Celebrating Earth Day: April Reading Program

KRS celebrated the arrival of spring with “Celebrating Earth Day”.  The KRS students participated in the regular reading hour with KRS volunteers and then enjoyed visits from Shirley Hickman, who has been a member of the Sierra Club since 1972, and Charming Evelyn, who is also a member of the Sierra Club and Chair of the Water Conservation Committee.  Shirley spoke about the importance of recognizing and appreciating nature, even in a large city like Los Angeles, and treated the KRS students to a reading of “The Lorax” and a discussion about one of its important themes-protecting the environment.  The KRS students then selected seeds to plant in potted plants, and were able to take home a book called “Potter the Otter: A Tale About Water”, which was generously donated by First 5 LA, a non-profit corporation.  Thanks to Shirley Hickman, Charming Evelyn and First 5 LA for their help in making KRS’ April Reading Program a success!

To Space and Beyond: March Reading Program

For the March Saturday Reading Program, James “Bo” Borders (currently the Integrated Motion Control System lead for the Mars Science Laboratory at Jet Propulsion Laboratory), along with his colleagues Coleman Richdale and Sherwin Goo visited KRS.  Bo and Coleman visited KRS last year to explain about the MARS rover they helped create called “Curiosity”, and we were thrilled to have them return! This year, Bo and Coleman taught the KRS students about how scientists use experiments to help them prove theories.  Bo and Colman then asked to students to help participate in an experiment-they brought in a cardboard rocket they had created and students hypothesized about whether changing the angle of the rocket when launched would cause the rocket’s trajectory to change.  Students had fun proving or disapproving each hypothesis by launching the rocket themselves and measuring the distance the rocket traveled.  The KRS students then completed word scrambles and crossword puzzles that featured scientific terms.  Many thanks to Bo and Coleman for visiting KRS again!

Coleman Richdale and Bo Borders demonstrate the rubber band propelled rocket.

A future astronaut waiting for her turn to launch her rocket.

KRS Enjoys Busy Fall 2011 Season

Authors Kim Greene and Daphne Nowell with their books for KRS' September Author Day

KRS has enjoyed a busy autumn season! At its September Saturday reading program, KRS hosted its very first Author Day in celebration of National Literacy Month.  Local children’s books authors Kim Greene, Kelley and Jonathan Max, Meher McArthur, Daphne Nowell, James Otis, and Sam Renick read portions of their books to the kids and shared more about their craft.  The kids were particularly excited about this program as they had become writers themselves at KRS’ August Saturday reading program and created storybooks to take home.  Not only did the authors field many insightful and interesting questions from the kids, but they also generously donated autographed books to KRS’ on-site libraries and to the kids to bring home.  

Officer Deon Joseph with the KRS kids of the Union Rescue Mission site in October

In October, KRS hosted a Saturday reading program with a “Public Safety & Awareness” theme; KRS students read about Halloween safety tips; and local law enforcement officers visited each of KRS’ three locations (STARS, Villa-Parke and Union Rescue Mission) to speak to the students about their profession, the importance of literacy in law enforcement, and re-inforced the general safety tips the kids read about. 

KRS boardmembers at our annual fundraiser in October!

On October 27, 2011, KRS hosted its annual fundraiser at El Portal in Pasadena. KRS raised significant funds, thanks to El Portal restaurant, which donated a portion of its proceeds that evening to KRS, and the support of the local community and KRS volunteers who attended the fundraiser and bid on silent auction items (like a weekend ski trip to Mammoth) and purchased raffle tickets.  In addition, at the annual fundraiser, KRS was recognized by Congressman Adam Schiff (who represents California’s 29^th Congressional District) for its contribution to the Pasadena community.   Representatives from Congressman Schiff’s office presented KRS with a congressional proclamation of achievement.  “We are so humbled to receive this recognition on behalf of the volunteers of KRS.  It is because of their dedication, enthusiasm and support that we are able to run this free Saturday reading program each month and reach out to more underserved youth through literacy,”  said Deborah Yim, KRS’ executive director. 

