teens

Dec 01

2008

YouthBuild

Posted by Bruce Robinson in youth , teens , students , Santa Rosa , nonprofit orgs , housing , education , construction , community

Job skills, high school diplomas, personal responsibility and building low income housing-they're all wrapped up together in YouthBuild Santa Rosa.

YouthBuild has been active in Sonoma County for the past 13 years, but the overall program has a much longer history.

A new cohort of YouthBuild students is forming now, with required interviews on Dec. 15. Casey McChesney outlines the application process.

The 2001 YouthBuild class were joined by then Santa Rosa Mayor Mike Martini (front, second from left), Congresswoman Lynne Woolsey, and County Supervisor Mike Reilly at the grand opening of their new office seven years ago. The program is now preparing to move into new, larger quarters in early 2009.

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Nov 11

2008

Global Student Embassy

Posted by Bruce Robinson in youth , volunteer , teens , students , nonprofit orgs , education , activism

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Oct 19

2008

Autism Summit

Posted by Bruce Robinson in youth , teens , policy , nonprofit orgs , legislation , Health , families , education , children

An unusual gathering of educators, service providers parents and tomorrow (Tuesday) will look at ways local schools can meet the needs of the rapidly growing number of students diagnosed with autism.

Andrew Bailey is Executive Director of Anova Center for Education , which has campuses in Santa Rosa, San Rafael and American Canyon in Napa County. Anova was founded in 200o.

SONOMA COUNTY'S 1ST ANNUAL AUTISM COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM

When: Tuesday, October 21st, 3:30pm-6:30 pm

Where: The Anova Center for Education

3033 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA

Cost: FREE to participants and attendees

For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Anova at: (707) 527-7032

Anova will be hosting the Autism Community Team (ACT!) of Sonoma County in the First Annual Autism Community Symposium, "Meeting Challenges and Creating Opportunities". This forum brings together parents, public schools, regional centers and private providers to increase understanding of what services are currently available to those impacted by autism, and to discuss all that remains to be accomplished.

Autism is the fastest growing disability in the US. With 1 out of every 150 children diagnosed with autism, autism is more prevalent than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. Here in California, the number of students with autism in grades K-12 has increased more than 1000% over the past 20 years. With statistics such as these, there is no question: autism has a widespread emotional, social and economic impact on our community, and has ramifications our community must be prepared to fully address.

As autism spectrum diagnoses become more frequent among local students, Andrew Bailey says it is increasingly important for schools to implement cost-effective approaches to meeting their needs.

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Sep 11

2008

Worth Our Weight

Posted by Bruce Robinson in youth , volunteer , teens , Sonoma , Santa Rosa , nonprofit orgs , news , Ideas , Health , food , education , community , activism

Job training, social work and gourmet food all converge in chef Evelyn Cheatham's unique Worth Our Weight culinary apprentice program.

Chef Cheatham explains the origin of her program's name.

Luke, one of the current students in the WOW program, talks about what he hopes to get out of it.

Worth Our Weight is currently open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 4, and serving Sunday Brunch from 9 to 1.They also have a catering service and a tent at the Santa Rosa Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

The new location is at 1021 Hahman Drive, next to the Boys and Girls Club, between Montgomery Village anMontgomery High School.

W.O.W. Mission:

to develop and sustain an apprenticeship program that comprises professional culinary basic training, organic farming, social skill development and elementary business management.

The W.O.W. Vision

is to invite underserved young people into the world of food (farming, cooking & eating) where they can find a home for their vocational aspirations and create a better life for themselves and their family. It's our belief that this contributes to the development of healthy communities.

The dining area at Worth Our Weight includes this long, single plank table for shared meals.