Foundation for Second Chances, Inc

Bridge Gaps: Foundation for Second Chances 2011 Leadership Awards

2011-11-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

Second Chances Leadership Awards
Date: Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Spectra by Wolfgang Puck at the Pacific Design Center

The purpose of the Second Chances Leadership Awards is to honor community leaders, volunteers, mentors, educational leaders, and business leaders who are part of the FFSC family. The event will celebrate the successes of the year and the impact that our organization has had on its community.

The Annual Leadership Awards will be held at Spectra by Wolfgang Puck in the Pacific Design Center of Los Angeles. The event will bring together a diverse group of 200 tastemakers for a relaxed afternoon of brunch, cocktails, entertainment and education about our important work, while honoring leaders in business, community service, education, and entertainment.

202011 Leadership Awards Honorees

Darrel D. Miller, Esq.

Partner, Fox Rothschild

Jeanette Jenkins

Entrepreneur, The Hollywood Trainer

Dana & David Pump

Founders, The Harold Pump Foundation

Dr. Genevieve Shephard

Principal, Tom Bradley Elementary

Juan Dotson

Mentor, Second Chances Mentoring Program

Tickets to the Leadership Awards are $100 each.
You may purchase tickets at ffscinc.org/awards

For more information on sponsorship or ticket sales, please contact Genelle Brooks:
info@genellebrooks.com | 917.609.2139

Foundation for Second Chances Casino Night-1920's Boardwalk Empire Theme at Spring Arts Tower

2011-10-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

THE EVENT OF THE YEAR IS HERE!

This is no ordinary party. Come delight in a 1920's Boardwalk Empire themed night of fun with professional casino tables and all night play, all night Open Bar, live band (projectmuszed.org), DJ, silent auction, 3 photographers and a portrait studio, free food, sponsorship from the hottest celebrity Tropical Rum company-Hula Girl (hulagirl.com), surprise celebrity guests, and more! Guests are invited to dress in their best 1920's attire (optional).

Only 500 tickets are available and they will sell out fast, so purchase your tickets online TODAY at http://ffscinc.org/casino/ for $50.

All proceeds will go to support Foundation for Second Chances on their mission to utilize hands-on education, mentoring, health awareness, and community service to maximize the potential of LA’s at-risk youth (ffscinc.org). Please support the meaningful work of Foundation for Second Chances while having the time of your life.

We look forward to seeing you at Casino Night:

Saturday, November 19th

7pm – Midnight

Held in the 100-year-old Historic Spring Arts Tower Mezzanine

in downtown LA (http://springartstower.com/)

453 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, 90013

If you are interested in sponsoring the event or a gambling table, or if you would like to make an event in-kind contribution, please contact Tiffany Ferrara at tiffany@ffscinc.org, or (213) 627-1745.

PS I Love You Foundation's 11th Annual Day at the Beach!

2011-08-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 23rd, Second Chances Mentoring Program attended PS I Love You Foundation's 11th Annual Day at the Beach! This special mentoring event was a blast for our mentors and mentees to attend, and is so grateful for being able to participate for its third year in a row.

Children received free beach gear (including boogie boards!), toys, and a pizza-and-ice cream lunch! Free surf lessons, face painting, game booths, and--of course--the most epic of relay races were among the activities for the day. Our group did it all and then some, burying each other in the sand, playing in the water, and catching some rays on a beautiful day in Manhattan Beach.

We already can't wait until next year's Day at the Beach! Special thanks to Patricia Jones for putting on such an awesome program for at-risk youth in Los Angeles.

FFSC Mentoring Launches Its Second Round!

2011-06-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Over 40 youth and volunteers gathered at New Designs Charter School on Saturday, June 11th for Second Chances Mentoring Program's second round of mentorship this year! Despite a gloomy morning, eventually the sun came out and teams of mentors and mentees engaged in a little healthy competition.

From he Name Game to the Final Relay Race, teams got to know one another and work together in order to send their Mummies through the finish line, morph themselves into Rocks and Caterpillars, tie balloons with one hand, and share pieces of themselves while munching on M&M's. Check out some of the action below!

2011 Round 2 Mentor Mash Up!

Second Chances Kick Off Hall of Fame!

Destiny, Natalie, Marilyn, Nala, Vanessa, Kubrat, & Mindy

Karim, Sinque, Chad, Drew, & Jesse

Isaiah, Eddy, Davontre, Richard, Benjamin, Maurice, & Jeremiah

Essence, Kelly, Dayjah, Tanisha, Katherine, Beth, Caroline, & Princess

Breana, Danielle, Claudia, Brenda, Crystal, & Ashley

We can't wait to see everyone again at Chuck E. Cheese on the 25th for our 3 rounds of Speed Mentoring!

SCMP Gives Back to the Community

2011-05-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

On Saturday May 21, Second Chances Mentoring Program provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to engage in community service together, imparting the importance of civic engagement and leadership to our youth. In collaboration with the Dream Center, a non-profit outreach committed to helping inner cities, mentoring couples volunteered for the day in the housing projects.

Delivering food, cleaning up the grounds, taking requests from residents, and spending time playing with the neighborhood kids were just some of the ways our youth were able to give back to our community alongside their mentors. Being able to see the effect that they can have on others made this a particularly memorable and impacting group outing; some of our mentoring couples even intend to return to the Dream Center on their own.

Second Chances is grateful for the opportunity volunteer with the Dream Center, and continues to encourage and support all of its mentoring couples to give back to the community in any small way they can, from picking up trash on the beach to volunteering at a local animal shelter, every effort counts!

FFSC Mentoring Does Discovery Scuba with Eco Dive Center!

2011-05-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

Myesha and Ana Give the "OK"!

On Saturday April 30, 2011, Eco Dive Center sponsored the Second Chances Mentoring Program for its Discovery Scuba program! Seven of our mentoring couples had the incredible opportunity to participate in a 1-hour pool session that introduced them to scuba diving. Mentees geared up, buddied up with their mentors, and learned how to breathe through a regulator, clear their mask underwater, and swim through a hula hoop!

Check out some of the action below:

Reviewing Gear at the Surface with Beth

Finding Just the Right Fit

Ny'Breya & Sara, All Geared Up

Preparing to Descend!

Jonathan & Daniel Wave Hello!

Mentee Anotnio Swims Straight Through the Middle!

Foundation for Second Chances is incredibly grateful to Eco Dive Center for such an amazing day! Our youth don't get much exposure to life outside their homes and schools, and Eco Dive Center definitely went above and beyond in providing a unique experience for our youth that also helped them build trust, gain confidence, and expand their worldview.

Special thanks goes to Beth Beltramo, co-owner of Eco Dive Center and our fabulous instructor for the day! Thanks also go out to Carlos Linares for snapping the underwater photos of our group :o)

2010's Round 1 Mentors Celebrate One Year with their Mentees!