KRS boardmembers Jacqueline Goodman & Deborah Yim with Teresa Lamb, District Representative for Congressman Adam Schiff

In November, KRS hosted a Saturday reading program with a “Health and Nutrition” theme. After the regular reading hour, KRS students read tips on how to read a nutrition label and some common “chef lingo” (like the definitions for “chop”, “dice”, “boil” and “broil”). Tamar Kozanian and Jennifer Schlesinger of Cooking Matters, an organization that provides families at risk of hunger with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make healthy and affordable meals, visited KRS at STARS and Villa-Parke and taught the KRS students how to make healthy yogurt parfaits. Dietitian Joyce Nakashima visited KRS at the Union Rescue Mission location and taught the KRS students about the benefits of healthy eating habits and also showed the kids how to make yogurt parfaits.  Most of the kids had never had a parfait before so this was a particular treat.  Many thanks to Tamar, Jennifer and Joyce for donating their time to KRS! After a fun and busy few months, KRS is looking forward to the upcoming holiday season and to 2012! 

KRS kids with dietitian Joyce Nakashima, one of our November guest speakers on Healthy Eating!

 

Fiesta Time! Fundraiser - Support KRS!

Come support KRS' 2nd annual fundraiser/silent auction! Click on the image below for a full page event flyer, and RSVP by clicking on the blue event invite below!

In addition to a raffle for an Ipad (only $20/ticket!), there will be a silent auction featuring these fantastic items:

Weekend or weeklong stay in a Mammoth condo

4 MVP Loge Box Seats to a Dodgers game for 2012 Season w/Parking

2 Tickets to the "O" Show at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino

4 One Day Day Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets with Choice Hotel Gift Card

2 VIP tickets to Kings Hockey Game and $25 Gift Card to Sharky's restaurant

Jimmy Kimmel Live w/Green Room Passes

Nintendo DS with 2 games

High Tea & Garden Tour for 4 at the Huntington Library

Half day beauty services at Salon Aguayo in Pasadena

Professional family portrait session with prints

2 Tickets to a Pantages production w/ $100 Gift Card to Spice Table restaurant

2 Tickets to a Pantages production w/$100 Gift Card to Wokcano

2 Tickets to Pasadena Playhouse show & $50 Gift Card to Roys

2 Tickets to Pasadena Playhouse show & $50 Gift Card to Il Fornaio

4 Tickets to Santa Anita Race Track Turf Club & $50 Gift Card to El Cholo

Old Town Cooking School class & $50 Gift Card to Magnolia's

Teeth cleaning, exam, x-ray, & waterpick sonic brush

$105 Gift Certificate to Burke Williams with make-up bag & makeup

1 Month Equinox Membership & Yoga Studio

Wine Tasting at The Wine Cave

Professional Landscaping Consultation Session

Exam, Checkup, X-ray, regular cleaning, & Waterpick Soniccare kit

2 Dozen Custom Order Cupcakes w/Delivery

4 One Hour Classes + 1 Annual Membership to Club Champion Gymnastics

In addition, the silent auction will feature gift baskets containing handbags, boutique stationery sets, beauty & makeup sets, car detail kits, wine & gourmet food, and baby gifts.

KRS Honored As Lineage Performing Arts Center's Nonprofit of the Month

Thank you to Lineage Performing Arts Center for honoring KRS as its Nonprofit of the Month this September. Lineage will be generously donating a portion of donations obtained this month to KRS in celebration of National Literacy Month.  Lineage is a contemporary dance company dedicated to raising support and awareness for nonprofit organizations and to making the arts accessible to audiences of all demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are grateful for Lineage's generous support and look forward to having the Lineage Dance Company participate in our December Saturday Reading program, which will be revolve around a dance theme.