celebrating sharefest in 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, we look back with gratitude and awe at the past year. Through our partnerships, we’ve grown and accomplished more than we could have hoped for. Before the next year begins, we wanted to take a moment to reflect and let you know how sincerely grateful we are for your support.

CREATIVE. We started this year by unveiling our new logo and tagline “Creative Collaboration for Positive Change.” We feel that this speaks to who we are and our vision for our community. This year we also expanded our programming to include two new segments. First, we launched our Corporate Services Program at Normont Elementary School. Our pilot project commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and remembered the victims and heroes by giving back to our local community in tangible ways. // read more. Another new program we launched is Share My Day, which allows individuals to celebrate their special day – such as a birthday or anniversary – by giving back to the community through custom-tailored service projects. // read more.

COLLABORATION. Over the years, Sharefest has worked to establish creative collaborative partnerships within communities. Through identifying common goals and putting resources together, these working coalitions are changing lives. On May 14th, during our 8th Annual Workday, we rallied nearly 5,000 volunteers to complete more than 180 projects at over 70 locations in the LA County. // read more. There is no way we could accomplish all we do without our partners and sponsors. Words truly cannot express our gratitude in working with so many caring organizations. Thank you!  Our year-round Youth Development Academy has grown this year as well, through meaningful partnerships who have invested in our students in personal and lasting ways. // read more // and more.

POSITIVE. Sharefest values making an investment into the lives of students who are at the greatest risk, by coming alongside them and providing them with the tools needed to become successful future leaders in their communities. Avalon High School celebrated a rise in API scores this year, and after two full years of our after-school programming at Avalon, the graduation rate has increased by over 300% since we first started out at the school! // read more. We were proud to have opportunities to send our Avalon students into the surrounding community through our Murals for Motivation project. As a result, 12 student-created murals will soon decorate schools throughout the Wilmington area. // read more. 

Our annual Workday saw yet another wonderfully impactful year. In fact, in the words of one of the staff members who participated in our Gardena High School Workday project,“Sharefest was one of the most memorable events of my educational career of more than 30 years.” Moreover, another highlight project of our Workday saw the realization of a local principal’s dream with the installation of a state-of-the-art computer lab at Holmes Avenue Elementary. As an on-campus tutor, our project manager there has continued to invest in the students and school on a weekly basis. // read more. 

This year the work of Sharefest was recognized by Toyota Motor Corp, with the donation of a Prius this year. Sharefest also was awarded the "Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution to Education" from Association of California School Administrators (Region 14) and Redondo Beach Unified School District. This fall, Sharefest Executive Director Chad Mayer was honored at the Daily Breeze's People of Distinction awards ceremony for his extraordinary contributions as a South Bay volunteer.

CHANGE. In 2011, we saw lives changed. Our Youth Development Academy (YDA) is a vehicle for us to invest in the youth of our community. Through our programming at Avalon High School, and during our 4-week long summer component, we have the opportunity to change the lives of the students in our care.  This August, our programming powerfully impacted over 200 young people, many of whom continue to face immense challenges in their communities. // read more. One particular student made it known to us that Sharefest fundamentally enhanced his motivation to be excellent in his studies. In addition, this young man formed a bond with a counselor that helped create accountability and encouragement beyond the end of camp.  Many of you met this exceptional young man at our 8th Annual Fundraiser in November.

In an effort to continue our investment in Summer YDA students beyond their middle school years, we created the role of “Junior Counselors.” Once our students “graduate” from our summer program, we find that many of them still have a heart to be involved. It was definitely a highlight in seeing these young men and women take on a role of servant-leadership, furthering our impact and reach. //read more. 

 

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US LEAVE A LEGACY OF LASTING POSITIVE CHANGE. Since Sharefest began, we have mobilized 35,000 volunteers to complete over $6.5 million worth of work in our community. We have had the privilege of serving over 800 at-risk youth in the LA and Harbor Areas through our Youth Development Academy. None of this would have been possible without your support.