2011-05-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 7, Second Chances Mentoring Program held a Closure Celebration for mentoring couples who recently reached the end of their year together. Lots of laughs were shared during our Mentorship Pictionary & Charades, and lots of great Mexican food was enjoyed! At the heart of the event, mentors and mentees reflected on their year in SCMP by creating and sharing art projects featuring photographs, hand-drawn pictures of their favorite outing, and wishes for their new friend.

Cory shares with Jesse how much he appreciates his friendship

Joe and Francisco

Sheryl stands to share with her mentee Savannah

Jorge and Carlos

While mentors from this round completed their first year, over 70% are continuing on in their mentoring relationships for a second year with Second Chances. It has been an incredible year for all of our mentors and mentees, and we are so grateful for our mentors' time and talents and so proud of the tremendous growth in our youth! Without our incredible volunteers, SCMP would simply not exist, so to you we are always indebted. Thank you.

Joe Weiner & Francisco

Juan Dotson & Seth

Laura Kratochvil & Rachel

Stephanie Kwong & Stephanie

Chad Bowman & Jaireese

Laura Krank & Psalms

Rudy Flores & Antonio

Valerie Esquivel & Mercedes

Caitlyn Brisbin & Valerie

Laura Petry & Taylor

Sheryl Marx & Savannah

Cory Livingston & Jesse

Patrick Bliesener & Brandon

Jorge Alanso & Carlos

Jennifer Thompson & Michelle

Matt Trandall & Eli

Jennifer Moran & Salimah

Much thanks also goes to the Cheviot Hills Park Recreation Center for hosting our organization for this incredible event for our mentoring couples!

SCMP Hits the Trail!

2011-03-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 26, Second Chances hosted its monthly group outing as a hike at Eaton Canyon in Pasadena! After a week of heavy rainfall, the usually mild creek crossings became more akin to rivers, but mentors and mentees worked together in order to make it across.

While conditions didn't permit us to make it all the way to the waterfall, we had a great (and certainly memorable!) time even though there wasn't a dry foot in the bunch by the time we returned to our starting point. Check out some of the action below!

Thanks so much to all of those who came out to brave the elements; we can't wait to see you again next month!

Thank You, Whole Foods!

2011-03-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

All of us here at Foundation for Second Chances would like to thank the Whole Foods at 3rd Street & Fairfax Avenue here in Los Angeles for supporting our programs! On Wednesday, March 16th, 5% of sales were donated to the tune of $6, 875.35! These funds will go a long way in ensuring that FFSC will continue to serve the Los Angeles community through its Mentoring Program, Reading Wheels literacy program, After School program, and large-scale Community Initiative events.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Whole Foods in order to provide quality support and services to youth at-risk in our communities!

Save Service, Save FFSC Mentoring!

2011-03-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

FFSC Mentoring, along with hundreds of other organizations and agencies who service millions of our most vulnerable citizens every year, need your help.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, a long-term Continuing Resolution that will cut government programs by $100 billion for the rest of this fiscal year. This bill eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), home to AmeriCorps and Teach for America, would zero out funding for the Mentoring of Children of Prisoners program program for the remainder of the fiscal year, and cuts funding for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention by 45 percent. (Courtesy of Mentoring.org)

We need you to take action NOW to ensure this legislation does not become law.

Please contact your local representatives to voice your objection to H.R. 1! Instructions and talking points are easily available on SaveService.org, along with easy ways to write to media outlets and other useful information and resources!

FFSC Mentoring will lose its core source of funding if H.R. 1 passes, and be hindered from serving 120+ children of prisoners in Los Angeles who are already underserved, misunderstood, and forgotten. Through FFSCM, families receive case management, children receive stable and positive adult role models, and incarcerated parents are reconnected with their children and provided reentry services to combat recidivism. Our program, and many other quality programs like it, face a high risk of elimination if this bill passes.

Second Chances Walks in the Tidepools!

2011-03-16T10:23:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, February 27, Second Chances hosted its monthly Group Outing at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro! Mentoring couples were able to attend a brief presentation on sea life found in the local tidepools before trekking over to explore the tidepools for themselves. Mentees and mentors had a ball searching for and pointing out sea urchins, starfish, hermit crabs, barnacles and more!

After the tidepool walk, mentors and mentees picnicked by the beach before heading into the aquarium exhibits and checking out the touch tank.

Thanks so much to all those who came out for a beautiful day in San Pedro! Can't wait to see you all again next month.

CONGRATULATIONS TO 2011's ROUND 1!

2011-03-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

It's official! Second Chances Mentoring Program has matched 13 mentors and mentees for its first round of mentors in 2011. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our new mentors, who have committed to mentoring an youth at-risk over the next year. We look forward to watching their friendships blossom, and to the incredible impact that not only they will have on their mentees, but the impact their mentees will have on them.

Caroline Yacu & Hilary

Adam Shiell & Demetrius

Jess Lanao & Rashaye

Alyssa Smith & Sierra

Kenneth Brown & Robert

Leora Katz & Ambrosia

Sara Cummings & Ny'Breya

Daniel de Souza & Jonathan

Donna Pozon & Marcela

Darlene Aguilar & Anayha

Brieanne Nikrandt & Toyrion

Tina Fowler & Elena

Brian Ponce & Isaiah

Want to join our fabulous group of mentors? We'll be launching our next round of mentors in June, with training starting next month! If you, and/or someone you know, would be interested in mentoring an at-risk youth 6-8 hours per month for the next year, contact us today!

FFSCM Speed Mentors at Chuck E. Cheese!

2011-02-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, February 26, our new mentors and mentees met up once more at Chuck E. Cheese for three rounds of Speed Mentoring! Mentors and mentees matched off, and spent time shooting free-throws, playing skee-ball, and winning tickets at various games throughout the late morning and early afternoon. After playing games, mentors and mentees sat down together, asking and answering questions like the ones below!

Describe your ideal day with a mentor. What would you want to do?

Go to the beach - Isaiah, Age 7

Go out to eat and talk - Ny'Breya, Age 12

What is something you're good at?

Drawing - Hilary, Age 8

Football - Robert, Age 8

Mentors will be notified of their matches at their upcoming Match Meeting, and thus concludes our first Kick Off of 2011! As always, much credit is due to our amazing mentors, who will have an incredible impact on their mentees' lives over the course of the next year. And much love to Program Staff, for ensuring a great event for all our kids and mentors!

Ready... Set... Kick Off!

2011-02-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, February 12, Foundation for Second Chances Mentoring (FFSCM) launched its first round of mentorship at La Cienega Park! It was a beautiful day in Beverly Hills, and our mentors and families arrived with an appetite for healthy competition, and not to mention a delicious potluck lunch.

