programs Sheriff's Leadership Academy:Hope's Nest is proud to announce the opening in September 2005, of a brand new alternative high school for inner-city teens. Most of the students accepted there have stopped attending school in their South Central L.A. neighborhood because of threats of gang violence to and from school. The academy offers these students a chance to get back on the educational track. The Sheriff's Leadership Academy is modeled after a groundbreaking alternative county school in Canoga Park called West Valley Leadership Academy. This is where teacher Paul White has transformed hundreds of gang members, felons, and truants into college-attending, gainfully employed, respectful, drug-free citizens in a matter of weeks. It is no accident that the slogan for WVLA is: "where miracles happen." Hope's Nest has witnessed the dramatic transformations, and lends its support in the form of field trips and job shadowing opportunities. Hope's Nest is grateful to L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, who saw the need for this kind of opportunity in the inner-city, and vows to attack the gang problem by working with teens "from the inside out." Miss Charmaney's Home: Hope's Nest is proud to lend its support to one of the most dedicated inner-city Moms in the country. Charmaney Bayton lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of South Central L.A., and cares for over 70 children running from gangs, or drug-addicted parents. Typically, you will find a room full of children sleeping head-to-toe on her living room floor. When Charmaney meets a child without a home, she treats him as one of her own. (See People Magazine article in this website's "Press" section.) Charmaney stresses staying in school, striving for college, and a drug-free life-house rules that her "adopted" children are apparently willing to keep. In the last year, Charmaney has seen three of her teens earn college scholarships, including one 13-year old girl named Dominesha, who, for her academic excellence, just received a 4-year full ride (after high school) from USC. Recently, Charmaney appeared on the syndicated "Ellen DeGeneres Show," honored for her tireless work with needy youngsters. (See video in "press" section of this website.) Saddled with a dire need for transportation, Ms. DeGeneres surprised Charmaney with a brand new 10-passenger Dodge "Sprinter," which will be used to transport students to and from the new Sheriff's Leadership Academy. The show also gave Charmaney gift certificates from K-Mart, Centinela Hospital, and Albertson's. Hope's Nest is grateful for their generosity. We continue to receive kind donations as a result of Charmaney's appearance. (If you would like to join others in supporting her cause click-"contribute.") As a neighborhood advisor to Hope's Nest, Miss Charmaney will serve as an on-site volunteer at the new Sheriff's Leadership Academy. In fact, it was Charmaney who convinced the Sheriff there was a critical need for an alternative school "in the hood." Within days, Sheriff Lee Baca graciously offered one of his Sheriff's stations as a safe place to see Charmaney's dream come to life. Our vision for the Sheriff's Leadership Academy is to enrich the students' lives through strong academics, art, and music. We always appreciate leads on supplies, instructors, and part-time employment for academy students. Art workshops: For thousands of children in South Central Los Angeles - the most impoverished section of our city. Since 1989, volunteers have conducted nearly 100 creative family art sessions at Los Angeles City Parks. (See "Press" section, "art workshops"). For our work in three Recreation Centers in South Central, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn honored Hope's Nest founder Lonnie Lardner with the city's "Volunteer of the Year Award" for 2004. Speakers' Series: For students at West Valley Leadership Academy in Canoga Park. WVLA is a trailblazing "alternative" county high school that rehabilitates gangsters, felons, and troubled teens. This past year, Hope's Nest invited guests to share their professional experiences from: Fox-TV News, Delta Airlines, NASA, the L.A. City Fire Department, Architectural firms, the Red Cross, the UCLA Athletic Department, Xerox Corporation, the U.S. Superior court, as well as victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, and the 9/11 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. When a student expresses an interest in a certain field, Hope's Nest tries to match him up with a professional for a personal "job shadowing" experience in the workplace. Educational field trips: Recent outings included... The Museum of Tolerance, Hearst Castle, The Titanic Exhibition, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Getty, and Disney on Ice. As an opportunity to learn about homelessness in Los Angeles, WVLA students also spent 24 hours working at the Midnight Mission on L.A.'s skid row. Holiday food and toy drives: Since the Los Angeles riots in 1992, Hope's Nest routinely collects food, clothes, shoes, and basics for needy families in South Central L.A. Last Christmas, Hope's Nest distributed over 600 toys and 500 pairs of sneakers from local businesses (See Christmas photos.) for an overflow crowd of 500 children at Green Meadows Park. On Thanksgiving, assisted by Bel-Air Presbyterian Church, Hope's Nest delivered dozens of holiday meals to families in the San Fernando Valley and South Central. Assistance with critical needs: When a 15-year-old student at WVLA came to Hope's Nest with a dire need for orthodontic care, supporters pitched in. Lauren was missing seven of her front teeth. She never smiled. Today, after a year of braces and professional dental care, she is first in line to have her picture taken. Working part-time, she contributed to the cost by making regular monthly payments. Honors: Since its inception, Hope's Nest has seen several of its students receive full scholarships to prestigious art and dance institutes, including the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and Mission: Renaissance Art Studios. Hope's Nest has received honors from the Mayor of Los Angeles (see "Press" section: "Volunteer of the Year" award), Mission: Renaissance ("Artistic Freedom award"), and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. |