PS I Love You Foundation's 11th Annual Day at the Beach!

On Saturday, July 23rd, Second Chances Mentoring Program attended PS I Love You Foundation's 11th Annual Day at the Beach! This special mentoring event was a blast for our mentors and mentees to attend, and is so grateful for being able to participate for its third year in a row.

Children received free beach gear (including boogie boards!), toys, and a pizza-and-ice cream lunch! Free surf lessons, face painting, game booths, and--of course--the most epic of relay races were among the activities for the day. Our group did it all and then some, burying each other in the sand, playing in the water, and catching some rays on a beautiful day in Manhattan Beach.

We already can't wait until next year's Day at the Beach! Special thanks to Patricia Jones for putting on such an awesome program for at-risk youth in Los Angeles.

SCMP Gives Back to the Community

On Saturday May 21, Second Chances Mentoring Program provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to engage in community service together, imparting the importance of civic engagement and leadership to our youth. In collaboration with the Dream Center, a non-profit outreach committed to helping inner cities, mentoring couples volunteered for the day in the housing projects.

Delivering food, cleaning up the grounds, taking requests from residents, and spending time playing with the neighborhood kids were just some of the ways our youth were able to give back to our community alongside their mentors. Being able to see the effect that they can have on others made this a particularly memorable and impacting group outing; some of our mentoring couples even intend to return to the Dream Center on their own.

Second Chances is grateful for the opportunity volunteer with the Dream Center, and continues to encourage and support all of its mentoring couples to give back to the community in any small way they can, from picking up trash on the beach to volunteering at a local animal shelter, every effort counts!

SCMP Hits the Trail!

On Saturday, March 26, Second Chances hosted its monthly group outing as a hike at Eaton Canyon in Pasadena! After a week of heavy rainfall, the usually mild creek crossings became more akin to rivers, but mentors and mentees worked together in order to make it across.

While conditions didn't permit us to make it all the way to the waterfall, we had a great (and certainly memorable!) time even though there wasn't a dry foot in the bunch by the time we returned to our starting point. Check out some of the action below!

Thanks so much to all of those who came out to brave the elements; we can't wait to see you again next month!

Second Chances Walks in the Tidepools!

On Sunday, February 27, Second Chances hosted its monthly Group Outing at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro! Mentoring couples were able to attend a brief presentation on sea life found in the local tidepools before trekking over to explore the tidepools for themselves. Mentees and mentors had a ball searching for and pointing out sea urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, barnacles and more!

After the tidepool walk, mentors and mentees picnicked by the beach before heading into the aquarium exhibits and checking out the touch tank.

Thanks so much to all those who came out for a beautiful day in San Pedro! Can't wait to see you all again next month.

SCMP Gears Up for Thanksgiving

On Saturday, November 13, SCMP hosted its group outing at the Japanese American National Museum, participating in the museum's Target Free Saturdays! The second Saturday of every month, Target sponsors a FREE event full of great activities for children and families as well as free admission to the museum's exhibits. This month's theme was Thanksgiving, and our mentoring couples were treated to a full day of crafts to take home and share with their families.

Mentees and mentors constructed origami turkeys, pine cone centerpieces, woven place mats and journals, and turkeys made of plastic cups that could really gobble!

Our deepest thanks go out to the Japanese American National Museum for putting on an incredible event that our mentors and mentees really enjoyed. For more information on the museum's Target Free Family Saturdays, visit their schedule here!

FFSC Mentoring Now Accepting Mentor Applications!

 

Foundation for Second Chances Mentoring is now accepting Mentor Applications! FFSC Mentoring provides a unique opportunity for caring adult volunteers to befriend children with incarcerated parents in the Los Angeles community. Our mentors come from all different backgrounds, professions, and experiences, but all of them have the desire to invest their time and heart into our youth.

Mentors and mentees participate in a special matching process through our group Kick Off events. Mentors and mentees meet for the first time at our Mentor Mash Up, getting to know each other through relay races, icebreakers, and team building activities! Two weeks later, everyone pairs off for each of our 3 rounds of Speed Mentoring at Chuck E. Cheese. Mentors and mentees then fill out individual match surveys, choosing who they feel is their best match!

After finding each other, mentors and mentees commit to their mentoring relationship for 1 year, only 6-8 hours per month. Mentors and mentees embark on one-on-one outings of their choosing and at the times best for them, and mentors may also help mentees keep a connection with their incarcerated parent. FFSC Mentoring also hosts optional but fun monthly group outings to bring the mentoring family together! These outings are a great opportunity for mentees to foster relationships with other youth and adults, as well as a great way for mentors to network with other mentors.

Our next round will be launching in March 2011, with Mentor Orientation & Training Sessions starting in January 2011. Don't wait until the last-minute--get the application process started this month! For more information regarding FFSC Mentoring and the application, please contact Program Manager Laura Petry at laura@ffscinc.org OR by phone at (213) 627-1745. You can also fill out a brief intake survey HERE.

SCMP Gets Its Science On, From L.A. to Outer Space!

On Saturday, September 18, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its monthly outing at the California Science Center in downtown Los Angeles!

Matt and Eli prepare to be transported through space by IMAX Hubble 3D!