From the Name Game to the Final Relay Race, teams got to know one another and work together in order to send their Mummies through the finish line, morph themselves into Rocks and Caterpillars, tie balloons in a line with one hand, and share pieces of themselves while munching on M&M's.

A preview of more pictures coming soon!

SCMP Hits the Ice!

2011-02-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, January 29, SCMP hosted its monthly group outing at ICE at Santa Monica, an outdoor skating rink just a block away from the 3rd Street Promenade! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon gliding (...and a little tumbling!) across the ice, with over 20 mentors and mentees in attendance.

Forming a Second Chances Train at ICE!

Juan and Seth striking a pose

As always, it was wonderful seeing everyone together, and we can't wait to see you again next month!

FFSC Mentoring Getting Ready to Launch!

2011-01-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

Mentors Tina and Jess begin constructing a free-standing structure as part of our training energizer, Going Up!

...and we're back! It's been a madhouse here at FFSC recently, but we're back and ready to document the launch of our new mentoring program that will exclusively serve children of prisoners in Los Angeles County! We are steadily reaching our goal of launching 15 matches this round, with our final Mentor Orientation/Training scheduled for Saturday, February 5.

FFSC Mentoring is also thrilled to welcome its newest addition, Program Coordinator Brian Ponce! Brian comes to us fresh from University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned his Master's degree in Criminology, Law and Justice. Brian also has extensive experience in providing mentorship to youth at-risk in the community, and we welcome his fantastic energy and great ideas as he becomes an integral part of our team. Welcome, Brian!

FFSC's 5th Annual Gift of Giving

2010-11-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

...and the holiday season is among us! While Foundation for Second Chances wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving, we're also gearing up for our 5th Annual Gift of Giving event, and would love for you to join our holiday team!

This Christmas, FFSC is inviting 150 underprivileged children and their families to join us for a day of fun, a delicious feast, and free gifts to brighten up the season. While many of us may think of Christmas as a pleasant time to spend with family and friends, to celebrate the birth of Christ, to enjoy good food, and to exchange gifts, Christmas can be a discouraging and strenuous time for many of the families within FFSC's community.

Many of our families cannot afford to give their children Christmas gifts, nor can they afford to share a nice holiday meal together. The Gift of Giving helps brighten the holiday season by hosting this FREE event along with the generosity of people like you.

Ways You Can Help:
1. Volunteer the day-of at the event
2. Host a toy drive at your work/school/church/group/holiday party
3. Personally donate unwrapped gifts for youth, ages 4-14
4. Make a monetary donation
5. Make food donations
6. Inquire about donating cooking or arts and crafts supplies
7. Have your group create and host a game or craft station for children
8. Ask your company to consider our sponsorship opportunities
9. Tell your friends and family to join us for this wonderful event!

Interested in getting involved or making a donation? Contact Volunteer Event Coordinator, Michelle Woo (mwoo17@yahoo.com). For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Associate Director, Fatima Nelson (fatima@ffscinc.org).

View more photos of last year's Gift of Giving.

Happy 1-Year Anniversary to Our Mentoring Couples!

2010-11-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, November 21st, Second Chances Mentoring Program held a Closure Celebration for mentoring couples who recently reached the end of their year together. Lots of laughs were shared during our Mentorship Pictionary & Charades, and lots of great food was enjoyed at Acapulco's Sunday brunch! At the heart of the event, mentors and mentees reflected on their year in SCMP by creating and sharing art projects featuring photographs, hand-drawn pictures of their favorite outing, and wishes they have for their new friend.

Kelly shares with her mentee, Erica, her favorite outing together ice skating in Pershing Square, where Erica helped Kelly from falling!

Myesha shares with her mentor, Ana, how she loves how she is always there for her.

While mentors from this round completed their first year, two-thirds are continuing on in their mentoring relationships for a second year with Second Chances. It has been an incredible year for all of our mentors and mentees, and we are so grateful for our mentors' time and talents and so proud of the tremendous growth in our youth! Without our incredible volunteers, SCMP would simply not exist, so to you we are always indebted. Thank you.

Ana Flores & Myesha N.

Anthony McDaniel & Erron W.

Blanca Torres & Eddeshia C.

D'Aundra Hawkins & Chelsea D.

Jeff Shaivitz & William D.

Kelly O'Hara & Erica L.

Nichole Millard & Marielle B.

Thank you also to the management and staff at Acapulco, for making this a memorable experience for our mentoring couples and for always being supportive of our program!

SCMP Gears Up for Thanksgiving

2010-11-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 13, SCMP hosted its group outing at the Japanese American National Museum, participating in the museum's Target Free Saturdays! The second Saturday of every month, Target sponsors a FREE event full of great activities for children and families as well as free admission to the museum's exhibits. This month's theme was Thanksgiving, and our mentoring couples were treated to a full day of crafts to take home and share with their families.

Mentees and mentors constructed origami turkeys, pine cone centerpieces, woven place mats and journals, and turkeys made of plastic cups that could really gobble!

Our deepest thanks go out to the Japanese American National Museum for putting on an incredible event that our mentors and mentees really enjoyed. For more information on the museum's Target Free Family Saturdays, visit their schedule here!

New Non-Profit to Benefit Mentoring Programs

2010-11-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

We Get To Give aims to create a program for caring adult volunteers who mentor at-risk and high-risk youth in the Los Angeles area that will allow mentor-mentee pairs to experience events and activities that might otherwise be too expensive for mentors to fund.

We Get To Give is currently in the running for a $5,000 Pepsi Refresh grant that would incorporate and establish their 501c3 status, solidify the participation of businesses and mentoring organizations, and create ID cards to launch the first year of the program. But in order to receive funding, they need your help! You can vote everyday through November 30 at the link below to help launch this incredible discount program for mentors and their mentees:

http://www.refresheverything.com/wegettogive

Foundation for Second Chances Mentoring and other community-based mentoring programs serving Los Angeles would benefit from the We Get To Give program, helping to ensure that mentors provide opportunities for their mentee to explore Los Angeles outside their usual neighborhoods while still developing and maintaining quality relationships

FFSC Mentoring is proud to support We Get To Give in their mission, and wish them the best of luck in the competition!

FFSC Mentoring Now Accepting Mentor Applications!

2010-11-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

Foundation for Second Chances Mentoring is now accepting Mentor Applications! FFSC Mentoring provides a unique opportunity for caring adult volunteers to befriend children with incarcerated parents in the Los Angeles community. Our mentors come from all different backgrounds, professions, and experiences, but all of them have the desire to invest their time and heart into our youth.

