Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 09-03-2015
At the September 3rd Meeting, the members and guests heard a presentation from Ms. Cheryl. Bradford, Assistant Operations Manager, Teen Challenge International. Ms. Bradford 's office is located with the Women's Teen Challenge Housing and Center within Lynwood. In addition to the presentation by Cheryl, four young women who reside at the Lynwood Center, also talked about their life experiences and problems. Their first names are Chloe, Kayley, Annica and Jessica. They were living in different parts of California: San Diego, Riverside, Bakersfield and near Fresno. All four women had been living at the Lynwood Center for only about two to three months . (The Center provides a free home for twelve months to the residents.) The four young women described their problems with alcohol and/or drug addiction before joining Teen Challenge. Now they are free from any addiction problems, and in the testimony of one of women, “I am in love with my life, with my friends here” and looking forward to a life fulfilled by my goals and my commitment to my faith in God.
Ms. Cheryl Bradford, in her presentation explained that personally she had experienced a similar problem 19 years ago, so that she knows what the young women in the Center have had to overcome. Her presentation included an informative video about the Teen Challenge mission, and its techniques for rescuing young men and women from their addiction problems. On a table there were many photos and messages and flyers about Teen Challenge. For example, one of the organization's fund raising programs is Hope Pickup, consisting of donations of household items. Also, a brochure about a coming Walk for Recovery, set for September 26, at Valley Christian High School , Cerritos.
The presentation and display information and the video left all the members and guests with the knowledge that Teen Challenge, without a doubt, is accomplishing a lot! To repeat part of the explanation for Walk for Recovery: “The goal of our Walk for Recovery is to raise awareness that recovery works, to reach those in need of recovery and to honor and raise support for those currently in our Teen Challenge residential center seeking help for their life controlling drug and alcohol problems.”
Before the presentation, President Martina Rodgriguez talked about the important Rotary meeting on Thursday Noon, September 24, when the Rotary District Governor makes his annual visit to the Lynwood Rotary Club. She again emphasized that Rotary Board members need to attend a meeting with the District Governor that starts at 10:30 am in the Bateman Hall VIP Room.
Also the coming District Annual Picnic was mentioned. The date is Sunday, Sept 20 at the usual location, which is the Redondo Beach Lagoon At the picnic there is the annual boat race using homemade cardboard boats,. With the help of Joe Wang the cardboard boat has been constructed. . Lynwood Rotary members are encouraged to attend this fun annual picnic event organized by Rotary District 5280. We will observe and cheer on our Youthact members who will row the boat.
Daniel mentioned that the planned tour of the landscaping and planting project at Hosler Middle School has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sep 10, before our weekly meeting, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. Al Castellanos, Teacher and Coach at Hosler Middle School will lead the tour, which will start at the rear entrance to the coach's office, across the street from city hall. Daniel will attend but other Rotary members are encouraged to attend, as well as Youthact members and parents. As a previous Rotary speaker on the same topic, he will show the landscaping and planting tasks recently completed and his plans for additional work to be completed by himself and by students in order to help improve the appearance of the campus. He has requested a donation of $500.00.
Daniel mentioned that he attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Oscar Avila and three other new Eagle Scouts at South Gate Auditorium on Saturday, Aug 29 from 5pm to 9pm. He has photos which will be provided to Oscar and his family, but copies will be passed around at the coming Rotary meeting. (Oscar was a speaker in the last month at Lynwood Rotary and was a speaker in late Spring and at the end of the summer in 2014, to talk about his summer experiences both summers. Rotary members generously contributed to the cost of Oscar’s trip last summer to the Florida Everglades as a part of his Marine Biology studies and interests.)
Also as a reminder, Club members have received ticket books to sell for the annual Rotary Foundation Event which this year will be Sat, Nov 14, at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.
Daniel Miller / Omar Franco
Public Relations and Community Outreach for Lynwood Rotary