Chewy Asked the Wrap/RBS staff: Who was your greatest informal support at any point in your life? And Why?

 Amy Ley Sanchez. She was my 1st year internship supervisor. She taught me a lot about how to work with clients. Even when I needed support from the Bay area she would take the time and provide it for me.  Angie R. (Facilitator)

  MY NANA! (Grandmother)  She was there for me and my sister when my parents could not be there for us as kids and gave us all the love she could. She was  a great role model for me, supported me in everything that I did  and taught me how to be a young lady!  Elisa L. (Facilitator)

My Aunt Kelley. She helped me learn Independence. She lived in New York  which influenced me to go to school there. Her passion for travelling inspired me to travel as well. Even to this day, she continues to motivate and inspire me.

Alllie S. (CFS)

My Dad. He would take me to Dodger games and the beach. He would also teach me gardening and how to work on cars. He was great at teaching me skills such as construction, auto mechanics and gardening.  Cindy L. (Parent Partner)

 My youngest Aunt, Uncle, and Grandma on my mother’s side. They would take me to school, babysit me, and let me spend the night at their place. They would also take me to the park,  to Dodger games, the zoo, come to my baseball/ basketball games and attend my piano recitals.  Alex J. (CFS)

 

My Sensei, He instilled a  sense of discipline and responsibility all the while teaching me to have fun  at the same time. He influenced me how to give everything that I do 100% effort and to not give up on what I saw as important.  Anita C. (Facilitator)

 My Uncle Juan. Since my dad was always working, he would do all the sports activities: racquetball, baseball, and golf. He made time for me in the evenings and weekends. He took me to the beach to watch beach volleyball and to the stadium to watch baseball games.  My Uncle Juan also taught me mental toughness. He was a tough guy.  Jorge A. (CFS) Family Finding

  The janitor Pablo in Elementary school would always take care of us in the morning when I was growing up. We came to school early, so he would open up the gate and give us coloring sheets so that we had something to do.  Nereida C. (Facilitator)

  Growing up and even now, I rely a lot on my close friends to help with difficult situations.  I always feel better after talking to a friend, and usually they have gone through something similar that helps them relate. 

- Megan P. (Facilitator)

Our Favorite Art Pieces!

Ethan B. Hacienda Heights, CA

Stephanie H. Altadena, CA

Jared S. Los Angeles, CA

Jared S. Hacienda Heights, CA

Black Vs. White by Ethan B. Hacienda Heights, CA Inspired by Abdul Q. Los Angeles, CA

Client Spotlight: Christian S. Burbank, CA

Check out Christian S. of Burbank, CA hitting the skate park and going hard. Put down that controller or game boy and show us how it’s done, like Christian is,  in the next Chewbacca. We love to see our kids active in the community. What better way to  incorporate more informal supports to your team. Get out of your house and meet some new friends, re-engage with old friends, or plan something with current ones.

What if…….Your Wraparound Team……Turned into South Park Characters By Ryan B. La Canada, CA

                                                                Alex

                                                               Jessica

Patti

Last issue we highlighted Dahre C’s linkage to an awesome basketball league in Pasadena. In this issue, we have the pleasure to learn about one of the awesome coaches there. Here’s Coach Joe’s thoughts on volunteering, his goals, and hopes for the future and his experiences as he serves his community. Thanks Joe!

I first started volunteering when my first grandson was 4 years old and the people that ran Brotherhood Crusade youth sports league impressed me with how much they cared about the young people. It was very inspirational how they became role models and sort of foster dads for many of the kids who were from 1 parent families. They focused on teaching character, team building, having fun, and good sportsmanship. It all started for me in 2000, so over the last 12 years I have coached well over 74 teams in AVSO soccer, t ball, kickball, flag football, indoor soccer, and basketball. I'm also actively involved with my church and have been very involved with my 3 grandchildren's schools as a volunteer. I read quite a few years ago a saying that has guided me, " To those whom much is given, much is expected ". My wife and I have been blessed with good health, a wonderful family, 3 terrific grandkids, a rewarding, fun and successful career. We have so much to be grateful for and it is always great to watch the young people who I have coached growing up and graduating high school and going off to college now. Coaching our 2 youngest grandkids allows me to start all over, but is much better as I have become a much wiser coach knowing what is important and what is not important when coaching young people. My goal is to have each player on my teams want to come back and play the next season. It is not 100% but it is a very high %. As far as my goals, I want each young person I coach to learn to give back to their community and realize they are student/athletes with the emphasis on student first. I have been blessed by many of my high school age players helping coach my younger teams especially when needing a demonstration, which I'm not able to do as much as I once was able to do. God willing, I will have the energy to keep giving back as a coach for another 8 to 10 years , and then will find another avenue for volunteering.

Thanks, Joe http://brotherhoodcrusade.org

Free Stuff to Do in Los Angeles Fall 2012

Free Stuff to do in Los Angeles:

· September 1– 10:00 am-11:30 am Music Center Plaza 135 North Grand Downtown Los Angeles “Drum Downtown.” Instruments will be provided. Join a giant drum circle and learn new rhythms/beats.

· September 6 Aquarium of the Pacific100 Aquarium Way Long Beach. “Seniors day”. Everyone ages 50 and above get free admission to the Aquarium.

· September7 6:30 PM TO 10 PM Music Center Plaza 135 N. Grand Downtown Los Angeles“Dance Downtown Samba”. Live bands and DJ’s and downtown’s only open air dance floor!

· September 15 9am-12pm “Coastal Cleanup day”. Alamitos Beach off of Shoreline and Ocean in Long Beach. Join other volunteers in cleaning up the beach. Trash Bags, Gloves, and a spirit of togetherness will be provided.

· September 22 3pm til late evening. Downtown W. 2nd street and Garey”Pomona Art Walk”. Live Music, Food and art.

· September 29 5pm Pomona, Thomas Plaza, “Pomona Night out”. Live music, open art galleries, classic car show, and Farmer’s market

· October 5 5pm-8pm Alhambra Downtown Renaissance Center “Mosaic Art Walk” Painters, Chalk Art, Digital Art, Live Music, Dancing.

· October 7 10am-3pm Downtown Los Angeles “Ciclavia”. Walk, Bike, and Socialize. Over 10 miles of roadway in Downtown Los Angeles will be closed for bikes, walking, street vendors, and live music. Highly recommended by Chewbacca and friends.

· October 10 6pm-10 Downtown Los Angeles Gallery Row “Downtown Art Walk” Self Guided toward of art exhibition venues. Live Music, Art, and Food trucks!

· October 28 12pm-6pm Chinatown, Alpine Recreation center “Community Halloween Carnival” Costume contest for children ages 3-12

· November 1-2 10am-6pm Olvera Street Los Angeles “Dia De Los Muertos Celebration”

· November 10 6-9pm Pomona Art Colony off of Garey between Holt and Mission Blvd. “Metro Pomona Artwalk” Art, Music, and Food

· November 10 3pm to Late evening Downtown 2nd street and Garey “Pomona Art Walk” Art, Live Music, Food Trucks.