Mentors and mentees participate in a special matching process through our group Kick Off events. Mentors and mentees meet for the first time at our Mentor Mash Up, getting to know each other through relay races, icebreakers, and team building activities! Two weeks later, everyone pairs off for each of our 3 rounds of Speed Mentoring at Chuck E. Cheese. Mentors and mentees then fill out individual match surveys, choosing who they feel is their best match!

After finding each other, mentors and mentees commit to their mentoring relationship for 1 year, only 6-8 hours per month. Mentors and mentees embark on one-on-one outings of their choosing and at the times best for them, and mentors may also help mentees keep a connection with their incarcerated parent. FFSC Mentoring also hosts optional but fun monthly group outings to bring the mentoring family together! These outings are a great opportunity for mentees to foster relationships with other youth and adults, as well as a great way for mentors to network with other mentors.

Our next round will be launching in March 2011, with Mentor Orientation & Training Sessions starting in January 2011. Don't wait until the last-minute--get the application process started this month! For more information regarding FFSC Mentoring and the application, please contact Program Manager Laura Petry at laura@ffscinc.org OR by phone at (213) 627-1745. You can also fill out a brief intake survey HERE.

A Second Cup for a Second Chance Wine Tasting!

2010-10-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Foundation for Second Chances introduces its 1st Annual Wine Tasting, showcasing some of California's premiere wineries in an elegant atmosphere, all as a part of an ongoing effort to celebrate supporting our youth! The event will not only provide guests an opportunity to experience spectacular wines, but will also allow for the privilege of taking in featured samplings from local restaurants, live performances, participation in silent auctions and raffles, and giving back to the youth of our South Los Angeles community.

So come join us on Wednesday, November 10th from 7 PM - 9 PM at the Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825! Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door; all proceeds from the event will benefit FFSC's Mentor Program, Reading Wheels Literacy Program, After School Program, and Community Service Initiatives for youth and families in South Los Angeles. You can purchase tickets at our website.

For more information on the event (including sponsorship opportunities!), contact Associate Director Fatima Nelson, at fatima@ffscinc.org, or (213) 627-1745.

SCMP Gets Its Science On, From L.A. to Outer Space!

2010-09-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 18, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its monthly outing at the California Science Center in downtown Los Angeles!

Matt and Eli prepare to be transported through space by IMAX Hubble 3D!

Mentors and mentees started the day being transported into space with the IMAX Hubble 3D, joining astronauts on their daunting task of repairing the legendary Hubble Telescope, and exploring our universe.

Afterward, mentoring couples headed straight to the Science Center's newest exhibit gallery, ECOSYSTEMS! Eight different zones transported our mentors and mentees through Forests, Islands, Deserts, Poles, and even the Urban Zone of our hometown with hands-on activities, interactive displays, and even a live aquarium.

Second Chances After School Program Welcomes the 2010-2011 School Year!

2010-09-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

Program Manager Lily Yu plays tic-tac-toe with one of our kindergartners

Monday, September 13th marked the first day of school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Second Chances was there to help launch students at 42nd Street Elementary into a brand new school year! 42nd Street Elementary School not only welcomed new students, but a new principal in Ms. Pittman-Ridgeway, and Second Chances looks forward to building and continuing great relationships with students, teachers, and staff.

Foundation for Second Chances also welcomes its new After School Program Manager, Lily Yu, with open arms! Lily is a UCLA graduate and substitute teacher with over 3 years of after school programming experience, and we can't wait for all the new and exciting plans she has in store for our kids.

In light of these new additions to our family, we are still extremely indebted to and thankful for the groundwork laid by 42nd Street Elementary School's former principal, Dr. Davis, and Second Chances After School Program's former manager, Jason Jones. We wish Dr. Davis the best of luck at her new school, and hope that Mr. Jones will still come visit us!

Come join us for an incredible school year by becoming a volunteer! Be a tutor, workshop leader, or even just a friend to our amazing kids. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Associate Director, Fatima Nelson, at fatima@ffscinc.org.

SCMP Goes for a Dip in the Pool!

2010-08-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, August 28th, Second Chances mentor Jennifer Moran graciously hosted this month's group outing at her condominium complex's clubhouse and pool! Mentors and mentees came armed with swimsuits, potluck dishes, and plenty of energy.

While most of the day was spent making cannonballs, playing tag variations, and teaching mentees how to properly float in the water, we made plenty of time to eat a lot of great food, dabble in some arts and crafts, and decorate some delicious cupcakes!

Thanks so much to our mentor, Jenn, for making this without a doubt one of our favorite outings yet!

Tavis Smiley and Second Chances Beautify New Designs!

2010-08-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

On August 22nd, 2010, approximately 150 students, ages 13-18, representing the Tavis Smiley Foun dation's Youth to Leaders program worked in partnership with Foundation for Second Chances to continue the agency's efforts to transform the campus of New Designs Charter School.

These students, hailing from all over the U.S., experienced a week-long Leadership Institute at the UCLA campus in order to empower them with essential skills to become effective leaders in impacting community change. After a series of workshops and exercises, this group of dynamic teens put theory into practice when they arrived at New Designs Charter School in downtown Los Angeles.

Students cycled through three stations, including planting a flower garden and rolling out new grass, reviving a dull hallway with beautiful new colors, and creating art in a poetry workshop led by spoken word artist Andre Ruiz. Some students were (literally) getting their hands dirty for the first time, but all were inspired to put ideas into action and make visions into reality.

Foundation for Second Chances is grateful to the Tavis Smiley Foundation for the opportunity to work with such a talented and passionate group of youth in serving the South Los Angeles community. We also extend our greatest thanks for the Tavis Smiley Foundation's sponsorship of one of Second Chances' own students in attending the leadership conference.

Below, find a selection of pictures from the day's activities! You can view the full gallery of the beautification project HERE and pictures from all aspects of the Institute HERE.

Mentor Mash Up at La Cienega Park!

2010-08-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful Saturday morning on July 31st at La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills, where Second Chances Mentoring Program launched its second round of 2010! From the Name Game to the Final Relay Race, teams got to know one another and work together in order to send their Mummies through the finish line, morph themselves into Rocks and Caterpillars, tie balloons in a line with one hand, and share a piece of themselves while munching on M&M's.

SCMP Kick Off Highlights

Hall of Fame

Mentors and mentees will meet one last time before finally being matched! We can't wait to see all of you at Chuck E. Cheese next Saturday, August 14th for our Speed Mentoring event!

PS I Love You Foundation's Annual Day at the Beach!

2010-07-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 24th, Second Chances Mentoring Program attended PS I Love You Foundation's 10th Annual Day at the Beach! This special mentoring event was a blast for our mentors and mentees to attend, and Second Chances is grateful for being able to participate for its second year in a row.

Kids received free beach gear (including boogie boards!), toys, and a pizza-and-ice-cream lunch! Free surf lessons, face painting, game booths, and--of course--the most epic relay race were among the activities for the day. Our group did it all and then some, building sandcastles, playing in the water, and catching some rays on a beautiful day in Manhattan Beach.

