Teenagers Make A Difference Day A Huge Success!

Congratulations to our teen Organizing Committee who worked extremely hard to make these projects happen! Over 150 volunteers attended the 7 projects across the city and painted, planted, designed and painted murals, decorated Halloween cookies, made Flat Stanleys, played games, repaired wheelchairs, cleaned up beaches and generally had a great time! Our grateful partners, The Burbank Center (BCR), L.A. Leadership Academy, Midnight Mission, Heal The Bay, Santa Monica Baykeepers, Alhambra Convalescent Home, and Wheels for Humanity wish to thank all the volunteers who made this such a fun and meaningful event! Check out some of the photos!

We Need Your Help!

Teenagers Make A Difference Day Needs Your Help!

October 28, 2006

There are several projects for this important event that could use more volunteers. Our teen Organizing Committee has worked extremely hard to make these projects happen, let's show them our support! Everyone can participate and we want to encourage you all to volunteer for these great projects! Click Here to take a look at the different projects we have available and sign up today! Help us make Teenagers Make A Difference Day a huge success!

Calling Teen Volunteers!

Teenagers Make A Difference Day

Teenagers Make A Difference Day is an important national event where teens are mobilized to do something good for their neighborhoods and communities. L.A. Works is excited to be one of the organizations poised to facilitate our city's response to this call. We need 15 youth volunteers (ages 14 to 19) to comprise the Organizing Committee! The Organizing Committee will plan and implement a volunteer service project that will be completed on the Teenagers Make A Difference Day, October 28, 2006. During this first meeting of the Organizing Committee, the teen participants will brainstorm ideas, make goals, select and begin the planning process for the service project. Click Here to sign up for this exciting project.

August Project Leader of the Month

We Salute our Project Leaders

Project Leader of the Month August 2006

Shelia Taylor --

I had to let you know about Shelia Taylor! Not only does Shelia run a monthly project at Friends of Animals, she was a valued member of this year's L.A. Works Day Projects Committee. Because of her expertise in contracting, our L.A. Works Day 2006 Katrina project was a huge success. We could not have done it without her!

Shelia outlines her philosophy:

A. I am an ordinary citizen fulfilling the responsibility that has been given to me my the community.
B. I have now been involved with LA Works for the past two (2) years
C. I became involved with LA Works after reading an article in the Downtown News under the heading, “weekend events”. That event advertisement was for LA Works Day. I spent that Saturday, cleaning along the LA River and painting over graffiti under bridges. I had a fantastic time. Of course on this day people make many friends. By the end of the day I became friends with a young woman by the name of Leng. Her last name escapes me. She’d been involved with LA Works for some time and began sending me notices of volunteers needed. I never signed-up for any of the openings she sent and eventually she stopped. I recall my schedule always being too busy and thinking each time, “you know, I’ll sign-up for the next event she sends, and that went on and on.” SO when she stopped it was like being hit in the stomach and I knew I was ignoring my responsibility to the community. I went to the LA Works website one evening and signed-up to be a Project Leader and it has been one of the best experiences of my life.
D. I volunteer, because it is “my” belief that we have been placed on this earth to serve and assist others.
E. My philosophy of volunteering is “Just Do It”
F. Thank you for caring about our community.

Shelia is a very special person and a project leader to watch! Way to go, Shelia --

This Month's Project Leaders

Thanks to all of our Project Leaders who are leading projects during the month of August.

You are the real leaders in our community! The Staff & Board of Directors of L.A. Works thanks you for being the real superstars of our community!

