This Winter L.A. Works launched its first Season of Service focusing on the theme of mentorship. Whether its playing games with kids at a shelter or leading a life skills workshop for previously homeless parents, many of our projects are about interacting with others and setting positive examples. Gestures big or small, our volunteers can serve as mentors to those we serve as well as to one another.

Jeff Hopkins has been a volunteer with L.A. Works since 2005, becoming the Project Leader for the Activities With Teens at Children of the Night project in 2010. Jeff has embodied the mentorship role in many of his volunteer experiences and has been a passionate, loyal and exuberant leader for our community. The following Q & A are Jeff’s responses to what mentorship means to him.

Jeff Hopkins: Project Leader for Children of the Night (one of 3 project leaders)

Q: How do you see yourself as a mentor for the youth at Children of the Night?

A: The children we serve at Children of the Night (ages 12-17) have been involved in the sex industry and are trying to escape it. They have been exploited by many people, from trusted family members to pimps, and have encountered very few positive role models. By socializing with them in arts and crafts, games, improv comedy and other activities, we mentor them by showing that they can have positive, rewarding interactions with people once they come off the streets.

Q: How do you feel this mentoring role has been beneficial for the youth?

A: They get their lives back. Although they are kids they’ve had their childhood robbed from them and forced into adult situations prematurely. By acting as a positive adult role model, they get to have fun and be real kids.  They also learn to trust others, gain self-confidence and grow to know that a world exists where they can accomplish any goal and leave a full life without fear.

Q: How has this experience impacted you?

A: It gave me big dose of perspective! I used to sometimes think “poor me” when I looked at what I didn’t have (fancy car, big paycheck, etc). Now I realize how blessed and privileged I have been and how important it is to help others.

Q: Any advice/tips for others in mentoring roles?

A: Being a “role model” doesn’t mean you have to be—or pretend to be—perfect. Specifically in dealing with young people; just be yourself. Always work hard to set a good example, but don’t be afraid to be silly and let your personality shine through. Kids—and everybody else—will love you for it.

On a crisp Monday morning this past January 16th, more than  than a thousand volunteers woke up early to head over to Los Feliz Elementary School for a memorable day of service to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

After an energetic zumba warm-up led by Wil (of WilDanceFit), the volunteers gathered together listen to a few brief remarks from dignitaries like Mayor Villaraigosa, Secretary of Commerce Bryson, Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Eric Garcetti, and NFL Legend Rosey Grier. Then Superman (aka Brandon Routh) kicked off the day with our very own Superwoman (aka Porsha Pearson, L.A. Works Director of Operations).

And the volunteers were off! Painting the entire building (150 GALLONS of paint donated by Glidden), building new garden boxes, affixing 2,000 tennis balls to the feet of all the kids chairs (prevent squeaking and classroom distractions), putting together a beautiful new tile mosaic and building the school its first literacy garden (an area for the kids to read in a shaded oasis after lunch).

Community members and school families also took part in a workshop on Dr. King’s ideals led by Willy Siegel-Leventhal and a discussion on preparing their kids for college, led by iServe volunteers.

We couldn’t have commemorated Dr. King’s memory in such a significant and successful way without the help and dedication of the volunteers, volunteer leaders, skilled muralists and landscape architects, and sponsors.

Check out the photos from the day by our very own volunteer extraordinaire, Rob Naples, HERE.
And a great article in the Neon Tommy, HERE.
And it was nice to make the news, ABC HERE.
* you may have also heard us on the radio (KPCC, etc.) and other news outlets. Give us a shout if you find anymore stories about L.A. Works’MLK Day event!

Sponsors for the day included:
The Home Depot
Target
Accenture
Kaiser Permanente
Northrop Grumman

And a special thanks to:
Glidden
Starbucks
Wil Dance Fit
Hot 92.3
Grayling
iServe
LA Conservation Corps: Clean and Green Team
Shepard Fairey
CBeyond

After such an amazing 20th year, we are excited to kick 2012 off with a bang. With more celebrations (info on Seasons of Service coming soon… Winter’s Season of Service: Mentorship), even more impactful Days of Service (MLK Day!!) and an election year as icing on the cake, we know that there’s a ton to be done this year. But we cannot do it without you. Please consider taking this 3-minute survey to share your thoughts on what you’d like to see in 2012, by CLICKING HERE!

On Monday, January 16, 2012 more than 1000 community and corporate volunteers will revitalize the campus of a Title I elementary school in the neighborhood of Los Feliz to help commemorate MLK Jr. Day in Los Angeles. This national holiday empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.

Toiletries Drive for Veterans: As a part of the day, we are collecting toiletries for veterans (to donate to the local VA). We’re asking all volunteer to consider bringing with them on the 16th: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, deodorant, and/or soap.