Second Chances definitely can't wait until next July, when we hope to participate in this fantastic event once again! Special thanks to Tess Johnson and Patricia Jones for putting on such an awesome program for at-risk youth in Los Angeles.

Aon United at New Designs Charter

2010-07-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

“Don’t underestimate your talent and effort because a little is much. A little bit of help, even in one day, goes a long way.” – Janice, Aon (Los Angeles) Executive Assistant

“My favorite part was taking the group photo of Aon workers because I was really surprised by all the support from the employees." – Sheryl Marx, Aon (Irvine) Executive Assistant and Second Chances Mentor

Community empowerment and resilience don't stop at anything -- even when it's a scorching 99 degrees outside. The 77 Aon employees who checked in at New Designs Charter School on Thursday, July 15, are a living testament to that. Within just seven hours, Aon employees resurrected New Designs Charter School with a new mural, vegetable and flower gardens, new seating areas, pristine hallways, and freshly painted walls.

Before the inception of New Designs Charter School, the campus was a stomping ground for retired nuns. As you can imagine, re-landscaping the campus was direly needed. So instead of spending a day in the office, the Aon employees volunteered their time and effort into creating a comfortable school environment for 200 students.

So how is it that Aon, the world's leading risk advisor and human capital consultant, partnered with Foundation for Second Chances? This year marks the beginning of Aon's global charity initiative, which is a vital fraction of their sponsorship with Manchester United. All of the Aon branches in over 120 countries called for an international day of action on Thursday, July 15 to bring their wealth of knowledge, finance, and philanthropy into the community level.

Compassionate Aon employees were untied throughout the globe under Aon United Day, and brought positive change into their local communities. For instance, in Sacramento, Aon employees partnered with Project 680 to provide hygiene supplies to homeless youth. In the Netherlands, Aon employees participated in a charity bike ride and raised funds for youth sports programs in disadvantaged areas.

In Los Angeles, the beautification project was more than what FFSC expected. Aon employees did not hesitate to get down and dirty to get the job done, in addition to donating $500 worth of sports equipment to New Designs and a $5,000 check to the Second Chances Mentoring Program!

The great work done at New Designs will have a long-lasting effect on both students and the Second Chances community. Aon employees also left with an impression that community involvement is at the forefront of social change. There is a lot more work to be done, and it is only our hands that bring exact change.

--Menchie Caliboso, PR/Marketing Intern

Farewell, Intern Diana!

2010-06-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

This past Monday, June 28, marked the last day of Foundation for Second Chances' first-ever Programs Intern, Diana Norton! Diana was an incredible asset to the Second Chances team, and provided a solid foundation for our Reading Wheels Literacy Program that will continue for years to come. Diana also made meaningful contributions to ensuring the success of our Community Health Festival, and in developing curriculum for our Mentoring Program. A wearer of many hats, Diana will sorely be missed here at FFSC.

Diana, right, with our new PR/Marketing Intern, Menchie Caliboso

Diana's energy, compassion, and sense of humor brought indispensable ideas and unforgettable memories to Foundation for Second Chances, and we know she is destined for great things. We wish Diana the best of luck in her aspirations to earn her Masters degree so that she can one day run her own non-profit organization--a feat we are confident Diana will soon conquer.

Thank you, Diana, for all your hard work and dedication! You will always remain an important member of the Second Chances family.

SCMP Climbs to the Top of Los Angeles!

2010-06-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, July 27, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its monthly Group Outing at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook on the recommendation of mentor Joe Weiner! It was a beautiful day in this pocket of nature nestled in Culver City, and our group had a great time hiking up the infamous stairs to see all of Los Angeles below.

No doubt, it was a challenging workout, but it was Taylor W.'s favorite part of the outing! "I liked climbing up the stairs because we all had to work together." Keeping each other motivated and taking in the views of Los Angeles from above made it worth the effort!

Mercedes, Taylor, and Michelle pose together at the top

After a round of high-fives and catching our breath, mentors and mentees had a picnic lunch before walking through the educational exhibits at the Visitors Center. The rest of the day was spent playing sports, with some of our mentees trying out volleyball and baseball for the very first time!

Reading Wheels, Class of '10!

2010-06-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

The weekend of June 12th marked the end of the Reading Wheels Literacy Program for the school year. In honor of the close of Reading Wheels, Melissa Wyatt, Executive Director of FFSC, myself (Diana) and my fellow volunteer coordinators (Shannon and Su-yin) planned a very special final day for our kids and volunteers.

We began the day just like any other, breaking the kids up into K-2nd graders and 3rd-5th and assigning them volunteers. After reading " Here comes Summer!" with the K-2nd graders and "Phineaus Macguire Erupts" with the 3rd-5th graders, we decided to play a very special and wildly entertaining game. Created by Shannon, the game is a mix of musical chairs and a pop quiz. You begin the game just like musical chairs but instead of automatically being out if you dont have a chair when the music stops, must answer a pop quiz question related to the books. If you get it wrong, you are out, if you get it right, you get to keep playing.

After a very competitive game of Shannon's amalgamation of musical chairs and a pop quiz, (Congratulations to Aura for winning!) Melissa surprised everyone with a very special Graduation lunch! Nothing says "Congratulations on graduating from the first round of Reading Wheels" like fried chicken and red velvet cake!! As a thank you to all the kids for participating in the Reading Wheels Program, we created graduation certificates for all the kids so they would have something to take home with them....besides a full belly and left over pieces of cake.

Although RW has closed down for the summer all of us here at FFSC are very excited to start back up in September. See you all then!

Aon and Second Chances Partner to Beautify New Designs Charter

2010-06-02T11:47:00.000-07:00

In May, Second Chances Mentoring Program was selected to partner with leading global reinsurance intermediary, Aon, to serve our community. The project at hand? The beautification of a burgeoning, innovative charter school in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, New Designs Charter School.

On Tuesday, June 1st, the Los Angeles offices of Aon hosted a silent auction to raise funds on behalf of Second Chances Mentoring Program. Employees came out to bid on tickets for Disneyland, an autographed game ball from the Los Angeles Lakers, a week-long condo rental in Honolulu, a brand new Kindle, and so much more! Over $3,000 was raised that afternoon; combined with the Irvine office's silent auction the previous week, $4,500 was raised to help breathe new life into the New Designs campus.

Second Chances would like to recognize Aon employees for their support and generosity--from mobilizing volunteers to coordinating fundraisers, our sincerest thanks. Deepest thanks go to Sheryl Marx, Executive Assistant at Aon and Second Chances mentor, for nominating FFSC for this incredible community partnership. Our gratitude also extends to Warren Sata, Director of School Operations at New Designs, for all his support and enthusiasm.

