Athletes in Action & Beach Trip
Purpose:
Two weeks after our regular college volunteers leave for summer break, Athletes in Action comes to Central City. The college students from AIA fill in where our volunteers leave off by helping with mentoring, tutoring, and daily programmatic needs. During their three week stay, AIA students learn about various social issues surrounding Los Angeles and skid row. The purpose of our annual beach trip is to celebrate the end of the school year.
Description:
For three weeks, Athletes in Action students from all over the country come to Los Angeles for their urban project. Some of the AIA students are sent to Central City for their three week mission trip. During this time, they serve CCCO by tutoring, mentoring, planning program, doing projects, helping with dinner, and anything else that we need.
Schedule:
The schedule is determined every year by Athletes in Action in concurrence with Central City. In past years, they have helped out with program while school is still in session. Once the school year ends, they can determine what to do each day with our kids. The trip to the beach is usually the Saturday after the last day of school.
Details:
Athletes in Action handles most of the details surrounding their urban project and the beach trip. The main responsibility for staff is to get in contact with Michael Sylvester, the Los Angeles area director for AIA. 323-206-0435
For the annual end of the year beach trip, AIA once again handles most of the details. It is Central City’s responsibility to create & print flyers, communicate with parents, and keep track of which students are and are not going to the beach.
Biola Sleepover
Purpose:
The Biola sleepover gives our students the opportunity to prepare a performance. It also empowers the volunteers as they plan and create the sleepover. While they are at Biola, the kids are exposed to a college, and the college students who go to the performance are exposed to Central City.
Description:
Students go to Biola at the beginning of May on a Friday after school. On Friday night, they perform songs that they have practiced during our daily program. Biola students attend the event. All the proceeds raised go to summer camp. The students stay overnight through Saturday afternoon.
Schedule:
The schedule is determined every year by Biola students.
Details:
Remind the students at Biola that they need to complete the flyer well in advance of the event. We like to invite parents, the board, and donors and in order to do so, we need a completed flyer.
In order for parents to attend the event, a bus needs to be secured for the event to transport them to Biola and back on Friday night.
Summer & Winter Camp
Purpose:
Many of the kids and youth involved at Central City rarely leave the downtown area. Summer and winter camp give our students the opportunity to get far out of the city into nature.
Description:
In the summer, students going into 3rd-12th grade attend a weeklong summer camp at Forest Home. The 3rd-6th grades go one week and the 7th-12th grades go another week. In the winter, the 3rd-12th grade students attend a weekend of winter camp.
Schedule:
The daily schedule for both camps is determined well in advance by the Forest Home staff. You will find out the schedule when you register and from there you will be able to plan when to meet at Central City to leave for camp and when you will return home from camp.
Details:
Summer Camps
3rd & 4th Grade / IndianVillage Summer Camp5th & 6th Grade / AdventureMountain Summer Camp
7th & 8th Grade / Creekside Summer Camp
9th – 12th Grade / OjaiValleyHigh School Summer Camp
Winter Camps
4th – 6th Grade / Junior Winter Camp7th & 8th Grade / Junior High Winter Camp
9th – 12th Grade / High School Winter Camp
For each camp, you will need to send a male counselor to hang out with the guys and a female counselor to hang out with the girls. For instance, if I was bringing mixed groups of boys and girls to IndianVillage and to AdventureMountain, I would need a male and female counselor for IndianVillage and a male and female counselor for AdventureMountain. The total would be four counselors.
Often, our students don’t own everything they need for camp. Make sure to get sleeping bags, pillows, and towels for all of the students prior to camp. You will also need to bring some hygiene items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. Don’t forget bug spray!
Forest Home has historically given significant scholarships every year to each student and adult counselor who attends their camps. When you register for camp, contact Celinda Perez at . She will make sure that the proper scholarships are applied. Summer camp should only be about $50. In 2009, Forest Home provided full scholarships for all students and staff! Also, make sure you register for camps at least5 months in advance. Spaces fill up fast!
Sometimes, it is difficult to find enough students to fill camp. When this occurs, try contacting the following people to find more children:
- Brenda Mitchel @ URM –
- At Door of Hope: Tim Peters , Ariadne Sideropoulos , and Stephanie Meijers
Finally, there are many forms and deadlines for Forest Home. Make sure that you begin the camp process very early with plenty of time to meet each deadline.
Christmas
Purpose:
The purpose of the events surrounding the holiday season is to empower parents, serve the community, share about the birth of Christ, and celebrate together.
Description:
Christmas is a BUSY time at Central City. We empower parents by signing them up for a multi-day, in house toy store where they can pick up a gift for each child in their family. We serve the community by taking the students Christmas caroling. We decorate miniature Christmas trees that the children can take home to their families. We celebrate the season by having a big family Christmas party.
