Office of Children and Youth in Transition receives national honor

The National Assistance League's Operation School Bell® Award was presented at a recent Board meeting by its local chapter to the San Diego Unified School District's Office of Children and Youth in Transition (CYT), led by Program Manager Vanessa Peters. The Assistance League of Greater San Diego forged a relationship with this office more than three years ago, and together they have developed a process that, in the last year alone, has enabled more than 200 of the hardest to reach children in San Diego to participate in Operation School  Bell (OSB). Peters is shown in photo holding the award with members of the local Assistance League.

Operation School Bell®, the signature philanthropy of the organization's 120  chapters nationwide,  began in the 1950's as a one-woman effort to provide clothing to disadvantaged children so that they could attend school. This year, Operation School Bell in Greater San Diego grew to provide new school necessities to more than 3,100 students in 70+ schools in eight school districts. Each child who visits Operation School Bell receives two complete school uniforms plus a jacket, underwear, socks, a hygiene kit, homework supplies and a brand new book. Satellite programs fit and purchase new clothing and shoes for qualified students at  community  retail stores. All  children  are  greeted  by  an  Assistance League (AL)  volunteer who guides them through the process  of selecting two complete outfits and needed supplies just for them.

The Office of Youth and Children in Transition works to support the continuity of education of students in transition including students in foster care, those experiencing homelessness, military dependents, and students who have refugee status. A goal of this office is to ensure students receive a quality education during transitional times when consistent attendance at a "home school" is too  often  interrupted.

A significant expansion of Assistance League of Greater San Diego's signature philanthropy - primarily supported with revenue from its Thrift Shop at First and University and donations from individuals and foundations - was made possible through collaboration with the office of Children and Youth in Transition. A series of special events brought busloads of 60 children at a time to AL's Chapter House in Hillcrest. CYT provides the bus, driver and supervision to travel across the city to pick up children in grades K through 6 whom have been identified as in critical need of assistance.

A group of eight educators from CYT welcomes the children to Operations School Bell and ensures professional supervision for the children while they wait their turn to try on clothes with an AL volunteer. As they wait, the children  are guided by the CYT team through the process of writing 'thank you' notes, building with Legos, making puzzles and playing educational games. When the last child is fitted with what may be his or her first new clothes and only book at home, the group gets back on the bus and each child is safely delivered to his school or family.

Assistance League of Greater San Diego nominated Office of Children and Youth in Transition for this national award for many reasons:

1. The staff has the expertise to identify children in need who are often missed by individual schools that may not have the chance to recognize their needs before they move on.

2. Educators worked with OSB leaders to work out a plan that works for our organizations' strengths and to meet the students' needs.

3. CYT has eliminated the transportation barrier that has limited OSB outreach to the neediest populations.

4. The events have been replicated with consistent success and positive outcomes.

5. Potential funders have attended the events, resulting in significant grant income to purchase clothing and supplies.

6. CYT has been a positive voice about Assistance League's impact on the community.

7. Presenting the award to CYT can bring public awareness of the needs of San Diego's school-aged population.

2015 marks the Assistance League of Greater San Diego's 50th year of serving San Diego. To learn more about the Assistance League of Greater San Diego and Operation School Bell, visit www.assistanceleaguegreatersandiego.org.

 

Purchasing group donates 450 backpacks and supplies

In support of the ongoing efforts to offer Quality Neighborhood Schools across San Diego Unified, U.S. Communities, a nationwide government and education purchasing cooperative is donating 450 backpacks filled with items ranging from pocket folders, rulers and calculators to pencils and water bottles.

Support was so strong for the U.S. Communities Backpack Initiative that the original goal of collecting school supplies to fill 200 backpacks was exceeded by more than double. The additional backpacks were made possible from the overwhelming response from our supplier partners: Applied Industrial Technologies, CARQUEST, Cintas, Fisher Science Education, GameTime, Garland, Graybar, Haworth, Independent Stationers, Insight Public Sector, KONE, ServiceWear, The Home Depot, UNICOM Government and Virco.

Arthur S. Hanby, Jr., San Diego Unified's strategic sourcing and contracts officer, helped arrange the donation. The backpacks have been distributed to students through the Office of Children and Youth in Transition and several schools, including Carson, Fay, Kimbrough, Rodriguez and Rosa Parks elementary schools.

“Our district serves an estimated 5,000 children and youths-in-transition experiencing homelessness each year,” said Hanby. “These include children and teenagers whose families have lost adequate housing, or are living in emergency, transitional or domestic violence shelters. Other have been forced out of their homes, have left voluntarily to escape violence or drug and alcohol abuse, or are refugees from war-torn countries around the world. What they need is a chance—a chance to succeed and a chance to hope. These backpacks help give them this chance.”

Following dinner on the first day of the meeting, attendees formed “assembly” lines to fill each backpack with everything from pencils and water bottles to pocket folders, rulers and calculators.

“Traditionally at our Annual Meeting, we are focused on the meeting content and the opportunity to network” says Kevin Juhring, General Manager of U.S. Communities. “Recognizing an immediate need among San Diego school children, our program participants, suppliers, Advisory Board Members and board members enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to give back this year. Their generosity showed a lot of heart, and we are proud to count them as part of the U.S. Communities family.”

Charity helps put shoes on 6,000 students

More than 6,000 athletic shoes have been donated to San Diego Unified School District by FOCUS North America as part of the charity's "Operation Lace Up."
Working with the district's Office of Children and Youth in Transition, the donations reached students at 75 schools where the need was greatest.

"So far, approximately 6,000 students have received new shoes." said Vanessa Peters, Director of the Office of Children and Youth in Transition, "thanks to the efforts of school staff who identified needy students, measured feet, and picked up shoes at the district warehouse for final distribution."

Parents and kids were grateful for the shoes, with staff receiving notes such as this one: “Thank you for the gift of shoes given to Israel. Thanks, Israel’s Mom.”

Cherokee Point Principal Godwin Higa reported that “the kids were
ecstatic with their new shoes.”

FOCUS North America will be providing another 6,000 pairs of shoes in the spring for a second major distribution event, according to Peters. For more information, contact her at vpeters@sandi.net.

District Staff Helps Community Give Thanks

More than 400 San Diego Unified students and their families were treated to a Thanksgiving dinner thanks to the district's Children and Youth in Transition, and Food Services departments, along with The New San Diego Children's Museum and Feeding America San Diego.

The third-annual event gave families a full turkey feast at the downtown museum, where they had the opportunity to think, play and create (the museum's theme) through participatory exhibitions, art-making activities, and artistic performances. Families took home family portraits commemorating their Thanksgiving Day and a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables from Feeding America San Diego.

"We are very happy to be collaborating with Feeding America San Diego by opening our space to so many families this Thanksgiving," said Julianne Markow, executive director and CEO of The New Children's Museum. Helping local children and families in need is one of The New Children's Museum¹s core goals."

The Children and Youth in Transition Department works with individual schools to identify those families in transition that could benefit from this event. Contributing supporters of the Thanksgiving meal were Ralph's and Food For Less. A big thank you to our partners and supporters for making this event a reality for our families.

For additional information contact Joanne Tucker, food services marketing coordinator at 858 627-7316 or jtucker@sandi.net.