Happy Holidays from CalSERVES!

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season! As you spend time with family and friends, take time to remember the many things in your life for which you are grateful. Enjoy peace and contentment.

Kids Love Dogs

Sadie and three of her biggest fans. These brothers all received awards at our
fitness assembly this week and they asked for Sadie to be included in their picture.

Bringing your dog to work every day may seems a little unconventional to some, but for me, it’ a dream come true. When the kids ask what a therapy dog is, I say “Her job is to just to make you happy.” Sadie is a one year old Catahoula mix that loves kids; one thing is for sure, the kids love her even more! Whether it’s the 3rd grader that spends his mornings, recess, and lunch time in our room visiting her, or the 6th grader that asks to take her for a walk when he’s feeling upset, her presence has made quite the difference here at Kawana.

When I visit Ms. Garcia's Kindergarten, she asks the students as I’m leaving the room, "Say goodbye to Ms. Williams." In perfect harmony the kindergarteners yell "Bye Sadie!!” If that isn’t proof that she’s doing her job, then I don’t know what is! 

by Jackie Williams, After School Team Leader at Kawana Elementary

Healthy Food for Families

Fresh produce from the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

Every Friday I go to the food bank and get hundreds of pounds of fruits and vegetables to give out to the families. This past Friday I got over 600 pounds of produce. I picked up 150 boxes of strawberries (1 per family), 200 pounds of potatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and celery. In the past I have also gotten sweet potatoes, carrots, parsley, green onions, apples, oranges, asian pears, and more. Although I do this every Friday, the parents still ask me how much I am charging for the produce. The families are relentlessly shocked and grateful for the copious amounts of fruits and vegetables I provide.

This is by far one of the most rewarding things I have a chance to do. Giving healthy food for the families to put on the dinner table, and knowing that my students aren’t going to go hungry tonight- that’s all the thanks I need.

by Melissa Collins, VIP Fellow at Kawana Elementary School

Learning Science by Exploring

Students exploring science at the RL Stevens "Build It Science Festival"

The R.L. Stevens CalSERVES after school program would like to say a special thanks to the Lawrence Hall of Science for supporting our students’ learning with the “Build-It” science festival. The instructor and festival coordinator, Jeff, did a fantastic job explaining each station to volunteers, and also kept students engaged.

The activities included constructing an arch out of wooden blocks, recognizing patterns, making a pop-up book, making structures out of newspaper, and making 3-dimensional shapes. Each class had an hour to explore the stations at the fair. Jeff emphasized that the goal of the festival was not to teach students facts, but instead to encourage exploration and creativity. CalSERVES staff and students appreciated this approach, as it led to a successful and enjoyable event.

This event also relied heavily on adult support, and would not have been possible without the generosity and involvement of our parents and volunteers. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped!

by Tyler Rockey, VIP Fellow at RL Stevens Elementary

Fun with Tennis

Last year, I was fortunate enough to have been in the right place at the right time to be introduced to Michelle Skipwith, the USTA Tennis Service Representative for Sonoma County. She was giving a presentation on bringing “QuickStart Tennis” into elementary schools to get young students more involved with the game of tennis. We placed an order for our school sites and for a very low cost we were able to supply our school sites with over 160 tennis racquets of various sizes for our students! We also received numerous types of tennis balls, tennis nets, and curriculum that will show our AmeriCorps members how to teach our students in tennis.

This Fall we had 3 tennis trainings, 3 hours each, for all of our school sites. At these trainings, mentors were taught the basic fundamentals of tennis and how to make it fun and interesting for kids. Now our AmeriCorps mentors have the tools and supplies to teach our students tennis and with this wonderful 75 degree December weather in Santa Rosa, we are fortunate enough to be able to continue playing tennis in the beautiful sunshine.

by Katie McCormick, CalSERVES Coordinator

Kids Quotes to Make you Smile

Kids say the funniest and sweetest things. Here are a few recent quotes from students in the CalSERVES programs, as reported by their mentors on Facebook. Be sure to like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/calserves, and see more of the amazing ways our AmeriCorps members are making a difference!

