Thank You, Whole Foods!

All of us here at Foundation for Second Chances would like to thank the Whole Foods at 3rd Street & Fairfax Avenue here in Los Angeles for supporting our programs! On Wednesday, March 16th, 5% of sales were donated to the tune of $6, 875.35! These funds will go a long way in ensuring that FFSC will continue to serve the Los Angeles community through its Mentoring Program, Reading Wheels literacy program, After School program, and large-scale Community Initiative events.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Whole Foods in order to provide quality support and services to youth at-risk in our communities!

Save Service, Save FFSC Mentoring!

FFSC Mentoring, along with hundreds of other organizations and agencies who service millions of our most vulnerable citizens every year, need your help.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, a long-term Continuing Resolution that will cut government programs by $100 billion for the rest of this fiscal year. This bill eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), home to AmeriCorps and Teach for America, would zero out funding for the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners program program for the remainder of the fiscal year, and cuts funding for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention by 45 percent. (Courtesy of Mentoring.org)

We need you to take action NOW to ensure this legislation does not become law. 

Please contact your local representatives to voice your objection to H.R. 1! Instructions and talking points are easily available on SaveService.org, along with easy ways to write to media outlets and other useful information and resources!

FFSC Mentoring will lose its core source of funding if H.R. 1 passes, and be hindered from serving 120+ children of prisoners in Los Angeles who are already underserved, misunderstood, and forgotten. Through FFSCM, families receive case management, children receive stable and positive adult role models, and incarcerated parents are reconnected with their children and provided reentry services to combat recidivism. Our program, and many other quality programs like it, face a high risk of elimination if this bill passes.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2011's ROUND 1!

It's official! Second Chances Mentoring Program has matched 13 mentors and mentees for its first round of mentors in 2011. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our new mentors, who have committed to mentoring an youth at-risk over the next year. We look forward to watching their friendships blossom, and to the incredible impact that not only they will have on their mentees, but the impact their mentees will have on them.

Caroline Yacu & Hilary

Adam Shiell & Demetrius

Jess Lanao & Rashaye

Alyssa Smith & Sierra

Kenneth Brown & Robert

Leora Katz & Ambrosia

Sara Cummings & Ny'Breya

Daniel de Souza & Jonathan

Donna Pozon & Marcela

Darlene Aguilar & Anayha

Brieanne Nikrandt & Toyrion

Tina Fowler & Elena

Brian Ponce & Isaiah

Want to join our fabulous group of mentors? We'll be launching our next round of mentors in June, with training starting next month! If you, and/or someone you know, would be interested in mentoring an at-risk youth 6-8 hours per month for the next year, contact us today!

FFSCM Speed Mentors at Chuck E. Cheese!

This past Saturday, February 26, our new mentors and mentees met up once more at Chuck E. Cheese for three rounds of Speed Mentoring! Mentors and mentees matched off, and spent time shooting free-throws, playing skee-ball, and winning tickets at various games throughout the late morning and early afternoon. After playing games, mentors and mentees sat down together, asking and answering questions like the ones below!

Describe your ideal day with a mentor. What would you want to do?

Go to the beach - Isaiah, Age 7

Go out to eat and talk - Ny'Breya, Age 12

What is something you're good at?

Drawing - Hilary, Age 8

Football - Robert, Age 8

Mentors will be notified of their matches at their upcoming Match Meeting, and thus concludes our first Kick Off of 2011! As always, much credit is due to our amazing mentors, who will have an incredible impact on their mentees' lives over the course of the next year. And much love to Program Staff, for ensuring a great event for all our kids and mentors!  

Ready... Set... Kick Off!

On Saturday, February 12, Foundation for Second Chances Mentoring (FFSCM) launched its first round of mentorship at La Cienega Park! It was a beautiful day in Beverly Hills, and our mentors and families arrived with an appetite for healthy competition, and not to mention a delicious potluck lunch.

From the Name Game to the Final Relay Race, teams got to know one another and work together in order to send their Mummies through the finish line, morph themselves into Rocks and Caterpillars, tie balloons in a line with one hand, and share pieces of themselves while munching on M&M's.

A preview of more pictures coming soon!

SCMP Hits the Ice!

On Saturday, January 29, SCMP hosted its monthly group outing at ICE at Santa Monica, an outdoor skating rink just a block away from the 3rd Street Promenade! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon gliding (...and a little tumbling!) across the ice, with over 20 mentors and mentees in attendance.

Forming a Second Chances Train at ICE!

Juan and Seth striking a pose

 As always, it was wonderful seeing everyone together, and we can't wait to see you again next month!