Southern California Volunteer Spotlight: Suzanne Gibson, February 2012

Posted on February 2, 2012 by coachart

Southern California Volunteer Spotlight

Suzanne Gibson, VOLUNTEER SINCE AUGUST 2009

How did you hear about CoachArt?   I heard of CoachArt through an on-line orientation announcement.  I did a little research and checked my schedule and a week later I was at the L.A. Office in an orientation meeting.
How long have you been a CoachArt Volunteer? I signed-up with CoachArt in October of 2009.  I was matched up with my student for the Winter session 2010
What made you decide to volunteer with CoachArt?  I had been searching for the right organization to volunteer with.  One that would tap into my creative side and allow me to work with children.  CoachArt was a natural fit for me.
What do you like most about volunteering with CoachArt?  I truly enjoy the magic that the clients and their parents experience when given the opportunity to try a new project.  Creativity is such an outlet when faced with physical obstacles or limitations.
What type of activities have you done at CoachArt?  I have assisted with in-hospital workshops at L.A. Children’s Hospital, Long Beach Memorial, and Harbor UCLA…in the playrooms as well as at seasonal events such as Santa’s Workshops.  I also have been working with a one-on-one student for 3 years.
What has been the single most impacting experience working with a CoachArt student? Over the past few years I have watched my student (and her little sister) grow. From barely being able to grasp a paintbrush, to now being able to create and add style and flourish to a canvas. Her self-confidence builds every time I meet with her. Recently my student was selected to speak at a CoachArt event (Oct 20th) and her words just made me very proud.
Why do you volunteer with CoachArt?  I have always been taught to be generous and giving with my talents.
If you had to write an ad to recruit volunteers for CoachArt, how would it read? 
• Are you an Artist, or an Athlete… A Coach or Chef?
• Are you a Musician, or a Magician with something wonderful to share?
• There are Children waiting to meet you, and ready to learn from you.
• Yoga, Ballet, Photography… Baseball, Soccer, or Hockey…
• Whatever your discipline, your talents are wanted, and needed.
What advice would you give to a new CoachArt volunteer?  Start Simple, find a mentor, and let the children teach you how to smile.
How has CoachArt affected your life?  Daily.  I believe CoachArt has led to many professional business connections.
Would you recommend CoachArt to friends?  I truly am an advocate for CoachArt and am proud to wear my volunteer shirt and recruit new volunteers.
What other volunteer activities are you involved in?
• Adventures in Art (Towers Elementary – Torrance)
• Friends of Madrona Marsh – Torrance – Teaching Crafts – Arts & Nature
• Growing Great – Health and Nutrition Education
What would you like for our readers to know about you? 
a. I am a wife, mother of 3 children, and an artist.
b. I enjoy art, cooking and travel.
c. Bringing Art into the hands of children, regardless of their skill or limitations is a passion for me.
d. Throughout the year I teach art at the school, or privately. And in the warmer months teach “Art in the Park” and “Butterfly Art Studio”. I also teach summer art studio for kids from ages 5 – 15, focusing on building studio skills and portfolios. http://artlessonsbysuzanne.blogspot.com/
e. I am now working with the Artlife Gallery – El Segundo, representing South Bay artists in various mediums. We are working to build a foundation to continue to bring Arts into the hands of the youth in the South Bay. We are currently working on a joint fund-raising effort with CoachArt… “Art in your Heart” project.
f. Of course I am waiting to create art for my clients: Murals, Paintings, Canvas, Cards… you just need to ask me: http://suzannegibson.blogspot.com/
How can CoachArt improve its’ services? Continue the great work that you’ve already begun. Be visible in as many ways as possible – at community events (not just at the hospital… but at health fairs)… Every year, thousands attend the conventions, they learn about their own health… but what about educating them about CoachArt? Educating the community about this organization is essential… and it’s hard to improve on a well-organized program… I guess that’s why I love it and promote it the way I do.
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Chronically Ill Children “Take to the Ice” with CoachArt

Posted on January 31, 2012 by 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.

