The Lakers pay tribute to MLK

The Lakers invited Volunteers of America staff and program participants to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on Martin Luther King Day.  Military veterans who are struggling with challenges returning to civilian life in VOALA Veterans Programs and families from VOALA Head Start programs enjoyed watching their Lakers beat the Mavs in what was a very close game. 

VOALA was introduced on the big screen along during the first quarter break along with a video highlighting the Lakers Team Up community programs they hosted throughout the city.   During the 2011 NBA lockout, the Lakers staff including coaches and The Laker Girls hosted events for our homeless and early education programs at VOALA Transition House and Hawthorne Head Start to distribute care packages, hang-out, sign autographs, and enjoy lunch provided by Jersey Mike’s Subs. 

Thanks again to the Lakers organization for all the great work they do in our community. And for the shout out at the game last night!

Be Strong, Smart, and Bold with Girls Inc.®

Girls Inc. New Year's Party in Boyle Heights

Girls Inc. is ready to begin the programs for girls throughout L.A. We provide research-based programs focusing on economic and media literacy, leadership development, nutrition and sexual health, date rape prevention, math, science and technology, and career options. This week we’re having New Year’s parties to meet the girls and their families that will be participating this year. Learn more about Girls Inc.

SCE Awards Grant to CyberTutoring program!

Thank you SCE!

Southern California Edison has just awarded our CyberTutoring program a generous grant of $15,000 to fund computer stations, software and assist with one of the key components of the Upward Bound program!

VOALA Upward Bound programs reach more than 300 students each year and have an extremely high success rate. Over the years we have helped thousands of teenagers be the first in their family to go to college. This is especially noteworthy as the kids we serve are educated in overcrowded inner-city schools with high dropout rates and low academic performance. One semester of CyberTutoring has proven to advance a student one grade, and impacts their lives immeasurably.

CyberTutoring happens online on a computer with a camera via the Internet and Skype.  Thanks to these innovations and funders like SCE, tutoring has become a convenient and effective way to make a real difference in a kid’s life. If you are interested in participating or helping sponsor one of our programs email: info@voala.org

Loyola Fathers lead by example.

Fathers and Sons from Loyola High School teamed up last weekend for a community service project at the VOALA North Hollywood Apartments. The project consisted of landscaping, painting, and replacing sprinkler systems at our largest affordable housing facilities for low-income families, the elderly and military veterans. 

The Loyola Father’s Club has chosen Volunteers of America as their community service partner.  Their mission of being A Man for Others can be experienced in many ways. One of the most meaningful may be in witnessing a father who puts these words into action. During this service program, fathers and sons work shoulder to shoulder improving the lives of other people. If you have a group that would like to participate in a service project, please email volunteer@voala.org

L.A. Lakers and VOALA Team Up!

The Lakers Organization hosted a Team Up event on Tuesday, November 29, at the Volunteers of America Head Start early education program in Hawthorne. It was a day of fun and activities with the Laker Girls including games, sack races, bubble blowing, face painting and lunch donated by Mike’s Jersey Subs.

The Lakers have been active during the NBA lockout with their Team Up initiative. They partnered with VOALA on November 1, for their first event which was scheduled on what should have been their first home game of the season. The whole coaching staff came to VOALA Transition House downtown along with the Laker Girls to distribute care packages and enjoy music and lunch with the residents of the facility.

“We’ve always received such great support from the Los Angeles community,” said a Lakers rep in a press release about the program. “With the “Team Up” initiative we have the opportunity to give something back to the community by helping out various organizations that service many of our loyal fans.”