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It’s 3:00 pm – Do you know where your child is?
Some years ago this was an ad campaign created to address gang violence, teenage pregnancy, under-aged drinking, and drug abuse – with the focus on 8:00 pm. It was an appeal for parents to become more aware of their child’s activities, their friends and to take a more active interest in their lives.
Today, we still have the same concerns of gang violence, teenage pregnancy, under-aged drinking, and drug abuse – but now it’s an appeal for parents to contact organizations like Hands for Hope on Los Angeles. Founder and Executive Director, Lydia Floyd knows our children are making poor choices, but believes that can change if they are provided more options. Lydia realized she missed her true calling when she received a call from her sister – a single mother who faced the prospect of losing her job due to another inevitable absence from work in order to care for one of her children who was ill. Lydia believes by meeting the needs of single parents for resources when raising their children, we can make a difference in the lives of our children and their future. She has been on a mission to do so since 2000 when she launched Hands for Hope.
The organization, located in North Hollywood, California, offer an after-school program providing at-risk students a safe place to go from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm – those crucial hours when many children are unattended, unsupervised, and vulnerable to the many enticements of the streets. This program is free of charge and is designed to uplift the spirit, stimulate the mind and engage the body.
Hands for Hope’s mission is to broaden horizons, develop talents, instill life skills and build self esteem by providing safe quality after school alternatives to underprivileged at risk youth and single parent families. At location, students step into a greenhouse environment where they are encouraged to learn, grow, thrive and succeed. Students are involved in programs such as Smart Learning Hands, Active Healthy Hands, Talented Creative Hands and Successful Working Hands.
Activities under these programs include:
• Academic Assistance - Tutoring, Homework Assistance, Disguised Learning Games, and College Planning.
• Health and Wellness - Healthy Snacks, Physical Fitness, Nutrition, Cooking, Kickboxing Yoga and Tai Chi.
• Arts Exploration - Music, Art, Voice, Dance, and Drama (including playwriting, production and film making)
• Life Skills Development - Instill Life Skills and build Self Esteem. Peer Leadership. Driver Safety, Managing personal finances, Resume writing, Interviewing skills and Entrepreneurship.
All programs include Educational and Enriching field trips – Plays, Recording Studios, Museums, Sports games and much more.
Since 2000 Hands for Hope has successfully served students ages 9-19 and in 2008 will establish an extended program for teens aged 15-19. This program will focus on activities that will enable the students to prepare themselves for their future. Classes will include college and career planning, drivers’ safety education, and advanced level tutoring and enrichment programs. They believe this extension of the program is another option for the community and a valued asset to our students. It will be a tool they can use to help them progress as they move closer to their goals.
Funding for Hands for Hope is provided by corporate donations, individual contributions and fundraising efforts and events. These resources allow them to offer the program free of charge to the community, the parents and their children. However, as many have suffered from the declining economy, their financial support has subsequently diminished and they have endeavored to seek new funding resources to add to what is raised annually through their events – the Starlight Jazz Serenade benefit concert held in February, and HopeWalk, a 5k walkathon held in June. Monthly on the first Thursday, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm have an Open House, where you can tour the facility, meet the staff and enjoy a lunch as you can discuss the program. For more info visit www.hands4hope.org or call (818)763-4673.
* Saturday, June 14, 2008, there will be the Summer Annual event from 8:00am to 2:00 pm, a 5k walkathon and Kid’s Healthy Activity Fair at North Hollywood Park where you can join them and the fundraising, as well for food and fun.
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