Patrick McGrath, CalSERVES Staff and former AmeriCorps Mentor 
I found out a HUGE secret to successful tutoring today - I asked a 4th grader that I tutored when she was in 1st grade why she is so nice to me now, but wasn't before. Another student interrupted as if it was so logical: "It's because you wear VANS now, and you didn't before...." OOOOOH. Take note everyone.

Sandy Ngaophasy, AmeriCorps Mentor 
A lovely first grader wrote me a thank you card that said "Ms.Sandy I'm thankful you work here because you care about me." it's such an amazing feeling to know I'm making a difference in someone elses life but little do these kids know how big of an impact they make on my life, just another great day at Meadow View!

Stacey Krywaruczenko, AmeriCorps Team Leader 
The 3rd grade surprises me almost everyday. There is always one student, no matter when I come in, he always gives me a hug, and makes me feel welcome in his class. Today another student asked me what do I want to be when I grow up? After he told me he thought I was 30 years old, I told him the only thing I want to do when I grow up, is work with kids like him!

Koby Johnson, AmeriCorps Mentor 
The sweetest thing I have ever heard was by a 1st grade student today who said, " Mr. Johnson, I am so thankful you work here. You make my life by being my friend." ♥

Sara Quinn, AmeriCorps Team Leader 
I got a gift from my secret buddy at school today and it was written by a student... the note states: "Here are a pear of holidai earrings to match your beutiful red hair!". It made my day nonetheless.

Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

To get the most complete idea of what the CalSERVES After School and Tutoring programs are all about, you need to see it. Here are a few pictures submitted by AmeriCorps members about their year of service.

Making a BIG Difference - the AmeriCorps way!

Meadow View Team Report - Christa Fox, AmeriCorps Team Leader

This year for Make a Difference Day, the CalSERVES Meadow View team  partnered with the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County and produced over 50 volunteers to beautify the campus of Helen Lehman Elementary. The projects at hand included organizing the school’s library, repainting lines, numbers and hopscotch squares on the black top, and, the most daunting of tasks, a complete overhaul of the garden!

Amongst the free bagels and coffee, we were greeted in the morning by Helen Lehman’s principal, Beverly Jones. After the initial introduction, our large group dispersed into three smaller groups and started on our projects. It was a beautiful day to be outside painting and gardening!

The amount of student and parent volunteers was very impressive! Entire families arrived with their own tools and went straight to work. Many hands were engrossed in the garden, as it required the most attention. The Meadow View team helped to pull weeds, organize the tool shed, and lay cardboard, compost and mulch. Needless to say, there was a lot of shoveling involved!

The painting committee revamped the entire blacktop to appear brand new! Paint was reapplied on benches, hopscotch squares, basketball hoop backboards, perimeter lines, etc. Once again, the blacktop has been restored to a wonderful place for students to play.

The overall atmosphere at Helen Lehman was incredibly positive! Thank you so much to all who came out to lend a hand!

RL Stevens Team Report - Richelle Andre, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

On Saturday, October 22nd, the R.L. Stevens CalSERVES staff and a handful of fantastic volunteers teamed up for Make a Difference Day. During the course of the morning, we were able to put bark mulch over many of the bare-dirt areas around the school, as well as on the margins of the playground. This bark mulch helps keep weeds down and make the school look great!

We were also able to clean out the school’s garden, which was full of truckloads of old weeds as well as garbage. Everyone worked really hard and had a great attitude the whole time. Thank you to everyone who came out!

Wright Charter Team Report - Stacey  Krywaruczenko, AmeriCorps Team Leader

This past Saturday, I joined the fabulous team at Wright Charter as we picked up trash and pulled weeds at Cook Middle School. These are both things that I have done numerous times at different locations, but there is just something very special about completing these tasks with people that I see everyday, with whom I know that I am already making a difference.

