LACF Blog

1. Tell us a bit about yourself, where you are from, your family, and your hobbies.

I am a SoCal native, born in Los Angeles and moved to Pasadena when I was 6. I have been here ever since. I am a product of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Pasadena City College (PCC). I’ve been married to my wife, Ana Maria, for 22 years and we have a 19-year-old daughter, Daniella, who is currently attending PCC.

I love creating! Everything about me ties into creativity. I love cooking because it is creative. I love to shop. Have you seen what I wear? Creative. I love to write. My friends and I have a trans-media company, Pitch Block, creating motion pictures, television, motion comics, animation and video games. I love storytelling and the power of media and have loved comics, film and television since I was a child. I truly believe Christ would use these mediums if He was walking the Earth today!

2. What are your life passions? What journey does God have you on?

I believe the journey God has me on is one of hope, to be a source of hope and comfort to others. A friend once said to me, “Eric, you’re an anchor for others. But the funny thing about anchors is that they get dragged through the mud.” That is the story of my life.

I come from such an unusual family. While my father was running from God, his mother was a deaconess and Sunday School teacher and his brothers were some of the original members of the legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy (a gospel group). While my mother was running to God, her father practiced witchcraft and her mother was into new age practices way before it was popularized in the 80’s. Both of my parents come from divorced homes. My dad had to experience the painful divulgence that his father was a polygamist and later, a childhood with an abusive step-father. My parents met in high school; my mom became pregnant with me and my folks got married. I was born and then it seems all Hell broke loose.

My father, at the time a law enforcement officer, was verbally and physically abusive at home. I was told I was an accident, retarded and would never amount to anything. I was beaten with a police baton and metal shoe stretchers. I can so relate to the movie “Precious.” My life wasn’t far from that. I was frail and looked so different from everyone else. I longed to be “normal.” I was molested by another man as a teenager. And yet in spite of all that, here I am, a living example of what God, his Word and His loving people can bring you through.

3. Do you have a word for the mentors?

If there is a scripture that sums up my life, its 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”

Because people comforted me in my sufferings I am compelled by God to do the same for others. I have dedicated the past 32 years of my life to doing just that. Which is why I am at LACF, working with teens others would normally give up on. I owe a wonderful debt to God and the people he used to reach me: my mother, my grandmother, Nellie Proctor - my Sunday School teacher, Beth Wells - my 5th grade math teacher, Pastor James Henry, Tommy McMullins, Phil Madden, Dover McCoy, Del Yarbrough. These are the mentors who saw the diamond in the coal, who loved me when I saw myself as hopeless and worthless.

Mentors made the difference in my life. I hope that every mentor would let those Scriptures become their anthem - Comfort others in the same way you were comforted by God through others. Let that comfort overflow onto the kids you engage. Don’t be moved by the exterior. Ask God to help you see His value, His purpose and destiny in that child. Sometimes it can be thankless, after all, you’re dealing with kids who live in the now. The light doesn’t come until later.

I recently had the opportunity to run into one of those men who did this for me all those decades ago. I grabbed him, held him for the longest time and tearfully told him, “You saved my life! I want you to know that the thousands of teens and people I’ve reached, the man that I am, the husband and father I’ve become, you did that!”

So mentors, please, don’t give up! Those kids need you. I need you. This city needs you. I currently sit on the PUSD Drop-Out Task Force and everyone at that table agrees that mentors, quality people like yourselves, are a huge part of the solution!

I encourage you to fight the good fight and finish the course. You never know how many Eric Johnsons your kindness, compassion and long-suffering will produce.

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.