On July 15, 2010, over 100 Aon employees will be repainting classrooms, implementing murals, building new seating areas, planting flowers, donating sports equipment, teaching classes, and creating a vegetable garden for the University Park campus of New Designs.

SCMP Gets Wild at the L.A. Zoo!

2010-05-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 22nd, SCMP hosted its biggest outing of the year thus far at the Los Angeles Zoo! Teams of mentors and mentees sprawled across the zoo, engaging in a fun and educational Photo Scavenger Hunt. Posing with their favorite animals, learning that birds help keep alligators' razor-sharp teeth pearly white and koala bears sleep 20 hours a day, mentors and mentees also made new friends while enjoying the wildlife and sunshine.

Seth, Franciso, Antonio, and Eli chill out with the flamingos

Taylor, Mercedes, Cyra, and Marielle reach the wingspan of a California Condor

Seth and his mentor Juan, having a great time at the L.A. Zoo!

Much thanks to Program Staff for organizing the outing, and much love to our mentors for bringing their mentees out for a beautiful day at the zoo! We look forward to seeing all of you again for our June outing.

2010's A Taste of Health & Fitness

2010-05-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

To recap and relive the spirit of this year's Community Health Festival, just watch the video below! Witness the perseverance of our 5K Run/Walk participants, watch Tarik Tyler, Rev. Roosevelt Grier, and Melissa Wyatt encourage the crowd to get and stay fit, see Councilmember Herb Wesson kick off the obstacle course, and more!

SCMP Finishes 5K Run/Walk at A Taste of Health and Fitness!

2010-04-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mentors and mentees from Foundation for Second Chances' Mentor Program participated (and completed!) the 5K Run/Walk at Rancho Cienega Sports Park as a part of the agency's 4th Annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 24th! Check out some of us in action below:

Taylor sprints around the curve of the track, with Myesha and Ny'Breya not far behind!

Mentor Ana Flores rounds another lap around the track during her final mile!

But the 5K Run/Walk was only the start of our day! Mentees received free vision screenings, as well as free goodies to help them stay fit and healthy, from toothbrushes to yoga equipment. Mentors and mentees also participated in the Obstacle Course, designed by celebrity fitness trainer Tarik Tyler. Check out mentee Destinee's take on the course below!

Mentors, mentees, and other FFSC supporters pose with Councilmember Herb Wesson and Tarik Tyler before the Course!

Second Chances mentee, Destinee, owns the Course!

After the Obstacle Course, mentors and mentees gathered for a picnic lunch on the grass, and spent the rest of the day playing on the bounce house and inflatable slide!

Climbing up the wall towards the end of the bouncy obstacle course!

Rachel flashes us a smile after making it down the slide!

Mentees from our program were inspired to become more active; after running the 5K and playing tennis for the first time on neighboring courts at the park, one mentee asked her mentor to teach her how to play tennis and how to swim, so she could be more active and have more fun outdoors.

Immense gratitude and thanks to our Executive Director Melissa Wyatt, Bring Back Gym's Tarik Tyler, and all of Foundation for Second Chances' supporters in making the Health Festival a success! Keep a look out for our next blog post, which will cover all aspects of the Festival!

Councilmember Herb Wesson Prepares to Kick Off Family Obstacle Course

2010-04-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Wesson to be Joined by Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass During Opening Remarks

Los Angeles Councilmember Herb Wesson will kick off this Saturday's 4th annual "A Taste of Health and Fitness" festival by leading the family obstacle course after opening remarks.

Wesson, joined by California Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass, Milken Family Foundation Board Trustee Rev. Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier, and other community leaders will conduct opening remarks at 11:00 AM followed up the start of the family obstacle course.

"We're very excited that Councilmember Wesson will lead community members in the family obstacle course," stated Tarik Tyler, who designed the course. Fresh off his appearance on ABC TV's "Shaq's Big Challenge," Tyler decided to become more involved with the issue of childhood obesity, and founded Bring Back Gym. BBG is a co-host of Saturday's festival, and is dedicated to providing a fun fitness environment to unfit and obese children. "The course will include a 25-yard dash, over-and-under hurdles, a basketball shoot, football throw, and other challenges," said Tyler.

Wesson, who exercises regularly, will be training with Tarik Tyler this week at a local gym, and hopes his involvement in the festival will inspire people of all ages to take ownership of their personal health and fitness. "April is National Minority Health Month and fittingly, FFSC's annual health festival provides an opportunity for our community to access optimal health care while also continuing to raise awareness that health disparities persist and must be addressed," he said. Wesson represents Los Angeles Council District 10 and recently spearhearded a 24-percent increase in HIV testing funds by the Los Angeles City Council.

Volunteer for the Taste of Health and Fitness!

2010-04-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Volunteer opportunities are available for this Saturday's 4th Annual Community Health Fair! Help Foundation for Second Chances (FFSC) give back to our community by volunteering with the 5K Run/Walk, Obstacle Course, or various facets of the Health Fair. Groups are also welcome to volunteer together.

If you are available to help, please email Volunteer Event Coordinator, Michelle Woo, at volunteer@ffscinc.org with your name, t-shirt size, and the times you are available. You may also leave your information in the comments field below.

Schedule of Events
5K Run/Walk: 10AM-12PM (shifts ~9AM-1PM)
Obstacle Course: 1PM-3PM (shifts 12PM-4PM0
Health Fair: 11AM-4PM (split shifts from 9AM/10AM/1PM-5PM

Areas to Help (# of volunteers needed):
Vendor Sign-In (2)
Vendor Booth Setup (TBD)
5K Sign-In and Registration (10-15)
5K T-Shirt Distribution (5)
Water Distribution During 5K (10)
Obstacle Course (10)
Runners (5-10)
Farmers Market (2-5)
Bounce House (4)
Rock Wall (4)
Breakdown/Clean-Up (TBD)

Join SCMP at Acapulco this Tuesday!

2010-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to Second Chances Mentoring Program's Fundraiser at Acapulco!

Reasons to attend include, but are not limited to:

* Meeting fellow FFSC friends, supporters, and volunteers!
* Enjoying a fine Mexican meal!
* Dueling it out on Rock Band!
* Raising money for SCMP!

Come help support and sustain our program by dining at Acapulco any time between 4PM and 11PM on Tuesday, April 20, and SCMP will receive 25% of all food sales! We also encourage ALL of you to invite your friends, families, co-workers, and other miscellaneous acquaintances to come along as well!

It is important, in order to raise funds for our beloved SCMP, that you and your guests bring THIS flyer. Without it, money will not be donated to our program.

Thanks so much for your continued support, and we can't wait to see you there!