I mostly picked up trash around the school and conversed with my team members, one in particular that I didn’t even know very well, but through this experience I was able to get to know her at a different level. We had some good laughs, not just from our conversations, but also by some of the strange things that we found all throughout Cook. While doing all of these things, there were also members of the community who were practicing their favorite sport, or watching a soccer game.

Seeing the community interact in that manner allowed me to feel a sense of accomplishment. Through our actions of beautifying Cook Middle School, it is now a place where not only just the students can enjoy themselves, but the community can as well.

Making a Difference at Taylor Mountain

Richelle Andre, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Taylor Mountain Elementary

On Saturday, October 22nd the Taylor Mountain team, aided by a handful of caring and passionate volunteers, helped start the Taylor Mountain school garden - completely from scratch! Lumber and supplies were generously donated by Mission Ace Hardware, Bennet Valley Ace, and Bergess Lumber. Using these materials, along with tools borrowed from the Santa Rosa Tool Library, we were able to construct five pristine 4x8 redwood planter boxes that now have a home behind Taylor Mountain Elementary.

School staff also aided the project, and with their help we were able to scrub the outside stage area, clean up trash, and make a beautiful mural. Family members of CalSERVES After School students were also crucial team members who shared their construction knowledge and precious Saturday mornings to help us beautify the school campus.

It was a terrific event, with CalSERVES tudents and mentors helping create boxes, fill them with dirt, weed, and make a difference!

Making a Difference, even on a Saturday!

Jamie Hennick, AmeriCorps Member at Wright Charter

Typically for CalSERVES mentors, the weekends are reserved for resting from the previous week and recharging for the week ahead. This Saturday, October 22nd, is different. Make a Difference Day, the first CalSERVES service day of the school year, provides mentors with an opportunity to extend their service into their weekend, and for good cause. Mentors will be helping at four different elementary schools on campus beautification projects, with activities ranging from weeding to garden work and trash pick-up to painting. The ultimate goal is to improve the environment for our students by improving the physical conditions of the school campuses.

 CalSERVES is partnering with The Volunteer Center for this service day. The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County is an organization that promotes community service and volunteerism by sponsoring service events in our local towns. CalSERVES mentors will participate in this event at one of four designated CalSERVES sites, but there are projects at nine different schools that community volunteers are invited attend. CalSERVES encourages you to take a few hours out of your Saturday to join us in making a difference. All supplies will be provided at the site in addition to a small snack. Make a Difference Day will take place at the following elementary schools: R.L. Stevens, Taylor Mountain, Helen Lehman and Cook. Projects will also take place at Biella, Jack London and Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, and Cinnabar School in Petaluma and Sonoma Valley High School in Sonoma.

Again, volunteers will be working from 9am-12pm on this Saturday, October 22nd and we would love to see you there!

If you have any questions about the project, feel free to contact Rachael McDavid with The Volunteer Center at 707-573-3399 or Katie McCormick of CalSERVES at 707-320-8542.

Go and Tutor!

Jerry Noviello, CalSERVES Program Coordinator

Tutoring has begun! This is my favorite time of the year!! I can feel the energy from the excitement and curiousness and nervousness that’s mixing in the air at all of our school sites. It is a wonderful time when AmeriCorps Mentors are introduced to the student who they will tutor for the entire school year. Pretty soon all of the initial assessments will be complete and the sound of students reading from books or curriculum will fill the classrooms.

Students selected for our literacy-tutoring program all need some additional help to learn must-needed reading skills. AmeriCorps members use our thorough assessments to develop in depth lessons that target the specific needs for each of their students. It is a personalized instruction program that every year proves to yield stellar results.

