Care Model

The CARE Model equips you with strategies for taking action. Depending on the situation at hand and your personal style for intervening, there is always an option for taking action while keeping yourself safe.

Here are some examples of ways to use the CARE Model to help others:

• Confront the Situation: Calling out a friend for a microaggression, “Hey, what you said was harmful because X”
• Alert Others: Talking to the party host about a student who passed out, “I’m worried about this person who passed out, can you check on them to see if they are alright?”
• Redirect Attention: Seeing an argument between a couple get heated and coming up with an excuse to separate them. “Hey! So and so is looking for you! Want to come with me and help find them together?”
• Engage After: Checking in on a peer who was harassed. “Hey, what they said was not cool. I wanted to reach out and see how you are feeling, how can I support you?”

Bystander Intervention Basics

Together we can prevent violence and harm by being active bystanders who care for one another. Being an active bystander means that you TAKE ACTION when you see a situation that could be potentially harmful. Every step counts no matter how small you think it is.

Here are the steps to safely intervening to help others:

• Recognize the Situation: Recognition is key. This requires prior awareness of social identities and microaggressions, what consent does and doesn’t look like, when someone has had too much to drink, signs that someone is experiencing a decline in their mental health, and other important information we go over in each of our workshops.
• Decide to Take Action: Most likely, other witnesses may not have the tools to intervene or are worried to do so. Taking action takes a lot of courage and can empower others to help! Ask yourself: if not me, then who?
• Intervene Effectively and Follow up Appropriately: Choose one of the CARE intervention tools that work best for the situation and keep in mind that your safety is your top priority. If possible, check-in with the affected people after and share resources and options with them.

Meet the Staff

Bears that CARE is a program of the Office of the Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs. In addition to working closely with partners across campus, BTC has a dedicated team of peer educators. Get to know more about the staff by reading their bios below.

Student Staff Coordinator: Sam Padilla (she/her)

4th year Environmental Science and Society & Environment major

Samantha joined BTC because she believes that creating a safe and supportive campus community starts with everyday actions. As a first-generation, low-income student, she’s seen how conversations about consent, boundaries, and emotional well-being can be overlooked or difficult to have. Through BTC, she hopes to help others feel empowered to speak up, offer support, and take care of one another.

Communications Coordinator: Tiara Rodriguez (she/her)

4th year Media Studies major

Tiara joined BTC to help make campus safer and to ensure everyone has a great experience at Berkeley.

Communications Coordinator: Xinyi Xue (she/her)

3rd year Integrative Biology major

Xinyi joined Bears That CARE because she wanted to be part of something that actually makes a difference. She believes meaningful change starts with open conversations and a shared commitment to building a safer community. For Xinyi, communication isn’t just about spreading awareness but also about connecting people and inspiring them to take action confidently. 

Content Coordinator: Brynn Termeer (she/her)

2nd year Psychology major

Brynn wanted to join Bears That Care because she is really passionate about wanting to help people. She thinks the most important thing that we can do is to care for other people and support those around us. Brynn feels that Bears That Care embodies that wholly through educating organizations across campus

Content Coordinator: Ashley Hernandez (she/her)

4th year Social Welfare major and Public Policy Minor

Ashley joined BTC to connect students with essential public health resources. She admires how the organization takes the initiative to open up dialogue around critical campus issues like sexual violence, consent, and mental health.

Outreach Coordinator: Ella Pham Rosenblatt (she/they)

4th year Public Health major

Ella is a third-year Public Health major with a concentration in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH). Growing up in an all-AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) household with her single immigrant mother and two sisters, Ella’s background deeply informs her commitment to care, empathy, and advocacy. Through their lived experiences navigating trauma and recovery, Ella has developed a passion for community-centered healing grounded in principles of harm reduction and reproductive justice. As a Bears That Care peer educator, they strive to create affirming spaces of support where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Outside of their work and academics, Ella enjoys reading, creating art, and nurturing relationships that bring joy and connection.

Outreach Coordinator: Angela Robles Bustos (she/her)

2nd year Public Health major and Music minor

Angela joined Bears That Care in hopes to connect with and empower people as a peer educator. Passionate about public health advocacy, she wants to help communities everywhere, starting off with the UC Berkeley community. Some fun facts about her are that she loves playing the violin, journaling, and trying out new foods!

Workshop Coordinator: Yasmine Ghozali (she/her)

2nd year Psychology major

 

Workshop Coordinator: Celeste Pallares (she/her)

3rd year Global Studies and Economics major

Celeste joined Bears that Care to help create spaces on campus for students to feel seen, heard, and supported when navigating different obstacles— big or small. She looks forward to building a safer and more welcoming environment at UC Berkeley one conversation at a time. In her spare time, Celeste loves to be in nature, try new foods, and craft!