Dec 15 2015 - Rotary Forum
Posted by dick dannells
Program for December 15, 2015: Sydney Hunt -“Students With Heart” and Molly Preston-“40 Prado Rd. Homeless Shelter”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Joel began the meeting with the program phase because of time constraints of the speakers.
PROGRAM: Sydney Hunt -“Students With Heart” and Molly Preston-“40 Prado Rd. Homeless Shelter”
Ashlea Boyer introduced Sidney. She began by stating her interest in neuroscience was because her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s disease and she plans to go into that field when she graduates from college. She decided in high school of a unique way of being connected with the elderly by starting a club at her local high school in which students visit senior care facilities. From this she started the non-profit Students with Heart by filing a 501c application with the help of her father. She developed a connection with the Los Olivos Rotary club. By now her non-profit organization has grown to having its own national Board of Directors that helps start other such clubs in high schools in other communities around the country. She is presently going to UC Santa Barbara where she started a college level Students with Heart club. She then showed a short video of students interacting with elders in a very unique and personal way.
Karen Zappia introduced Molly, the director of the Prado homeless shelter. Through the generous donation of Maxine Lewis and the legal assistance of John A. Spatafore, this homeless shelter is expected to be operational sometime in late 2016. John was instrumental in negotiating with the U-Haul Corporation to make available 3 acres at a price well below its market value for the construction of this facility When it opens, the Prado daycare center will close, the Maxine Lewis night center will close, and a number of churches that on a monthly basis now shelter the homeless will no longer be needed. CAPSLO (Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County), the organization that runs the facility, will be making Headstart meals at the new shelter. The initial goal was to raise 5.3 million of which 3.7 million has been raised leaving $1.3 million. Because of the large number of in-kind donations such as the installation of windows, electrical and plumbing, it is expected that a portion of this money will be used to run the facility when it opens. A team of case managers will assure the homeless applicants that are accepted into the facility will be free of drugs and alcohol and have their mental health needs attended to. 50% of the homeless are from our local communities and comprise 2/3 women and children from which the applicants for the Shelter will be selected.
FINES:
Paul Jones donated $20 happy bucks for the birthday of his wife Joy.
announcements:
Paul Jones gave a special thanks to Linda Osty for all her wonderful efforts in providing “The Miracle On 34th St.” and the literally hundreds of non-perishable food items and gifts for the underprivileged. Michael Boyer requested volunteers to screen the RYLA applicants on January 11. Our holiday party will take place tomorrow December 9 starting at 6 PM in the Edwards Barn. Connie O’ Henley announced that at 5 PM this Friday, December 11 the Interact club will be caroling and donating food items to those in need.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
Because it’s Christmas, here are the three most important gifts you can give: (1) give a word that encourages, (2) hands that help and (3) a heart that loves.
Program for December 15, 2015: Sydney Hunt -“Students With Heart” and Molly Preston-“40 Prado Rd. Homeless Shelter”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Joel began the meeting with the program phase because of time constraints of the speakers.
PROGRAM: Sydney Hunt -“Students With Heart” and Molly Preston-“40 Prado Rd. Homeless Shelter”
Ashlea Boyer introduced Sidney. She began by stating her interest in neuroscience was because her grandmother developed Alzheimer’s disease and she plans to go into that field when she graduates from college. She decided in high school of a unique way of being connected with the elderly by starting a club at her local high school in which students visit senior care facilities. From this she started the non-profit Students with Heart by filing a 501c application with the help of her father. She developed a connection with the Los Olivos Rotary club. By now her non-profit organization has grown to having its own national Board of Directors that helps start other such clubs in high schools in other communities around the country. She is presently going to UC Santa Barbara where she started a college level Students with Heart club. She then showed a short video of students interacting with elders in a very unique and personal way.
Karen Zappia introduced Molly, the director of the Prado homeless shelter. Through the generous donation of Maxine Lewis and the legal assistance of John A. Spatafore, this homeless shelter is expected to be operational sometime in late 2016. John was instrumental in negotiating with the U-Haul Corporation to make available 3 acres at a price well below its market value for the construction of this facility When it opens, the Prado daycare center will close, the Maxine Lewis night center will close, and a number of churches that on a monthly basis now shelter the homeless will no longer be needed. CAPSLO (Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County), the organization that runs the facility, will be making Headstart meals at the new shelter. The initial goal was to raise 5.3 million of which 3.7 million has been raised leaving $1.3 million. Because of the large number of in-kind donations such as the installation of windows, electrical and plumbing, it is expected that a portion of this money will be used to run the facility when it opens. A team of case managers will assure the homeless applicants that are accepted into the facility will be free of drugs and alcohol and have their mental health needs attended to. 50% of the homeless are from our local communities and comprise 2/3 women and children from which the applicants for the Shelter will be selected.
FINES:
Paul Jones donated $20 happy bucks for the birthday of his wife Joy.
announcements:
Paul Jones gave a special thanks to Linda Osty for all her wonderful efforts in providing “The Miracle On 34th St.” and the literally hundreds of non-perishable food items and gifts for the underprivileged. Michael Boyer requested volunteers to screen the RYLA applicants on January 11. Our holiday party will take place tomorrow December 9 starting at 6 PM in the Edwards Barn. Connie O’ Henley announced that at 5 PM this Friday, December 11 the Interact club will be caroling and donating food items to those in need.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
Because it’s Christmas, here are the three most important gifts you can give: (1) give a word that encourages, (2) hands that help and (3) a heart that loves.