As I am writing this blog posting, our AmeriCorps members are finding the instruction reading levels for each of their tutees. We then are able to choose books that students read. These books are at a difficulty level which is appropriate for each student to read along with the support of caring adult. Students who previously may not have been confident readers discover that they can be successful readers and that reading is fun!

To all of our AmeriCorps Mentors; I wish you high hopes for a great year ahead. Your dedication to service and to helping the community is an inspiration to us all.

Thoughts from Meadow View as Programs Start

August 31, 2011
We have just finished organizing the bookshelves for the hundredth time, or so it feels. The room is starting to come together and look like a usable place. The energy level is rising as we come closer to getting students with us. It’s exciting and we are all eager to put these long hours of training to good use. We are also coming together as a group and as team members. 

There is a sense of helping and caring. I genuinely love the feel of us all working together. I am enjoying my experience and the people here at Meadow View work very well together. Our group here does not get bogged down with drama. We have fun and we enjoy our time together. But we work hard when we need to, and we keep each other grounded.
-Olivia Jessen, Full Time Mentor, 2nd year

September 8, 2011
My team here at Meadow View has an inspiring amount of energy and enthusiasm for the programs and students. I am already impressed with each mentor and their unique contributions to the team. We have returners who were once quiet and reserved speaking out and being a mentor to their newer peers. We have first year mentors contributing creative new ideas, specifically with our kindergarten students, new to the After School Program this year. 

The mentors planned and hosted a successful teacher meet-and-greet lunchtime event, which included a delicious potluck, mentor photo and stats board, and conversation starting fun facts about our mentors and team. I am also grateful for my Leadership Team that takes charge in supporting me and our efforts. They make my job just a little bit easier but a whole lot more enjoyable. 

Cheers to a strong beginning to another great year of youth services at Meadow View Elementary!
-Kimberly Copperberg, Site Supervisor

Leadership Students are Monkeying Around

Kristen Mowers, Supervising Teacher, Taylor Mountain Elementary

The students who were selected to join the CalSERVES leadership program at Taylor Mountain were rewarded with a field trip to Expedition Island for their work. Students had to attend everyday, bring a great attitude, and help make plans for the year. They helped train their mentors (teaching them new games and providing opportunities to practice the youth development skills they were learning).

Students got to Zipline,

Trek across a suspension bridge,

Climb rick walls,

and be active the entire time we were there. The afternoon was full of smiles and laughter. Students helped each other and took on challenges that seemed overwhelming.

“I think a grew some muscles in there!” – Ruben, 6th grade

AmeriCorps Recruitment Update

Jerry Noviello, Program Coordinator, CalSERVES

CalSERVES Recruitment is complete!! It has been quite the process to hire all of our new part-time AmeriCorps members, but we are finally at capacity, with 51 Full-time AmeriCorps members and 66 Half-time Members!

Our AmeriCorps Team Leaders did an excellent job last spring to help us recruit most of our team from Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. Throughout the summer, CalSERVES staff have been hard at work to recruit the remaining positions. Many thanks to everyone who was involved in the recruitment process. We couldn’t have done it without you!

If you are interested in serving with our programs next year, please contact us! We are currently recruiting volunteers for our six schools in Santa Rosa. Volunteering is a great way to gain valuable experience in afterschool programs as well as build a relationship with our organization. I highly recommend volunteering if you are thinking about applying for an AmeriCorps position next year! You can reach us at 1-888-560-7378, or americorps@calserves.org.

Meet the Bellevue Full-Time Mentors!

2011-2012 Bellevue Team

The early start-up program has been very productive. Our 2nd grade students like our program, especially students who attended our After School Program last year. My favorite part of our schedule is helping kids with their homework because everyone gets to complete their assignment.

–Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Hector Morales

My name is Megan Cockrum and I am a full-time AmeriCorps mentor at Bellevue. I am originally from Modesto, Ca., but have been living in Rohnert Park for the past five years. So far, things have been going great! I have been getting to know the other mentor at my site and I am excited to get to know the kids!

