Category Archives: Youth

Boogie Nite 5k raises $ 7,000 for Buenaventura High School

youth buena highThe recently finished Boogie Nite 5k race series raised $ 7,000 for Buenaventura High School athletes. Coaches, Melissa and Aaron provided enthusiastic student athletes to this 10-week event as volunteers. Runners and walkers came from as far as Somis and Ojai to participate, and the weather was perfect. Jim and Melissa Avrea of Aloha Steak House provided discounted refreshments for the participants after each race. The check was officially presented by race director Josh Spiker to coach Aaron.

Ventura Friends of the Library poster contest

The Ventura Friends of the Library are sponsoring a poster contest for the City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, April 2, 2016.  The contest is open to all youths who live or go to school in the city of Ventura ages 6 to 18.  Each child who enters a valid submission will receive a Ventura Friends of the Library Bookmark and have their work displayed at the 2016 Ventura County Fair.

The winning posters will artistically and colorfully illustrate the city of Ventura and promote the city’s 150th anniversary.  They may represent any period in the city’s history.

Entrants must submit original, two-dimensional works of art created by themselves. Entries may not include lettering, clip art, copyrighted material or any registered trademark or logo. Do not include the city name, logo or lettering in the original artwork as it will be inserted in production.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. If the entrant is under 18 as of October 16, a parent or legal guardian must sign the entry form.

All entries must be submitted on 11-inch-wide by 17-inch-high paper—no newsprint. Entries received on a different size paper or in the wrong orientation will be disqualified.

The entrant’s name, address, phone number and age as of October 16, 2015 must be legibly written on the back of the poster. Entries must be hand carried to the E.P. Foster, Avenue or Saticoy Libraries during library hours.

Deadline for submissions is October 16, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.  Late entries will not be accepted. A signed official entry form must be included.

A panel of five independent jurors will select the winners in three age groups: 6 to 9; 10 to 13, and 14 to 18. 1st Place Grand Prize $150.  1st Place runners up in the remaining two age groups $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50.

For more information [email protected] and please type “Contest” in the subject line.  To  obtain an entry form  www.sanbuenaventurafriendsofthelibrary.org.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser is raising funds to provide support to students from Title I schools in Ventura.  Donations will provide school supplies, music books, instruments, and the ability for the Symphony to enroll more students who are currently on the waiting list for the Harmony Project program.

The Symphony is trying to reach its goal of $10,000 by August 31. Donations are being accepted through a Fundly online campaign at www.fundly.com/harmony-project-1. Supporters may also call the New West Symphony office at 805-435-2778.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County is a youth empowerment program that uses music instruction as a tool for social change.

The program currently has 120 students who are enrolled in grades 3 through 7, with 40 more on the waiting list.  It costs about $1,500 per child each school year and is made possible by donors like you!

harmony200

QPI conference coming to Ventura

In an effort to provide a greater professional and nurturing environment for youth that are in foster care, Foster VC Kids, a division of Ventura County’s Children & Family Services, is working with a new groundbreaking foster parent training module developed to improve the quality of partnership, care, training and support within the child welfare system. A by-product of the Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI), 21st Century Foster Parenting training refocuses on trauma informed care, excellence in parenting for foster youth and a strong partnership between foster and relative caregivers, birth parents and agency staff.

The driving force behind this new training is QPI, a collaborative effort with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), and other state child welfare agencies and foster care partners. QPI works to create a professional, child/ family specific support for the child who enters into care, by engaging foster caregivers and birth parents as integral partners. Caregivers, parents, mental health workers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, child welfare staff and community partners work together to respectfully and professionally ensure that the care provided to children supports their healthy development and gives them the best possible opportunity for success and a normal upbringing. Training topics range from health issues, behaviors, parenting, caring for teens, transitions, trauma and partnering with birth families.

“For a moment, just imagine giving up your family — your dad, your mom and siblings, give up your beloved pets, sometimes give up your school and friends, that’s what we ask of these children who come into care,” says Angelina McCormick Soll LCSW Foster Home Recruitment, Development, & Support Specialist from Foster VC Kids.

Caregivers will work with a team to advocate for children with the welfare system, the court, and community agencies, including schools, child care, health providers and employers. Foster caregivers are expected to participate fully in the youth’s medical, psychological, dental care and support the child’s emotional and educational stability and wellbeing with the hope they will be reunited with their family soon. For our older teens, families are shown how to work with a team to provide developmentally appropriate opportunities to allow youth to thrive, practice life skills and have hands-on experiences in preparation for adulthood.

Ventura County was selected to host the statewide QPI conference for its utilization of QPI training. The conference will be held on Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25 at the Crowne Plaza. The event will include a welcome reception, keynote addresses from state and local foster care leaders, networking meals, and small group discussions on topics relevant to quality care and partnership.

To learn more about Foster VC Kids and QPI, visit http://fostervckids.org.

