News
Chronically Ill Children “Take to the Ice” with CoachArt
CoachArt PARTICIPANT OSCAR B., AGE 6, FROM OAKLAND was one of many chronically ill children who had an opportunity to take to the ice during “Friday Night Ice” at the Oakland Ice Center January 20.
(Oakland, CA – January 31, 2012) — Approximately 20 chronically ill children from the East Bay area affiliated with CoachArt, an Oakland nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings, by providing free lessons in the arts and athletics, had an opportunity to try ice skating and other ice-related activities, during “Friday Night Ice” at the Oakland Ice Center on January 20.
In partnership with Special Skaters, a program affiliated with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of the Golden Gate, and with volunteers to help the skaters from San Francisco-based EventBrite, CoachArt’s participants were able to experience ice skating, many for the first time. They also had fun playing games such as mini Olympics, kite flying on the ice and broom ball. “It’s always a thrill to see our students experience an activity like ice skating that’s new and exciting,” said Ashley Fontanetta, regional director of CoachArt’s Oakland office. “United Cerebral Palsy is one of our health care partners and when we reached out to their Special Skaters program at the Oakland Ice Center, they went out of their way to accommodate our group and provide a fun and engaging night of skating complete with bubble blowing on the ice and a pizza party!”
EventBrite, a San Francisco-based company that enables people all over the world to plan, promote, and sell out any event; discover events, and share the events they are attending with the people they know, organized 15 staff members to volunteer by assisting the skaters. “We couldn’t have had a successful experience on the ice without the aid of the EventBrite volunteers who helped with everything from assisting the children on the ice, to organizing the pizza party,” Fontanetta continued. “CoachArt’s volunteers are the backbone of our programs. We rely on their assistance to allow us to offer the wide variety of programs that help chronically ill children take their minds off of their illness and just have fun.”
CoachArt’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their siblings, by providing free lessons in the arts and athletics. CoachArt matches volunteer mentors with its students to provide lessons based on the child’s preferred activity.
For the past ten years, CoachArt has served more than 2,500 children and has managed 15,000 donated volunteer hours consisting of 665 volunteers, and more than 78 program partners. To find out how to become involved with CoachArt as a volunteer mentor, or to take part in the activities, please visit www.CoachArt.org or call 510-992-3485.
President Obama Proclaims January as National Mentoring Month
Cal Poly Pomona Bronco’s Team with CoachArt
Smiles Abound at Broncos’ CoachArt Clinic
POMONA, Calif. – Although Saturday called for an early morning practice, the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team made sure to conserve enough energy to challenge the players stepping onto the court next.Those competitors were 18 kids affiliated with CoachArt, a local non-profit organization that offers lessons in the arts and athletics to patients with chronic illnesses.
“It was a special day for everybody,” Broncos’ senior Rosslyn Beard said. “A lot of the kids don’t get a chance to play every day and they don’t always have a normal childhood because of the illnesses they are dealing with. To see them running around and smiling Saturday, it was awesome.”
The session organized by the Broncos featured many different activities for the children, with CPP combining both instructional and competitive games for the young basketball enthusiasts.
“The women’s basketball team was amazing!” said Carla Yarbrough, one of CoachArt’s lead volunteers at Saturday’s program. “I was particularly impressed with their patience in helping our youngest children through the activities. In talking with the parents afterward, I heard a lot of them say that this was the best CoachArt event their child had ever attended.”
Once all of the running, passing, dribbling and shooting came to a close, the Broncos got to hang out with the children and share stories.
“We cannot thank the team enough,” Yarbrough said. “The children had so much fun and their parents were so grateful. We hope this can be a regular event because the Broncos’ women’s basketball team is such a wonderful group.”
The CPP squad also took time to sign water bottles and take photos with the kids. Each child that participated in Saturday’s activities also received a special certificate of completion signed by Broncos’ head coach Danelle Bishop.
Full article can be found here.
