Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 06.16.2016

 

Fernando presented a detailed power-point presentation of the Youth act programs and activities.  He mentioned that Youth act at Roosevelt ES helps build leaders, exposes students to other cultures and seeks to accomplish the Rotary Four way test, to include: is it true, is it fair, and will it help build friendships.  The Youth act group has year round activities.  Examples include:  participation in the annual LA Marathon; Feeding the homeless; helping decorate the City of Downey Rose Parade Flout; Visiting local senior citizen homes; Fund raising for international organizations, such as providing provisions for victims of the Haiti tsunami, and for earthquake victims in the Philippines; also helping the Pennies for Patients for Leukemia patients.

 

Tila stated that she has 27 years’ experience working with youth, starting with the youth at her parish, St. Emydius Catholic Church in Lynwood.  From her church youth work, then she started youth work in Rotary.  “Our kids need a lot of support.” “Kids want support from adults.”  “Show kids what they can accomplish.” “A kid must feel connected.”  That is a motivation for joining gangs.  She noted that we can change for the better our communities by working closely with our youth.

 

 

 The agency has 25 employees and serves 22 cities in LA County, from ELA and Whittier to Signal Hill to the city boundary of Carson.  The agency sells water to cities obtained from the Metropolitan Water District.  Ms. Vasquez described some of the water-saving programs available to residents in cities served by her agency.  She had handouts describing these programs.

 

 

Concerning the Ten Year Youth act Celebration, everyone was encouraged to invite guests for this important event.  The program starts with sign-ins at 5:00 pm, and from 9:00 to 11:00 pm there will be dancing to the music provided.

 

Lulu mentioned that the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life Event in Lynwood Park this year will be only for 12 hours, instead of the usual 24 hours.  So, on Sat, Jun 25, the event will start at 9 am and end at 9pm the same day. Daniel noted that last year, the club had a large turnout of relay walkers, along with a large turnout of Youth act members with some of their parents.  Hopefully, this year we will also have a big turnout for the relay event!  Ramon Rodriguez mentioned the need to organize work shifts for the fireworks stand for the four days of July 1 through July 4.  The Club will require the participation of all the members, as well as a good turnout of Youth act volunteers and at least some of their parents.  There also will be a staffing requirement for Thursday, June 30, in order to unpack the fireworks product and get the entire product organized in the shelves in the trailer, with all the product labels posted.  Lunch will be provided for all volunteers on Thursday, June 30.  Martina Rodriguez mentioned that she is finishing up her third time as serving as Lynwood Rotary Club president.  She stated she has “stabilized” the club during her term.  She also mentioned that a way needs to be found to ensure that Tila and Fernando become members.  She also mentioned how proud she is that her son is graduating from UCLA in biology specializing in macular cell development, so his specialty as a MD will use involve this special study.