At the October 27th meeting, members and guests heard Ms. Cheryl Bradford, Assistant Operations Manager, and Teen Challenge Internal. 

Ms. Bradford described the mission and operations of the organization.  She described the home provided for young women that is located in Lynwood on Euclid Ave., at the southern edge of the City of Lynwood.  She described the activities and counseling provided the women who are staying in the Lynwood home (with a maximum stay permitted of one year.)

One of the questions asked from the audience was what follow- up is available and done for women at this home after they leave.  Another question is the activities and counseling provided at other locations similar to the Lynwood home, and the response was yes it is similar. Another question addressed by Cheryl, is opportunities for education and vocational training for persons living temporarily in these homes.

The presentation with photos showed women and some men interacting with other persons in several homes provided in the network of Teen Challenge homes.  Also leaders from Teen Challenge talking about the message:  “We are a Christian organization … No one is beyond Christ’s redemption … we are faith based, for participants what is accomplished is more than just getting off drugs and alcohol; it is developing a relationship with peers, and also a relationship with God … the miracle of Teen Challenge, is to understand that things can change, … allow God to enter our lives … when you receive Jesus, you receive a power to overcome the past …

Three members from the Lynwood home, Maria, Heather and Christy, ages 43, and the other two in their 20’s, talked about their past addictions and their new lives they are now living.

The presentation included a detailed display that included a variety of photos of program members, as well as brochures and descriptions of Teen Challenge activities.  Ms. Bradford encouraged meeting attendees to come visit the Lynwood home on Euclid Ave. in Lynwood between Long Beach Blvd and Santa Fe Ave.   Every Tuesday, interviews are held at the Lynwood home.  There is no charge for living at the home, but the applicants have to demonstrate a willingness to take the first steps to recovery. 

Ms. Bradford cited statistics of the number people in the world and in the U.S., who are suffering from various forms of addiction.  Rotary member Martina asked Cheryl about her opinion about Proposition 64 – the marijuana proposition. Cheryl replied that she had to study the proposition before offering an opinion.  A warm applause was given to Cheryl and her three representatives from the Lynwood Teen Challenge home. 

After the speaker's presentation, Club President Ramon Rodriguez, led the attendees in discussion of several projects. The club will provide turkeys at the turkey give away event at the Senior Center, with the costs funded by a local company. This event is Tue, Nov 22, 9am, at the Lynwood Senior Center.  Larry Esparza will bring a Rotary banner for the table and canopy to be provided.

 Next meeting there will be more discussion of the decision that the first meeting in Dec (Dec 1) will be a commemoration for recently departed Rotary members, with a short brochure to be available for distribution. Members to be remembered are:  Gerardo, Jim Morton, Oliver Conner, and Lucy Avalos.

 Also there will be more discussion about family preferences for commemorating Lucy as a part of the Rotary (and Youth act) participation in the annual Christmas parade on Fri, Dec 2.  President Ramon will coordinate with Lucy’s daughter, Veronica, about the parade and a float in the parade to honor Lucy.

There were comments from President Rodriquez and from others who attended the Rotary District event Saturday, October 22,2016 at  US IOWA  Battleship moored in the harbor in San Pedro. As Daniel commented, it was a most memorable evening!!!   Ramon talked about the inspiring experience of touring the battleship along with the Rotary dinner event, noting that he estimated there were 500 Rotarians and guests in attendance.  Ramon stated that the experience enhanced his beliefs as to what a great country we live in. He also noted the talk by several District leaders of the worldwide Rotary campaign to end Polio, as well as a current polio funding campaign that involves each club within District 5280.

 

Daniel Miller / Omar Franco / Rowland Becerra –   

Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club