Building Extra-Curricular Assets
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.