Albana Farias Alvin Fong Aurora Maniaul Bobbi Marin Bona Tucker Bryan Kadotani Charlene Chung Chris Fukunaga Christy Dean Christina Preiss Christopher Babers Cindy Goss Clarence Smith Connie Leonard Cynde Knerr David Trilling Ed Simon Elvin Albino Emily Barclay Gil Gerstein Grant Wadley Jay Ross Jesse Perez-Fraga Joan Bang Johanna Black Katherine Serrano Kathryn Perez-Fraga Kay Meevasin Kristel Stern LaJeanne Jones Lilia Elias Llami Gutierrez Luis De Avila Margaret Comstock Mark Kimura Melodee Cole Mike Kremer Nancy Tran Rafik Ghazarian Sandy Boscarino Sandy Choi Sarah Boyd Shelia Taylor Sherly Lam Srikant Ranjan Stephanie Cirone Suzanne Islet Suzanne Wiener Teresa Castelli Teri Johnson Timothy Dickey William Wira Veronica Cruz Yolanda Dave Yvonne Foster

Want to join the ranks of L.A.'s most involved citizens? Become an L.A. Works Project Leader. It's easy, it's fun, and it doesn't require a huge amount of your time. Go to the Project Calendar section of the website and sign up for Project Leader Training or email Julie Prejean to find out the date of the next session.

Past Project Leaders Of the Month

August, 2006 - Lilia Elias

June, 2006 - Tammy Simmons

April, 2006 - Mike Kremer

March, 2006 - Christina Preiss

February, 2006 - in loving Memory, Helga Hung

January, 2006 - Sherly Lam

November, 2005 - Clarence Smith

October, 2005 - Joan Bang

September, 2005 - Kat and Jesse Perez-Fraga

August, 2005 - Bryan Kadatoni

July, 2005 - Ken Hagopian

June, 2005 - Laura Bonilla

May, 2005 - Alexa Benson

April, 2005 - April Fields

March, 2005 - Mia Farrell

February, 2005 - Sandy Boscarino

January, 2005 - Andrew Anura Abeyesinghe

December, 2004 - Jacquie Moreno

November, 2004 - Timothy Dickey and Howard Weiner

October, 2004 - Russell Ali

September, 2004 - Suzanne Wiener

August, 2004 - Veronica Cruz

July, 2004 - Margaret Conway

June, 2004 - Ellen Dugas

May, 2004 - Luis de Avila

April, 2004 - Mandana Dayani

Mar, 2004 - Cindy Finocchi

Feb, 2004 - Viet Hoang

Jan, 2004 - Teresa Castelli

Dec. 2003 - Mary Lawler

Nov. 2003 - Jose Valencia

Oct, 2003 - Dustin Manhart

Sept, 2003 - Marc Weinberg

Aug, 2003 - Mark Kimura

July, 2003 - Jay Ross

June, 2003 - Meghan Lee

May, 2003 - Ray Ng

April, 2003 - David Trilling

March, 2003 - Tom Hoctor

February, 2003 - Kayo Shiraishi-Adachi

January, 2003 - Henry Meyer

December, 2002 - Suzanne Studer

November, 2002 - Ed Simon

October, 2002 - Bobbi Marin

July Project Leader of the Month!

We Salute our Project Leaders

Project Leader of the Month July 2006

Lilia Elias --

We need to celebrate the contribution of an outstanding L.A. Works leader! Lilia Elias has become increasing more involved over her 8 year history with L.A. Works, most recently making a commitment as a Dreamsaver facilitator. So far, she has facilitated 4 sessions and has committed to leading two more this month! She is awesome!

Lilia tells us a bit about herself:

My name is Lilia and I’m just a girl in the world.

I enjoy working with children and young adults. Through L.A. Works, I have volunteered at Children of the Night and lead Teamworks at the Aviva Center. However, I have also volunteered at other organizations outside of L.A.Works, like the Valley Trauma Center, L.A. County Probation Dept., Revlon Run/Walk for Breast & Ovarian Cancer and the L.A Gay and Lesbian Center. I have been involved with L.A. Works for approximately 8 years. Which is the beauty of L.A. Works, you can be in a funk where you aren’t able to volunteer for some time, but as soon as your schedule permits, L.A. Works is there for you! There is something for everyone, no matter what your availability or interests are.