Contents:
Toy Store / p. 6-7Christmas Caroling / p. 8
Tree Decorating / p. 9-10
Family Christmas Party / p. 11
Toy Store
Purpose:
Many gift giving events in the skid row community involve organizations handing gifts directly to the kids. Parents are bypassed in this model. The purpose of the toy store is to empower the parents of our organization. Parents choose the gift, wrap the gift, and give the gift to their child following whatever tradition they choose.
Description:
In the weeks leading up to the toy store, we survey our parents to find out how many children are under their guardianship. We also ask them what gifts their children would enjoy. We collect toys from various toy drives. Finally, there is a two day event where parents can come in to pick up their toys.
Schedule:
October / Begin securing toys for the event.November / Begin signups. (Do them at the same time as Thanksgiving sign ups)
2nd Friday of the month / Final day for toy drop offs.
Wednesday after drop offs / Toy store open
Thursday / Toy store open
Details:
Toy Donations:
Begin working on toy donations early. It takes a lot of work and a lot of prayer to get enough toys for our students!
The Los Angeles Fire Department holds an annual event called “Spark of Love.” Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, toys can be ordered via this website Their resources are very limited, so send in your request immediately on the day after Thanksgiving.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has also provided toys. Like Spark of Love, they run out of toys quickly and their deadline for ordering toys is in early December. In November, use this webpage to contact them to secure your toys early.
In the past, the Los Angeles Times has donated toys for the event. In more recent years, they have not had the funds to do it. Check to see if the program is back up.
Below is a list of other churches and organizations who have done toy drives:
- Ecclesia Church – contact Pastor D. Paul 323-464-8455
- YoungNakCelebrationChurch – 323-227-1414
- Here’s Life Inner City – 323-568-1811
- Bel Air Presbyterian Church – 818-788-4200
As you solicit and collect toy donations, tell each organization that we are available for taking any leftover toys that they have not given away after the holiday season. Organizations occasionally have surplus toys that they try to get rid of after the holidays. We can use these toys to stock up the SAY Yes store.
Feel free to raise above and beyond what we need for just Christmas. Any extra toys will stock our SAY Yes store.
Sign ups:
The toy store is for Central City families only. Parents may get one toy for each infant, child, or teenager up to 18 years of age for whom they are the primary care giver. When signing parents up, it is important to let them know that if they have a child who is not enrolled in SAY Yes or STAND, they can pick up a toy for that child.
While we sign up families for our toy store give away, we sign up our kids for the toy give away that happens next door at Union Rescue Mission. Contact URM for more information about this event and how to sign children up for it.
Classroom setup:
The classroom is decorated by a volunteer group in the days leading up to the event. Secure a group to do this so that the staff doesn’t have to! Christmas lights, garland, and a Christmas tree are set up. You will need about four tables to hold all the toys. After most of the toys have been donated, arrange them on tables according to the types of toys they are. (i.e. sports, teen girl stuff, toys for infants & toddlers, games, art, books, etc.)
Christmas Caroling
Purpose:
This event gives our students an opportunity to serve the community.
Description:
In the days leading up to the event, students learn and practice Christmas carols. During a regular program day, growth group and homework time is canceled. Students go Christmas Caroling instead. The exact date is up to the staff’s discretion.
Schedule:
3:00 pm / Opening and snack3:15 pm / Review carols and talk about expectations
3:30 pm / Arrive at Hollenbeck Palms
3:30-4:30 pm / Christmas Caroling!
4:30 pm / Head back to Central City
Details:
Our first time Christmas Caroling at Hollenbeck’s nursing home was in 2008. Before that, we always went to LAMP located right in skid row. However, the elderly at Hollenbeck appreciated the kids’ presence deeply and the kids loved singing to them, so we highly recommend continuing with Hollenbeck.
Hollenbeck Palms is located two miles east of Central City at 573 S Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA90033. Their phone number is (323) 263-6195. Grady Martine is connected to Hollenbeck through his acquaintance with Hollenbeck’s pastor, Scott Westerfield.
Before the event, teachers need to prepare about 4-6 songs that the kids are comfortable and confident with. In the past, they have sung Rudolph, Feliz Navidad, Jingle Bells, and Away in a Manger. In the past, we have made little jingle bells for the kids to play while they sing. We fasten little bells onto a pipe cleaner that the kids can hold and jingle. This gives the really young kids who struggle with learning the songs something to do.
Tree Decorating
Purpose:
Families living in the local missions and hotels do not have room for a large, live Christmas tree. This event allows families to have a tree that they can enjoy at home. It fosters our value of families and including parents in our events. It also gives families the opportunity to hear the Christmas message.
