Quick update since the last one (I hope):
Fundraiser Dinner
The fundraiser dinner went pretty well, I thought! And it was super nice to see so many people who support me there! The room looked gorgeous, and there was a really cool collaborative piece of art work for everyone attending to participate in creating that will be hung in Pomona Hope somewhere. I hope it goes in my office! But the Volunteer Break Room might be better...
I also want to steal the video we showed to add to our volunteer trainings. It was a pretty good overview of what we do, I thought.
And we got new pens! I love them, despite them having orange accents. It actually works on these. (Let me know if you want a pen, we've got about a million. Okay, really more like 500, but who's counting?)
It was nice, as a member of the Ministry Group at my church, who has helped put this event on several times now, to not have a ton of work to do to set everything up... I did help out, but it seemed far less stressful for me this time, and it seems that the past few years the Board has really made sure that they were the ones doing most of the work. I am so grateful to have such a hands-on Board to work for! There was still stuff to do last minute (which is good... I don't like having nothing to do), but it didn't feel like it was the end of the world if it wasn't perfect. Which is strange, because it seems like that's how it should feel once I actually start working for the organization...
The registration process looked very organized. The food was DELICIOUS (my mom even liked her non-dairy versions of everything!). The tables were named after major streets in Pomona! Very cute! It was all very elegant and well done, and everyone involved deserves chocolate.
And I got to dress like a grown-up! I'm gonna need more reasons to wear that outfit.
Garden Knowledge Board Game
The Garden Knowledge Board game got tested for the first time this week! The kids were at snack and we let the older group try it. They really struggled to answer some of the questions I thought would be easy, but hopefully they will rise to the challenge instead of just giving up. They did say they liked it, but I'm not sure how much of that is that they didn't want to hurt my feelings.
Champions
Our Champions had a rough week. Monday there was an incident where several of our students and one high school volunteer were acting very suspicious when some of our incentives for the 2-minute math tests went missing. That, combined with the fact that almost every single one of our junior high students (even the good ones!) left something out to be picked up by staff, caused me to start the entire group off with one warning as soon as they got there on Tuesday. I had to give the entire group a lecture about respect the place and losing our trust and I had to ask the high school volunteer to leave and not come back until after Thanksgiving, but I let him know we wanted him there, but we also wanted him to take his role as a leader seriously. And by the end of the day, I also had to ask his friend (two peas in a pod) to leave and not return until after Thanksgiving (same general speech). I don't like having to come down so hard on the kids, but some of them have been getting away with stuff for too long already, and they seemingly took advantage of the fact that Jeff was on jury duty all week. I just really hope that the two boys do want to come back and do better when they return. I'd much rather have them here than out on the streets all afternoon. Especially with the rise in violent crime around town lately.
Cancelled Day
As harsh as it sounds, the kids who got kicked out really only missed one day. We cancelled the program on Thursday for because of a whole bunch of reasons, the combination of which meant we would have too few volunteers, too many kids with no homework, nowhere to send the kids during garden workshop, and too few rooms by the end of the day, with just me setting everything up and making sure everything worked out. Instead, I used the time to plan our Advent calendar, starting next week, let volunteers know about the week off (for everyone but staff!), and continue planning the Math Adventure Journal! (I have to make it sound cool!)
We've started figuring out our Christmas party (thankfully, Emily is organizing that!) and we're going to be opening an hour early for the kids who are getting out of school early for the next 2 weeks! We may have been crazy when we decided this. But, on the bright side, it means the kids actually have time for their Advent calendar and associated activities!
Week Off?
It's Thanksgiving week and our kids get the week off of school, which means they also get the week off from us. But that doesn't mean WE get the week off! Nope! This week is fundraising week. Everybody's favorite! But in all seriousness, we do need to do it, and we've been so busy with actually running the program that we haven't had a chance to. I don't know about Jeff, but almost every one of my regularly scheduled weekly fundraising sessions has been postponed due to some kind of emergency that I had to deal with (getting kids picked up, people showing up, etc.). So it's good we have this time. Only to be interrupted by our delivery of Thanksgiving Baskets to our kids tomorrow (anyone want to help?), writing a letter of recommendation for a REALLY AMAZING volunteer who wants to go into teaching, and the random phone calls I've been getting all morning. And maybe cleaning my desk. (It really needs it.)
Thanksgiving
I just want to be sure everyone knows how truly thankful I am to be working in this job. To be supported by wonderful people like you. To be there for our kids (even when they're driving me crazy... because it is so rare). To work with amazing volunteers and colleagues, and to work for such an awesome Board. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I hope you do too!