CoachArt Participates in San Francisco Tree Event
As part of the San Francisco Symphony’s annual Deck the Hall concert and festival, a 16-foot tree has been adorned with festive decorations created by CoachArt’s students.
Below is an article that ran in the Piedmonter and Montclarion papers highlighting CoachArt’s involvement in the event.
Videos from our People’s Fleet Journey
For the past month, CoachArt was granted the opportunity to drive The People’s Fleet Ford Focus to help run errands and accomplish tasks to help our seventh annual Champion Ball a rousing succes. Watch some of our journey to the Champion Ball:
Press Release: The People’s Fleet Returns to L.A.
NEWS
Contact: Stephanie Ardrey
310-351-1971
steph@ardreygroupllc.com
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE PEOPLE’S FLEET RETURNS TO LOS ANGELES AND COACHART RECEIVES
THE 2012 FORD FOCUS AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT GRANT
BACKED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY
• The CoachArt campaign began on September 22, 2011 and runs through October 21, 2011
• CoachArt was equipped with a 2012 Ford Focus, team of filmmakers and financial empowerment to fulfill their critical philanthropic mission
• Individuals can log on to www.thepeoplesfleet.com throughout the four (4) week program to experience weekly webisodes profiling CoachArt’s work
• CoachArt will have the chance to receive an additional Ford Empowerment Grant for one thousand dollars
LOS ANGELES, CA, September 28, 2011 – Following a successful pilot launch last year, Ford announced the return of The People’s Fleet program to Los Angeles. CoachArt was awarded with a four (4) week long campaign. The program engages non-profit organizations and equips them with the resources to accomplish their philanthropic missions.
CoachArt a local 501c3 organization was selected to participate in The People’s Fleet program, and received a 2012 Ford Focus, a team of filmmakers and additional resources to conduct their important work in the Los Angeles community. Their work is being highlighted in the form of weekly webisodes on the program site www.thepeoplesfleet.com.
This year CoachArt celebrates its 10th Anniversary of offering free lessons in the arts and athletics to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. CoachArt will showcase the work of its youth and mentors during its Annual Champion Ball on Thursday, October 20, 2011, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. The youth and volunteers will deliver a performance at the Champion Ball, where Steve Streit, CEO, Green Dot Corporation, will receive the “Heart & Humanity” award, and Chandra Wilson, Actor/Producer, Grey’s Anatomy, will receive the “Courage and Hope” award.
In order to be selected for the People’s Fleet project, each participating organization had to identify specific projects and tasks that would require use of the 2012 Ford Focus. The community element, dubbed The People’s Project, serves as a call-to-action for members of the program community to rally around specific projects and tasks. The community is continuously engaged through social media platforms administered by Ford and www.thepeoplesfleet.com website. Fresh content will be updated weekly for participants and followers to learn more about activities taking place. Individuals can also join in the activities and help CoachArt accomplish specific tasks. A system of points will be assigned based on ranking system for how engaged and active participants are in the program.
To learn more, please visit: www.thepeoplesfleet.com and www.coachart.org.
# # #
About CoachArt
CoachArt’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their siblings, by providing free lessons in the arts and athletics. Volunteer mentors are matched to provide lessons based on the child’s preferred activity. This unique program promotes normalcy for patients by giving them a creative outlet to escape the pain and loss of control caused by their illness. These arts and athletic opportunities enhance self-esteem, confidence, and restores hope. CoachArt has served over 2,500 children, managed 15,000 donated volunteer hours, 665 volunteers, and over 78 program partners. For more information, contact Lori at 213-736-2850, ext. 305.
Spotlight on Mommy — Dr. Thyonne Gordon of CoachArt
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Thyonne Gordon of CoachArt, a non-profit organization aimed at improving the quality of life for chronically ill children through arts and athletics. I am just amazed at people like Dr. Thyonne Gordon and what they do for chronically ill children, out of the kindness of their hearts. They look to make these children’s lives better or more manageable through art, athletics, wish making, music, etc. Having recently battled cancer myself, I know how important improving a person’s quality of life is during treatments, recovery, etc. And, now with children of my own, I can’t imagine what I would do if one of them was sick. With Dr. Thyonne Gordon’s non-profit, chronically ill children and their parents have a place to turn for support and inspiration.