Storytelling a great success for enthusiastic kids

youth CAPSCAPS Chat
By Elizabeth Rodeno

CAPS Digital Storytelling Summer 2015 was a great success. Not only did we have 30 enthusiastic kids, we had a group of happy parents and grandparents, some very tired interns and three instructors who let the kids make their magic. We had three great weeks of edutainment. Our news casters shared the up to the minute news and features in the Non-Important- News. Art City was the topic for our Documentarians’ video.  The short film class worked hard on producing scripted stories from start to finish with a lot of bloopers along the way. The sets and costumes were amazing. So sorry you missed the disco. These last films incorporated the theme of water and will be submit to the Ventura Water Take1 film festival. Get a bunch of 10 to 16 year old kids with cameras, a green screen, water and Final Cut X and there will be a little craziness with a whole lot of cooperation and teamwork. All their films including Water Nerds and Art City will air on channel 6, and are available for viewing on Vimeo and You Tube. They can’t wait until next year to come back to CAPS Media Center.

We give a big thanks to Phil Taggart, Jamie Cawelti, Greg Dehn, Tanner Akseven and Nick Brandly who encouraged and instructed. No production equipment was harmed in the making of this film.

We are the non-profit membership organization that is here to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25.  This fee includes training and the use of our equipment, studio and edit suites. So what are you waiting for? Share your story, about water perhaps, with over 20,000 Ventura residents on channel 6 and 15. Go to our website, www.CAPSTV.org or stop by CAPS Media Center on 65 Day Road and schedule a tour. We are the non-profit membership organization that is here to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

A summer away from school at YMCA camps

youth YMCAA teen volunteer camp counselor with the YMCA helps a young camper into a rock climbing harness.

Hundreds of South and Central Coast children and their families are spending their summer away from school at YMCA camps, including sports, specialty, water, sleepaway, family and traditional camps.

They Y Summer Camp Programs create opportunities for hundreds of South and Central Coast children and their families to spend their summer away from school at YMCA camps, including sports, specialty, water, sleepaway, family and traditional camps. Dozens of highly trained staff and volunteers help ensure that children make lasting friendships and have fun discovering who they are and what they can do.

“Being away from the routine of school and home can allow kids a chance to challenge themselves and develop independence,” said Sal Cisneros, President and CEO of the Channel Islands YMCA. “The nurturing environment of the Y camps encourages Summer Learning Gain, or cognitive and emotional development that helps children start their new school year ready to learn.”

Dozens of highly trained staff and volunteers help ensure that children make lasting friendships and have fun discovering who they are and what they can do.

Camps provide an opportunity for children to meet new kinds of people and develop real connections without the distractions of phone or television. Activities such as ropes courses, team sports and meal preparation encourage teamwork, allowing campers to build valuable relationship skills that help them into adulthood.

The Y camps are accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA) which sets the highest standards in the nation for day camps. This important seal of approval means the YMCA complies with up to 300 health, safety, and program quality standards set by ACA.

Youth and  suicide prevention

youth suicide

 

A forum where facts and myths about suicide are brought to light.

The River Community Church, in conjunction with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Didi Hirsch, will be hosting a Student-Oriented Suicide Prevention Seminar. This seminar will focus on youth, because suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, combined.

It will also provide a forum where facts and myths about suicide are brought to light, based on a true story experience and the impact on loved ones. Tips on how to prevent suicide and what you can do for those you love plus resources for suicide prevention will also be discussed and provided.

This seminar will be held at The River Community Church (TRC) on Sunday, August 23,  at 1 p.m. in the main auditorium at 889 E. Santa Clara St.

TRC’s vision is to partner with others to help them enhance their quality of life and this includes helping families deal with issues such as these.

The River Community Church is known for being “Your partners in life.” For more information about The River Community Church, please visit their website at www.TheRiverCommunity.org or call the church office at  648-7955.

 

.

City of Ventura end of summer classes for youth

Call  658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net Camps held the Barranca Vista Center,7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted.

Drawing & Painting for Youth  8-14 years
8/27-9/24            Th            3:15-4:30 pm            $64
Explore relevant artists and their styles to create your own acrylic paintings and pencil and charcoal drawings. Course# 40379

Clay Fantasy Creations for Youth  8-14 years
8/27-9/24            Th             4:45-6 pm       $64
Create dragons, mermaids and other imaginary creatures plus clay jewelry and flowers. Course# 40380

Dynamic Singers Children’s Choir  5-12 years
8/31-10/2            M             4:30-5:30 pm             $75+$5 materials fee
Learn basic music warm-ups, fundamentals and theory through different genres of music, languages and dance moves for a concert on the last day of class. At BFC, 6950 E Ralston St. in Ventura. Instructor Daniela Flores-Palomino. Course# 40282

The Fall 2015 class Guide is now on-line for class registration.