Teens Only | #onedayonedeed

Greetings!

I know you're all busy with school winding down, so this post shall be short! 

I saw something on TV about the 100 Good Deeds Bracelet. It's a cool bracelet made up of 100 beads. But cooler still is the purpose behind it. Here's the info from the website:

Because work gives dignity and freedom...each purchase employs one vulnerable woman...

Because it opens us to see the need for compassion and to hear the call for kindness...

Because you can change the world one deed, one bead, one act of kindness at a time...

Because you matter.

I don't think I need to say anything more.

I bought one. You don't have to buy one to commit to random acts of kindness, however. 

But I bought one because in this busy, busy world in which we find ourselves, there are many days that -- let's face it -- start out rather crummy and go south from there. Just the other day I slept through my alarm (twice), had no cream for my coffee, got stuck in a huge traffic jam, and spilled coffee (without cream!) all over my new white blouse. That was all before 8 am! 

That was one of those days I could have used a reminder to be kind. To be generous. To do something good for somebody else instead of focusing on my own negatives.

Seriously! This is NOT a promotion to make you buy the bracelet. 

But this IS an opportunity for you to do something really, really good for young people in your community.

Summer Book Buddies will return to the Chavez Library in June. This is a fun tutoring program to help children entering 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades who are struggling with reading. Teens 14 years and older with a 3.0 GPA are very welcome to join us for a fun and rewarding experience.

There will be a training on Saturday, June 7 from 10 am until 12 pm. Refreshments will be provided. Book Buddies runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July.

Be a part of this wonderful community program. Help others. Do something really good!

Questions? Call (209) 937-7012. 

In the meantime, best of luck with the end of the school year!

   

Teens Only | Random Thoughts

Good afternoon!

As you may remember, I wrote about volunteer opportunities -- namely the Book Buddies program -- a while back. Well, well, well. I never, ever -- in my wildest dreams -- expected the turnout I received.

Our Book Buddies program (at the Cesar Chavez Central Library) is a summer reading help project for children entering the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades. We've got about 50 kids coming to the library every Monday, Wednesday and Friday getting help with their reading. From the smiles on their faces and their excitement each time they sign in, I think this program is a huge success. They're enjoying reading! Hello!! 

This program would never have gotten off the ground without the dedication -- and I should say Dedication with a capital "D" -- of our teen volunteers. They arrive 30-45 minutes early each session and pull materials (books, activities, etc.) to share with their young person or small group of young persons. They read. They encourage. They build confidence. Oh my goodness: they are creating readers!!! Am I slightly over the moon about this? You bet!

I tell the volunteers all the time how much I appreciate them. I hope they hear me. I really do. I hope they know -- if not now, then someday -- what an incredible impact they are making on the lives of young people.

If they need a little help realizing their wonderfulness, here's a thought. And a thought for all of you.

Have you heard of the website www.futureme.org? Let me explain. It's a website where you can write a letter to your future self. Pretty cool, right? You can set the date for the letter to be emailed to you. Set it for a month. Set it for a year. Set it for 10 years. It's up to you. Of course, you'll have to keep the same email address, but that's not a huge thing. 

I'm going to write a letter right now to my future self. I'm going to write about the community spirit I have observed in my teen volunteers this summer. I don't know when I'll have the letter emailed back to me. But if it happens to arrive on a day when I'm in a blue mood, I know I'll be uplifted to remember this awesome group of teens and how they gave of themselves to help others. That will turn around any blue mood...most definitely.

So what are you waiting for? Write a letter to your future self. Have fun.

P.S. If you're wondering about volunteer opportunities at the library, stay tuned. There will be lots more wonderful chances to share your time come September.

In the meantime, be well.

Teens Only | Read This If You Want To Make a Difference

Good afternoon!

Today I am presenting an opportunity that is sure to make you feel good, look great on your college application and future job resumes, and really, truly help others.

kidlutions.blogspot.com

This summer, the Cesar Chavez Central Library is hosting a Book Buddies program for children entering 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. This program is geared to those kids who are really struggling with reading. Reading, as you know, is the foundation for academic success. So we are trying to help these kids now so that their futures are bright!!

Summer Book Buddies needs volunteers! Teens must be 14 years of age and show proof of a 3.0 GPA or provide a letter of reference from a teacher or principal. All you have to do is fill out a volunteer application and show up for this exciting program.

The program will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30 pm from June 10 through August 16, 2013. Of course, we realize volunteers will have other things going on in the summer, but we hope you'll be able to come to most of the sessions.

A mandatory training will be held Saturday, June 8 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Chavez Library. The training will be repeated Saturday, June 15 as well. Lunch will be provided.

And did I mention that volunteers who attend at least 15 sessions receive a special gift at the end of Summer Book Buddies? It's true. I wouldn't lie.

Here's a chance to do something really positive this summer. And we'll give you training and all the materials you'll need. You'll see. It will even be fun.

If you are interested, please contact me at suzy.daveluy@stocktongov.com or call me at (209) 937-7012. Phone lines are open. :)

Still thinking about it? Consider this quote from Winston Churchill: You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. 

Make a difference!

 

 

LIFE& STYLE | It takes a city full of volunteers to ....

Improve a city.

I just had a party at my house last Sunday. 

It took half a village to make that party a success.

My mom and I made delicious foods. My husband cleaned the carpets. My dad cleaned the yard. My aunts brought homemade pastry and salads. My good friend Vida made Brownie bites. 

My friend Zari helped me serve more than 50 cups of tea. My friend Roya helped me clean up the table. It was a good party thanks to everyone who pitched in to help.

This brings me to the issue of VOLUNTEERING.

Have you ever considered volunteering at Chavez Library?

Our Chavez volunteers have been helping the library by giving the library the gift of their time. 

Our volunteers' dedication has enabled the library to run smoothly despite all the staff shortages due to budget cuts, hiring freezes and retirements. 

• We have literacy volunteers who teach adult learners to read and write.

• We have volunteers who shelve books or process returned items.

• We have volunteers who help out kids with their homeworks on Wednesdays.

I think our library is blessed to have these volunteers.
 
But Chavez Library needs more of these wonderful volunteers.

If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider volunteering at Chavez Library.

Just pickup an application from the customer service or reference desk. To be a volunteer you should be at least 14 years old.

Let me tell you something.

Since I work full-time, I can only volunteer one hour/week at my child's school. I grade papers and update her class bulletin board. Sometimes the students just read me books.

By volunteering an hour a week, I am giving my child's teacher an hour of free time. This benefits all the kids in that classroom. There are other working parents in that classroom who volunteer as well. All these efforts add up and I am certain that it would have an impact on these kids futures.

Most of us in this economy might not have money to donate to good causes, but we can all volunteer our time for worthy causes.

It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

So if you can spare a few hours a week, please consider volunteering at Chavez Library. 

Let's give our wonderful library a helping hand. 

Let's remember President Kennedy's words of wisdom :
  
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Signing off until next Monday- Panteha