"Touching Hearts and Opening Minds" |
|
Letter From the President/CEO |
June proved to be a very tough time for keeping one's heart open, soft, and filled with empathy. If we refuse to numb ourselves to the voices shouting out in pain, terror, grief, and outrage... it threatens to break our hearts. Shootings at schools and parades, divisive political upheavals, police brutality, humans dying in trucks at our borders, and still... a whole war going on.
Audre Lord, a writer, librarian, civil rights activist, and feminist who dedicated her life to fighting against the injustices of homophobia, classism, sexism, and racism is quoted as saying “How much of this truth can I bear to see and still live unblinded? How much of this pain can I use?” She knew that pain and anger can be used to motivate us and propel us forward, but we must not let those emotions devolve into hatred. She explained the idea was that it is impossible to fight the systems of oppression with the same tools that built them.
We must ENCOMPASS terrible forces with our love and empathy without becoming them. Essayist Rowan Magan sums it up beautifully with the following call to action, "I intend to retain and reclaim all that’s soft in me as I step into this next collective moment. To stay loving and compassionate and empathetic, and not allow myself to be hardened by hatred. I’m not going to fix a steely gaze on the horizon as I march; I’ll look at the space around me and see who needs help right now, right here. I’ll refuse to become what I despise, and I’ll keep on loving the world until there’s nothing left but love."
That is the call of the Volunteer Center- to increase empathy in our community. All of us can reach out right now, where we stand, and fight hatred with love. Is it tough, uncomfortable, and exhausting? Absolutely. Will we need support, self-care, and breaks? Definitely. But should we do it anyway? You bet! We must lean in, empathize, and use our pain to make our love even bigger.
Wishing you continued kindness & empathy,
|
|
Connect Deadline Extended to THIS SUNDAY 7/10!
|
|
We still have a few spaces left for youth who are entering grades 8th-12th to sign up for our Summer Connect Cohort! Since we filmed this video, we've extended the application deadline to this Sunday, July 10. This will be the first group that gets to meet IN PERSON at the community center in Dominguez Park in Carson on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. from July 18-August 15. Registration is now open to ALL students in ANY city.
Join adventure play therapist Macy Grim and her team to talk about life, practice ways to cope with stress, and learn more about yourself with fun, interactive activities. Students who have participated in the program in the past have said they wished it could be longer, and that every student should have a chance to participate!
Youth who complete the program will enjoy a celebration on the last night and earn a certificate for their resumes and college applications. Thanks to a sponsorship from Torrance Memorial Medical Center, the costs are covered, so there is no fee to the students.
|
|
Food For Kids Delivers 102,000 Meals in FY 21-22! |
|
June marked the end of our fiscal year, which is always a time for reflection and review on the impact you are making. It's important to remember that while we celebrate delivering more than 100,000 meals this past year, each of those meals was given to a real family. At the end of the school year, we asked our school partners to share with us the stories of the lives you helped touch so we could share them with you: (Children's names omitted)
From Barton Hill Elementary School in San Pedro:
We have seen this program benefit the family of a nine-year-old student. He is currently living with his grandmother because his father and mother are not in his life. His grandmother comes every week to pick up the food provided by the Food For Kids program, and she has told us that this service has helped her so much because food is so expensive. The program has really helped her take care of her grandson and make sure that he has enough to eat. This program is very helpful for our families, and we thank you!
From Broad Avenue School in Wilmington:
We have the privilege of knowing and serving a family of four who came to the United States just seven months ago after fleeing a scary kidnapping attempt. They have two children ages 10 and 7. Thankfully, the parents are highly educated and the children are doing great academically. They are currently living in a one-car converted garage with no running water, no air conditioner, and no heater. This family has received food from the Food for Kids program every week for the past five months and it has helped them focus on other needs. They are extremely grateful for all the help they have received, and we are so thankful that you offer this program.
From Cabrillo Avenue Elementary School in San Pedro:
We have a mother who has five children. She is the only individual who is employed to support her family and her kids' ages range from 7 to 16. The heavy responsibility to take care of her children and ensure they all are able to get enough food to eat has been an extraordinary challenge. She knows they need the right food in order to develop and function the way they are supposed to, so the food assistance that she receives from the Food for Kids program is absolutely priceless.