Showing posts with label fundraiser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fundraiser. Show all posts
Monday, November 25, 2013
Monday, November 5, 2012
“Hey You, Don't Tell Me There's No Hope at All. Together We Stand, Divided We Fall.” ~ Pink Floyd
Funny kid story: Last Tuesday, I walked into the kitchen at Pomona Hope, where the youngest group of kids was having snack, to hand a note to a volunteer. When I got inside, one of the more spirited girls in the group ran up to me and asked if she could write on the white board. The conversation went as follows...
Me: Well, why don't you ask the volunteers here if you can?
Kid: I already did!
Me: So why are you asking me?
Kid: Because they said no!
Me: Well, as much as I admire your persistence, I'm going to have to go with the volunteers on this one.
I figure any parent will identify with that conversation to some degree.
Now, for adorableness!
You're welcome.
They also helped me on an international scavenger hunt that I'm doing on the side, but I can't post pictures of that until it's over.
Now updates:
Pomona Hope had its anuual fundraiser this Saturday night and it went very well! Really classy. I got to dress up. And I got a fancy nametag. But my favorite part of the night were the presentations. Joe George, current and founding board member, explained to everyone how it all began. Emily, Program Director, had beautiful stories about watching the kids grow up over the past few years. Barbara, beloved volunteer, talked about the personalities of several of the kids. And Veronica, one of our high school students/volunteers, talked about how much she loved Pomona Hope because of the help she both gets and gives there. She is so well-spoken and poised, you wouldn't peg her as an 11th grader. Seriously, she did better up there than I could ever dream to. Love that kid.
The art being auctioned off was beautiful! I didn't even get to see it all though, because there were so many people! It was just a great event all around.
But everything is getting "back to normal" at the program. Our one different thing coming up this week is Election Day! While adults all around the country are voting for politicians and issues tomorrow, our 4th, 5th, and some 6th graders will be voting in a mock election as well! We gave them time to do some research at the computer lab, on who they should vote for according to their take on the issues, by sending the here: Vote Smart. We also showed them a few episodes of Schoolhouse Rock and explained to them why it's important to vote, and what the world would be like if we didn't get to! One thing I had to get used to telling them, when they asked "What's the right answer?" was that if there was an obvious right answer, we wouldn't need to vote!
They seem to be excited about it (they probably hear about the elections everywhere they go too). Should be an interesting result! And more importantly, they'll be interested in voting for real when their chance comes.
Me: Well, why don't you ask the volunteers here if you can?
Kid: I already did!
Me: So why are you asking me?
Kid: Because they said no!
Me: Well, as much as I admire your persistence, I'm going to have to go with the volunteers on this one.
I figure any parent will identify with that conversation to some degree.
Now, for adorableness!
 |
| Halloween 2012 |
They also helped me on an international scavenger hunt that I'm doing on the side, but I can't post pictures of that until it's over.
Now updates:
Pomona Hope had its anuual fundraiser this Saturday night and it went very well! Really classy. I got to dress up. And I got a fancy nametag. But my favorite part of the night were the presentations. Joe George, current and founding board member, explained to everyone how it all began. Emily, Program Director, had beautiful stories about watching the kids grow up over the past few years. Barbara, beloved volunteer, talked about the personalities of several of the kids. And Veronica, one of our high school students/volunteers, talked about how much she loved Pomona Hope because of the help she both gets and gives there. She is so well-spoken and poised, you wouldn't peg her as an 11th grader. Seriously, she did better up there than I could ever dream to. Love that kid.
The art being auctioned off was beautiful! I didn't even get to see it all though, because there were so many people! It was just a great event all around.
But everything is getting "back to normal" at the program. Our one different thing coming up this week is Election Day! While adults all around the country are voting for politicians and issues tomorrow, our 4th, 5th, and some 6th graders will be voting in a mock election as well! We gave them time to do some research at the computer lab, on who they should vote for according to their take on the issues, by sending the here: Vote Smart. We also showed them a few episodes of Schoolhouse Rock and explained to them why it's important to vote, and what the world would be like if we didn't get to! One thing I had to get used to telling them, when they asked "What's the right answer?" was that if there was an obvious right answer, we wouldn't need to vote!
They seem to be excited about it (they probably hear about the elections everywhere they go too). Should be an interesting result! And more importantly, they'll be interested in voting for real when their chance comes.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
"Hope is the Companion of Power, and Mother of Success; for Who So Hopes Strongly Has Within Him the Gift of Miracles." ~ Samuel Smiles
We've got some big things coming up at Pomona Hope, and a lot of enthusiasm from participants (kids, parents, volunteers) and those who want to participate!
