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MARCH News & Updates from Oak Grove!
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES  AVAILABLE  FOR EVENING UNDER THE OAKS
Bid on an African Safari During our LIVE Auction April 30th!
Click here to watch an amazing video about the safari you could be a part of!!
The 12th Annual Evening Under the Oaks Gala and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, in our gymnasium with pre-Gala festivities outside that will include performances from our kids, incredible silent auction items, delicious Appetizers from Devilicious Eatery, wine from Ponte, Mimosa's from Broken Yolk and More! (That's just outside!! Wait 'til you see what awaits you in the gym!)

Join the FUN! Volunteer for the event, or be part of our committee - c ontact  kristinet@oakgrovecenter.org for details

SPONSORSHIP Opportunities available too! Contact Rosie Girardot for details rosieg@oakgrovecenter.org
CULTURAL HERITAGE CELEBRATION - WOW!
Incredible and inspiring performances moved everyone to tears during a multi-cultural showcase put on for family and friends by Oak Grove at the Ranch students and staff to culminate a month long celebration of culture. We were blown away by EVERY single performance!! From the emotional "I Have A New Dream"  speech by one of our Oak Grove at the Ranch students, to the amazing dance numbers performed by both campuses...and the singing - incredible!! 

Our Oak Grove at The Ranch kids produced the event with Site Director Eric Glosson as the M.C. Students from both campuses teamed up to be taught by one of the most established dancers in the music video industry, Kimmie Morrow - who has danced with the biggest names in music, including Jay Z, Missy Elliot, Will Smith, Mandy Moore, and MC Hammer.  Miss  Kimmie had taught 2 days a week through the month at both campuses culminating in a spectacular show. We were thrilled to also have The Chemewa Middle School Choir from Riverside come down and participate as Guest Artists with two moving songs. Our students were proud to showcase what they had learned for an audience. We are so excited to continue bringing in more visiting artists over the next year as part of our two arts' grants, and are thankful to   Ms. Kimmie Morrow, Ms. Robin McCoy Robin's Nest Desserts and Catering and Ms. Cynthia Ross who launched the program.  None of this would be possible without the support of a grant from the S. L. Gimbel Foundation Advised Fund at The Community Foundation - Inland Southern California, and our recent National Endowment for the Arts – Challenge America Grant.
Click here for more great photos from the event.

  Check out this link  to one of the amazing videos for more of the story!
Culinary Arts to Visit Epicurean Locales! 
Everyone was raving about the delicious treats at the Multi-Cultural Showcase - from rice and banana puddings to an amazing custard.   Miss Cynt (Cynthia Ross from Oak Grove at the Ranch taught ethnic cooking at both campuses over the month. The Grand Finale was the Gumbo served at the event along with her special chicken recipe.  THANKS to the Gimble Grant, our culinary program will continue with students visiting local restaurants to learn more about their craft first hand. Robin McCoy with Robin's Nest Catering and W.O.W. - Women Organizing Women, is teaching our students wonderful baking and culinary skills as part of their vocational experience. If you would like us to visit your locale, please email info@oakgrovecenter.org
  (L-R) Bill Fay, RJ Romero, Rosie Girardot (Oak Grove), Tom Rudnai - Owner Temecula Valley Toyota, Kristine Turner (Oak Grove), Executive Director of Toyota North America - Yoshi Inaba, and Alec Hagey
Thank You
Temecula Valley Toyota! 
Amazed - Honored - Overjoyed!! Just a few emotions felt at the Grand Re-Opening of the beautifully re-modeled Temecula Valley Toyota | Scion! Oak Grove staff members from the Fund Development department were thrilled by the very generous $5,000 donation to the Education and Arts Programs of Oak Grove from Temecula Valley Toyota owner Tom Rudnai. On hand were many local dignitaries, community leaders, and customers as well as representatives from Toyota North America to wish Tom and his staff continued success!  
GREAT JOB TEACHERS & STAFF!

Oak Grove is so proud of our very strong and positive WASC review!  THANK YOU to the parents who participated, and all the teachers and staff who contribute to the high quality of our educational program. Both of our campuses were reviewed – Thank you for the great team work! 

4th Annual Carnival with INTERACT CLUB
Interact Carnival for the children of Michelle's Place
Oak Grove Center’s Interact Club is preparing for their 4th Annual Carnival to benefit Michelle's Place!  Saturday, April 16th - Oak Grove Interact will work work hard to bring smiles to the families of Michelle's Place as they deal with the challenges facing so many battling breast cancer by putting on a special carnival. If you would like to donate items for the cake walk or carnival prizes and goodies contact i nfo@oakgrovecenter.org

The Interact Club learns the value of  Service above Self, and we are so very proud of our students for their determination to help others. We are also grateful to Temecula Noon Rotary for their support, encouragement and role models!