CoachArt Selects Ashley Fontanetta to Lead Oakland’s Community of Care
Los Angeles, CA – (June 9, 2011) - Ashley Fontanetta has been named director of the new Oakland office for CoachArt. A five-year veteran of the organization, Fontanetta leaves her role as outreach director of the Los Angeles home base to manage daily operations and launch free programs in the arts and athletics for chronically ill children and their siblings in Oakland.
Earlier this spring, CoachArt introduced their programs to Oakland families at its first community showcase. The organization, marking 10 years of improving lives, will now begin implementing its programs in the area by matching young patients and their siblings with local volunteer mentors for weekly sessions in music, art, yoga, sports, photography, dance, acting, and more.
Fontanetta sharing a creative recruiting message for CoachArt at The Bay Citizen’s Digital Corkboard as a participant in the 8th annual Craiglist Foundation Bootcamp. (Courtesy of The Bay Citizen)
“The new role is a welcomed transition for me to establish CoachArt’s programs in the Oakland area. I am honored to lead this expansion phase for the organization and excited about the quality opportunities we will provide to local families and volunteers,” said Fontanetta, a University of Southern California graduate who began a career in the non-profit industry at Padres Contra El Cancer – an organization dedicated to helping Latino children with cancer and their families.
Fontanetta joined CoachArt in 2005 as an outreach coordinator and quickly landed the role of program director. She later became the organization’s outreach director in which she led the overall growth strategy of the organization’s programs, developed recruitment strategies to increase the number of participants, and managed client and volunteer relationships. Her work earned the organization a greater level of awareness among community groups, children’s hospitals, medical professionals, corporations, educational institutions, and civic groups.
In her new post, Fontanetta will be charged with developing strategic initiatives for the Oakland office while continuing to contribute to the organization’s overall involvement in medical research studies, collaborative grant proposals, and corporate sponsorships.
“Ashley has been instrumental in CoachArt’s overall growth and success of our volunteer, patient, and community partner involvement. The passion and leadership she has displayed over the years is exactly what we need to push CoachArt forward into Oakland and beyond. I am confident that she will position the organization to make an tremendous impact on the children of Oakland who have life-threatening illnesses as well as their families and their mentors,” said Executive Director of CoachArt, Dr. Thyonne Gordon.
Fontanetta hopes to use a hands-on approach of individual attention and medical sensitivity to help area families feel comfortable with their children participating in recreational activities.
“The concept of our program is based around the belief that these kids, who spend most of their free time tending to illnesses that require long-term treatment and may never go away, shouldn’t have to miss out on the childhood experiences of learning to paint, dance, sing or play a sport,” she said.
“The most impactful aspect of my involvement has been the closeness I’ve shared with families and volunteers in the program. I look forward to being welcomed into the homes and hearts of the Oakland families we serve.”
For information about CoachArt or to volunteer or become a partner, please visit www.coachart.org.
CoachArt Grows with New Energy and Leadership
Organization Offering Arts and Athletics to Youth Patients Expands Impact; Attracts New Volunteers and Donors
May 3, 2011 – (Los Angeles, CA) – Major growth has emerged at CoachArt as the organization marks 10 years of improving the quality of life for chronically ill children. What began as a small pilot program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has emerged into a thriving organization that facilitates arts and athletic opportunities for thousands of chronically ill youth. Co-founders Zander Lurie and Leah Bernthal introduced Dr. Thyonne Gordon as executive director in 2009 and the non-profit organization is now poised for greater expansion, donor support and partnership.