To sign up to volunteer, visit the project page: CLICK HERE

Thanks Home Depot Foundation for your support of our MLK Day of Service Event!

We’re so proud to share this nomination by Dean Hetherington of Jaclyn Kloeppel as one of L.A. Works top volunteer leaders for our 20th year…

Do I know someone who is doing remarkable things as a volunteer?

• If that means knowing someone who brings an incredible amount of vitality, creativity and leadership to the Union Rescue Mission – then the answer is yes!
• If that means knowing someone who enthusiastically takes on new challenges and new volunteering opportunities as soon as they are available – then the answer is yes!
•  If that means knowing someone, who despite attending college and working full-time, still takes the time to invest in her community – then the answer is yes!

I would like to nominate Jaclyn Kloeppel for the 20th anniversary of LA works – for the reasons above and so many others.

For the past four years, Jaclyn has worked tirelessly at the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission – first helping to serve food, and then taking on leadership duties for the entire volunteer team. With utmost respect and courtesy, she always greets the mission residents with a sunny smile and friendly banter – it’s more than simply serving the residents – she treats everyone like old friends. For the other volunteers, Jaclyn does more than just lead by example – she tutors new volunteers, answers any questions and keeps morale strong with her humour and her creativity – which includes bringing in a variety of food and treats for volunteers, or hosting dress-up themes as part of holidays – and even giving small gifts for volunteers, recognizing them for their participation.

In addition to regularly serving the Union Rescue Mission, Jaclyn passionately tackles a variety of other volunteering opportunities – I’ve personally volunteered with her on two other occasions – at a Los Angeles convalescent home and Heal the Bay. Regardless of what tasks she is assigned, Jaclyn dives right into the work, whether it’s sincerely engaging seniors in making their Christmas activities memorable, or regularly cleaning up all sorts of trash from the beach with zeal. And these are only two examples of her incredible time commitment; I know in working with her at the Union Rescue Mission that she also has invested time into her community in many other ways including helping to build homes, serve food at fundraisers and assist at a Brain Rehabilitation Center.

Most incredibly, Jaclyn does all of the above – inspiring others and engaging the community – with the full workload of college courses and a full-time job – and she does it honestly and tirelessly. Not only that, but Jaclyn is a regular contributor to LA Works training and committee meetings – where she adds her real-world insight and optimism. I know personally that her dedication and positivity is truly an inspiration in how I engage my community – my memories of working with her is something that I hope to always carry with me – because her enduring work ethic and passion continually inspire me to do better, and be better, in my own community.

The results from the first ever Service Crawl LA are in!

• 77 holiday gifts wrapped for seniors
• 1,000 Thanksgiving place settings assembled for a homeless shelter
• 50 bedroom sets sanded for at-risk youth
• 10 flower beds planted for a women’s shelter
• 62 volunteers racing around Los Angeles engaged in service in the first ever Service Crawl (in the rain no less!) = PRICELESS

In celebration of 20 successful years of service to the community, L.A. Works spearheaded the first ever Service Crawl where teams of volunteers raced around LA engaging in diverse service projects at a variety of agencies. Volunteers solved clues that led them to each destination, gained points for completing tasks, and won prizes for their efforts. From the starting line to the finishing line it was undeniable that all the teams were “feeling helpful and engaged in the community”, expressed Eric Kissack, Team East Side Crawlers Captain.

Despite the rainy weather, the energy and enthusiasm were sky high and the impact made on the community was phenomenal. 62 volunteers were part of this momentous event providing support to 4 of L.A. Works’ long-time community partners including Alexandria Care Senior Center, Angel’s Flight Shelter, Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children, and the Los Angeles Mission.

This unique event not only left a lasting mark on these agencies, but also “introduce[d] a new volunteering experience to new volunteers,” said Andrea Schenk, L.A. Mission project leader. We’re excited to bring this event back next year and make it even bigger and better!

If you’re interested in learning more about the agencies served at the Service Crawl, you can sign up on our website to volunteer with them throughout the month:
* Alexandria Care Senior Center

* Angel’s Flight Shelter
* 
Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children
* Los Angeles Mission

A special thanks to the following vendors and companies for donating their services and goods for the event:
Antigua Coffee
Border Grill
Burke Williams Spa
Downtown Yoga Circle
Glen Ivy Spa
InterContinental Hotel
Starbucks
Trader Joes
Wake N Bake Wagon
Yogurtland

A special thanks to the following volunteer leaders who helped plan and manage the project sites:

Andrea Schenck
Angie Assereto
Ed Simon
Eileen McCremens
Holly Fishbein
Juan Mendoza
KJ Black
Lupe Veliz
Natalie Duarte,
Niki Tolnay
Samantha Castro
Serinah Alexandri
Sofi Rubio
Thao Tran

You can check out the crawlers and leaders in action in the photos, HERE!
See you at Service Crawl LA 2012!!!

