By Crissy Pascual

When a flag is raised, it is done so with pride and intention, whether for the World Cup or to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday on Independence Day. For Renee Ho, founder of the Petaluma nonprofit Amor Para Todos (Spanish for "love for all"), flags carry a special kind of weight. Her advocacy work through the organization's Raise to Save campaign has helped purchase hundreds of Pride flags for schools throughout Sonoma County. 

It’s just one of many Amor Para Todos initiatives and programs over the years that share an ethic of inclusion – and love – for all.

In January, Ho and several supporters pleaded to the Petaluma City Schools Board of Education to allow Pride flags to be flown at school campuses throughout the year, not just in the month of June. The resolution passed unanimously in April. 

"For some people a [Pride] flag could be life-saving — a symbol of welcomeness,” said Ho. “It's an instant 'I see you. I care about you and you're welcome here,' That can make all the difference for someone who's really struggling."

Amor Para Todos, commonly referred to as APT, was born by accident. Ho, whose background is in special education, wanted to bring inclusivity training to her children’s elementary school. She discovered a professional training program for educators called Welcoming Schools, and formed APT to raise funds to bring it here.

After that, she says, the program quickly caught on as others were eager for the training, too. Today, the Sonoma County Office of Education offers the Welcoming Schools program for free to all classified school staff countywide.

Since that initial effort, Ho’s advocacy work through APT has only grown. It now involves collaborations with a variety of organizations in town, which she refers to as “doing love work.”

APT has partnered with Petaluma River Park, Blue Zones Project Petaluma, Petaluma Blacks for Community Development, and Los Cien, underscoring the interconnectedness in the community, Ho said. “We all do it together like a beautiful family of organizations.”

Its Saving Lives Now program, meanwhile, helps school districts develop curricula that comply with California law. Under the California Healthy Youth Act, instruction must be inclusive of different sexual orientations, gender identities, races and ethnic backgrounds, and more.

APT Student Clubs can be found at several local schools. Elementary-level APT clubs are mostly filled with allies who enjoy the camaraderie of a safe space.

The organization’s newest initiative is Love and Pride 360, a program designed to identify and promote local businesses that are LGBTQiA2S+ safe spaces. Through various donation tiers, businesses receive toolkits and training, plus a window decal to advertise their support. 

The idea grew out of a conversation Ho had with a local business owner after community members told her they didn't know which places were safe or inclusive to patronize. By signing a pledge and receiving toolkits that include information on workplace rights, businesses can be held accountable to their commitment.

APT's work continues to expand, and Ho said she remains committed to showing up for everyone who reaches out. Providing support and resources for families is at the heart of what APT does — and, as Ho emphasizes, it’s all founded on love. 

"We may not see eye-to-eye with folks or be on the same page, but we just want the best for those we love," she said. "We try to leave a heart footstep wherever we go. That's the only way to be able to move forward."

The work has been challenging at times, Ho said, but her heart is in it because she believes, deeply, that it can save lives.