We were fortunate to have two of our young participants join the United Nations Youth Forum, which centered on empowering youth as current leaders in society. It was a privilege to share our knowledge and learn from countless young individuals from diverse backgrounds worldwide.
Our Youth of the Year is on a billboard
Estrella Chavez is promoting our mission! As part of our new strategy, we aim to highlight our Youth of the Year and raise awareness about the impactful work we do. To empower our young individuals and make them protagonists, we have made the decision to invest in billboards as a powerful platform to showcase their achievements and stories.
Salesian Youth Leadership Conference (SYLC)
Annually, the Salesians of Don Bosco organize a leadership retreat aimed at nurturing young leaders. This year, we are grateful to be sending six representatives from Santa Isabel, St. Mary's, and the SFYC to participate in a comprehensive week-long training. Equipped with newfound skills, they will return as leaders to our community, ready to make a positive impact.
Team Members mid year review and planning!
Our entire team convened for a productive four-hour session, dedicated to reviewing the progress and achievements of our youth center in alignment with our strategic plan. The meeting encompassed professional development activities and provided an excellent opportunity for team bonding and camaraderie.
Gratitude for Susanna Ruiz: Enriching Young Minds with the Gift of Books!
We express our gratitude to Susanna Ruiz for generously providing our children with new books. A few months ago, Susanna reached out to emphasize the significance of children having access to quality reading material. Her donation of books has brought joy and enrichment to our young learners. We believe that education is one of the greatest gifts we can offer children, and we sincerely thank Susanna for her generosity.
Celebrating Kindness
We were thrilled to be part of the incredible Kindness Carnaval hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley. A heartfelt thank you to Jr for extending the invitation and providing our children with an unforgettable experience. It was truly amazing to witness our youth actively engage in this event, alongside approximately 150 other participants. The Kindness Carnaval left a lasting impact, promoting kindness and unity among our community's young members.
Lenten Retreat 2023
Youth from throughout Boyle Heights gathered to meet and reflect together at the fourth annual Lenten Retreat at St. Mary’s Parish Hall on April 4th and 5th. This year’s theme was “ In His Friendship I Find Meaning.”
Happy Easter! We hope you had a great one, these are some activities the students did to celebrate Easter this month.
Field trips!
Our students had 2 field trips recently! The students went to LACMA to see some modern art and to the movies to watch the Super Mario Bros movie.
Thank you Renee Boulware!
The We Care Program has been enjoying getting created and is beginning to have art classes led by Renee Boulware, students learned about coloring theory this last session.
We have a new Chalk Wall!
We have added chalk walls to our Game Room to encourage our students to be creative and artistic in our rooms.
Girl scouts - Adventure Awaits
Our troop explored the art of letterboxing at Tomy's Original Burgers. Letterboxing combines treasure hunting, puzzles, and outdoor exploration. Participants follow clues to find hidden containers, record their visits in logbooks, and enjoy the adventure and problem-solving involved. It fosters community and outdoor engagement globally.
Stations of the Cross
Since the earliest centuries of the Church, Christians have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem in order to retrace the steps of Jesus during his suffering, death and resurrection. Around the fifteenth century, Christians began the practice of prayerfully meditating on the Passion of Christ by reproducing that pilgrimage in miniature in what eventually became known as the Stations of the Cross. We have recreated this ‘mini pilgrimage’ for our confirmation students so they too, can prayerfully reflect on the Passion of Christ.
Our Youth Mariachi
What an amazing performance from our Mariachi!. During the day our leadership students helped with a golf tournament and for the dinner mariachi put in work as always! This event helped the students take charge of their duties and gain that hands-on experience. It was a great day!
SHOUT…OUT to Viviana Gonzalez. Our student is with us in tutoring every day, even if she has no homework. She loves that SHOUT is welcoming and comfortable to everyone. She has been with us since her freshman year; soon, she will become a junior. She went out of her way and took charge of a math problem that a fellow student needed help with. Viviana is a leader, motivating students around her.
Public Relations!
This month our public relations representative has been super busy. We have visited many organizations and been part of many meetings. Among them, we have:
#ThisGen youth empowerment forum presented by META. The event was held on April 22nd at the Tournament House in Pasadena and was dedicated to youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22.
We visited Fr Paul Chu who has created a robotics workshop that is transforming the lives of students. We are looking for new ways to engage with our youth.
Pancakes & Politics Speaker Series at The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. This event brought together a variety of leaders from across the community, including Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian. It was an incredible opportunity for our organization to learn more about the pressing issues facing our city and to connect with other community organizations.
Meeting with Christian Brother; The event was attended by a wide range of individuals, including Salesians and Christian Brothers alike, all of whom share a deep commitment to the education and empowerment of youth. The evening was filled with warmth, camaraderie, and heartfelt expressions of gratitude, with speakers taking the time to reflect on Father Lam's many contributions and the impact he has had on the lives of those he has served.
We had the opportunity to visit the Don Bosco Community Center in Port Chester. As committed laymen of the Salesian mission, we were eager to learn about the programs and initiatives that this center has developed to serve the needs of the community. We were not disappointed - the center offers an impressive array of programs and services that truly embody the Salesian spirit of solidarity and outreach.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our readers who have faithfully followed our e-news. Your support and engagement have been invaluable to us. We invite you to continue standing by us as we strive to impact young people's lives positively. Your ongoing support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, plays a significant role in our mission. We also kindly request that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we can create a brighter future for our youth. Thank you for being part of our journey.
Thank you for being part of our salesian Family! and if you would like to come and visit us, please contact us!