When I read about the Dreamsaver project, it was love at first sight. Working at the UCLA Career Center, where great careers begin, I wanted to be a part of a project where GREAT DREAMS begin. Not only does Dreamsaver help kids plan out their dream, it also covers the importance of saving money and recognizing the difference between proactive and reactive behavior. YOU have the power to make your dreams a reality! Sometimes the biggest road block between you and your dream, is you. If one person can walk away from the workshop feeling confident that they can reach their goal, I have made a difference.

That’s what volunteering is about, making a difference by giving what money can’t buy, your heart. Being sincere and being yourself is all you need.

Lilia 's devotion makes her an inspiration to us all! Thanks Lilia --

This Month's Project Leaders

Thanks to all of our Project Leaders who are leading projects during the month of July.

You are the real leaders in our community! The Staff & Board of Directors of L.A. Works thanks you for being the real superstars of our community!

Albana Farias Alvin Fong Aurora Maniaul Bobbi Marin Bona Tucker Bryan Kadotani Charlene Chung Chris Fukunaga Christy Dean Christina Preiss Christopher Babers Cindy Goss Clarence Smith Connie Leonard Cynde Knerr David Trilling Ed Simon Elvin Albino Emily Barclay Gil Gerstein Grant Wadley Jay Ross Jesse Perez-Fraga Joan Bang Johanna Black Katherine Serrano Kathryn Perez-Fraga Kay Meevasin Kristel Stern LaJeanne Jones Lilia Elias Llami Gutierrez Luis De Avila Margaret Comstock Mark Kimura Melodee Cole Mike Kremer Nancy Tran Rafik Ghazarian Sandy Boscarino Sandy Choi Sarah Boyd Shelia Taylor Sherly Lam Srikant Ranjan Stephanie Cirone Suzanne Islet Suzanne Wiener Teresa Castelli Teri Johnson Timothy Dickey William Wira Veronica Cruz Yolanda Dave Yvonne Foster

Want to join the ranks of L.A.'s most involved citizens? Become an L.A. Works Project Leader. It's easy, it's fun, and it doesn't require a huge amount of your time. Go to the Project Calendar section of the website and sign up for Project Leader Training or email Julie Prejean to find out the date of the next session.

Past Project Leaders Of the Month

June, 2006 - Tammy Simmons

April, 2006 - Mike Kremer

March, 2006 - Christina Preiss

February, 2006 - in loving Memory, Helga Hung

January, 2006 - Sherly Lam

November, 2005 - Clarence Smith

October, 2005 - Joan Bang

September, 2005 - Kat and Jesse Perez-Fraga

August, 2005 - Bryan Kadatoni

July, 2005 - Ken Hagopian

June, 2005 - Laura Bonilla

May, 2005 - Alexa Benson

April, 2005 - April Fields

March, 2005 - Mia Farrell

February, 2005 - Sandy Boscarino

January, 2005 - Andrew Anura Abeyesinghe

December, 2004 - Jacquie Moreno

November, 2004 - Timothy Dickey and Howard Weiner

October, 2004 - Russell Ali

September, 2004 - Suzanne Wiener

August, 2004 - Veronica Cruz

July, 2004 - Margaret Conway

June, 2004 - Ellen Dugas

May, 2004 - Luis de Avila

April, 2004 - Mandana Dayani

Mar, 2004 - Cindy Finocchi

Feb, 2004 - Viet Hoang

Jan, 2004 - Teresa Castelli

Dec. 2003 - Mary Lawler

Nov. 2003 - Jose Valencia

Oct, 2003 - Dustin Manhart

Sept, 2003 - Marc Weinberg

Aug, 2003 - Mark Kimura

July, 2003 - Jay Ross

June, 2003 - Meghan Lee

May, 2003 - Ray Ng

April, 2003 - David Trilling

March, 2003 - Tom Hoctor

February, 2003 - Kayo Shiraishi-Adachi

January, 2003 - Henry Meyer

December, 2002 - Suzanne Studer

November, 2002 - Ed Simon

October, 2002 - Bobbi Marin

L.A. Works Day Tremendous Success

Thanks to everyone who was a part of L.A. Works Day 2006 — our most successful day of corporate and community service yet!

