LACF Blog

At its annual Volunteer Awards Dinner Celebration 2009, the Lake Avenue Community Foundation honored Wendell and Liz Watts as Volunteers of the Year, Don Jose Ozuna as recipient of the Andy Bales Compassion Award, Mike Bohenek as winner of the Impact Award, and Steve Morgan as Partner of the Year.

Click here for the full article.

STARS, a tutoring and mentoring program funded by the Lake Avenue Community Foundation to assist young students, recently held its annual party to celebrate the end of the school year.

STARS takes a community-collaborative, asset-building approach to after-school programming to provide Pasadena Unified School District students. By providing academic support, enrichment opportunities and family-strengthening activities, and by encouraging growing and accountable relationships with positive adult role-model tutors, STARS provides an environment in which students are challenged to grow in the program sponsored by the Lake Avenue Community Foundation.

Read more & see all the photos in the full article [PDF]

by Mayra-Macedo-Nolan

Each night last week as students gathered their belongings and headed home for the night, STARS Tutors slipped quietly out of the “Big Room” at Villa 500 and into the Tutor Cafe. 

Here they got to know a little more about other tutors who share the room with them during their weekly tutoring session while enjoying a warm drink and tips ranging from techniques for teaching and encouraging reading to the fun tricks of teaching students how to multiply their “9’s”.  I certainly learned something new each night! 

Most importantly, I gained further insight into the “common denominator” of deep commitment these heroes (aka Tutors) possess…..and that in the world of STARS, 1+1=HOPE.

Thanks to all who took the extra time to join in on the conversation each night - and to the educators who shared their years of experience with us each night.

STARS Tutors rock!

by Mayra Macedo-Nolan

This past Saturday parents who completed the 10-week Parent Project course offered by STARS gathered to celebrate this milestone and support one another on the continuous journey of being a parent. For most immigrant families, from south-of-the-border or otherwise, parenting their children in a place so different from where they’re from poses even more challenges than those faced by parents who were born in the U.S.

The Parent Project not only provided helpful tools for parents dealing with their adolescents - but in this case also provides a forum for discussion around the theme of the parenting difficulties immigrants face - and a much needed supportive community.

The graduates shared stories of the many little successes they are already experiencing in their homes and relationships with their children as they apply the new learning. Many contribute their new found hope to both the course and the community they have found within the group.

We believe it all starts in the home – which is why LACF extends its commitment to students beyond tutoring and mentoring and into the home – where REAL families are shaping kids.

It was a privilege being with these dedicated parents this past Saturday as they shared their stories and their delicious food! I was encouraged and inspired by each of them!

For more info on upcoming Parent Project courses in Pasadena, visit: http://www.pasadena.edu/CEC/programs/pasadenaparentproject.cfm

LACF STARS Students get Advice from experts (an article from the Pasadena Star-News, March 9, 2009)

Professional race drivers Erica Nocita, the 2006 Quick 16 National Hot Rod Association Eastern Division champion, and Lorenzo Rodriguez, winner of the Baja 1000 and a M.O.R.E. Off-road Championship Series winner in 2006 and 2008, took some time out of their schedules to speak to children at Lake Avenue Community Foundation’s after-school program.

The two drivers shared with students how they became race car drivers and their career goals.

Lake Avenue Community Foundation is a faith-based nonprofit organization that works with at-risk youth. It works with about 150 low-income students and their parents in Pasadena.

Below, race car driver Lorenzo Rodriguez, Baja 1000 Winner and SCORE Point Champion in 2002 left, with Curt Gibson, Associate Director Lake Avenue Community Foundation and Erica Nocita right, 2006 Quick 16 National Hot Rod Association Eastern Division, spoke about their experiences as race car drivers and their career goals to the youth of our STARS program at Vila 500 in Pasadena on Monday, March 9, 2009.

Nocita at STARS

Race car driver Lorenzo Rodriguez, Baja 1000 Winner and SCORE Point Champion in 2002 left, with Curt Gibson, Associate Director Lake Avenue Community Foundation and Erica Nocita right, 2006 Quick 16 National Hot Rod Association Eastern Division spoke about their experiences as race car drivers and their career goals to the youth of our STARS program at Vila 500 in Pasadena Monday, March 9, 2009. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Walt Mancini/SXCity)

One of our students/tutors was recently awarded a $1000 savings bond by ABC News. Click on the link below to see the video and story.

Cool Kid

 David Carillo & Cousin, Patricia Guzman

Last year, STARS co-founder, Jill Shook helped bring the Parent Project to Pasadena.  This 10 to 16-week parent training program teaches parents strategies to deal with the most basic to the most destructive of teen behaviors - from poor school attendance to drug use to gangs and violence.

LACF has witnessed first-hand, the undeniable benefit these classes bring. In a recent Pasadena Star News Article, Amy Cardenas, 16, whose mother, Alicia, now serves on our Parent Committee Board said she saw big changes at home after her mother went through a Parent Project training. Before the training, she said the two of them would argue “like sisters.” Now, she says they “sit down and discuss things.”

Two of Pasadena’s13 certified Parent Project teachers are also the mother of and cousin to David Carillo, 17, who has been a part of Lake Avenue Community Foundation’s STARS and Mentoring programs for over 10 years. Artemiza Carillo and Patricia Guzman originally attended the training themselves and found it so helpful they wanted to share it with others and become trainers themselves.

LACF is excited to see parents empowering parents.  Youth are most supported when their own parents are involved and we applaud and appreciate ones like Alicia Cardenas, Artemiza Carillo and Patricia Guzman that are taking an active approach in empowering themselves and others just like them to be successful.

For more information about the Parent Project and local classes visit www.parentproject.com or call (626) 585-3010. (Offered in Spanish and English).

To view the Pasadena Stars News Article sited in this blog, visit :
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_10694497?source=email

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. 

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.”