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Megan Cockrum

Hey everyone! My name is Amy McConnell and I am so excited to be in sunny California. It is very different from Kentucky where I am from. The first few weeks have been so much fun. It has been great getting to know everyone and making new friends. I can’t wait to meet the children and starting working with them.

-Full-time AmeriCorps mentor, Amy McConnell

My name is Sarah Forzley and I biked out to California from the high desert of South East Utah. Besides loving the ocean, the mild temperatures, and all the beautiful food that grows hear, I’ve been getting to know the 4th graders I’ll be working with this year. I’ve also been cleaning up the school garden, sowing seeds from fall crops and scheming up fun ways to let our students get their hands dirty while learning about nutrition. Finally, our CalSERVES team leaders have been training us to be the best tutors and mentors we can be.

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Sarah Forzely

My name is Juan Pablo Carrillo, I go by "JP". This is my 3rd year at Bellevue; normally I'd have 5th or 6th grade, but this year I started off with Kindergarten and it's such a TRIP! In the past seven days I've dealt with slips, spills, cries, and a fair amount of both stress and laughter. I'm super excited to work with my 6th graders again, once we start regular COOL School. I can't wait for another great year... Wow! It feels good to be a Bulldog!

-Full-Time AmeriCorps mentor, Juan Pablo Carrillo

And... We're Off!

Melissa Moore, Supervising Teacher at R.L. Stevens Elementary

Mentors line up in fine style at RL Stevens

It’s the start of a brand new school year at R.L. Stevens Elementary, and after weeks of anticipation, the mentors are excited to meet their students. Armed with a storehouse of recently acquired knowledge in academic curricula and healthy behaviors, the “Cool School” Team is prepared for an excellent year. The first few weeks will be spent building an inclusive class community and structured, positive learning environments. With that foundation in place, and the enthusiasm and dedication of the CalSERVES team, there can be no doubt that all are in store for a year of learning, excitement and personal growth.

Programs get Started at Bellevue

Yesenia Salas-Chavira, Supervising Teacher at Bellevue Elementary

The Full-time AmeriCorps Leaders at Bellevue. From L-R, Julianna Whittaker, Katie Berg, and Sara Craige

Program Start-Up this year has been filled with excitement and anxiety! The majority of my team are new to CalSERVES and they have brought so much sunshine to our new room already. They’ve been working hard in learning their new roles, getting to know our Bellevue staff, and supporting one another in completing all their trainings. It has been a pleasure to see them grow so much in the past several weeks and especially see their excitement when they help out students in need. I look forward to this year and all the wonderful learning moments that are yet to come, especially from both out students and members.

CalSERVES Welcomes the 2011-2012 Team!

The new year has begun, and with it came 135 AmeriCorps members from across the nation. CalSERVES staff are happy to welcome everyone, including those members who are returning for a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year!

The first day of training, everyone was inspired and jazzed to go!

Engaged, and listening!

And it wouldn't be CalSERVES without some great Team Building activities!

Go, team, go!

CalSERVES Staff Retreat 2011

2011 CalSERVES Staff at Bishop's Ranch

Each year, the CalSERVES staff meet together  for strategic planning in order to reflect, share information, and establish goals. This year, we met in the beautiful location of Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg, CA. It was a very productive two days!

One of the things the staff accomplished were adjustments to the CalSERVES mission and operating principles, reflecting our ever-changing program.

Vision
CalSERVES provides opportunities for participants to discover passions, realize potential, and express power. Passion, Potential, Power.

Mission
CalSERVES engages AmeriCorps member in service opportunities to create healthy communities throughout California. Members operate as leaders, providing one-on-one literacy tutoring, implementing after school programs, and building volunteer capacity in underserved communities.

Organizations Goals

• Provide the opportunity for leadership and learning through service.
• Support youth to advance academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
• Develop trainings and learning experiences to foster personal and professional growth.
• Create meaningful opportunities for volunteers to strengthen the system of support for youth and families.

