LACF Blog for September, 2008

By Amy Cole, Mentor Coordinator & Operations Mgr.

Lake Avenue Community Foundation is continuously trying to build Assets within our young people.  As the Fall semester begins, we are urging mentors and tutors to actively assist young people in building two specific Assets; #17 & 18, where a young person spends three or more hours per week in lessons/practice in music, theater, other arts, sports, clubs at school and/or in the community. 

There are many low-cost and free opportunities for young people to get involved in and around Pasadena.  We are asking mentors and tutors to find out what the young people they work with are interested in and help sign them up.  Resources for these opportunities can be found at www.schoolsout.org. In addition, Pasadena publishes a quarterly booklet in which local opportunities for youth are listed.  Booklets can be obtained at Villa Parke Community Center and the Jackie Robinson Community Center.

We have also placed an “Asset Board” at the Villa 500 tutoring site to give easy access for tutors, mentors and students to view.  This board will be updated with the most current activities and opportunities for young people including local events, classes, volunteer positions and employment (when available).

It is vital for young people to build their creative side and get involved in productive activities to keep them off the street and engaged in positive settings.  Currently, we have young people who are engaging in community art classes and sports teams and we hope to expand this list as the semester goes on. 

Lake Avenue Community Foundation Scholarships – Pasadena Outlook Thursday July 3, 2008

Click above to see article…

“Pasadena Unified School District students, their families, tutors, mentors and other community members recently gathered for the STARS year-end celebration…”

By John Wilson – Executive Director

This past Saturday (9/6/2008) at our volunteer orientation meeting, Dwight Tudor was honored as LACF’s Volunteer of the Year. Dwight has been serving as a tutor with the STARS program for 3 years and has served on the Board of LACF for 1 1/2 years. In that time, Dwight has shown a deep commitment and passion for helping kids in NW Pasadena realize their God-given potential.

Dwight, a member of La Canada Presbyterian Church, also helped LACF and LCPC develop a ministry partnership. As a result, in the last year over 30 people from LCPC have begun volunteering in NW Pasadena through LACF.

Pictured left to right is Bruce Stone (LACF Board Chair), Dwight Tudor and John Wilson. Photo courtesy Outlook Newspaper.

tamera wolf -  leader of RFKC

I’m Tamara, and I just got back from camp. A special thank you for praying for and supporting year three of the Royal Family Kids Camp Aug 24-29. A special shout-out to several folks who either came to camp as counselors, or who helped throw a fabulous birthday carnival last Wednesday for the 29 foster kids who attended camp with booths, prizes and fresh energy. All in all, Mission accomplished – abused and neglected foster children ages 7-12 were treated like royalty for a week, shown God’s powerful love and got the chance to try new things and make lasting positive memories. Our camp verse was Romans 8:38 “Nothing can ever separate me from His love.”

What did I learn at camp this week? I was reminded God has a unique plan for each life (yours included)! It’s easy to miss in the chaos of each day, but there is deep meaning and immense joy in knowing we were created with a special plan and purpose. Are you living that out?

Please pray for the campers as they return to school, and for some, to their difficult home lives in group homes, foster families, or with extended family. Pray that mentoring relationships would be established and that they would cling to the promises they learned at camp.

Campers eagerly volunteer to lead the prayer before meal times. So, I leave you with this simple prayer offered daily from one of our more difficult campers, “Dear Lord, thank you for this day and for this camp. Thank you for all the counselors. I love you all. You guys are great. Amen.”