Firstly, the high school girls bible study group. We still need a name. I will entertain suggestions from the audience. Maybe I'll make it into a contest. The struggle with the group is that they get permission to come, and then at the last minute something comes up and they have to watch their younger siblings or school activities or something. I had similar issues when I was in high school and missed out on a lot, so I'm not deterred by this. I do think it will be easier for everyone to show up regularly once we move it to Tuesdays, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we'll keep trying to meet, and (if it turns out like last Friday), only one person can come, we'll hang out and watch a movie instead. I also had two of the girls come over on Monday night to eat some of my dinner, but I didn't turn it into a bible study (which was all prepared!) because I didn't want them to feel tricked into it, though I don't think they would have really minded. We watched Once Upon a Time instead. So now they've seen the most recent episode, and that's it.
Secondly, volunteers. I've been in contact with 4 new volunteers from places I never expected, just in the last few days. My favorite has to be the one who sent me a facebook message basically saying, "I was waiting around in the choir room of the church waiting to get married last week when I saw a flyer for an outreach in Pomona and I think it said to contact you." The only way I can think to answer my automatic question of "Who does that?!" is "It's a miracle!" I'm going to frame it and put it in my office someday.
Thirdly, the Walk for the Hungry. The Walk for the Hungry is Inland Valley Hope Partners' big fundraiser for the year. Most of the money goes to local food banks. Every dollar raised can be used to leverage 5 pounds of food! The kids of Pomona Hope are going to be participating in this year's Walk. When we were originally approached, our issue was that many of our families are just getting by, and some may even benefit from the local food banks, so who would they fundraise from?! But then we had a donor come up with the idea, and commit to donating $10 per kid who participates! So now, all the kids need to do is get permission from their parents, and show up! I'm in the midst of arranging volunteers to keep track of all the kids the day of, and to provide rides to and from the Walk. Should be an exciting (and exhausting!) day. :-)
Fourthly, Pomona Hope's Annual Fundraiser. This is our big fundraiser for the year, so it's usually a big deal, but this year it's taking on a totally new format. Instead of a sit-down dinner, it's an art show (well, art auction, but I know I can't afford anything, so for me, it's a show), with tapas. I'm excited about it, it should be a lot of fun. It gives everyone more of a chance to talk to each other, network, etc. and it gives us an ice breaker or two to boot! The art is being donated by local artists, and they were specifically asked to create something that reminded them of Hope. The event is called "Impressions of Hope." If you have any questions, or want to attend, please contact Tanya at teveleth@gmail.com.
It's weird. I'm tired, from lack of sleep, because I keep stressing out about whether or not something was done, but only for the things I've already finished. But I'm too excited for it to stop me. And that problem will probably be solved once this is my only job. :-)
Firstly, the high school girls bible study group. We still need a name. I will entertain suggestions from the audience. Maybe I'll make it into a contest. The struggle with the group is that they get permission to come, and then at the last minute something comes up and they have to watch their younger siblings or school activities or something. I had similar issues when I was in high school and missed out on a lot, so I'm not deterred by this. I do think it will be easier for everyone to show up regularly once we move it to Tuesdays, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we'll keep trying to meet, and (if it turns out like last Friday), only one person can come, we'll hang out and watch a movie instead. I also had two of the girls come over on Monday night to eat some of my dinner, but I didn't turn it into a bible study (which was all prepared!) because I didn't want them to feel tricked into it, though I don't think they would have really minded. We watched Once Upon a Time instead. So now they've seen the most recent episode, and that's it.
Secondly, volunteers. I've been in contact with 4 new volunteers from places I never expected, just in the last few days. My favorite has to be the one who sent me a facebook message basically saying, "I was waiting around in the choir room of the church waiting to get married last week when I saw a flyer for an outreach in Pomona and I think it said to contact you." The only way I can think to answer my automatic question of "Who does that?!" is "It's a miracle!" I'm going to frame it and put it in my office someday.
Thirdly, the Walk for the Hungry. The Walk for the Hungry is Inland Valley Hope Partners' big fundraiser for the year. Most of the money goes to local food banks. Every dollar raised can be used to leverage 5 pounds of food! The kids of Pomona Hope are going to be participating in this year's Walk. When we were originally approached, our issue was that many of our families are just getting by, and some may even benefit from the local food banks, so who would they fundraise from?! But then we had a donor come up with the idea, and commit to donating $10 per kid who participates! So now, all the kids need to do is get permission from their parents, and show up! I'm in the midst of arranging volunteers to keep track of all the kids the day of, and to provide rides to and from the Walk. Should be an exciting (and exhausting!) day. :-)
It's weird. I'm tired, from lack of sleep, because I keep stressing out about whether or not something was done, but only for the things I've already finished. But I'm too excited for it to stop me. And that problem will probably be solved once this is my only job. :-)
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