Operating Principles
 Be Safe.

• We advocate for and empower youth and families.
• We treat each other with respect and are mindful of the importance of self-care.
• We value humor and make time to have fun.

Be Respectful.

1. We work through conflict and maintain positive relationships.
2. We value others’ contributions and embrace new ideas.
3. We hold each other accountable as role models.

Be Responsible.

• We take initiative to make things better through a solution-based approach, asking for help when needed.
• We invest in personal and professional growth.
• We lead by example.

Pillars
Youth Development and Academic Enrichment
Health and Wellness
Service and Volunteerism
Resource Development and Training


To read more about our program, visit the CalSERVES website!

The Human Race 2011

 CalSERVES Runners/Walkers Participating: 110

Money Raised: $13,500.00

 Books for 1400 students: PRICELESS

AmeriCorps 2010-2011 Graduation Speeches

Watch the speeches from our 2010-2011 AmeriCorps year. This year's speakers are an impressive line-up:

Kathryn Mallen, AmeriCorps Member serving at Roseland Elementary
Elizabeth Sesma-Olinyk, Principal of Taylor Mountain Elementary
Dinorah Gallegos, Volunteer with CalSERVES at Wright Charter
Carmen Hernandez, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Bellevue Elementary
Ernesto Olivarez, Mayor of Santa Rosa

Wright’s After School Learns Proper Tooth Care

Gabrielle O'Neill, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Wright Charter

On Friday, May 20th Wright Charter’s after school program learned the importance of proper tooth care.  The presentation was organized by one of our long-term volunteers, Ms. Heather Carruth.  Heather is currently studying dental hygiene, so it was only natural for her to plan the presentation.

During the presentation, students learned about proper brushing and flossing, fruits and vegetables that help teeth stay strong and the effects of improper tooth care. The presentation was very engaging because the students had the chance to participate in some tooth care activities and our students love to participate. 

At the end of the presentation, students received free goody bags that were donated by Heather’s dental hygienist program.  The students were very excited about the free goodies that they could hardly contain themselves! It was great to see them so excited about teeth.

An article about this topic appeared in the Press Democrat. Read the article Ambassador of Smiles that appeared in the June 5, 2011 Sunday addition of the paper.

Thank You for an AMAZING Year, AmeriCorps Mentors!

CalSERVES gathered yesterday to celebrate the graduation of the 10-11 class of AmeriCorps members. Members enjoyed games, end of the year videos, photo contests, and inspirational speakers.

Members participate in games at the Year-End Celebration.

Mayor Ernesto Olivares poses with the Bellevue Elementary Team.

Speakers for the event included Santa Rosa Mayor, Ernesto Olivares, Principal Elizabeth Sesma-Olinyk from Taylor Mountain Elementary School, and various members and volunteers with the CalSERVES program.

In the 2010-2011 school year, our 115 local AmeriCorps members provided over 144,000 hours of service to the children and families in our community.

They serve for many hours each day, giving of their time, energy, and love.

The children in our programs have received their attention and commitment.

Thank you for being role-models, and making a difference!

New CalSERVES VIP Blog

The Volunteer Infrastructure Project (VIP), a part of CalSERVES, has a new blog! Check it out. You'll be able to read about all the amazing work our AmeriCorps VIP Fellows are doing across the state of California.

http://calservesvip.blogspot.com/

Volunteers Make a Difference!

Kimberly Copperberg, Site Supervisor at Meadow View Elementary

The third grade class at Meadow View has three teen volunteers who come consistently each week. The volunteers are students at Elsie Allen High School and have been extremely helpful. They aren’t afraid to ask mentors for help and interact well with students. These volunteers have served as role models for some of the third grade girls, as they have someone of their same ethnicity to teach and inspire them. “I feel like having the volunteers in the class is really helpful for the girls because they have someone to look up to and keep them on track,” reflected third grade mentor Ms. G. They have shown students that even if you come from a touch background, you can focus on education and staying involved in positive activities.

