Community CONNECTIONS

March 2009

Volunteers are among our communities’ greatest heroes and we salute them for their commitment to service.

Neighbors for Change/Food for Change
As part of President Obama’s call to service, the Upper Nichols Canyon Neighborhood Association formed a “Neighbors for Change/Food for Change” program made up of neighbors from our association, other hillsides, Hollywood and Studio City. Motivated to do something to help the homeless, the community group organized and collected more than 8,000 pounds of groceries, clothing and toiletries to go to people in need. “Our PATHFinders employment program especially appreciated the clothing, which was distributed to clients who go on job interviews,” said volunteer coordinator, Sally Evans. “Having clean, work-appropriate clothing lifts the spirit and encourages individuals to keep moving forward.

Thomas Roden and Stinne Mortensen
As part of their requirements at the Copenhagen College of Social Work, these two individuals are doing an international study program at PATH. The interns arrived in early February, and will be with PATH through May 2009. They are rotating through PATH’s programs, starting by helping the Outreach Team throughout February. From March through May they will assist the program and case managers at PATH Hollywood, and at the Regional Center in PATHFinders, the Access Center in the MALL, and with our residents in PATHWays. As part of their class requirements they are here to gain knowledge of other ways of defining social problems, experience intercultural communication, gain insights into factors causing discrimination and racism, and then transfer the knowledge gained from their time in Los Angeles back to Denmark. In turn we will learn from them, and benefit from their time with us.

Pasadena's Walden School
On February 4th, the 4th grade class and their teacher Terra Toscano at Pasadena's Walden School were given a presentation on homelessness and how PATH is working to help solve the problem. The students, all bright and energetic as little birds, have decided to knit scarves for the children at PATH, and are preparing hygiene kits for our Outreach Team. They will deliver these and afterward have a tour of the PATH Mall and Regional Homeless Center.

Miguel Contreras Learning Complex
After a school presentation by a PATH staff member at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, the eleventh graders and members of the social justice club organized and collected new jeans, sports shoes, children's toys, and hygiene products for homeless individuals. Their teachers Juan Cano and Cari Kawaye were instrumental in inspiring the students to be concerned for those who are homeless. Ms. Kawaye and a group of students were given a tour of the PATH Regional Homeless Center when they delivered the donation, so they could see where their efforts would go to help others.

To learn ways to form CONNECTIONS to your community, contact Sally Evans at (323) 644-2207