Mentors and mentees started the day being transported into space with the IMAX Hubble 3D, joining astronauts on their daunting task of repairing the legendary Hubble Telescope, and exploring our universe.

Afterward, mentoring couples headed straight to the Science Center's newest exhibit gallery, ECOSYSTEMS! Eight different zones transported our mentors and mentees through Forests, Islands, Deserts, Poles, and even the Urban Zone of our hometown with hands-on activities, interactive displays, and even a live aquarium.

SCMP Goes for a Dip in the Pool!

On Saturday, August 28th, Second Chances mentor Jennifer Moran graciously hosted this month's group outing at her condominium complex's clubhouse and pool! Mentors and mentees came armed with swimsuits, potluck dishes, and plenty of energy.

While most of the day was spent making cannonballs, playing tag variations, and teaching mentees how to properly float in the water, we made plenty of time to eat a lot of great food, dabble in some arts and crafts, and decorate some delicious cupcakes!

Thanks so much to our mentor, Jenn, for making this without a doubt one of our favorite outings yet!

PS I Love You Foundation's Annual Day at the Beach!

On Saturday, July 24th, Second Chances Mentoring Program attended PS I Love You Foundation's 10th Annual Day at the Beach! This special mentoring event was a blast for our mentors and mentees to attend, and Second Chances is grateful for being able to participate for its second year in a row.

Kids received free beach gear (including boogie boards!), toys, and a pizza-and-ice-cream lunch! Free surf lessons, face painting, game booths, and--of course--the most epic relay race were among the activities for the day. Our group did it all and then some, building sandcastles, playing in the water, and catching some rays on a beautiful day in Manhattan Beach.

Second Chances definitely can't wait until next July, when we hope to participate in this fantastic event once again! Special thanks to Tess Johnson and Patricia Jones for putting on such an awesome program for at-risk youth in Los Angeles.

SCMP Climbs to the Top of Los Angeles!

On Sunday, July 27, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its monthly Group Outing at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook on the recommendation of mentor Joe Weiner! It was a beautiful day in this pocket of nature nestled in Culver City, and our group had a great time hiking up the infamous stairs to see all of Los Angeles below.

No doubt, it was a challenging workout, but it was Taylor W.'s favorite part of the outing! "I liked climbing up the stairs because we all had to work together." Keeping each other motivated and taking in the views of Los Angeles from above made it worth the effort!

Mercedes, Taylor, and Michelle pose together at the top

After a round of high-fives and catching our breath, mentors and mentees had a picnic lunch before walking through the educational exhibits at the Visitors Center. The rest of the day was spent playing sports, with some of our mentees trying out volleyball and baseball for the very first time!

SCMP Gets Wild at the L.A. Zoo!

On Saturday, May 22nd, SCMP hosted its biggest outing of the year thus far at the Los Angeles Zoo! Teams of mentors and mentees sprawled across the zoo, engaging in a fun and educational Photo Scavenger Hunt. Posing with their favorite animals, learning that birds help keep alligators' razor-sharp teeth pearly white and koala bears sleep 20 hours a day, mentors and mentees also made new friends while enjoying the wildlife and sunshine.

Seth, Franciso, Antonio, and Eli chill out with the flamingos

Taylor, Mercedes, Cyra, and Marielle reach the wingspan of a California Condor

Seth and his mentor Juan, having a great time at the L.A. Zoo!

Much thanks to Program Staff for organizing the outing, and much love to our mentors for bringing their mentees out for a beautiful day at the zoo! We look forward to seeing all of you again for our June outing.

SCMP Finishes 5K Run/Walk at A Taste of Health and Fitness!

Mentors and mentees from Foundation for Second Chances' Mentor Program participated (and completed!) the 5K Run/Walk at Rancho Cienega Sports Park as a part of the agency's 4th Annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 24th! Check out some of us in action below:

Taylor sprints around the curve of the track, with Myesha and Ny'Breya not far behind!

Mentor Ana Flores rounds another lap around the track during her final mile!

But the 5K Run/Walk was only the start of our day! Mentees received free vision screenings, as well as free goodies to help them stay fit and healthy, from toothbrushes to yoga equipment. Mentors and mentees also participated in the Obstacle Course, designed by celebrity fitness trainer Tarik Tyler. Check out mentee Destinee's take on the course below!

Mentors, mentees, and other FFSC supporters pose with Councilmember Herb Wesson and Tarik Tyler before the Course!

Second Chances mentee, Destinee, owns the Course!

After the Obstacle Course, mentors and mentees gathered for a picnic lunch on the grass, and spent the rest of the day playing on the bounce house and inflatable slide!

Climbing up the wall towards the end of the bouncy obstacle course!

Rachel flashes us a smile after making it down the slide!

Mentees from our program were inspired to become more active; after running the 5K and playing tennis for the first time on neighboring courts at the park, one mentee asked her mentor to teach her how to play tennis and how to swim, so she could be more active and have more fun outdoors.

Immense gratitude and thanks to our Executive Director Melissa Wyatt, Bring Back Gym's Tarik Tyler, and all of Foundation for Second Chances' supporters in making the Health Festival a success! Keep a look out for our next blog post, which will cover all aspects of the Festival!