Fun with The Harlem Globetrotters!

Our favorite quotes from students were:

It was energetic and so much fun to watch. It was inspiring to make goals for my future”. 

It was really fun and I had a good time

Oh my Gosh  it was amazing we had so much fun”.

Huge Thank You to  Madison Square Dentistry  and  Dr. DO  for making this possible!    
Success has its perks!
Life at Oak Grove has its moments...
We held a special Passport Outing in recognition of hard work, and to celebrate progress
. Incentives and rewards are powerful tools and our students . We so appreciate it when our supporters are able to help reward those who show improvement through their actions, decisions and overcoming daily challenges.  One special outing   was a trip to Ontario for an amazing evening with The legendary Harlem Globetrotters!
ecently was a trip to Ontario for an amazing evening with The legendary Harlem Globetrotters!
THANK YOU Third District Supervisor!
Oak Grove students were on hand to present a huge “THANK YOU” to representatives from the Riverside County Third District Supervisor’s Office. The recent gift  through their Community Improvement Designation Fund allowed Oak Grove to purchase a mobile cart with  laptops that will give our kids enriched educational opportunities and allow them to explore the world beyond our campus! This enhanced technology is a tremendous boost. The students also now have a Mac Book and have begun to work on an animated short they are creating in art class. Everyone is excited by the possibilities for creativity and exploration this wonderful fund has provided our programs from music videos to student films, creative story telling and more! Some students were able to present a HUGE thank you card complete with handwritten notes and photos of the computers and students in action. 

THRIVE - Dress for Success!
DONATIONS NEEDED
Career & Education Development kicks off the next series of workshops for our current and emancipated Foster Youth in our THRIVE program with “Social & Business Etiquette” topics one of the most anticipated classes! Can you help us outfit our youth to be able to Dress for Success!?  Through your generous donations, the youth will be able to sort through various formal and business attire, and leave with outfits for school dances, upscale dinners, and as well as professional attire for interviews and employment.
We are seeking donations of formal and business attire for both males and females which include but are not limited to:
  • Dresses
  • Slacks
  • Button down shirts
  • Skirts
  • Shoes
  • Ties
  • Scarfs
  • Jackets 
We are excited that Speechmasters For Young Leaders begins this month, under the dynamic leadership of Board Director Sonya Linden and Robb Braun. More students applied than could be accepted. Those that have been selected will work on improving the ir public speaking and leadership skills over the next 5 weeks  through evaluations, listening, and mentoring opportunities with our Ambassadors.

FREE Classes - Open to EVERYONE! Beginning in April on Wednesdays from  5:30 to 6:30pm Oak Grove Center - main campus Library:

April 6th   Dealing with your Child’s Trauma

April 13th  Helping Children Set Healthy Limits

April 20th   Managing Oppositional Behavior - Appropriate Consequences

April 27th  Anger Management for Parents 

HOPE - Helping Oak Grove Pupils Enjoy the Holidays...Through the Kindness of Sharing!
HOPE is hosting an  Estate Sale in La Cresta on Saturday May 21st from 8a - 3p to benefit Oak Grove students. They are looking for gently used items to be donated for the sale:
  • Clothing
  • Jewelry
  • Furniture
  • Toys, Antiques and Collectibles  
  Please contact Jessica Osborne to arrange drop  jessicao@oakgrovecenter.org  
Employees of the month

Congratulations to the February employee who earned our Value of the Month - Accountability - Mr. Victor Hayes who displays Accountability and helps both staff and students learn accountability. Victor has a strong work ethic and works hard to help kids get better. His desire to see them succeed helped him to implement A Classroom Warriors program to help students stay on task and be rewarded for their good behavior   

The students were encouraged to pick character names which would represent who they stood for, and now, through Victor's efforts, we have an entire classroom made up of positive Mighty Oak Warrior leaders!

Congratulations to  Dana Arellano for being chosen as the February Employee of the Month...Dana Arellano, Accounts Receivable Supervisor was recognized for her invaluable help with Contracts, billing, organization and  her diligence, tenacity and positive caring attitude with all! 
Lions...Leos...Labor of Love!
SAVE THE DATE!
April 30, 2016: 12th Annual Evening Under the Oaks Save the Date for our Signature Gala and Silent Auction Event! Sponsor ships' available - contact  Rosie Girardot for more details.





October 14-15, 2016: The 4th Annual Murrieta Rod Run returns to Historic Downtown Murrieta. Make plans to be a part of this family fun event when it rolls into town mid October. Contact Rosie Griardot for Sponsorship and vendor opportunities. Register your car, or become a vendor today   - click here.






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