For the past two decades, L.A. Works has worked hard to bring together the Los Angeles community through service. Though the projects and events have grown and evolved over the years, the objective to make volunteering as easy and accessible as possible has remained consistent.

This weekend we celebrated with a brand new event, the city’s first ever Service Crawl! Think Amazing Race meets Pub Crawl! Then the volunteers plus a few hundred of our friends braved the rain to toast our 20 years at our Beer Garden celebration!

A quick run-down of the some of our top “competitors” who volunteered at the Service Crawl…

• First to Arrive: High Five
• Second to Arrive: Do Good Bus
• Most Points: Humblebraggers
• Most spirited: Community Service is So Fun… I Really Mean That
• Most Spirited Individual: Cindy Nguyen from UCLA Works Works Works
• Top Team Fundraiser: Sour Pickles
• Top Individual Fundraiser: Sarisa Ransom from Sour Pickles

The rain did not put a damper on the celebrations! Hundreds of Angelenos joined us in celebration of our 20th Anniversary as we drained  craft beer in a Beer Garden at the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens.

A special thanks to:

• ColLAboration -  for their expert guidance on all things beer
• bgreen apparel – the amazing organic cotton tee’s!
• Yalla Truck – thanks Alan and team for coming out in the rain to feed the masses
• Wake n Bake Truck – Johnathan and Ryan fed some hungry crawlers in the am and wet drinkers in the pm
• Antigua Coffee – Yancey warmed our morning with delicious coffee
• LaShawn and Pablo & Clean and Green Crew – helped with the set up for the crawl and garden
• Rob Naples photography + his team of volunteer photographers at the Beer Garden
• Jeff Hopkins and Alexis Sexauer for roaming photography for the Service Crawl
• Roberta Romero – our Social Media Guru
• LA River Center & Gardens – thanks for keeping our heads above the water
• FOLAR – the tents were lifesavers!

Service Crawl Prizes were generously provided by:

• Yogurtland
• Downtown Yoga Circle
• Starbucks
• InterContinental Hotel
• Border Grill
• Trader Joes
• Burke Williams Spa
• Glen Ivy Spa

But wait, there’s more!

Sites and leaders from the Service Crawl included:

• Alexandria Care Senior Center and Leaders: Samantha Castro, Serinah Alexandri, Sofi Rubio, Natalie Duarte
• Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children and Leaders: Eileen McCremens, Niki Tolnay, Angie Assereto
• Angel’s Flight Shelter and Leaders: Ed Simon, Holly Fishbein, Michael Hicks, Lupe Veliz
• L.A. Mission and Leaders: Andrea Schenck, KJ Black, Thao Tran. Juan Mendoza

Thank you one and all. We look forward to another great 20 years of service to LA!

More pictures can be found at http://www.robnaples.com/laworks

We are days away from celebrating L.A. Works 20th anniversary! The day is going to kick off with LA’s FIRST EVER Service Crawl. Think Amazing Race meets Pub Crawl! Teams are going to move from nonprofit site to site, completing tasks and competing for some great prizes from Yogurtland, Starbucks, Yoga Circle Downtown, Border Grill, Trader Joes, and the Intercontinental Hotel!

Then the Crawlers plus a few hundred of our closest friends are going to join us (2pm – 5 pm) for a Beer Garden Celebration! All of our guests will get commemorative taster glasses and bottomless beer while supporting a great cause – volunteerism in LA! Tickets are still available and we prefer that you purchase them before the event (save $5 off the door price).

Get your tickets today @ http://www.stayclassy.org/events/detail?eid=8130

Don’t worry, it’s rain or shine because the event is in the beautiful LA River Center & Gardens which has a lush garden with beautiful inside and outside spaces to enjoy some good company.

On November 20, L.A. Works is celebrating 20 years of service to LA!! Join us for our first craft beer garden at the beautiful LA River Center & Gardens. Tickets are limited, so order now!

Your contribution to L.A. Works includes…
•    Unlimited pours
•    Top quality craft beers
•    Souvenir commemorative glass
•    Gourmet food trucks
•    Music

We’re partnering with ColLAboration, LA’s pop up beer garden pioneers
though you may also know these beer guys by their bars

Designated driver tickets will be available at the door for $15. This is a 21 and older event. IDs will be checked at the door.

Great Beer. Great Cause. Great Fun!

MORE HERE: http://www.stayclassy.org/events/detail?eid=8130

As a service to the Los Angeles nonprofit community, each quarter Dale Carnegie LA offers free  personal enrichment/professional development workshops to our volunteer community! Join us on Wednesday, October 26 for the third in the series: Understanding Diversity. Learn how to get that project or event completed with less stress and fewer road blocks!

For more information and to sign up, visit THIS LINK!