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Bay Area Volunteer Spotlight: Bert Yip, January 2012

Posted on January 19, 2012 by coachart

San Francisco Bay Area Spotlight

Bert Yip, VOLUNTEER SINCE November 2011

 
Bert Yip is one of CoachArt’s newer volunteers, but right after his Orientation in late November 2011, Bert jumped in to become the Bay Area’s first matched mentor. Bert and Ricky have been making art together since then, even engaging Ricky’s family to be creative with them.

 

How did you hear about CoachArt?  I heard about CoachArt from Lauren Banister (a rad friend), who posted
about it on her facebook.

How long have you been a CoachArt Volunteer? For about a month now, I’m new!

What made you decide to volunteer with CoachArt? I had been wanting to volunteer and contribute more, and was actually looking into various opportunities to do so when I saw that Lauren was looking for volunteers… it was perfect timing.

What do you like most about volunteering with CoachArt? Interacting with the kids and their siblings.  Getting to share our love for creating together is pretty rad!

What type of activities have you done at CoachArt? So far, we have worked on drawing exercises and making polymer clay sculptures. We are starting a paint and sculpture diorama project next.

Why do you volunteer with CoachArt? I have always enjoyed doing what I can to make people happier, so being a volunteer helps fill that hankering to help.

What advice would you give to a new CoachArt volunteer? Hmmm…Just to have fun with it, and share what you love!

What would you like for our readers to know about you? I am hopeful for humankind and the future of our world.


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President Obama Proclaims January as National Mentoring Month

Posted on January 11, 2012 by coachart
January 3, 2012: President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation designating January as National Mentoring Month, saying, “Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation’s youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.”
January 2012 marks the 11th anniversary of National Mentoring Month, an annual media campaign to recruit volunteer mentors for young people. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service, this year’s campaign tagline is Invest in the Future. Mentor a Child.  Read more…
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Southern California Volunteer Spotlight: Carla Yarbrough, January 2012

Posted on December 27, 2011 by coachart

Southern California Volunteer Spotlight

Carla Yarbrough, VOLUNTEER SINCE AUGUST 2011

How did you hear about CoachArt?   My friend joined CoachArt as Volunteer Supervisor this year and we were talking about her new position. I was really excited for her, but when she began talking about the program I was immediately drawn to work with the children.
How long have you been a CoachArt Volunteer? I attended my orientation in August of this year at the Children’s Hospital in Orange County.
What made you decide to volunteer with CoachArt? Before moving to southern California I lived in New Haven, Connecticut. I have mentored over 15 children there in Connecticut. Many of them were kids that I had met through my involvement with non-profits in the city.  When I moved to California, I made a promise that I would continue giving back to children and CoachArt is the perfect fit for me.
What do you like most about volunteering with CoachArt? I really enjoy connecting with children, but I think volunteering allows me the chance to extend beyond myself and give unconditionally to children. It’s simply amazing, the euphoria you experience when you see a child smile back at you when you simply say, “that’s wonderful” to them or give them a smile of “it’s okay” and they flash a beautiful smile back at you!
What type of activities have you done at CoachArt? In December we had a mini-basketball camp at Cal Poly Pomona with the women’s basketball team, The Broncos. There were 20 CoachArt children and their families. The women’s basketball team had actual drills for the children and their patience, laughter, high-fives, and “you can do it” to the kids was amazing! There was a whole lot of love flowing out of that gymnasium. The kids got all sweaty, laughing like crazy, really trying to score points, and me like a few of the parents wanted to get on the floor a play a little hoops, but it wasn’t for us! We were there to encourage the kids. The players asked me when I went over to thank them, when would we be back? They had a blast with the kids!
What has been the single most impacting experience working with a CoachArt student? At the basketball camp one of our CoachArt kids was in a wheelchair. I asked two of the players if they’d come over and take a photo with him. The women kneeled down next to him in his wheel chair and they all smiled brightly.  After the photo, one player asked me if she could take him to play “Red light, Green light” and the mom overheard her asking and immediately said, yes. All the kids were still on the floor with the team and they created a game just for him. It was the most fun all the kids had because they were really trying to win, but our kid, who was being pushed by a player, won! How cool is that! And he had the biggest smile on his face.
Why do you volunteer with CoachArt? Simply because I love working with kids and I love giving back! I have been so blessed in my life and have amazing and lovely niece and nephews, so I feel that wherever I am, I’ll always give back!
If you had to write an ad to recruit volunteers for CoachArt, how would it read? Come experience the joy and love of some amazing and loving kids! We need them just as much as they need us!
What advice would you give to a new CoachArt volunteer? Read every smile opportunity and make an effort to participate, the kids need you and me.
How has CoachArt affected your life? CoachArt makes me smile and we need more smiles in the world.
Would you recommend CoachArt to friends? I just recommended CoachArt to one of my students at the University and she’s signing up. I shared the article with her and the website of CoachArt and she’s in! Yayyy….
What other volunteer activities are you involved in?   I mentor students that I work with at the University and I also advise them on career opportunities.
What would you like for our readers to know about you?  That I love photography and I am passionate about documentary filmmaking. I’ve been to Soweto, South Africa and I’ve begun a documentary film on the children in Soweto through the organization, Teboho Trust.  If you’d like to see the preliminary footage that I filmed in South Africa, you can watch the video online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZDbgNs8IhE. I’m planning to return to Soweto in 2012.
How can CoachArt improve its’ services? I’ve just begun with CoachArt and from what I see, there’s not much improvement needed. The kids are number one and that’s what I appreciate.
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Cal Poly Pomona Bronco’s Team with CoachArt