Description:
On December 21st, kids and parents come to SAY Yes to do tree decorating. We set up tables in the sanctuary and slowly take the kids through decorating the trees.
Details:
The ornaments, tinsel, and vases are purchased at Moskatels on 7th and San Julian. In the past, Grady has gotten a large Christmas tree from the lot that he helps run every year. We bring the tree to Central City to cut off small branches for the mini trees.
Sanctuary Setup
Decorations on
this table
Family Christmas Party
Purpose:
The purpose of this event is to celebrate Christmas with our families. We are able to deepen our connection with parents and provide gifts and food for each family.
Description:
Families are invited to Central City during normal program hours for an evening of a delicious dinner, family photos, and gifts.
Schedule:
3:00 pm / Opening and snack3:30 pm / Homework time & games with the children
4:30 pm / Dinner (parents arrive)
5:30 pm / Give gifts
5:45 pm / The party ends
Details:
The junior high youth group from WhittierAreaCommunityChurch brings dinner. Contact them at 562-945-4500.
Debbie Sanger from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa takes pictures of the event and does family photos. Debbie also knows a Boy Scout Troup that usually provides the hygiene items that are in the parent gifts. Contact her at 949-331-2181.
A gift is given to each child and to each parental unit. The parent gift includes hygiene items that the parents don’t readily have access too. This includes band-aids, wipes, hand sanitizer, etc. We usually do not provide a gift for children since we have the Christmas Toy Store.
SAY Yes Christmas Toy Store
You are invited to come to SAY Yes to choose a toy for your child on:
______.
1
Christmas Toy Store Signups
Initials / Residence / Parent/Guardian Name / Child name / Age / Inexpensive gift / Moderate gift / Expensive giftSR / Alexandria Hotel / Connie Lopez / Destiny / 7 / Earrings / Connect Four game / Hannah Montana Guitar
1
Toy Store
Tuesday, December 15th
Time / Parent/Guardian Name / Children / Gifts chosen11:00 / Soledad Sledge / Frank
Richard / Handheld Star Wars game
Soccer ball
11:00
11:15
11:30
11:45
12:00
12:15
12:30
12:45
1:00
1:15
Toy Store
Wednesday, December 16th
Time / Parent/Guardian Name / Children / Gifts chosen11:00 / Myesha / Miyah / Bratz doll
11:00
11:15
11:30
11:45
12:00
12:15
12:30
12:45
1:00
1:15
Easter
Purpose:
We created the annual Easter event with the vision of getting to know the community, promoting our organization, and getting more families involved with us. During the event, we provide for tangible needs by giving our guests food.
Description:
We spend the weeks leading up to the Easter event circulating the community, signing families up for our Easter event. On a Friday after school, we have food, games, and an Easter egg hunt at Gladys Park.
Schedule:
Prior to the event, circulate the community to sign up families from the missions and hotels in the area. When families are signed up, they receive an entrance ticket to the event and an Easter basket.
The Easter event happens on a Friday afternoon immediately after school at Glady’s Park. Here is a break down of the events.
- Get all staff and volunteers to clean up the park.
- One or two staff sit at the entrance to Glady’s Park to take tickets and to check names.
- Student volunteers from Biola and Azusa have face painting and games available for the children. During this time, the Easter eggs are hidden around the park.
- Easter egg hunt!
- Families sit down, we pray to bless the food, and then eat. All staff and volunteers are encouraged to sit among the families to mingle with them.
- Families can leave the park whenever they are done eating and relaxing. We give them a gift at the door.
Details:
Contact parks and recreation to secure the date for the event. Our councilwoman, Jan Perry, provides the tables and chairs for the event.
As we sign up each family in the weeks prior to the event, we hand the families an Easter basket. These are provided by Here’s Life Inner City. HLIC also provides little pamphlets that we read to the kids during the event. Contact Nancy Prior and John Emra at 323-568-1811.
Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa provides the meal for the event.
Baked goods for dessert are provided every year by different churches, volunteers, or individuals.
Debbie Sanger from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa takes pictures of the event. Contact her at 949-331-2181.
The exit gift that is given at the door is provided from a different church or volunteer group each year.
Easter Sign ups
Staff initials / Location / Name / Phone number / Child’s name / Age / GenderEcclesiaBeach Trip
Purpose:
The Ecclesia beach trip is an opportunity to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. It also is a great chance to build our relationship with Ecclesia, one of our major church supporters.
Description:
The event usually occurs the weekend before school starts. This typically is the first weekend in September. We meet up on a Saturday morning and head out to the beach to enjoy each others company. At the beach, there is no set structure. We simply swim and eat lunch.
Schedule:
The schedule is determined by Ecclesia in conjunction with Central City. Generally, we meet up around 10am and return by 3 or 4pm.