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina

4444 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Councilmember Wesson and the Milken Family Foundation Join "A Taste of Health and Fitness"

2010-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Honorable Councilmember Herb Wesson to Chair Event as part of National Minority Health Month

The Milken Family Foundation today announced a $10,000 grant to Foundation for Second Chances (FFSC) in support of its 4th annual Community Health Festival and 5K Run/Walk "A Taste of Health & Fitness."

"We're proud to partner with the Foundation for Second Chances and Bring Back Gym to encourage people of all ages to take ownership of their health and fitness," said Lowell Milken, chairman of the Milken Family Foundation. "Limited financial resources, poor nutrition, and a lack of access to information and healthcare make it challenging for many families to address these needs. 'A Taste of Health & Fitness' will bring programs and services directly to people who are most in need, empowering them to help themselves and those around them."

The event will be chaired by Los Angeles Councilmember Herb Wesson who represents Council District 10 where the festival will take place, and who has been committed to improving health and well-being in Los Angeles. Wesson, who will kick off the event's obstacle course, recently spearheaded a 24-percent increase in HIV testing funds by the Los Angeles City Council.

"FFSC's annual health festival provides an opportunity for our community to celebrate our gains, including recent passage of a much needed federal health care legislation, and to forge the path forward toward healthier lives," stated Wesson. Local elected officials and representatives of government health care agencies will be on hand at the event to discuss the recent legislation and the impact it will have on communities.

The festival is being hosted in association with...

Don't wait! Join us next Saturday as a sponsor, vendor, 5K run/walk-er, volunteer, participant, and overall supporter of "A Taste of Health and Fitness"! Visit FFSC.org for more details.

FFSC goes to The Aquarium of the Pacific!

2010-04-11T01:02:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, April 9, 2010, the Foundation for Second Chances After School Program went on it's 1st field trip of 2010 to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. This was not only to culminate a segment on Marine Life & Biology, but also to reward for students who constantly go above and beyond the call of duty to show exemplary behavior and work ethic.

The trip was a huge success; it included 18 students, 3 staff, and 2 parent volunteers. We would like to thank the parent volunteers, Dr. Davis (Principal, 42nd St Elementary) for allowing us to do a school day field trip, Councilman Bernard Parks' Office for providing the bus for free, and the students of FFSC at 42nd Street Elementary for earning this trip.

FFSC's 4th Annual Community Health Fair

2010-03-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

It’s time for FFSC’s largest annual community event – “A Taste of Health and Fitness” Community Health Fair!!! We would love all of you to join us for this meaningful celebration on April 24^th, from 10am – 4pm, at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex. As April is Minority Health Awareness Month, we want to be sure that we are throwing nothing less than an impacting and unforgettable event for the community, and we need YOUR help…

Some of the highlights of “A Taste of Health and Fitness” will be:

· A FREE Farmers Market (that’s right, free fruits and veggies!)

· FREE Dental, Vision and Health Screening/Testing for children and their families

· Live Entertainment! Dancers, singers, demonstrations, and more!

· Games, activities and workshops for all ages

· And our VERY IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER – OUR 1^st 5K WALK/RUN with OBSTACLE COURSE DESIGNED BY CELEBRITY TRAINER TERIK TYLER!!!

Sounds amazing, right?! But it won’t be without you! Here’s how we need your help:

1. REGISTER YOURSELF, FAMILY, FRIENDS and CO-WORKERS for the 5K WALK/RUN. This is one of the most important components of the event, and will help us to continue providing needed resources and programs to the South LA Community.

2. Invite your company, favorite health food store, or friends in the health industry to purchase a booth through which they can promote their services (a booth is only $75!).

3. Invite your company to be an event Sponsor! There are many levels of sponsorship.

You can fill out a registration form online, or you can contact us directly for more to information. You may also leave your contact information in the comments section below. Please note that we need to start calculating 5K participants, so if you plan on participating, don't wait!

A Taste of Health & Fitness has been established to raise public awareness and to encourage marginalized individuals to assume responsibility for their own health and fitness. The Health Fair is in a high-needs area within the County of Los Angeles, where the majority of residents are low income, “working poor” and have minimal resources. Low-income, poor nutrition, and a lack of transportation result in a lack of access to information and health services, making it difficult for these families to address their health needs. Our fair takes much needed health services and other programs directly to the people who are most in need, and helps people to help themselves and each other.

SCMP Attends Star Party!

2010-03-22T13:10:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, March 20th, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its Group Outing at the Griffith Observatory! Every month, the Observatory hosts a Public Star Party, where local astronomers sprawl across the lawn with their equipment. Eager to share and educate, volunteer astronomers allow the public to peer through a variety of telescopes for up-close looks at the moon, stars, and planets above.

Peering through one of the many telescopes at Griffith Observatory's Star Party

This was the first outing (and first 1-on-1 meeting!) for many of our new mentors and their mentees, with a group of mentors and mentees even meeting beforehand for dinner together. It was a bustling Saturday night at the Observatory, so not only did our group have the opportunity to stargaze outside and explore exhibits inside, but we got a little hiking done as well!

I hope all of those who made it out had a great time, and we look forward to seeing all of you again soon at next month's volunteer outing at Cabrillo Beach!

Congratulations to 2010's First Round of Mentors!

2010-03-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's official! Second Chances Mentoring Program has matched 19 mentors and mentees for its first round of mentors in 2010. Our deepest appreciation goes out to our new mentors, who have committed to mentoring an at-risk youth over the next year. We look forward to watching their friendships blossom, and to the incredible impact that not only they will have on their mentees, but the impact their mentees will have on them.

Matt Trandall & Eli

Jennifer Thompson & Michelle

Cory Livingston & Jesse

Jorge Alanso & Carlos

Chad Bowman & Jaireese

Stephanie Kwong & Stephanie

Jennifer Moran & Salimah

Patrick Bliesener & Brandon

Laura Krank & Psalms

Caitlyn Brisbin & Valerie

Rudy Flores & Antonio

Juan Dotson & Seth

Valerie Esquivel & Mercedes

Joseph Weiner & Francisco

Laura Kratochvil & Rachel

Laura Petry & Taylor

Sheryl Marx & Savannah

Erika Marx & Destinee

Vivian Wan & Courtney

Want to join our fabulous group of mentors? We'll be launching our next round of mentors in mere months! If you, and/or someone you know, would be interested in mentoring an at-risk youth 6-8 hours per month for the next year, contact us today!

SCMP's Chuck E. Cheese Take Over

2010-03-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, March 13th, Second Chances Mentoring Program (SCMP) hosted its first Speed Mentoring event of the year at Chuck E. Cheese's in Los Angeles! Mentors and mentees matched off, and spent time shooting free-throws, playing skee-ball, and winning tickets at various games throughout the late morning and early afternoon. After playing games, mentors and mentees sat down together, asking and answering questions like the ones below!