Posted on December 22, 2011 by 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.
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CoachArt Participates in San Francisco Tree Event

Posted on December 17, 2011 by coachart

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.

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Bay Area Volunteer Spotlight: Jayeon Kim, December 2011

Posted on December 7, 2011 by coachart

BAY AREA VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

JAYEON KIM, VOLUNTEER SINCE  2011

1.        CA: How did you hear about CoachArt?  I found out about CoachArt via volunteermatch.org. I was thrilled to learn about it as I’ve consistently looked for opportunities to engage with children in special needs, whether they are physical or mental illness, family environments or economic statuses.

2.       CA: What type of activities have you done at CoachArt?  So far I’ve led a visual art workshop at a special event in Oakland. My goal is to design and lead visual art workshops more often and regularly. The workshop activities include painting, drawing and craft.

3.       CA: What advice would you give to CoachArt Volunteers?  When I asked one of my friends to join CoachArt, she told me working with kids was too hard for her. Interacting with kids can be (or is) quite challenging and frustrating. However, often times, I find what they look for by acting out is your attention. It may make them feel accomplished and motivate them to do a better job if you complement generously on specific actions they take.

4.       CA: What would you like others to know about you?  If anyone wants to collaborate with me to come up with workshops or activity series, I’m all ears.

5.       CA: Is there anything else you would like to say to others in the CoachArt Community?  Thank you so much everyone for keeping this great community up!

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Southern California Volunteer Spotlight, December 2011: Daniel Gaines

Posted on December 6, 2011 by coachart

Southern California Volunteer Spotlight
Daniel Gaines, volunteer since September 2011

How did you hear about CoachArt?  Through idealist.org

How long have you been a CoachArt Volunteer?  Since September, 2011.

What made you decide to volunteer with CoachArt? I wanted to volunteer with chronically ill children.

What do you like most about volunteering with CoachArt?  A couple of things; for one I want to go into the mental health field, and I heard that it’s good to have related volunteer experience for the graduate school application. Secondly, I had lots of spare time, and felt like I wanted to get involved with a community of some sort, doing something that feels significant to me. Lastly, I’ve done lots of art in the past, and when I began I was going through some artist’s block. I thought, “Well, I have some good art skills, why not use those skills by sharing them with some kids who’d probably love to learn them?” That way I could still involve art in my life, and see the value of the skills I already had, while at the same time getting the new experience of facilitating workshops for kids who probably wanted a break from the routine created by their illnesses.

What type of activities have you done at CoachArt?  I’ve mostly done stick puppets. I’ve also done various drawing games, and once a workshop getting rubbings from different textures.

What has been the single most impacting experience working with a CoachArt student?  There was a kid in the dialysis unit who I played a drawing game with, where we would switch off drawing different objects on a piece of paper to create a scene. It was exciting to do because, as he was a little older, we got each other’s visual jokes, and really got the chance to make a scene that was exciting and strange. We barely exchanged any words, but I really felt like I connected with this kid, and we both enjoyed each other’s contributions.

