For the Kids

“It’s for the kids.” This is a phrase that is not uncommon when fundraising for youth-related causes. But it is also apropos of a meeting I attended last Thursday night. The meeting was a round table discussion regarding our local youth and our youth center, The Fire House.

For those unfamiliar, The Fire House was spearheaded 10 years ago by members of the (then) CV Drug & Alcohol Prevention Coalition – CVDAPC – (now defunct) and Mary O’Keefe (far from defunct). The Fire House is located on the grounds of St. Luke’s of the Mountains in what was once fire station 19, hence the name. Once fire station 19 was relocated, the building became a catch-all for the church. CVDAPC, which included Mary, knew that the area’s youth could benefit from a clubhouse-type space where they could hang out, do homework and just be. Over the last 10 years, Mary was at The Fire House every Tuesday night and Thursday morning. Tuesday night was the high school night and Thursday morning was to accommodate late start at Rosemont Middle School. Tuesday nights are currently on hiatus, but Thursday mornings are still busy with about 70 kids stopping by for a hot breakfast. Some of the local grocery stores have donated product or gift cards to buy food for The Fire House and local people have donated their time to flip pancakes and sausages and pour orange juice for our kids before sending them up the hill to school. Every other Monday night, Vanessa Ynda opens The Fire House for the Cool Kids, a group for young adults with special needs.

Those attending Thursday night’s discussion were all interested in helping the area youth and, by extension, The Fire House. Principals from CV High School and Rosemont Middle School offered insight on supporting children through education, Captain Todd Deeds from the CV Sheriff’s Station provided information on keeping youth safe and CV student David Green and therapist Amoret Kaufman talked about nurturing children and youth so they can be and do their best.

But at the end of the day what is really needed is people … people who will show up at 7 a.m. on Thursday mornings to help Mary, Camille Levee and Chris Dodson prepare to feed the horde, people who are willing to make a commitment to volunteer their time on Tuesday nights so it doesn’t fall only on the shoulders of a few to keep The Fire House open and people who are available to donate their skills to mentor these kids. Oh, and financial support would also be welcome.

If you want to help out, contact Mary at Mary@cvweekly.com.

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Another youth-driven area that needs help is Prom Plus. I’ve been sharing stories with you for years about Prom Plus. I have the stories to share; I’ve been a part of Prom Plus for 21 years. It’s a wonderful organization that keeps our kids safe after prom and was born from a tragedy when a Crescenta Valley High School senior was murdered at an unsupervised post-prom party in 1991 (to learn more, visit www.promplus.org). But after 21 years, I need to step back; after all, my youngest is married and in the Air Force. I am not connected to the CVHS campus anymore and it is time for parents of children younger than mine to step up and take the reins.

This will be my last year as president of Prom Plus but I am hopeful that someone will have the passion to move this organization forward. I mean, I shouldn’t care more for your kids than you do.

Prom Plus meets the last Monday of the month at St. Luke’s of the Mountains – Sadler Hall, 2563 Foothill Blvd. at 6:30 p.m. We are having a bingo fundraiser on Saturday – Leap Year Bingo – at the American Legion Hall, 4011 La Crescenta Ave. Doors open at 4:30; first game is at 5:30. The cost is $20 for 10 games. I invite you to learn how Prom Plus works and to be a part of this dynamic organization. You can always contact me at Robin@cvweekly.com for more information.

  robin goldsworthy