 Dr. Thyonne Gordon
Within 18 months, she has strategically led the charge in establishing new service areas for the Los Angeles-based organization throughout Long Beach and Orange County, and more recently, launching an interactive showcase of arts and athletics activities for families with Sickle Cell in the Oakland, California area. “This is an exciting time to lead CoachArt’s new initiatives. We consistently seek ways to position the organization for growth and expansion by creating communities of care,” said Gordon whose expertise was gained in part through working with youth at organizations like A Place Called Home, The Coalition for At-Risk Youth, Reach Back LA and the HollyRod Foundation. |
 Gordon with Lurie and Bernthal
Co-Founders Zander Lurie and Leah Bernthal started CoachArt with a simple goal to provide chronically ill children with arts and athletics lessons. Fast-forward 10 years later, the organization has helped thousands of youth enjoy positive mentoring relationships that provide much needed relief from their daily health struggles. “Leah and I believed there were many talented, philanthropic minded mentors who could make a huge difference in the lives of CoachArt patients. As our network of coaches, partners and donors grows, Thyonne has found new ways to extend our reach. We lend our full support in the direction she is leading the organization,” said Lurie. Gordon has taken a page from her experience managing divisions for large corporations and focused her efforts on developing plans to make the services of CoachArt available to a broader audience. She has created an empirical based model for CoachArt with a system that includes methodologies to sample programming capabilities as well as focus groups that gauge potential interest in new regions. Elements of fundraising, volunteer recruitment, program development for clinics and workshops with area patients, as well as activation by individual mentors are also mapped out. “The mission is so pure in its intent and the participation of everyday people make CoachArt a truly community-driven organization. As long as there is one person who cares, CoachArt can blossom,” Gordon said. |
Young CoachArt patient
With Gordon at the helm, a spark in donor support has been reached with recent gifts from corporations like Toyota and some of LA’s biggest foundations including Ahmanson, Annenberg, Kaiser and Weingart.
Increased involvement with hospital partners has been charted with workshops at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, respectively. More program partnerships have also been forged to include Hollywood Rock Academy, Toyota Sports Center and America Scores Soccer, each offering classes and events to patients.
For information about CoachArt or to volunteer or become a partner, please visit www.coachart.org
A Vision in Rhythm: Blind Teen Rocks Out to Soothe His Soul
When Hector Ibarra was five years old, his sight began to disappear. By age 12, he was completely blind.
Through all the challenges he’s faced, Hector says, music is what has kept him going. “It means a lot to me,” he tells TakePart.
Hector and his mentor Karim during their practice session. (Photo: Jenny Inglee)
Hector is sixteen now and plays the drums, violin, piano, bass and acoustic guitar. He also composes his own music. At a recent lesson, we were able to experience his transformation from a young and timid kid to a confident musician. He rocked out on the drums and played a little country, funk and jazz alongside his mentor, Kerim Imes.
Hector and Kerim were matched together by CoachArt—a Los Angeles-based organization that finds mentors to give personal lessons in the arts and athletics to kids facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
Thyonne Gordon, the executive director of CoachArt, says that the program “practices the art of improving lives.”
Often after children are diagnosed, Thyonne says, they feel isolated and alone.
“When a child is dealing with a chronic illness, there are people in the hospital trying to figure out what is going on but when they leave with that condition, they’ve lost that support group. What CoachArt says is you don’t have to be alone with this, we’re going to find someone to mentor you and we’ll give lessons to your brothers and sisters as well.”
Hector and his mentor Kerim have been working together for more than a year. Kerim says sharing music with kids is something he has always wanted to do and his time with Hector has deeply impacted his life.
Hector’s mom Maria spoke about how much Kerim and CoachArt has meant to Hector at the organization’s Act Now orientation.
CoachArt, she says, has literally saved his life.
Music brought “the sunshine” out of him and he is now comfortable having friends over and isn’t embarrassed to go places, Maria says.
Hector has a few careers in mind after he graduates high school. He wants to play in a band, study audio engineering and most importantly, follow in his mentor’s footsteps and inspire kids through music.