Why do you volunteer with CoachArt?  Basically, it feels like a good use of my time, and it’s fun to be around the other volunteers and the kids. Also, it’s a great challenge to come up with activities that I think the kids will enjoy; that whole process of coming up with ideas and seeing how they pan out is one I get excited about.

If you had to write an ad to recruit volunteers for CoachArt, how would it read?  Do you have hobbies you enjoy? Do you also like kids? Well then, friend, why not volunteer with Coach Art, where you’ll get the opportunity to provide children with chronic illnesses and their siblings a break from the routine of medical treatment by hosting workshops for them, in an activity of your choice. Art, music, cooking, dance—whatever your passion may be—why not share your skills with some very eager students, who, even in the midst of dealing with chronic illnesses, can feel that uniquely human joy of creativity!

What advice would you give to a new CoachArt volunteer?  Most of the activities I’ve done have been for younger kids (ages 7-11ish), so it’s good to have activities that they’ll enjoy. This age group generally seems to enjoy activities that are fairly structured, and that use a variety of techniques and materials; like using glue, scissors, sequence, paper, etc., all in one activity. Also, depending on the project, it’s been helpful to have a variety of things to choose from, like for the puppets I have templates for warriors, princesses, and dragons. Also, although most of the kids will probably jump right into the activities, some of them will be too shy to tell you they need help, so it’s good to pay attention to everyone’s progress.

How has CoachArt affected your life?  It’s given me weekly challenges, coming up with art activities that seem cool to me and are appropriate for the age range I’m dealing with. It’s given me a chance to meet some great kids, and I’ve found it can be really fun to interact with them. It’s also fun to teach them new things. I also really like working with all the volunteers and the staff. On the whole, it’s given me something to do that feels like a good use of my time.

Would you recommend CoachArt to friends?  I would recommend it to my friends. It’s great fun for you and the kids. It feels good to feel helpful. Because kids are so funny, being around them connects you to a great sense of humor you probably haven’t experienced in a while.

What other volunteer activities are you involved in?  I recently helped out at a meditation retreat, and I’m looking to get involved with additional organizations that are more about mental health.

What would you like for our readers to know about you?  Not having done much work with kids, I kind of expected it to be a challenge for me to connect with them. Sometimes it can be, but mostly, it’s been really rewarding because they are usually so fun, and so eager to interact with you.

How can CoachArt improve its’ services?  Sometimes I wish I could have a more regular volunteer schedule; I would do it at least once a week if that were possible. Also, although I know the organization’s goal is to help kids with chronic physical illnesses, I am of the opinion that mind and body are very linked, and that kids with “mental” diagnoses would equally love Coach Art. I would love to see Coach Art expand into that area, even if it would involve extra training.

 

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Bay Area Program Partner Spotlight: Rize Above Media, November 2011

Posted on November 3, 2011 by coachart

Bay Area Program Partner Spotlight: Tamika Ellsworth of Rize Above Media, Partner since 2011

In September 2010, Tamika founded a non-profit program called Rize Above Media with the support of her husband Scott Ellsworth, a 16-year graphic design professional. Rize Above’s mission is developing positive media programs for at-risk & under served youth to excel in school and beyond. The initiative is a heartfelt desire to affect the digital media industry one student, one organization at a time by planting seeds of positive media and a love for technology to under served communities and their youth.

In October 2011, Rize Above Media became an official program partner of CoachArt. Tamika will be leading Rize Above’s first workshop in conjunction with CoachArt at the Discover CoachArt event on 11/19 in Oakland, CA.


 How did you hear about CoachArt? CoachArt contacted me thru a staff member who came to one of our workshops in Richmond, CA 

What type of activities have you done/will you do at CoachArt? We will be facilitating classes related to digital media arts. Video gaming, mobile applications, graphic design, film production & digital audio.

Is there any advice you would you give to other CoachArt Program Partners? Never take for granted the positive impact you make in the lives of youth.

 What would you like others to know about you? I have a passion for seeing youth reach their full potential in life and one of my goals, through Rize Above Media, is to help them discover skills and talents they never knew they had.   

Is there anything else you would like to say to others in the CoachArt community? I’m excited about  the CoachArt program and can’t wait to meet more of the youth and adults that make up the CoachArt community.

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