The sixth grade volunteers are very helpful, especially when it is time for doing homework. Mary, a teen volunteer, has been helping students with their homework when mentors are with other students. Another volunteer, Sam, has been connecting with the sixth grade boys. Sam is willing to play, do homework, sit and chat, read, and do whatever interests the students. He has connected and offered more one-on-one support to an intelligent but reserved student who was in need of positive connections. Sixth grade mentor Mr. V comments on the importance of volunteers in his classroom. “I believe that the students get into a routine of seeing their mentors’ every day, so it’s great to have other people that can also be mentors for the children.”

Fawn Wildlife Rescue Presentation

Gabrielle O'Neill, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow, Wright Elementary School

On Wednesday, May 4th a member of the Fawn Wildlife Rescue Center of Sonoma gave a presentation to the 7th and 8th grade student's. During the presentation, the students learned the importance of the local wildlife as well as teaching others how to prevent injury or harm towards wildlife.

The presenter brought in taxidermy animals for educational purposes so that the students could get a closer look at some of the local wildlife. In addition to this, the presenter taught the student's about the rescue center's specialization in rehabilitating ill, injured and orphaned black tail fawns.

The student's loved having the opportunity to see all the different animals and they were even more excited to learn that they could help protect Sonoma's wildlife making this presentation a success.

CalSERVES' After School Inclusion Project at BOOST

Emily Mann, CalSERVES Program Coordinator

Annette Zucconi, Beth Hart, and Emily Mann at the CalSERVES Inclusion Booth

BOOST (Best Out Of School Time) After School Conference is a great annual event for folks from all over the nation. Set in the amazing location of Palm Springs, CA, thousands of people come to learn strategies and skills to make their After School programs even more amazing than before.

The After School Inclusion Project (ASIP), one of CalSERVES Technical Assistance programs for After School, was there with bells on. We hosted a booth, with material and resources to help programs to include students with special needs and disabilities in their programs.

Our team also presented a workshop for Site Coordinators and Directors - a Training of Trainers - focusing on the newly developed 10-20 minute trainings. These trainings are designed to teach After School staff, who are often unfamiliar with specific disabilities, with some of the tools they need to help their children succeed in After School.

To learn more about the trainings and resources available through ASIP, visit: www.californiaafterschool.org

AmeriCorps Makes a Difference for the Egg Hunt for Tots!

Kimberly Copperberg, Site Coordinator at Meadow View Elementary

The City of Santa Rosa’s “Egg Hunt for Tots” is an annual event at Howarth Park for the past 25 years. CalSERVES sent AmeriCorps members to help support the event, both the day of and to help with preparations for the big day.

One day over spring break, AmeriCorps members met the Coordinator Laneil Bryant at the Steele Lane Community Center to paint signs and prep for the art project. On Saturday April 23rd ten AmeriCorps members and Site Supervisor Kimberly Copperberg were out supporting the event.

The CalSERVES team led face painting, bunny ears and duck head-band art projects, a photo booth with a bunny, and the main event…the egg hunt. There was also an animal petting zoo with bunnies, a chicken, goats, a cow, and a pig from a local 4H club. There were three egg hunts for children under 3 and for 4-5 year olds. Many families came out to enjoy the event, hundreds of people throughout the day.

Canine Companions Visits Wright

Gabrielle O'Neil, AmeriCorps VIP Fellow at Wright Charter School 

In April, Canine Companions for Independence visited Wright Charter’s After School Program. The students gathered outside on the playground for the presentation where they learned about the different types of dogs that are trained, the families that the dogs go home with, and the tasks that each canine is trained to perform as an assistance dog. At the end of the presentation the students got to line up and pet the service dog that was brought in that day. Smiles grew from ear-to-ear throughout the crowd, making this presentation a great success!