What would you like to be when you grow up and why?
I would like to be a chef because I like to cook with my grandma and for my mom and dad. - Stephanie, age 9

A helicopter pilot, so I can see Earth from the sky and birds. - Francisco, age 10

What would your ideal day with a mentor be?
Going out to a museum and then going out to eat. - Taylor, age 9

Play football. - Jesse, age 9

Mentors will be notified of their matches tomorrow, and thus concludes our first Kick Off of 2010! As always, much credit is due to our amazing mentors, who will have an incredible impact on their mentees' lives over the course of the next year. And much love to Program Staff, for ensuring a great event for all our kids and mentors!

Ready... Set... Kick Off!

2010-03-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

On Saturday February 27th, Second Chances Mentoring Program held its largest Kick Off event to date! Our Team Building in the Park event was originally scheduled to take place at La Cienega Park, but with thunderstorms looming and a flurry of phone calls, we shifted scenes to the cafeteria and playground at 42nd Street Elementary School. A fantastic effort was made by parents and mentors to attend, and over 50 mentors and mentees came to meet each other for the first time.

Despite the rain, everyone had a great energy, connecting and having fun through a series of games and team building exercises. From the Name Game to the Final Relay Race, teams got to know one another and work together in order to send their Mummies through the finish line, morph themselves into Rocks and Caterpillars, tie balloons in a line with one hand, and share a piece of themselves while munching on M&M's.

SCMP Kick Off Hall of Fame

Click on any picture to view a larger version

Much thanks to Program Manager Tiffany Ferrara, my booming voice, as well as all of our incredible mentors and parents for an epic launch for 2010's first round of mentors! Our group will rendezvous once more on March 13th, when we take over Chuck E. Cheese for our Speed Mentoring event! Till then...

Mentees Build First African American Fire Station

2010-02-21T20:22:00.000-08:00

Our group showcases the fruit of their labor!

This past Saturday, February 20th, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its outing at the California African American Museum and California Science Center in Exposition Park! Although intimate, our group had a great time visiting the exhibits at the California African American Museum.

After a brief tour, our group sat down to get to work, creating their very own replicas of the first African American fire station. Black firefighters protected the public here in Los Angeles, but the conditions under which they served were difficult. Trailblazers included George W. Bright, hired in 1897 as the first Black firefighter on the Los Angeles Fire Department. An all-Black company was formed to prevent Bright from supervising whites.

Mentor Kabir helps his mentee build his own fire station

Once our work was done, we headed next door to the California Science Center, where some of us checked out the special America I AM The African American Imprint exhibit (open until May 2, for those interested!), and some of us checked out the hands-on science exhibits, including earthquake simulators and spiraling echo tubes!

Special thanks to mentors Kabir and Kristi, as well as Executive Director Melissa Wyatt and Program Manager Tiffany Ferrara, for coming out on a sunny Saturday with their mentees and children in tow.

Mentees Volunteer at Local Rescue Shelter!

2010-02-19T14:45:00.001-08:00

Part of our group, pictured above with animals from the Amanda Foundation.

On January 20th, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its monthly Group Outing at the Amanda Foundation, a no-kill rescue shelter dedicated to finding loving homes for abandoned pets, and educating the public on the importance of spay/neuter to combat pet overpopulation.

Mentees volunteered at the rescue shelter alongside their mentors, bathing and walking dogs, cleaning the cattery, and providing much needed affection for animals who needed to be socialized. At the same time, mentors and mentees learned the importance of responsible pet ownership, and how their care and attention helped these animals recover from the abuse they've endured.

Teri Austin, President of the Amanda Foundation, thanked everyone who came out to volunteer, "it really helps them heal from the neglect and abuse some of them have suffered to have the unconditional love and attention of new people. Thank you for taking the time to come see them."

One of our mentees, pictured above with mentor Jae and dog Jeremy, was inspired by her mentor to face her fear of dogs for SCMP's monthly group outing

Reading Wheels February 13th

2010-02-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone

Diana here, an intern and volunteer coordinator with FFSC. Just wanted to tell everyone about the Reading Wheels Program and our most recent success!

Reading Wheels Literacy Program, our newest program, happens the second Saturday of each month. FFSC gathers together with our children and volunteers, from 10am – 1:30pm, for a fun and relaxing time of story-telling and literary games. Reading Wheels aims to improve our children’s reading and writing skills through the guidance and support of adult friends who will read to them and listen to them read. Volunteers can come read with our children for a one time commitment, or can make a longer term commitment to volunteer multiple times. Join us for on our reading adventures! ***Volunteers will be eligible for a ticket to Disneyland after volunteering with the Reading Wheels program for 1 Saturday.

The February 13th Reading Wheels at 42nd St Elementary, although only our third, was a huge success. Volunteers from LA works and UCLA dedicated their saturday morning to ensure our wonderful kids got the time and attention they deserve. Following a great round of introductions and icebreakers, we split the kids into k-2nd and 3rd - 5th. While the K-2nd graders read " Dick and Jane, How Can i Help?", the 3rd - 5th graders tackled the more challenging chapter book " Math Rashes and Other Classroom Tales" .

After an hour of reading and discussion, a delicious lunch of pizza was provided by our awesome executive director Melissa Wyatt. Seeing as it was a beautiful Saturday morning, handball and double dutch were the games of choice by the kids. Much to my dismay, i could not get Shannon, one of the volunteer coordinators from LA works, to double dutch for the first time, BUT a few of the kids got myself and Jasmine, another volunteer, to turn the ropes for them AND even got our UCLA volunteers to chase and play them around the jungle gym!

Sadly our day concluded at 1:30 after a few more rounds of reading, discussion and games, but on the bright side, many of the kids promised to come back for the next Reading Wheels and bring friends!....Maybe by then i'll find a better way to convince Shannon to try double dutching!

That's all for now, but our next Reading Wheels is February 27th and the following Reading Wheels will be on March 13th, and the one after that April 10th.

I am definitely looking forward to another sunny Saturday morning filled with reading, fun and pizza!

Welcome to Second Chances Blog!

2010-02-17T13:12:00.001-08:00

Greetings, and welcome to our agency blog!

Foundation for Second Chances is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, serving the youth and families of the South Los Angeles community through its After School, Mentoring, Reading Wheels Literacy, and Community Service programs. You can learn more about our agency by visiting http://www.ffscinc.org, or watching our YouTube debut below:

We are always in need of positive adult role models and caring, committed volunteers. If you're interested in making a positive impact in our community, then please don't hesitate to contact our Program Manager, Tiffany Ferrara, at tiffany@ffscinc.org or (213) 627-1745.

Stay tuned for updates on program events, special opportunities, and pertinent information concerning our youth!