Read about L.A. Works Day in the news - past and present! Click here for articles about the impact of L.A. Works Day.

New Project - Meal Service for the Homeless in Pasadena

Join us for our latest new project - in Pasadena! On the last Saturday of every month with new agency partner Union Station Foundation

Meal Service for the Homeless


Description: Have some fun in the Kitchen while making a difference! Grab an apron and come help us cook & serve the homeless a great lunch at the Union Station Foundation. Attend a one-hour Orientation meeting, and then we'll all head for the kitchen to help prepare lunch under the supervision of a Staff Cook for the homeless residents of Pasadena.

Union Station offers emergency and transitional housing for individuals and families, hot meals, career development, job placement, health care, case management services and substance abuse recovery support.

Every year, they serve more than 150,000 meals and provide 31,000 nights of shelter to their clients. All of Union Station’s programs and services are free of charge and designed to help program participants find permanent solutions to homelessness. The work of Union Station Foundation is carried out through the combined efforts of a skilled professional stafff, and the generosity of hundreds of volunteers like yourself! Please join us!

Click here to sign up!

L.A. Works Appears in Los Angeles Business Journal

New Model of Corporate Philanthropy Combines Donations, Sweat Equity

Click here to read this story as it appeared in the May 15th edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Hot Project: New Tutoring Project started with Kipp:LA-Prep

Tutoring and Mentoring for Superstar Students

KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory School (KIPP LA Prep) is a charter middle school which currently has 270 students in grades 5-7. It is located in Lincoln Heights (3 miles Northeast of Downtown LA), and serves the economically disadvantaged children of this community.

KIPP LA Prep is modeled after the free open-enrollment KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) academies in Texas and New York, where the students, parents, and staff are all highly committed to prepare students with the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits that are necessary for future success in high school, college, and the competitive working world beyond. This public upper-elementary and middle school model has proven to be extraordinarily successful in improving academic and personal growth in KIPP students from under-resourced communities around the United States. Students at KIPP LA Prep work harder than most of their public school peers, and do not enjoy any shortcuts in their road to success in academic achievement and personal leadership. They are in school from 7:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M Monday through Friday, and every other Saturday from 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M., spending 90 minutes each day on math and language arts, with an additional hour devoted to reading; one hour on social studies; one hour on science; and one hour of fine arts or physical education.

Part of the reason for the success of KIPP LA Prep students lies in the tutoring and mentorship that students receive at Saturday school from volunteer tutors in the community. Please sign up to help continue the success of KIPP LA Prep by tutoring these incredible kids, and to make a difference in the lives of these children.

Click here to sign-up to help tutor these extraordinary kids

Summer Let's Read Sessions start in May - SIgn up Now

Want to make a real impact on Kids' lives? L.A. Works' Let's Read Program is a program whose purpose is to provide kids with the tools to help them reach their dreams. We work individually and as a group, with kids' school-related materials, as well as try to expose them to other topics that they may not otherwise encounter. If you like kids and wish to develop a relationship with one or a few of them, this program can be one of our most rewarding.

Volunteers in this program must commit to the full 10 week session on consecutive Saturday mornings May 20 - July 29 from 10:00 a.m. - noon. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers will develop a mentoring relationship with kids during the ten week semester.

The Let's Read program takes place at two locations:

Pueblo Del Rio in central Los Angeles. Click here to sign up! If you've never volunteered for Let's Read at Pueblo Del Rio, you must also sign up for the orientation session for new Let's Read volunteers on May 13. Click here to sign up for orientation.

Mar Vista Gardens in Culver City. Click here to sign up for the 10-week session, May 20 - July 29.