic schedule of classes and workshops, and exciting new partnerships and projects on the horizon.

Amongst our 2011 highlights are:

• April: Launched our Supporting Members Campaign
• September: Opened our new Preschool, Las Luciérnagas and presenting our first "La Traviesa del Año" Award to Nina Mogar at our 4th Annual fall Fundraiser
• October: Led a 2-hour workshop for 40 youth at  "¡Si Se Puede! United Surviving Domestic Violence", in collaboration with Catholic Charities CYO, Good Samaritan, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, POCOVI, Homeless Prenatal Program, and The San Francisco Sheriff's Department.
• Welcomed a handful of excellent new crew members: Las Luciérnagas Head Teacher Acsa Argueta, Grants Consultant Mary Schindler, Bookkeeping Consultant Marco Austin, Coach Paola Van Artsdalen, and Volunteer Iliana Rojero-Wilson!
• November: Held our first Staff Retreat at Mary's home in Petaluma, CA, where we had a chance to cook, eat and connect with our staff, assess our progress and look towards our bright future...
  

Thank you to all of our students and families for being part of this work that we love to do everyday; to the foundations, individuals and local businesses whose support has helped us grow and flourish; and to our friends and families who stand by us and support us in our personal growth and dedication to our mission at Project Commotion. We invite you all to read on and learn about the progress that we have made in 2011, and we hope you will all continue to be part of the Commotion with us in 2012. Happy Holidays!

With Respect and Gratitude,
Susan and Chagua
Co-Founders and Directors

In September 2011, Project Commotion launched our latest program: Las Luciérnagas PreSchool! The school is a half-day Spanish Immersion program for children ages 18 months - 4 years. The preschool is a natural extension of our movement programs at PC, with a focus on gross-motor and sensory development, supported by a nurturing and inspiring environment. Children enjoy classroom time for the first half of the morning, where they can explore dramatic play, blocks, art, fine motor and sensory play, a jumping/movement area, and a cozy reading corner. After snack, the play moves to our studio space, where children climb, jump, run, and spin with the support of PC instructors and in the company of our Little Ants class students and caretakers.

For information about Las Luciérnagas, please visit our website or contact Chagua at 415-252-8059 or by email at chagua@projectcommotion.org.

Our 4th Annual Fall Fundraiser was a special celebration on many levels. The evening paid special tribute to Nina Mogar, Professor of Child Development and Family Studies at City College of San Francisco. Co-founders Chagua and Susan presented Nina with La Traviesa del Año 2011 award, with dozens of Nina’s friends, colleagues, and students coming out to show their admiration for Nina and her passion for teaching what it means to truly understand and support children. Nina was the true celebrity of the evening, also doing us the honor of cutting the ribbon to PC’s new PreSchool, Las Luciérnagas.

The Grand Opening of our half-day Spanish-immersion PreSchool program was the second big cause for celebration. Our Supporting Members and guests in attendance were treated to Capoeira, Karate and circus performances, and tore up the rug to some live music, as well. Thanks to all of our guest, performers, and sponsors who helped us celebrate another successful year of Project Commotion!

Project Commotion launched our Supporting Membership campaign in April 2011, inviting community members from near and far to support us in bringing our unique, dynamic programs to under-served families and organizations in our community. So far this year, 59 donors have helped us to raise over $18,000, allowing us to provide individual scholarships for children and families, continue our work with Oakes Children’s Center, make vital improvements to our studio, and support staff development.

Project Commotion is grateful for the support of the many individuals and organizations who donated their goods and services for our 2011 fundraising events! Mark your calendars for PC’s next Silent Auction Fundraiser: Sunday, February 12 , 2012.

If you would like to make a year-end donation to Project Commotion, you may easily join the ranks of our supporting members here.



Thank you to the foundations who continue to support us in 2011:
Burt Family Foundation
The Mental Wellness Foundation
Ashbury Children's Foundation

We are proud to welcome Amber, Niku and the staff of The Literacy and Language Center to Project Commotion! These top-notch literacy specialists are offering their services in our own study space, taking us one step closer to becoming the hub for a range of family services that we have always envisioned Project Commotion to be. Stay tuned to our website and email updates for news of exciting collaborations between PC and L&LC in the coming year! Our work combines our like-minded sensory approaches to learning, and we can’t wait to see how our students continue to make great strides in their learning and development through our partnership!

“The Literacy and Language Center offers highly personalized, multi-sensory, research based programs in a supportive one-to-one setting to improve reading, spelling, writing, verbal expression, reading and listening comprehension, critical thinking skills and vocabulary. These programs are appropriate for ages 5 to adult and are an excellent approach for all learning styles and abilities.  We are dedicated to helping each of our students realize their full potential for learning and life, while embracing their unique differences.”

Project Commotion collaborates with school groups and community-based organizations for on-site or off-site programs designed specifically for the needs of the group. Partnerships for youth can range from a 1-time field-trip to PC to a series of classes tailored for a specific group. The program also offers sensory integration curriculum development and consultation for schools and youth programs, as well as specialized trainings for parents and teachers.

Current Collaborators:
Easter Seals Healthy Environments CDC
Hamilton Family Center/First Avenues
Oakes Children’s Center

New Collaborations in Development for 2012
Jamestown Community Center
Malcom X Academy
Sanchez  PreSchool

HOW to become a partner of PC:
If you would like more information about how your school or organization can partner with us, please contact susan@projectcommotion.org.

PC's monthly Adult Education workshops returned in April, with co-Founder Chagua Camacho-Olguín's presentation of "Parenting and Teaching from a Different Perspective", timed in celebration of the Week of the Young Child. Over 350 parents, teachers and professionals participated in PC's workshops this year, increasing their knowledge of brain development, sensory integration, and how to move their bodies! We are looking forward to resuming our workshops in January, and will be developing our first weekend seminar this year, scheduled for the weekend of April 21 & 22. You can stay up-to-date with our workshop schedule here.

PC is excited to welcome new coach, Reyna Paola Van Artsdalen, or Paola, as she is known. Originally from Oaxaca, in the south of Mexico, Paola has 7 years of experience as a preschool teacher and a volunteer in after-school programs. Her passions are folk dance from her native state of Oaxaca, yoga, and especially her 3-year old daughter. In her free time she also likes to rollerblade, and is excited to begin her training in Capoeira at PC. Paola says, “I am passionate about helping the latino community, guiding families to find resources and helping our kids in their development.” She has an A.A. degree in Child Development and is studying to earn an undergraduate degree in Kineseology and a Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Paola has been training at PC throughout the fall session, and will begin teaching classes in January. She will be bringing her expertise in traditional Guelaguetza dance to our young students at PC on Monday and Saturday mornings.

Again, we thank you for being part of the Commotion! Happy Holidays from all of our staff, and best wishes to you and your family in the New Year! We hope to see you soon.