Thank you from all of these families and so many more. Every bag of food you all donate makes such a powerful impact in our community right where care is needed most!
|
|
Girl Scout Troop Pledges to Keep Spreading Kindness! |
|
On Saturday, June 11, we hosted Girl Scout Troop 675 for our popular Empathy in Action site service visit. The scouts learned about food insecurity and had fun solving puzzles and serving Food for Kids by helping to pack 1,152 total meals. As part of the program, the girls were asked to complete "Care for One, Care for All!" pledge cards and write down ideas for how they plan to continue to care for others after the event. Here are some of the ideas the young scouts shared with us:
"Volunteer More"
"Don't waste food as much"
"Beach Cleanups"
"Donate Things"
"Don't let balloons fly away"
"Give away clothes"
"Don't waste electricity"
"Go to more volunteer places"
"Donate food and toys"
"Be good to the earth/don't waste"
We are so grateful that our programs continue to spark empathy and inspire the youth to think about where care is needed, how they can continue to help others, how they can be more conscientious users of resources, and commit to spreading more kindness!
|
|
Still Looking: Independent Project Consultant |
|
The Youth Suicide Prevention Network has received a $5K micro-grant from the Beach Cities Health District and is now seeking the services of an Independent Consultant to produce a draft of a user-friendly, locally-focused online guide for SPA-8 community members and families. The guide will help families navigate the often complex process of accessing mental health care resources for youth and provide encouraging language, tips, and support for overcoming obstacles and challenges they will encounter.
To view the full Request for Services including desired qualifications click below. The submission deadline has been extended through July 31.
|
|
Featured Youth Opportunity |
|
Our partners at California Volunteers have launched their #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps which will employ young people around the State to help cities and organizations tackle critical issues in priority areas: COVID-19 recovery, food insecurity, and climate action. Both Los Angeles and Long Beach within our service area will offer the program.
Youth will be supported with a minimum $15 per-hour wage (and in many cities, more than $15/hour) and provided with essential wrap-around services like case management, resume preparation, special job training, and other benefits to help ensure both their short- and long-term success.
The #CaliforniansForAll Youth Jobs Corps focuses on hiring youth who may not have access to career-building resources. Priority will be given to youth applicants ages 16-30 who:
- Have not participated in an AmeriCorps program.
- May have difficulty finding employment.
- Are low-income.
- Are unemployed and/or out of school.
- Are or were justice-involved.
- Are in or transitioning from foster care.
- Are engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system.
|
|
Together, We're Feeding Our Community! |
|
We are restocking our pantry in preparation for the next school year so we need proteins, canned meals, fruit, and breakfast items including packets of oatmeal, boxes of cereal, and granola bars. Donations can be dropped off any time between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For after-hour donations, please schedule a time with Jon Phelps: jon@volcenter.org. You can also order donations off of our Amazon Wishlist below, just please list your name in the delivery information so we can thank you! |
|
Anonymous Donors - 222 meals
Carson Lions Club - 318 meals
JoAnn Frisch - 104 meals
Journey of Faith - 5,653 meals
Lea Ann King - 17 meals
Maureen Rubin - 10 meals
Naher Elramly - 779 meals
Renee Moilanen - 23 meals
Ron & Kristin Phelps - 61 meals
Walter & Silia Sofko - 88 meals
Sandpipers - Jana Elias, Kristen Jones, Kristina Durkish, Pooja Gupta- 135 meals
Teresa Lopez - 4 hand-knitted baby blankets
Girl Scout Troop 675 - 481 meals
Total Meals Donated: 7,891
|
|
Thank You to Our Loyal Monthly Donors: |
|
Anonymous
Jean Adelsman
Barbazette Family Trust
Pauline Beecroft
Denise & Vince Beggs
Dianne & Hans Bozler
Jacqueline Crowley
Anne & Ray Destabelle
Sue Herbers
The Holt Family
Mildred Jones
Susan Kettel
|
|
Ellen Kircher
Sherry Kramer
Trish Krusee*
Cari Lesser
Lisa Lunde
Cheryl Morrow
Sue Munson
Pamela Popovich
Susan Rubio
Fern Ruiz
Steve & Beth Wilson
Maureen Vague & Richard Tovo
Steve Yeager & Samuel Sampson
*New Monthly Donor!
|
|
Thank You to Our Major Corporate and Foundation Grantors: |
|
(Gifts Made in Support of July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022 Programs) |
|
For more than 55 years, we have acted where care is needed most, galvanizing our community and enabling change. By demonstrating the power of empathy and resilience we give people the tools to cope with life’s challenges. By "Touching Hearts and Opening Minds" we create a more kind, connected, and equitable community in which we all can thrive..
To learn more about our programs and impact, visit www.volcenter.org.
|
|
The Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach
310-212-5009 | 1230 Cravens Avenue Torrance, CA 90501 | www.volcenter.org
EIN: 95-2301600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
